Page 24 of Knot Like Other Girls

As Savva continues his digital digging, I find my eyes drawn back to Bella's photo. There's something about her that doesn't quite fit with what we know of Braxley Worthington and his world.

She looks... trapped, almost.

Like a bird in a gilded cage.

I shake off the thought. It's not our job to psychoanalyze our clients or judge their relationships.

We're here to keep them safe, nothing more.

But as I look around at my team, I can see I'm not the only one affected by Bella Emerson. Troy's still peering over Savva's shoulder, a hint of a frown on his usually carefree face. Liam's gaze is distant, thoughtful. Even Cole, who rarely shows interest in anything beyond the immediate tactical situation, is watching the screen with an intensity that surprises me.

"Her father is a history professor," Savva reports. "But that's about all I can find about her parents. His LinkedIn is out of date. Hair looks Photoshopped on."

"Or he painted his scalp," Troy points out.

Savva shakes his head. "Photoshop."

"Any signs of trouble?" I ask.

"No," Savva replies. "At least, nothing obvious. A few comments from locals in North Carolina about how they'll miss her when she moves to LA, but it's all very positive. She seems well-liked."

"Unlike her future husband," Troy mutters, earning a sharp look from me.

"Remember, we're not here to judge," I remind him, even as a part of me agrees. "Our job is to protect them both, regardless of our personal opinions."

Troy holds up his hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Professional detachment and all that. But come on, Roman. You can't tell me you're not wondering how these two ended up together. And we've never protected an omega before. This is new territory."

I am wondering, despite my best efforts not to. But it's not my job to figure that out.

I repeat this to myself like a mantra.

Professional detachment.

Focus on the mission.

Don't get involved.

But even as we go back to researching our new clients and their connections, a part of my mind remains fixed on those green eyes, that soft smile.

This omega is a complication I never saw coming.

An omega who, in just a few days, we'll be sworn to protect with our lives.

God help us.

CHAPTER 9

COLE

The private jet's engines thrum beneath my feet as I settle into my seat, the leather uncomfortably cool against the scars on my right arm.

I fucking hate flying.

Too exposed, too many variables out of my control. But it beats the alternative of staying in Sicily, waiting for some mafia family to decide we're loose ends that need tying up.

Still, as I watch the others spread out across the luxurious cabin, I can't help but feel like we're making a mistake. This new job... it's not what we do. We're soldiers, trained for combat and high-stakes protection. Not... whatever the hell this is. Babysitting a picture-perfect spoiled brat.

And his fiancée, who actually is perfect.

---