Page 64 of Knot For Keeps

“It doesn’t feel like it.” I looked at the door Kane had stormed through. I knew he didn’t like me, but I didn’t expect him to be quite so… violent.

ChapterThirty-Three

Gage

“We need to talk,” I directed my words at Kane who was pummeling the punching bag like he had a vendetta to settle. I couldn’t blame him for his anger, he had been so set in his plans for the future. Knowing about Theo and Lavender had clearly sent him into a tailspin.

Theo had texted me, saying Kane had smelled him on Lavender, and hadn’t reacted well. I had assured him I would take care of it. He had told me Kane had scared her by throwing a glass across the room, and now she was acting skittish. I hated that, and didn’t want her to feel anxious. Now we were in it together, for as long as she was with us.

Archer, having noticed me entering, put his weights down and wandered over to us. His gaze was cautious, his steps slow, like Kane would turn on him if he said the wrong words. To be fair, thatwasa possibility. He was going at that punching bag with fury.

“So talk,” Kane growled, eyes never leaving the punching bag.

“I get that you’re pissed, but you can’t take it out on the others, throwing shit at them is a dick move.”

“He betrayed my sister, you should want to kill him as well.”

“There was no betrayal, Kane. None of us are committed to Juniper, and you know that. I refuse to deny Theo some happiness after all he’s been through.”

“He had fucking sex with her!” he snarled, each punch landing with an impressive thud.

I knew the next words out of my mouth were going to get a reaction, and my face was probably going to be receiving some of those punches, but it needed to be said.

“I did as well,” I admitted.

Kane stilled.Shit. Maybe I should run? He’s a big fucker, and while I’m not exactly small, he can kill me with his bare hands.

I held my ground as he turned to stare at me, his eyes wide, lips pressed together tightly. He was almost vibrating with rage, and the entire room stank like something rotten and acidic. I resisted the urge to gag, he waslivid.

“You… what?” he asked so quietly, I almost didn’t hear. Archer was looking between us, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly. I probably should have given him a heads up, but I hadn’t really thought this through, otherwise I would have waited until Kane was a bit calmer and feeling a little less punchy.

“I also slept with Lavender—and I don’t regret it.”

I was expecting the blow, but it still hurt like a bitch. My cheek throbbed, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had fractured it. There was going to be an impressive bruise.

“Kane! What the hell!” Archer shoved Kane away from me, but I raised my hand to stop his advance. Kane needed to get his feelings out, and if my face was the casualty, then so be it. I was done tiptoeing around this topic.

“How could you!” Kane snarled.

“How could I?” I asked. “I like her, Kane, a lot. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Juniper, but not in the same way. Juniper is a sister to me, to all of us.”

“No.” Kane shook his head vigorously. “You would have been perfect for her!”

“She will find the perfect pack for her when she comes home, Kane. I promise, but that pack isn’t us.” Kane shook his head and started pacing like a caged animal. “You know we consider you pack, Kane.”

“I’m not, Juniper is.”

“Juniper is family. She’s the sister of a packmate,” Archer spoke, looking Kane in the eye.

“After everything Juniper’s undoubtedly been through she deserves the sweetest, most pristine pack, and that isn’t us. Could you really picture Theo with her now? He’s not who he used to be. Would Juniper even recognise him?”

Kane’s pacing faltered, my words had hit home. “I… I can’t, Gage. She wanted you guys.”

“She wanted who we were five years ago: a butcher’s assistant, a computer tech and a veterinarian. We aren’t those things anymore. We have blood on our hands—none of us regret it, especially if it brings her home, but she is such a sweet soul. She deserves more than what we’ve become. Lavender… she can go to bat with any of us, and I can’t deny how attracted I am to her.”

Kane sighed, deflating, dropping onto the bench, head in his hands. “I know! Okay, I know.”

“You like her as well,” Archer said, placing a hand on Kane’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

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