Page 80 of Knot Like Other Girls

"And if her way involves forgiving him?" Troy asks, voicing the fear we're all feeling.

The thought of Bella staying with Braxley after this makes me want to put my fist through a wall. Or better yet, through Braxley's perfectly moisturized, overly glossy face.

"Then that's her choice," Roman says, even though I can see how much it costs him to say those words. "We're here to protect her, not make decisions for her."

"This is bullshit," I mutter, starting to pace. The room feels too small, too confined. I need to hit something. Need to let out this rage before it consumes me.

"Liam." Roman's voice is sharp, commanding. "I know you're angry. We all are. But flying off the handle isn't going to help Bella."

"Neither is sitting on our asses while that narcissistic fuckboy toys with her emotions!" I snap back.

"You think this is easy for me?" Roman demands, his own control slipping. "You think I didn't want to punch his teeth out when I found those messages?"

I know he's right. I know it. But every alpha instinct I possess is screaming at me to protect our mate, to eliminate the threat to her happiness.

Even if that threat is her own fiancé.

"Fine," I growl finally. "But if he hurts her again?—"

"Then all bets are off," Roman finishes, his eyes hard. "Trust me, I've made that very clear to him."

The silence that follows is heavy as fuck. We all know that if Braxley steps out of line again, no amount of rational thinking will stop us from tearing him apart.

"So now what?" Troy asks, breaking the awkward silence. "We just... wait?"

"Yes," Roman confirms. "We wait."

I blow out a frustrated breath, trying to reign in my anger. "Twenty hours," I mutter. "He's got twenty hours to come clean, or I'm not responsible for my actions."

"Nineteen hours and forty-seven minutes," Savva corrects, checking his watch again. "But who's counting?"

Despite everything, I feel a small smile tug at my lips. Trust Savva to find the dark humor in any situation.

"In the meantime," Roman continues, "we need to stay focused. There's still a credible threat against both Braxley and Bella. We can't let our personal feelings interfere with keeping them safe."

"Even if one of them deserves whatever's coming to him?" Troy mutters.

Roman's expression darkens. "Even then. We're professionals. We do our job, no matter what."

I want to argue, but years of military training kick in. Roman's right. We have a job to do, personal feelings aside.

And right now, that job is protecting Bella.

Even if that means protecting the bastard who's about to break her heart.

"Alright," I say finally, my voice rough. "But I want it on record that I think this is a mistake. Waiting is just giving him time to come up with more lies."

"Noted," Roman says dryly. "Now, we need to figure out how to handle the next twenty hours without any of us committing murder."

"Nineteen hours and forty-five minutes," Savva corrects again.

"Not helping, Savva."

As the others start discussing the usual patrol schedules and security measures, my mind drifts to Bella. Sweet, beautiful Bella who's about to have her world turned upside down.

Again.

I think about her smile at the cafe today, the way her eyes lit up when she saw her friend. The sound of her laugh, free and unguarded for once.

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