Page 68 of Hot Knot Summer
I sigh and lean back in my chair, throwing my feet up on the desk despite Atlas’s disapproving glare.
“And then there was this woman poking around the scene before the police arrived. Brunette, about 5’6”, expensive clothes, claiming she lost something at the cabin, which was super suss.”
“Did she give a name?” Atlas asks, already reaching for his notepad.
“Nope. Got defensive when I pressed, then tried to flirt her way out of the situation. I got her license plate number.” I rambleit off.
“I’ll run the plates with my contact at the station,” Levi says, already typing on his laptop. “Should have a name soon enough.”
“The police want to talk to Emma again tomorrow morning again,” I add. “Ask her a few more questions about the night of the fire. I told them we’d bring her in.”
Atlas nods. “We can take her to the festival afterward, maybe. Help take her mind off things if the interview stresses her out.”
“Great plan,” I agree. “Nothing helps you forget about a potentially suspicious fire like fried food and carnival games. Plus, I make it my mission every year to win at least one of those rigged shooting games. This year, I can win her one of those giant stuffed animals.”
Atlas rolls his eyes, but there’s fondness in the gesture. “You just like showing off.”
“Damn right, I do,” I agree shamelessly. “And I’m good at it.”
Levi looks up from his laptop suddenly, his expression uncharacteristically troubled. “What if she did accidentally start the fire?” he asks quietly. “A candle tipping over, or maybe something electrical she plugged in?”
The question lands like a stone in still water, rippling through the room and changing the atmosphere instantly.
Atlas straightens, his protective instincts visibly kicking in. “If that’s the case, we’ll handle it. Accidentshappen.”
“But legally speaking,” Levi continues, ever the logical one. “She could be facing serious liability issues. Property damage, insurance fraud accusations if they think she did it intentionally?—”
“That’s not going to happen,” I interrupt, all traces of joking gone from my voice. “Even if it was an accident, we’ll make sure she’s protected.”
Atlas nods firmly. “We have connections in this town. People trust our assessment. If we say it was an accident, they’ll believe us.”
“And if the evidence suggests otherwise?” Levi asks.
“Then we find other evidence,” I say simply. “I’m not letting her get railroaded for a mistake anyone could make.”
Atlas gives me a measuring look. “This isn’t just about wanting to get her into bed, is it?”
I meet his gaze steadily. “No. It’s not.” And I’m surprised by how true that is. Yes, I want her, desperately, but it’s more than that. I want to see her smile, hear her laugh, watch her face light up when she talks. I want to be the one she calls when she’s scared or happy or just needs someone to listen.
“For any of us,” Levi adds softly.
We fall silent, each lost in our own thoughts. The only sound is the occasional tapping of Levi’s fingers on his keyboard. Outside, the sun slants through the blinds, casting stripes of light across the floor.
Atlas leans back in his chair, staring at theceiling. “Do you think we’re moving too quickly with her?” he asks finally, voice quiet but intent. “It’s only been a few days.”
The question hangs in the air between us.
Levi stops typing, considering as he lifts his chin. “Depends on each individual.”
“When it comes to Alphas finding their Omega mate, not really,” I counter, spinning a pen between my fingers.
“She’s different,” Atlas says, not looking at either of us. “This feels... real.” He’s rubbing his hand over his face. “We’re smitten with an Omega who explicitly told us she wants no Alphas.” He looks between Levi and me, his expression troubled. “Are we setting ourselves up for something bad here? Heartbreak?”
I’ve never seen Atlas look so uncertain. Our natural leader, always so sure of every decision, now questioning if we’re heading straight for disaster. Levi is quiet, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers tap a pattern only he understands against the table.
“Fuck that,” I say, standing up abruptly. I can’t sit still with this energy coursing through me. “We are going to make her ours, and she will see that soon enough.”
Atlas raises an eyebrow. “River?—”
