Page 26 of The Knotty Girls Club

“I mean, if that’s okay,” Kinsey says, rubbing her hand down my shoulder, gently touching my wrist and setting me off. She senses my disconnection, coaxing me to pull myself from my thoughts without calling me out. Her touch is so soft and light like a caress of the wind, and it stirs me from the darkness created by my past. “With both of you.”

“I’d love for you to meet her. She’s been waiting. She’s used to having females around, but she’s never met another omega. Our mother died shortly after her birth.” I clear my throat, trying not to dig up that memory either. It’s as if Kinsey yanks everything I’ve suppressed free, and it makes it harder and harder for me to focus.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmurs, slowly lacing her other hand through mine, holding both of mine, surprising me. She’s braver than the last time and more open with her teasing affection. The sudden tranquility coming with her sugary scent helps ease the tenseness of my muscles brought on by Wilder.

“It was a long time ago. Maybe we could talk about it some other time, and you can tell me more about yourself as well.” I’m dying to know exactly how she ended up in her position, but I know better than to push her. She shuts down easily, and the last thing I want is for her to push me away.

Her eyes gloss over. “Yeah, sure. Some other time.”

I offer her a smile and tug her toward the wardrobe instead of the hallway. It’s best that we take our secret passageway, limiting the amount of time Kinsley moves through any shared domains that the staff go through. The betas will definitely catch the unfamiliar scent, so we must be careful.

Kinsey stares at me with her big green eyes and then flicks her gaze to the spot on the wall I tap to release the doorknob. I open it and motion for her to lead the way, the access door not wide enough for the both of us to enter together. Closing the door behind us, I pull her into my side and drape my arm across her shoulders. She sinks against me instead of putting space between us, and I can’t stop my heart from racing. I know I shouldn’t be so close to her. I know better than to want to pick her up and prop her against the wall to kiss her again, to feel her heat against mine and smell her lust, taste her the way I want, but I risk desiring it anyway. There’s just something about Kinsey I can’t ignore.

We walk in silence through the winding corridor, passing by the entrance to my room. I point it out to her, and she touches the door as if she wants to leave a trail to follow later. We make our way to the panic room, the heavy door only activated by one of our touches. I’ll have to have Wilder reprogram it to include Kinsey.

“So, she’s basically like a prisoner,” Kinsey says, twisting her lips to the side as I open the first heavy door, revealing the one intended for Holly’s privacy.

“No, Holly can go anywhere she pleases. As long as it’s not anywhere the staff can see her.” I knock on the door, listening for Holly.

She’s a lot louder than the rest of us, always wanting to test us with her noise. Something smacks on the wood. Maybe a book. “You have a hand, Wilder. Use it! I’m not getting up when we both know you’re going to come in anyway, you asshole.”

I swing open the door, nudging Kinsey in front of me. “Damn, Holly. You’re never going to let Wilder catch a break, are you?”

“Shit. Sorry, Arsenio. I thought you were the asshole. He said he was going to come by and finally face me instead of hiding like a scared baby.” Holly stands up from her couch, a collection of books around her. Setting her eyes on Kinsey, she dashes toward us, not missing a beat. “I’m so happy you’re not him, though. I’ve been dying for you to bring the omega by. It’s Kinsey, right?” Holly turns her attention to Kinsey, breaking one of our society’s rules by addressing her directly in the presence of an alpha. Stuff like this is what we need help with, working on her habits, so she understands the true extent of her order. She really has been sheltered. My brothers and I can only blame ourselves though. We thought that the king would choose someone worthy.

Kinsey turns her attention to me, waiting for me to speak first. It prods at me just a little that she feels like she has to.

“Yup, this is Kinsey. Kinsey, meet my little sister Holly.” I release Kinsey, allowing her to greet Holly. I watch them in silence, wondering how they’ll interact with each other. Omegas aren’t usually touchy-feely with other omegas, but Kinsey surprises me and kisses each of Holly’s cheeks. It’s such a familial thing to do and something that happens within a pack.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Kinsey says, her voice light.

Holly freezes for a second, her stare flicking to mine. Blush crawls up her neck, and she smiles wider. Most people used to treat Holly as an untouchable. No one outside our pack would’ve dared get within arm’s reach. She’s been denied affection outside of our family. We all have, really, but for my sister, it’s taken a toll.

“Arsenio, she’s perfect. Beautiful and kind. I don’t know why Wilder is a fucking psycho about this. It’s not her fault you dumbasses kidnapped her. You should be thanking the fates.” Holly glances at me from over Kinsey’s shoulder. Pulling her closer, I watch the two of them hug as if they’ve known each other all their lives.

I ignore her comment about fate because I’m not sure how Kinsey truly feels about it. “You know he’s just overprotective,” I say, clicking the door closed behind me. I don’t trust Wilder to cut his day early to search us out. If I can keep Kinsey out of sight, maybe he’ll realize just how right Holly is. Fate gave us someone to help Holly, not hurt her.

“And in denial.” Holly beams brighter. Locking her hands to Kinsey’s, she tugs her deeper into her suite. “Totally his loss and your gain.”

Kinsey giggles and slides onto the couch beside Holly. She quietly pats the spot beside her, asking me to join her. My heart picks up speed, her subtle desire for my closeness driving me wild. A part of me hopes Holly doesn’t steal too much of our time, because I don’t want to waste any more time with my brother away than I have to. None of us have told Kinsey yet, but we’ve decided to split the week into shifts to keep her company and watch out for her, and Wilder demanded one day.

“You say that like he ever had a chance. I mean, look at me.” I grin with my words, sitting down next to Kinsey only to pull her onto my lap. I can’t help it. I crave her closeness. I yearn to breathe in the scent of her neck. To kiss her throat. To show her attention in front of someone important to me.

Holly laughs and shakes her head. “Don’t settle, Kinsey. Enzo hasn’t stopped talking about you, either. Desmond too, but I know he might not be of interest to you because—”

“He’s sweet.” Kinsey shifts off my lap, squishing next to Holly. Leaning close to her, she whispers something in her ear.

Holly groans softly, her disappointment hitting me hard as if it is my own. She whispers something back, watching me as she does. I know they’re allowed some privacy, and I should excuse myself, giving them time to get to know each other, but I’ve never been jealous of my sister before. I wish Kinsey would include me in the conversation. I’m infuriatingly desperate to know what she said about my brothers. Maybe about me.

My jealousy gets the best of me, and I wrap my arms around Kinsey, tugging her away. “Okay, okay. You two should save this conversation for later. I promised Kinsey she could fuck around in Wilder’s room. Teach him a lesson.” Petty? Maybe.

But my words brighten Kinsey’s face, extinguishing the serious whispers she shares with Holly immediately.

“Fuck yeah! I’m helping!” Holly launches to her feet, yanking Kinsey with her.

I glower at the back of Holly’s head, wishing she’d have gotten the hint. Or maybe she did and something Kinsey said to her makes her want to cock-block. Fucking hell. I hadn’t realized until this moment how much I want Kinsey. I thought she was beautiful since the moment I laid eyes on her, but my sister stealing her attention from me drives me batshit crazy, which is stupid as shit. We agreed that Kinsey could help Holly. I just didn’t realize it would be without me.

I rub the back of my neck, trying to remain expressionless. Kinsey laughs and smiles over her shoulder, winking at me like the sassy, sweet woman she is.

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