Page 156 of Knot All is Crystal
“Queenie,” Puck says gently, dropping to his knees in front of me, “this isn’t your fault.”
“They took Atlas? Tati? Rina?” It’s too hot in here, too hot.
“Some of them may have gotten away. But knowing Tyler’s history with Atlas…” Puck inhales sharply. “Yeah, he took them.”
“‘I’d hate to hurt another of my lovers tonight,’” Emmanuel mutters. “That’s what Tyler said when he pulled a gun on us.”
“Call Lupine. Call them right fucking now,” I shout, grabbing at Puck. “He’s my friend! Call them right now!”
He leaves the room and returns seconds later with a cell phone already on speaker and ringing.
“Puck.”It’s Wyatt’s southern accent that fills the room.
“I told Queenie about Atlas,” Puck says gently. “She wanted to talk.”
“Oh, darling,”Wyatt says softly.“We’re gonna get him back.”
“I want to help.” Maverick’s arm snakes around me from behind, his sweet almond scent helping me ground as I start to feel out of control. “Part of this is my fault. I killed Kieran and made you guys mobilize when you weren’t ready.”
“You can’t blame yourself. Atlas signed up for this, knowing the risks. Once the meds that make them think he’s an Omega wear off, he should be able to fight them off and get free. Regardless, we’re already tracking some of Tyler’s go-to spots to see if we can find a trail. We’re gonna find him.”
“I can help with that. I know Tyler. Not as well as Atlas does, but I can help. Let me be a part of this.”
“Are you sure?” Gage asks softly. “These guys are professionals. They’ll find him.”
“He’s right, darling. You can’t blame yourself. You’re free of this life now. Don’t go throwing yourself in the line of fire again.”
Wyatt is technically correct.
I’m free of Kieran. Free of the Conglomerate.
I could live a normal life. Get a house by Eve with a yard for Burger. Get my doctorate. Work with Dr. Knight on some incredible research projects.
Live the life I could only dream of when I was under Kieran’s thumb.
But now that I’m out?
Now that I’m free of it and know its horrors?
Of what can happen?
I will do whatever I can to make sure no one else ever feels the way I did again.
* * *
Turns out,when you rent a unicorn for a party, it is just a fucking horse with a fake horn on its head.
Why is there an upcharge for a fake horn?
But it was worth every penny.
Hannah’s face as she rides on the back of that unicorn, her puffy rainbow dress flouncing on either side, is the best thing I’ve ever seen.
“She loves it,” Eve says, spooking me as she sneaks up behind me. “Thank you, again, for doing that for her.”
“Happy to,” I say, never taking my eyes off my little princess.
“I still can’t believe your boss had a psychotic break,” she says quietly. “I just keep wondering why you? Why did he take guardianship of you and hold you hostage?” she asks.
