Page 96 of Her Knotty Alphas

Cady

You got this Hannah-Banana. Even if it goes to court, they can't prove something that's not true.

Wren

We know things will work out. and if they don't…well, I have an entire mafia family under my thumb. I can make things happen.

I shake my head at the thought of Wren, the five foot omega with a penchant for animal onesies, having any sort of mafia connection, even though I know it's true.

"Have you talked to Kieran about any of this?" Charlie asks quietly, squeezing my hand. I'm sat between him and Austin in the backseat of the car while Enzo drives and Noah takes the front. I've never seen Noah in a button up shirt, but damn does it look good on him. All my alphas are looking so good it'll be a wonder if I make it through this without growling at any women who looks at them for too long.

"No," I shake my head. "Should I? He knows about the case, but not much else, I guess."

"You should call him," Charlie urges.

"Right now?" I raise my brows.

"Right now." He nods, and I shrug, pulling out my phone and calling my brother.

"Hannah?" He picks up on the first ring.

"Hey, Kier," I huff out a breath, not sure how to start.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" His voice is lined with concern, and I instantly feel bad for making him worry.

"Yeah, I mean…well, kind of. We're driving to the preliminary hearing to see if the case will go to court or not."

Charlie's hand grips my knee, and I shoot him a quick smile. "Damn. Okay, how are you feeling?"

"Um…well, my lawyer is hoping for a mistrial since Cat and Rue's lawyers are up to some shady shit, but I don't know how likely that is to happen."

"Fuck," he mutters, "I'm sorry I couldn't get Mom and Paul to get them to back off."

"It's not your fault, or your responsibility," I sigh. "Hopefully…I mean, there's no way to prove I did anything because Ididn'tdoanything. You know that, right?"

"Of course I do. And if this goes to court, maybe I can testify. Tell them about yours and Nana's relationship. I don't know how it all works." My heart warms at his words, at the fact he'd be willing to come all the way out here just to testify for me.

"Thanks, Kier. I'll talk to Brody about it."

We say our goodbyes and hang up, and Charlie gives me a knowing look. "So?" He asks, gently elbowing me. "Feel better?"

"I do," I smile as we pull into the parking lot of the court house. "How did you know that would help?"

"I think you just needed to be reminded that noteveryonein your family is an asshole." He grins at me before we all get out of the car. We make it to the front steps, and at that exact moment, a cramp hits me, making me double over in pain.

"Oh, shit," Charlie's arm wraps around me, his nose finding its way to my neck as he takes a deep breath. "Fuck, Hannah, are you inheat?"

"No, no I can't be," I shake my head, clutching my stomach. "I haven't had any of the pre-heat symptoms!"

"Reinita, you've been having heat spikes for over two weeks," Enzo says gently. "We need to get out of here. It's not safe for you to be in public like this."

I know he's right. I can already see alphas who were entering and leaving the courthouse stopping, their nostrils flaring with interest.

"Darlin', if we don't get you out of here soon, we could have a riot on our hands," Austin says worriedly as Noah growls and snaps his teeth at an alpha who lingered nearby a little too long.

"But…but the hearing!" An omega whine of pure distress leaves me, and my alphas surround me, forming a tight circle.

"Hey guys—" Brody's voice calls out, and I spot him in the little gap between Enzo and Austin. His steps falter as his nostrils flare, and his eyes widen as all my alphas let out protective growls. "Fuck." He runs a hand through his hair. "Sorry, that wasn't professional. But this is literally the worst timing for a heat."

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