Page 29 of Hot Knot Summer
“You know,” I say, flicking one of his perfectly aligned tabs, “I bet you color-code your underwear drawer, too.”
Levi doesn’t even look up, just bats my hand away without missing a beat. “Better than having to smell-test like you probably do.”
“Harsh, man.” I clutch my chest in mock offense. “And here I was going to share my secret stash of those spicy chips you pretend not to like.”
A ghost of a smile crosses his face. “The ones from that place in Portland?”
“The very same,” I confirm, reaching into my bag to pull out the contraband. Levi’s amber eyes light up for a millisecond before he schools his expression. I’ve known this guy long enough to recognize his tells.
“Fine,” he says, taking the bag and carefully opening it along the seam. Such a fucking perfectionist. “But if Atlas asks where they came from?—”
“You know nothing,” I finish, grinning. “Speaking of our fearless leader...”
My eyes catch movement through the station window. I jump up from where I’m lounging and rush over for a better view. Atlas’s heavy-duty truck is pulling into the parking space markedChief. Even from here, I can see his broad silhouette behind the wheel. But it’s the passenger that makes me press closer to the glass.
“Holy shit,” I mutter. “He actually brought her.”
Levi is suddenly at my side, folder forgotten as he peers through the window. “The Omega author?”
“In the flesh,” I confirm, watching as Atlas exits the truck and circles around to open her door. Such a gentleman, our Atlas. “Damn, she looks even better in daylight than she did covered in soot and ash last night.”
We watch as she steps out, all curves and honey-blond hair. She’s shorter than I expected, delicate next to Atlas’s hulking frame. I feel a tug low in my gut.
“She’s pretty,” Levi murmurs, his usually softer tone with something I rarely hear from him—genuine interest.
“Pretty?” I scoff, bumping his shoulder with mine. “Dude, she’s fucking gorgeous. Look at those legs. And that ass… you could bounce a quarter off it.”
“Must you be so crude?” Levi sighs, but he doesn’t deny it or look away.
“You’re not disagreeing,” I point out, watching as Atlas guides her toward the station entrance, his hand hovering near the small of her back but not quite touching. Always so careful, our chief. “Ten bucks says you’ve already imagined what she’d look like spread out on your sheets.”
“Shut up,” Levi hisses. “Atlas will hear you.”
“Atlas will smell it on you, anyway,” I tease. “You’re practically broadcasting ‘interested Alpha’ right now.”
It’s true—there’s a shift in Levi’s usually controlled scent. That clean, tea-and-smoke smell has deepened, taking on notes that make my own Alpha instincts stir in response. It’s been happening more between the three of us lately, this strange synchronization of reactions.
“Like you’re any better,” Levi mutters.
He’s got me there. I can feel my own scent sharpening, that cinnamon-spice intensity that always gives me away.
“Can you blame me? First Omega to catch myattention in months,” I admit, watching as they disappear from view. “She’s something special. You felt it too last night at the fire.”
Levi’s gaze flicks to mine, a moment of silent communication passing between us. Yeah, we both noticed her, even in the chaos of that house fire. There was something about her that made all three of us hyperaware of her presence.
“Come on,” I say, pulling back from the window. “Let’s not be creeps staring through the glass. Time to turn on my famous charm.”
“God help us all,” Levi mutters but follows me toward the main entrance.
The station’s common area is empty when we enter, but I can hear Atlas’s deep voice coming from down the hall. We follow the sound to the east wing, where our spare quarters are located. As we approach, I catch fragments of their conversation.
“…should be comfortable enough for however long you need to stay,” Atlas is saying.
“I really don’t want to impose,” she replies.
“After what happened at your place last night, I’m offering you a place to stay,” Atlas insists. “Could be a day, could be a month. However long you want.”
I round the corner, Levi close behind, just as she’s stepping into the doorway. Atlas stands beside her, looking like a damn mountain next to her petite frame. His dark blue eyes flick to us, a silent warning evident in them that I cheerfully ignore.
