Page 33 of Knot Like Other Girls

"It's not our place to interfere in their relationship," Roman says, but I can hear the doubt in his voice.

"Isn't it?" I challenge. "We were hired to protect her. Who's to say that doesn't include protecting her from an unhappy marriage?"

"That's a dangerous line of thinking, Liam," Roman warns. "We can't just... what, steal her away? She's made her choice."

"Has she?" Troy asks. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like she's been backed into a corner.”

I nod in agreement, feeling a surge of pride for Troy. The lad might act the fool sometimes, but he's got a sharp mind and a good heart.

"We might not be able to offer her a normal life," I say slowly, the words forming as I speak them. "But we can offer her a choice. A real one. Not this... this farce of an engagement."

"How?" Roman asks, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. He's not dismissing the idea outright, which is more than I expected.

"We do our job," I say. "We wear scent mask sprays to dilute our scents so she doesn't catch on. We protect her. We keep her safe. And in the process, we show her that there's another life she could have. Maybe not as comfortable as the life she’d have as Braxley’s trophy wife, but maybe she’ll choose our pack anyway."

“That's a fine line to walk,” Savva warns. “If anyone catches on?—”

"We’ll be careful," I insist. "We'll be professional. But we won't stand by and watch her throw her life away for a man who doesn't deserve her."

The room falls silent as we all consider the implications of what I'm suggesting. It's risky, there's no doubt about that.

But she’s our scent match. And she’s worth all the risk in the world.

"I'm in," Troy says finally, breaking the silence. "Whatever it takes. I'm not leaving her here."

"I am, too," Savva agrees, his voice soft but firm. "She deserves to be able to make her own choices."

We turn to Cole. He's still standing in the corner, his scarred face unreadable as he stares out the window. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't even nod.

But coming from Cole, silence is practically a declaration of undying loyalty. I'll take it.

Finally, we all look to Roman. The Vanguard Pack leader looks at each of us in turn, his golden-hazel eyes unreadable.

"This goes against everything we've been trained for," he says slowly. "It's unprofessional, it's dangerous, and it could blow up in our faces spectacularly."

I hold my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"That said," Roman continues, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, "I can't say I disagree with the sentiment. We'll proceed with caution. Our primary objective is still Bella's safety. But if, in the course of our duties, we happen to show her that there are other options available to her... well, that's just good security work, isn't it?"

He's right.

We're soldiers, trained to follow orders and complete the mission. But we're also alphas. Alphas who've just met the one person in the world who could change everything.

Hell, she already has.

CHAPTER 12

BELLA

After changing into my most modest set of thick fleece pajamas that leave everything to the imagination, I sink into the plush cushions of the couch, pulling my blanket tight around me. The penthouse is quiet now, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning. It's almost peaceful, if I ignore the knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach.

My phone buzzes, and I smile despite myself. Skye. Of course she'd be checking in.

["Sooo... spill. What are these new bodyguards like? Are they as hot as I'm imagining? "]

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the grin spreading across my face. Leave it to Skye to focus on the important details.

["They're... intense. And yeah, they're all ridiculously attractive. It's kind of unfair, actually."]

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