Page 50 of Knot All is Crystal
His face, as always, is impassive and frustratingly handsome, making my stomach flip a little. When he looks like this, it’s hard to see the man who told me about his love of sculpting and that he shaves his head to look like his father. He’s always been magnetic, but now that I know there is more to him than just the one-dimensional brush I painted him with, I feel drawn to him more than ever.
He is a bad guy, right? Like he has to be. I don’t care if he gave a beautiful speech about finding beauty in trash that felt like he was reminding me that no matter what happens to me, I’m still worth something.
He’s Kieran’s number two.
The enforcer.
He’s wearing a tight black shirt tucked into black jeans and boots. A gun hangs in a harness under his arm, and I’m so distracted by how his fit body fills out his clothes that I almost miss the crown balancing in his hands.
Kieran has a selection that he has me wear on “special occasions”, and today’s is my least favorite. Puck steps forward and secures it on my head with the interior clips, ensuring it stays put no matter how I move. The silver is polished until it shines, and the floral etchings on its surface look delicate and beautiful.
But Kieran wouldn’t have picked out the one that doesn’t move if he hadn’t planned something awful for me tonight, not with this outfit.
“Puck,” I whisper. “Please.”
“It’ll be fine, Queenie,” he whispers, making all of the tension leave my body.
I realize I trust him. I trust that with him, I’ll be safe.
He isn’t all bad, I decide. He can’t be. He has kept my secret about Maverick so far.
Puck reaches out and pushes some of my hair behind my ear. “He’s entertaining some business partners. It’s like any other VIP room.”
“Then why am I collared, Puck?” He winces but smoothes his face quickly enough that I can almost tell myself I didn’t see it. “And you know as much as I do what this crown means.”
“He won’t hurt you, Crystal.” Am I imagining the ‘I won’t let him’ subtext?
My name on his lips is decadent. No one here uses it much, not even him. I place my hand on his firm chest, digging my fingers into his shirt. “You know that there are ways to hurt someone that leave no marks.”
“I’ll be there the whole time.”
“Are you going to stop him from having me crawl behind him?”
Puck flinches visibly this time. “He’s not in the habit of making you look so low.”
“That’s bullshit. He’s told me so many times. ‘Queenie, don’t you see? The King has to show he’s stronger than everyone – even the Queen.” Puck doesn’t say anything.
He can’t.
We both know what I’m in for tonight.
“He’s expecting us.”
* * *
My knees ache.
Kneeling beside Kieran, my leash loosely in his hand as he talks to some assholes from other crime syndicates about fizz, makes me want to scream.
But I’m a pretty ornament at his feet.
A statue to show his wealth and status.
An Alpha with a bulbous, red nose and greasy blonde hair leans forward and points a finger at Kieran. “This drug of yours isn’t any different than MDMA, and it’s three times the cost.”
Kieran clicks his tongue. “You haven’t tried it yourself, then, because it is nothing like that common street drug. Fizz can help Betas experience ruts and heats. It can enhance those feelings in Alphas and Omegas. It’s more than just a party drug. It allows you the ability to lose yourself in another person.” He reaches down and strokes my hair gently before wrapping his hand around the base of my neck over his bite. “Queenie can tell you herself. For an Omega, it may as well be the beginnings of heat.”
I squirm uncomfortably at the attention falling on me. The three Alphas sitting across from Kieran all learn forward in curiosity.
