Page 87 of The Knotty Omega

“Mrs. Heisman was conveniently shown a picture of Pack Sheffield from the social media account that ran the silent auction,” Titus says, drumming his fingers on the wheel. “When she saw the picture, she miraculously remembered seeing them at the scene of the crime and can describe what they were wearing.”

“And whatactuallyhappened?” I ask, my heart pounding.

“What actually happened is when I picked Reggie up from Mrs. Heisman weeks ago, she sung your praises and asked me to let her know if there was anything she could do to help. The traffic cams place the Pack Sheffield at your apartment, so all I did was have her send an email to prompt the police to look into the footage themselves.”

Archie barks a laugh. “Holy shit, dude. You’re a damn genius.”

“What, did you think I was all brawn, no brains?”

Before we go to bed that night, we get the call from Sawyer, letting us know that the police are officially opening an investigation into Pack Sheffield.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Cady pouts, looking up Titus. “We’ll be fine, Ty. Pack Sheffield won’t try anything when they know their asses are being watched.” Her lips look extra kissable when she does that, and it adds perfectly to the look she has going on now, with her high ponytail and baby blue lounge set. The sweatpants cuff at the ankles and hit just above her belly button, and the cropped hoodie reveals a sliver of skin that I want tolick.

“YeahTy,” I smirk, wrapping an arm around Cady’s shoulder. “We’ll be fine.”

Titus lets loose a low growl, looking between the two of us. I can feel his apprehension bleeding out of his bond with Cady, so I make my face serious for a minute. “For real, man. We’ll stay in the area and be home by ten.”

He lets loose a breath, gently cupping Tink’s face and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. Then he grips my shoulder, probably a little harder than necessary. “Keep her safe. Please.”

Again, I can feel through the bond that he doesn’twantto let us go, but he will because he’s trusting me. “I will.”

With that, he nods, heading up the stairs to his room where he will undoubtedly worry for the rest of the night. Tink frowns after him but I snag her attention by grabbing her hand. “You ready?”

She grins. “Let’s go.”

We head out of the house and get into my truck, where I have the back packed with blankets and soft pillows in a duffel bag. The drive-thru line to the burger place I want her to try is short, and in an hour we’re pulled up to the beach right as the sun is setting. It’s April, so it isn’t quite warm enough to swim during the day yet, but once we’re bundled in the bed of the truck that’s facing the ocean?

Perfection.

Cady groans around a mouth full of burger and closes her eyes. “Oh my god, this is sogood!” Her contentment rings through the bond and I can’t help but smile at how damn cute she is.

“I told you,” I grin, popping a fry in my mouth. “Bodie’s Burgers with extra secret sauce is the key to unlocking the last ten percent of your brain.”

“UGH!” She moans again, holding an onion ring. “Onion rings need their own corner of the food pyramid.”

“They already have it,” I nod seriously. “They’re right inbetween french toast and cheese.”

“Midnight cheese,” she smiles and leans into me. As we eat our food, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

“Sunset Burgers. New band name.”

“Hmm. Is that the key to naming bands?” She looks thoughtful as she takes a drink of her soda. “A time of day and then a food item? Sunrise Pie.”

“Three o’clock Pasta?”

“Twilight Pizza?”

“Dusk…Bagels.” I choke on a laugh and she wrinkles her nose.

“It’s definitely not a perfect formula.”

“Nope. But you’re a perfect formula.” It’s a cheesy line, and doesn’t really make any sense, I know. But she is.

Perfect. And mine.

“I have one more.” She hums, leaning her head against my shoulder.

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