Page 51 of Knot Like Other Girls

"That's a shame," Cole says quietly, surprising me. It's the first time he's voluntarily joined the conversation. "You shouldn't give up something you love."

I look up at him, startled by the intensity in his blue gaze. But whatever was just there is gone in a flash, replaced by his usual guarded expression. Muttering something I don't catch under his breath, he flicks a smooth, flat stone across the water's surface.

"Maybe," I say noncommittally, not ready to confront that particular truth just yet. "What about you guys? Any secret passions?"

Troy grins. "Well, I make a mean chili. And I can juggle. Not at the same time, though. Learned that the hard way."

I'm not sure if he's telling the truth or not, but either way, I laugh. It's strange how quickly these alphas have put me at ease, how natural it feels to sit here in this park with them like we didn't just meet yesterday.

"What about you, Savva?" I ask, turning to the auburn-haired alpha.

Savva's lips quirk up in a small smile. "I dabble in a few things. Languages, mostly. And I have a particular fondness for puzzles."

"Languages?" I lean forward, intrigued. "How many do you speak?"

He shrugs. "Fourteen."

My jaw drops. "How did you learn so many?"

"Duolingo," says Troy.

That earns a snort from Savva. "Yes, Troy. I became fluent in fourteen languages through a mobile app. You've uncovered my secret."

"And you, Cole?" I ask, still laughing a bit as I turn to the white-haired alpha. "What do you like to do in your spare time?"

Cole's eyes flick to me, then away just as quickly.

But he doesn't answer, and I don't push him.

I lean back on my hands, tilting my face up to catch the warm rays of the sun. A gentle breeze ruffles my hair, carrying with it the scent of the alphas. Even muted as it is, their combined scents wrap around me like a warm blanket, soothing something deep inside me that I didn't even realize was frayed.

It feels good to be outside, away from the stifling confines of Braxley's penthouse. Away from his constant need for attention and validation. Here, with these alphas, I feel like I can breathe for the first time in months. Which doesn't really make any sense, but here we are.

When I open my eyes, I catch Cole watching me again. For once, he doesn't immediately look away. His mismatched eyes hold mine for a moment before he turns away, but not before I realize he's fiddling with something in his hand. I try to see what he's doing, but his broad back blocks my view unless I'm willing to risk the tentative truce we have by craning my neck and actively trying to snoop.

"Oh shit," Troy says, slapping at his arm. The sound makes me jump, distracting me. Gotta love my new fear of sudden loud sounds. "I think the mosquitoes have found us."

Savva immediately starts patting himself down, a look of horror on his face. "What? Oh, fuck, no."

The sight of the sophisticated alpha frantically checking himself for bugs draws another laugh from me. It's such a human moment. So at odds with the image of the suave, sophisticated alpha he usually projects. It makes me like him even more. "Not a fan of mosquitoes, Savva?" I ask.

"They are vile, disease-ridden creatures that serve no purpose other than to torment humanity," he growls. "And they always, always seem to find me."

Troy cackles as Savva gets up like he's been set on fire. "You should've seen him when he found a tarantula in his sleeping bag in Brazil," he says to me.

Savva's eyes narrow dangerously. "The tarantula you planted there?"

"I did no such thing," Troy says defensively, checking his pager when it beeps. "Aww, shit. Dad's on our asses."

"Dad?" I echo, surprised. Are they brothers?

Savva sighs. "We're a bit over sixty minutes, aren't we?"

"Sixty-three," Troy replies in a flat tone, rising to his feet and offering me his huge hand.

I take it, letting him help me up.

A flash of movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Cole standing up. My breath catches in my throat when I realize he has a combat knife in his hand. It's a wicked-looking thing, the blade catching the fading sunlight.

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