Page 75 of Knot All is Crystal
But I can’t bear how they’ll look at me when I do.
“He’s got my family in his sights. He’s promised to take my niece if I try to get away. I’ve seen what happens to most women who come through Prism. In comparison, I’ve gotten off easy.”
“Just because others have it worse doesn’t mean you’re not going through something traumatic.” That’s Gage’s voice. It’s not steady or strong, but it’s warm. He’s barely holding on, and I don’t have to look at him to know that.
“My Pops works for the LCPD,” Maverick says softly. “Maybe he can help.”
I shake my head. “No, he can’t. Kieran is untouchable. Even his second, Puck, has said as much. It’s like Kieran is untouchable.”
“No one is untouchable,” Maverick insists. “Let’s get my Pops involved.”
“No.” My voice is hard. “Absolutely not. I cannot risk my family. I’m telling you all because Kieran will kill you if he finds out about us. He wants me to himself, and I doubt he’d mind going through you to get to me.” Crawling out of Emmanuel’s lap, I curl up beside Maverick. “Puck told me as much after you came to see me at Prism. He told me it was for the best that you think I wasn’t your scent match.”
“That was the second in command? But he was being… kind of nice to you?” Maverick runs his nose up the side of my neck with a sigh.
I melt into his touch, wondering if it would be weird to ask him to take off his shirt so I could keep his sweet almond scent in my nest at all times. “It’s odd. He’s a complete dick to everyone, but with me, he’s always been gentle, and he tries to keep me safe as best as he can without going against Kieran. I don’t think he’s all bad, despite everything.”
“Not a good guy, though. Not if he’s letting this happen to you.” Emmanuel runs his hand through his dark hair before rubbing his temples. “It probably goes without saying, but I will make it clear now that I don’t care about the risk to me. I’m here to stay and will figure out how to free you from him.”
Maverick’s lips meet my ear as he mutters softly. “You already know I’m all in for good.” A shiver of arousal runs down my spine.
My eyes meet Gage’s where he sits across from me. “Obviously, this is more than new. This is, like, right past conception, new. And there is such a huge risk to you that I can’t ask you to put yourself in more danger than necessary, Gage. It’s selfish of me to ask that of you.”
“Crys,” he says firmly, “I have been a part of this since the beginning, even if I didn’t know it. And when I get you free of him, I’ll finally show you the completed tattoo I designed two years ago.”
I glance down at my thigh, looking at the empty space for the first time. Of course, he’s got a plan. It’s obvious now that he’s been working around something. When our eyes meet again, he smiles sadly. “I knew that something was going on. I could always tell. You just seemed so defeated every time. I wanted to give you something for when you finally decided you’d had enough or finished whatever you were starting. I was going to finish it for you for free.”
I tentatively extract myself from Maverick’s clutches, ignoring his exaggerated sigh, and sit beside Gage. “You don’t have to tattoo me for free.”
“It’s the least I could do,” he says as he grabs my hands. We’ve touched so many times over the past four years, but never like this. “You’ve been my muse since we met. There are so many beautiful pieces of art adorning the bodies of people across Lunarcrest City that you inspired. Even the one Mav over there picked out.”
Maverick whips his shirt off again, showing the abandoned crown. “Do you know what he asked me when I got it?” I shake my head, and for the first time, I don’t worry that my hair will move too much and show my shame. “He asked if my Omega would get upset that it was a discarded crown.”
“What’d you say?”
“I told him I didn’t think you’d mind leaving your crown behind.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
I’m trying very hard notto remember the last time I was here. The way Crystal looked writhing beneath my palm, her sounds that filled the air.
It’s been on a loop in my head. Every night, when I close my eyes, it’s like I’m here with her again, getting my restraint tested.
But I held firm.
I’m still waiting for my trophy for that.
Of course, getting a dose from Rebecca has helped keep me in check. I don’t know what I would’ve done without it. It’s never been that bad before. I’m lucky I even made it to her in time before I spiraled out of control.
It’s been a few days since that night, and Crystal and I have avoided each other while at the club.
I’m unsure who feels more uncomfortable when we think about that night.
At least she has an excuse for her behavior.
That was all me.
I’ve been standing here for at least five minutes, trying to convince myself not to do this. Not to knock on her door. Not to come clean to her, to tell her everything. It’s not a good idea. We were never supposed to grow close to one another. In fact, I worked hard to keep her at arm’s length for a long time.
