Page 83 of Hard Knot

As if they aren’t the ones showing how my “entrance” out of that truck isn’t driving them insane.

I focus on reapplying my lip gloss, studying my reflection with practiced indifference. The deep red shade is slightly faded from earlier — an inevitable consequence of love-making irony. Not like I don’t like being Carter’s current obsession.

Secretly, I’m on cloud nine when it comes to him—allowing myself to be lost in our lust and not care about the consequences until I’m lost in my thoughts like this.

My hair needs a quick fix too, thanks to his wandering hands that seemed magnetized to my platinum locks. The memory brings an involuntary smile to my lips, which only fuels the gossip mill behind me.

"Look at her, smirking like that. She thinks she's so special just because she showed up in a fancy car."

I resist the urge to point out that most of their families probably own multiple CyberTrucks.It's hardly the flex they think it is. My own father could easily afford one, but as he always says, "New tech means new tracking methods."

Hard to argue with that logic when you're trying to stay under the radar.

The ride itself had been an interesting experiment in group dynamics.

Holmes had claimed the passenger seat like it was his throne, radiating disapproval from behind his silk blindfold while Felix navigated the morning traffic with surprising skill. I personally thought with their status outside of Knot Academy that they would have a driver and security.

All the fancy shit to emphasize one’s importance in the world.

"This is temporary," Holmes had muttered for what felt like the hundredth time, his jaw clenching as Carter's hands wandered into dangerous territory.

"Maybe you should give Victoria that memo," I'd fired back, unable to resist poking the bear. Truthfully, I wasn’t threatenedby Victoria. If she’s able to take these men from me, then they were never mine to truly claim. Either way, doesn’t mean I like the idea of her trying to “reclaim” her ex.

I also don’t like how it’s obvious she’s interested in Holmes but not Felix and Carter. Can’t simply get one and abandon the others. That’s not how packs work.

"She seems pretty convinced she's got dibs on the position,” I conclude.

Carter had groaned dramatically.

"Can we not manifest that nightmare into existence? Please?"

"Speaking of manifestations," Felix had piped up, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, "any past lovers we should know about, Elizabeth?"

The question had caught everyone's attention, the atmosphere in the truck shifting instantly.

"Well," Carter had drawled before I could answer, "she's definitely experienced in certain areas. That mouth of hers?—"

"Jealous?" I'd cut him off, quirking an eyebrow.

His grin had turned predatory as he pulled me closer.

"Absolutely. The mere thought of another Alpha touching you makes me want to hunt them down." His tone had dropped lower, more dangerous. "Good thing I know some excellent snipers."

I'd stared at him, caught between horror and disbelief.

"You can't just casually threaten to assassinate people!"

"Sometimes I wonder who's more unhinged," Felix had mused, adjusting his glasses in the rearview mirror. "The one who feeds people to piranhas or the one who casually discusses hiring hitmen."

"Hey, the piranha thing was way less extreme," Carter had protested. "At least they serve a purpose beyond revenge! And I don’t mind hiring hitmen either. The only difference is I’d thinkabout the action while our grumpy leader up there would just do it and think about the consequences later."

I have a feeling he was right about that, but then again, Carter seems like a jack of all trades. You just have to push the right buttons.

"You never showed me these famous piranhas," I'd pointed out, trying to steer the conversation away from murder. "They weren't in your room last night."

Carter's eyes had lit up.

"Want to meet all my pets?"

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