Page 31 of Knot Ruined

I don’t care how much we get. If she wants it, it’s hers.

When we reach the curtains and lights section, she takes her time, pulling different materials from the racks and testing their weight between her fingers. She first goes for a sheer sage green, then frowns, running her thumb along the edge of a darker emerald set.

“Which one?” I ask, leaning down, speaking just for her.

She chews her lip, clearly torn.

Jace steps in, plucking both from her hands and setting them in the cart.

“Both,” he says.

Fallon beams at him, and my chest tightens with something warm, possessive. We are already practically obsessed with her.

When we turn into the next aisle, the reaction is instantaneous.

Fallon practically squeals, her entire body vibrating with excitement as she zeros in on a massive display of stuffed animals.

I blink, taken off guard by the sheer joy radiating from her.

One second, she’s beside me—

The next, she’s launching herself at a giant, red and white spotted mushroom with stumpy feet and a cute face.

She snatches it up, hugging it to her chest with a dramatic sigh. “I am taking you home and calling you Mush!” For a moment, all we can do is stare at her. And then, we burst into laughter.

This wild, chaotic, feral little omega who just yesterday shattered a woman’s wrist without hesitation, who fired someone with cold efficiency, who walks through life with grace, confidence, and deadly precision.

And yet here she is.

Cuddling a stupidly oversized stuffed mushroom like it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Romano is already digging through the pile, clearly looking for one of his own. Jace shakes his head, muttering something about how we’re never going to get her out of this aisle. Voss is watching her like she hung the goddamn moon. An expression that I’ve never seen on the man. Most people are terrified of him.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more gone for someone in my life.

“Come on, Princess, let's check out and get you home.” Voss laces his fingers with hers, and they laugh as she tries to carry the stuffed mushroom. Romano takes pity on her, carrying it for her. Jace falls in step with me. “We will get her settled, then head to work. The faster we get this done, the faster we can get back to her. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the nest she builds.”

“Agreed.”

Fallon

February 18th

3:46 P.M

A little dazed, I stare at the checkout counter as the poor beta cashier scans what looks like a literal mountain of nesting supplies. “I think we broke him,” I whisper to Romano, who’s standing beside me, grinning like a menace.

The beta—whose name tag reads Elliot—blinks rapidly, looking between us and the overflowing cart, clearly calculating whether he’s about to be robbed or just dealing with unhinged rich people. Kingston, ever the leader, pulls out a sleek black card, sliding it across the counter without a word.

Elliot swallows, his hands slightly shaking as he takes it. “Sir?”

“Just scan it,” Kingston says, his tone calm, unreadable, but somehow still terrifying.

Elliot nods so fast it’s a miracle his head doesn’t fly off.

Behind me, Jace and Voss are both carrying extra bags because our cart couldn’t handle everything. Jace, as usual, looks calm and composed. Voss looks like he’s barely holding in laughter. “What?” I demand, shifting a little under his gaze.

Voss lifts a tiny pink bunny plush that somehow made its way into our haul, his brows arching.

“This yours, Princess?”

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