Page 45 of Believe it or Knot

“Really. And I heard Chief Stillwell isn’t even gonna do anything about it. He can’t. Has no leads. Stephen told him the guys were masked. They don’t have anything to go on.”

Sorrel relaxes slightly at that, and I realize the look on her face wasn’t anger like I thought, but concern for us. That she was worried we’d be arrested. Sweet, darling girl. She’ll learn that being a member of the Cordova pack means being untouchable.

“That’s awful,” Sorrel says, sounding like she actually means it. My girl must be a phenomenal actor because I almost believe her and I know there’s no love lost between her and the Stillwell pack.

Joann snorts. “Sure. It’s so awful.”

She gets it.

The toddler starts fussing, and Joann bounces a few times, finally looking up and taking in the rest of us standing in a huddle around them.

I brace for the exclamation of recognition, for the photo requests and the throng of people around us to suddenly be aware that there is a celebrity pack in their midst. If the way Rafe draws closer and the guards tighten up around us is any sign, they’re waiting for the same thing, but then the Joann just shrugs and hefts her toddler higher on her hip. “Well, I better find Gertie and get this one cleaned up. Enjoy yourself, you two. You deserve it.” She flashes a quick smile to Gage. “Good to see you again, Wagner. I’ll tell Chet you’re back in town. You guys should catch up.”

Then, with hardly a glance at me, Gray, and Rafe, she turns on her heel and carries her child away.

I blink after them. “Is that all?”

Sorrel squints up at me. “You were expecting more?”

“I’m Liam Cordova,” I splutter. “And she didn’t care! How did she not care?”

Gage places his hand at the base of Sorrel’s spine and guides her toward the line for the Ferris wheel. “Maybe she had no clue who you are. You’re incognito after all.” His tone is one hundred percent mocking and it fifty percent turns me on. I have no idea why.

“Even incognito, most people recognize me when they get close enough.”

Sorrel grins over her shoulder at me, and it hits me in my chest like an arrow. Cupid’s arrow. Fuck, it’s too early to say I love this girl, right? Right. Definitely can’t let on that my feelings for her have gotten so deep, so fast.

Not only will it worry my pack, but it’ll probably send her running for the hills too.

“Don’t worry about it, Liam. Gage is a celebrity around here. He saved a kid from drowning when he was fourteen and received a commendation from the mayor and the police department. Ever since then, he’s been Lake Kilrose’s very own golden boy. Him being home is big news.”

“Even bigger than an actual celebrity being in town?” I know I’m pouting. It doesn’t make any sense because I should be grateful that no one has recognized me, that I get to have this time with Sorrel and Gage and my pack without the constant interruptions of people trying to grab a quick selfie with me or wanting to tell me what they think of my last album or movie.

But I worked damn hard in my career. I enjoy meeting my fans. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t keep doing what I’m doing.

“Stop pouting,” Rafe orders in a low voice, sending a delightful shiver down my spine and straight to my cock, which makes the half chub I’ve been sporting all day grow to a full erection, tenting my shorts.

Rafe bites his lip as he notices, and I glare at him. “Really?”

He shrugs and tugs me in for a kiss. “Maybe our girl will help you with that.”

My mind swirls with all kinds of thoughts and plans at his casual mention of Sorrel helping to ease the ache in my balls. “That’s really not helping,” I grit out as my cock leaks like a freaking fountain, right here in the middle of a lovely family fun fair.

As we queue up in line, Sorrel turns to look at us. “So we’re just not gonna talk about it?”

The four of us find the fair absolutely fascinating. She huffs and tosses her braid over her shoulder. “Really?” The frustration in her tone draws my eyes back to her. “I asked you not to do anything about it. I told you I was handling it.”

Rafe moves a little closer to her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, conejita.”

She scowls. “Oh, you don’t do you? How about the rest of you?” Her glare lands on all of us. “Nothing? Really. Should I spell it out for you? The Stillwell pack being hospitalized days after-” She cuts off as Gage slaps a hand over her mouth, but her glare remains.

“We have no idea what you’re talking about, biscuit,” he growls at her. “We had nothing to do with the Stillwell pack. If you remember the four of us were with you that night, yeah? Drinking beers on the dock of the Shack while you finished up work.” Her brows relax and she gives a tentative nod. “Right,” Gage continues. “Now, we had nothing to do with it, but I’m sure whoever it was had a damn good reason. Maybe the Stillwell pack has been taking advantage of people for far too long. Maybe whoever did this got sick and tired of doing nothing. And maybe they would be willing to do so much fucking worse to those assholes. But it wasn’t us. Clear?”

Sorrel gives another nod. “Good girl,” he murmurs and I nearly combust at the praise, even though it isn’t directed at me. “Now, with that said, I’m fucking thrilled that they got the shit beat out of them.”

Sorrel’s back to scowling now. Gage jerks and I glance shown expecting to see she’s kicked him like she did earlier, but her feet are still firmly planted on the ground. Gage’s eyes darken, and his chest heaves in one giant breath before he rasps, “Did you just lick me?”

Oh, fuck. These two do absolutely nothing for my boner. I should look into some kind of super powered boxer that can keep it concealed. Just strap that shit down, so I don’t get caught with an erection in public, especially if we’re going to be spending as much time with Sorrel and Gage as I hope.

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