Page 87 of Knight With Benefits

“We are better than that. We will defend ourselves and those too weak to defend themselves, but we will not retaliate in a way that could hurt innocents. We will not start a war that’s bound to spill into the streets.”

I swallowed hard, realizing how much was really at stake. Carl had already mentioned that they’d had issues with the Purists before, but I hadn’t considered that this problem would affect more than my son and I, and the few alphas he went to for help to get what he wanted. I should have known lives besides mine would be at risk, but I hadn’t had names and faces to put to that vague concept until that moment.

Looking around at the determined men scattered throughout the pews, I started shaking my head.

“This is too much. It’s too risky. Carl,” I turned to look up at him, my eyes pleading as I clutched his shirt in one fist. “I’m not worth this. The café isn’t worth this.”

His growl was a vibration bleeding into my side and the hand clinging to him. I felt his disapproval even before the frown on his face registered, but he moved too fast for me to flinch away. Instead of the slap instincts had prepared me for, his touch on my cheek was gentle.

“Youareworth it. You deserve every moment of happiness, and if I have to take down every Purist in the city to bring you peace, I’ll do it.”

My whine was almost inaudible, leaving a throat tight with strain as I fought tears.

“You being in danger could never bring me peace. These men shouldn’t risk themselves for me either. We can do what you offered in the beginning and disappear. If I’m not here Adam has no reason to keep coming back.”

I saw the sadness on his face just as well as I could feel it inside. He shook his head before dipping it to brush a kiss to my lips.

“It’s too late for that. This is bigger than you and him, and it wouldn’t end even if we left.”

The first tear fell, and I knew more were coming, but I was distracted by the way Carl frowned before reaching into his pocket. He had to put a little space between us to maneuver his hand into the denim, sending a chill down my spine even before anger poured through the bond between us.

Motion around me made me realize others were checking their phones, some of the ones who’d been seated rising to their feet. My heart tripped over itself before taking off at a gallop, my breath frozen as I waited to find out what had happened.

Chapter Forty-Two

Carl

“Let’s go!”

I was roaring the words, ready to storm down the hall to our bikes, before Gwyn’s gasp reminded me she was there. I couldn’t take the lead when I had an omega to protect.

Sebastian’s dark eyes met mine, the same torn loyalties shining back at me. We couldn’t leave our men on their own, but we also couldn’t drag our omegas into danger.

The others had already started racing for the door, the thud of their boots echoing in the sanctuary. I wanted to be with them, but I also wanted to be with Gwyn to be sure she was safe.

“What happened?”

The quiet question pulled my focus back to the woman who had risen to stand beside me, worry flowing through our bond. There was guilt in there too, and I knew she was blaming herself despite the fact that we’d had issues with the Purists before she ever showed up.

“They came back in force. They’ve trapped one of our patrols.”

Just the few heartbeats it had taken to answer felt like too long to wait when other Knights were in danger, but how could I leave?

A flash of white tore my gaze to the line of men squeezing through the doorway into the hall beyond, and I spoke before I could doubt myself.

“Blake!”

I jerked my gaze around at who else was left, relief loosening the noose around my neck when I spotted Patch. He had never been one to rush into a fight, no matter the provocation. His first duty was to be ready for the aftermath.

Blake had turned back when I’d called him, his cheeks already red and his breath coming in puffs from the excitement and the short run across the room.

“I need you here, with my mate.”

He opened his mouth, his expression telling me he was going to argue, but his age and the fact he had an omega and children waiting for him at home made him the better choice to sit this one out.

“Blake, I need someone I can trust to keep her safe. I can’t be here and there at the same time.”

I didn’t miss the low growl rumbling from his chest, his bear likely fighting with him the same as mine. He let out a long breath before nodding, his focus turning to the women gathered close.

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