Page 28 of Forget Me Knot

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * *

“I’m sorry, but you absolutely cannot convince me that rats haven’t taken over the sewer system. No matter how clean or magical a place may seem. You just know they’re down there fighting for dominance over the frogs,” I tell Kas emphatically as we’re finishing up the guided part of the studio tour. Apparently, we get to explore after this because he pulled some strings for us. I love that no matter how excited or loud I get, he doesn’t get mad or tells me to quiet down and quit embarrassing him, even in public. I love that he’s having as much fun as I am. Kas seemed really nervous when we left the hotel, and I was worried he had changed his mind about going and didn’t know how to tell me.

We’ve been driving about fifteen minutes and I’ve been gently peppering Kas with questions for the last ten. He keeps giving me short answers and seems so anxious. I just really hope he’s not second guessing our date. Turning to me with a blush staining his high cheekbones, he shyly admits he has really bad anxiety. So as much as he loves going on this tour, he usually ends up having an anxiety attack at some point during it.

“Being in public and around people triggers it the most, which is why I spend so much time at home,” he explains quietly. I smile at him and grab his hand, squeezing tight. Hoping to distract him, I start talking about a few of the only movies I was allowed to watch as a child.

The first movie I brought up makes him fidget nervously, and I don’t hesitate to ask him why.

He sighs dramatically, and I hold in a giggle because that is such a Kai thing to do, but I don’t want him to think I’m comparing him to his twin. “I don’t want you to laugh at me,” he says with a pout. He pouts, and it’s so freaking cute I have to fight to focus on his words.

“Baby,” I say gently. “I’m not gonna laugh at you. Just tell me.”

Sighing again, he glances at me for a long moment before speaking. “I don’t think you know this, but Kai and my last name is Sparrow,” he says dejectedly. My eyes widen, immediately knowing I’m about to break my no laughing promise. “Our parents have always told us we were conceived during a pre-heat Pirates of the Caribbean movie marathon. And trust me, I know how ironic that is. Our mom is absolutely obsessed with Johnny Depp. So, when we were born, they decided to pay tribute to the reason for our existence and named us Kaspian Jack Sparrow and Kairo Johnny Sparrow. We’ve never told anybody our middle names. Even the guys don’t know.” He looks straight into my eyes as he says the last bit.

I’m trying desperately to hold myself together, so I don’t break my promise. I roll my lips inwards and I’m holding my breath, but I can feel tears building in my eyes right as Kas looks over and scoffs. “You can laugh, you brat.”

Breaking out into a fit of wild giggles, I bring his hand to my lips and kiss it. “I’m so sorry,” I get out between breaths. “I swear I’m not laughing at you. It’s just so cute! I can’t wait to meet your mom.”

He’s smiling softly at me now. “She’s gonna love you, giggly goose. I can’t wait for her to meet our girl.”

I keep talking about kids’ movies the entire car ride. Just as we’re pulling into the studio, we realized that one we’ve both always liked features a pet rat that saves the sewer rat community in London from a flood during the world cup. The fact that we’re in London right now has me absolutely convinced it’s going to come true right under our feet and we won’t even know it.

“I fully agree, Rita. But the real question is, do you think there’s a frog King? Or would they have evolved into a democracy by now?” he asks seriously. Kas and I have been playing and joking all day, and it’s a side I never expected from him. He’s so funny even when he’s quiet about it. I just feel like he thinks he has to make himself fit into this mold of only being the quiet twin because Kairo has such loud thoughts and feelings. Seeing this goofy side of him is so attractive I can feel myself getting turned on, and my perfume floods from my body. Kas’ pupils go wide, and he leans in to sniff my neck. We’ve been sitting outside one of the shops in Diagon Alley, finishing up our delicious Butterbeer and talking for maybe fifteen minutes and we’re completely alone. Perks of being super rich, apparently.

“Sweetheart.” He pauses, still sniffing my neck. “Are frog kings your kink? Maybe your permanent nickname should be princess if you have a thing for royalty.” He chuckles lightly as he strokes his fingers lightly down my cheek.

My cheeks flame red. “What? No, don’t be weird. I was just thinking it’s so nice to talk to someone else about the stuff I like. How much fun it is to see you talk about something you’re passionate about, especially when it’s the nerdy and geeky stuff I love, too. It’s really... um... sexy.” I gulp. I’m getting more comfortable talking about sex, but it’s still really awkward trying to flirt when you have zero experience.

My nerdy Alpha groans, burying his face in my neck. “B, you calling me sexy in that sweet voice of yours has got to be one of the biggest turn-ons I’ve ever experienced.” Lifting his head up, he looks around quickly before standing up and grabbing my hand, pulling me to stand with him. “Do you trust me?” he asks quietly.

Immediately, I nod my head. “More than anything.” And it’s the honest truth. Two weeks ago, I never would have said I would trust a man, let alone five of them. But meeting my scent matches has overridden my trauma and IknowI can trust my men.My pack.

He nods, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Good, then come with me, and be very,veryquiet.”

ChapterFourteen

CLOSE TO HOME

Hades

The guys and I arrive at HQ to meet Pack O’Connor less than a half an hour after Blake and Kaspian leave for their tour. We’re all a little on edge, considering we don’t know why they requested this meeting, or why it has to be withoutBlake. She’s been gone less than an hour and I miss her so much already. Even though I know I’ll get to take her to the eye with Achilles later while the guys catch up on work here at the office.

We walk into the meeting room to see the other men are already seated and looking haggard, which is unusual since they’re some of the most professional and put together guys I know. My stomach is in knots and I’m suddenly dreading whatever they’re about to tell us.

“Hey, y’all. Welcome back to London. It’s been forever since we’ve seen you!” Silas, the oldest of the brothers, says, coming around the table to greet us.

The O’Connors grew up right down the road from us in Lockwood. When they all started talking about branching into private security, we offered them jobs at OHP as consultants. They’re not allowed to work directly with the Omegas since they’re unbonded, but it works for them and their skills. They’ve been in London holding down the fort while our local pack is on parental leave. The other men follow their brother, and we exchange hugs and handshakes all around. Looking at them, I can tell something is off, and I have a feeling whatever plans we had later are about to be cancelled.

I take a seat at one side of the large rectangular table, eyeing the rest of my pack until they do the same. “I hope you know how much we appreciate you looking into this… situation for us guys.”

Owen, who’s only a year younger than Silas, answers me. “We were more than happy to do it when you asked us… but I think we have a personal stake in this now, too.”

I know I’m not the only one who’s confused, and I’m proven right when Kai snaps at him. “What the hell are you talking about, Owen? And why are we here without Blake?”

The four brothers give each other a look I can’t decipher, and I notice tears forming in Beckett’s eyes. He’s the youngest of the O’Connor’s and the most stoic, so to say I’m surprised by his show of emotion in front of us is an understatement. We’ve known these guys since we were kids, and the last time I saw Beck cry was… never.

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