Page 6 of Knot Your Karma
“It’s not that simple.” Even as warmth spreads through my chest hearing Destiny defend my moment of petty revenge, my stomach churns. “Declan seems genuinely nice. And this compass... it’s important to their family traditions.”
“Declan can be a saint for all I care. Blake is still a cheating piece of garbage who gets exactly what he deserves.”
I sink down onto one of the harbor benches.
“There’s more,” I say quietly.
Destiny settles beside me. “How much more are we talking?”
“Declan left his card, said he’d like to come back when he’s not stressed about family drama.” I grip the bench edge until my knuckles go white. “I think... I think he’s interested. Like, romantically interested. I think he could be a scent match. But I was so stressed that I couldn’t think clearly.”
“Wait, hold up.” She turns to face me fully, her knee bumping mine. “You’re telling me a gorgeous alpha thinks you’re amazing and could be a scent match, Blake’s pack is finally getting some consequences, and you’re treating this like it’s a bad thing? Explain that logic to me.”
“Because I can’t exactly sayHey, remember your cheating brother? Well, funny story, I’m the omega he destroyed, and I stole your family treasure in a fit of righteous fury!That’s not exactly first-date conversation!”
“So don’t tell him. Problem solved.”
I stare at her like she just suggested I take up bank robbery as a hobby. “I can’t just not tell him! What happens when he finds out? And he will find out, because apparently he’s being very thorough?—”
My phone rings.
Sage Morrison’s name flashes on the screen, and the phone slips in my suddenly sweaty palm.
“Oh no,” I whisper.
“Who is it?” Destiny immediately moves closer, her shoulder pressing against mine like she’s trying to shield me from electronic threats.
“Sage. The dealer I sold the compass to.” I stare at the phone like it might spontaneously combust. “She never calls unless there’s a problem.”
“Answer it.” Destiny shifts until her thigh presses against mine. “I’ll listen.”
I swipe to accept.
“Hi, Sage.”
“Karma, darling.” Sage’s voice has that artificially sweet tone that means someone is about to have a very bad day. “We need to have a little chat.”
“About what?” I press the phone closer to my ear, and Destiny leans in until her temple touches mine.
“About that lovely maritime compass you brought me three months ago. You remember—brass, family inscriptions, very distinctive engravings? The one you were so eager to move quickly and quietly?”
I look at Destiny. She looks at me. Everything moves in slow motion.
The harbor bench suddenly feels unsteady beneath me. Destiny’s hand finds my arm, her grip warm and grounding. My breathing evens out automatically.
“What about it?”
“Well, it seems someone’s been asking very specific questions. A big alpha with a Boston accent and detailed knowledge about what he’s looking for. Says his name is Mitchell.” Sage’s pause feels loaded with threat. “Funny how he knows so much about a piece that’s supposed to disappear quietly into my network.”
The world decides to cosplay as a tilt-a-whirl again. I’m pretty sure all the blood just evacuated my face and relocated to my feet, and the only thing keeping me from face-planting into the harbor is Destiny’s death grip on my arm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Sage’s laugh could cut glass. “We both know that’s adorable bullshit. See, when mysterious alphas start asking very specific questions about pieces that are supposed to vanish without a trace, it makes me wonder what other lies my suppliers have been telling me.”
“Sage, I can explain?—”
“I’m sure you have a fascinating story. But here’s what concerns me—this Mitchell fellow has photos, detailed descriptions, even knows about the inscription on the back. Makes me very uncomfortable, having someone with that much specific information sniffing around my business.”
