Page 87 of Knot All is Crystal
I push my body closer to his, trying not to show the hitch in my breath as he tightens his fingers. “You need me to look happy. You need me to look like a willing participant. Because any kingpin can have an Omega captive, but Kieran Cobb has one who works with him and seems happy by his side. No way is he shady when he has such a sweet little Omega by his side.”
My mind is whirling now, ignoring the way his nails are digging into my flesh. They will leave a bruise, but I no longer care. “I’m a fucking checkmark on a list, is that it? Any Omega would do?”
His laugh has a chill running down my spine, and my body goes slack in fear.
“Not just any Omega, Queenie. You have no idea what I’ve done to have you by my side.” He leans down, lips brushing my ear. “What I’ll do to keep you here.”
True, visceral fear has my teeth chattering.
I’ve known that Kieran is dangerous, but I’ve gotten comfortable. I’ve become complacent in my role here, believing he found me too valuable to harm.
I see now just how wrong I was.
My body hits the cold concrete, making me bite my tongue. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth. He leers over me from my position on the floor.
A cool mask of indifference has replaced the tired, worn-out expression he wore when I first walked through the door. It’s the same look he wears when I see him come out of the interrogation rooms.
“I see I have given you too many liberties, Crystal. So let me make myself perfectly,crystalclear.” He squats down, and from this angle, something about his jaw and nose tickles the back of my mind in familiarity. But it’s gone as soon as he wraps his hand around my throat, pinning me to the ground.
“You exist because I allow you to. You should thank me for every breath you take because I’m allowing you another. Do you think I can’t find another Omega? Really? You are not special, Crystal Manson. You are a cog in my machine, a prop in my life. A moderately attractive, middle-of-the-road Omega. Nothing offensive about you, but nothing special either.” He presses down, cutting off all airflow. My nails scratch at his hand as my feet kick. His eyes seem to light up with my struggle. “You belong to me. There is no escape. So whatever you’re planning with those men who have been coming to your home, you better stop it.”
His hand is gone as fast as it came, and I greedily suck in air as hot wetness lands on my cheek.
He spat on me.
Like fucking trash.
His shiny black dress shoe lands two blows to my ribs, and I curl up in a ball, tears falling freely down my face.
“I warned you, Crystal. I warned you that I wouldn’t always treat you well if you kept pushing me.” I hear his footsteps towards the door as he opens it. “Clean her up. She’s got a shift to work.”
Loud steps rush into the room at his words, but I don’t open my eyes.
I don’t need to.
There’s only one person it could be.
“Queenie…” Puck’s words are strangled. I pry my eyes open, forcing past the sandpaper feeling my raw tears have caused. “What happened?”
“He knows about the guys.” My voice is barely more than a whisper. My throat feels swollen, and I have no doubt Kieran could be identified by the prints he left on my throat, the bruises are so deep. “He knows.”
Puck swears quietly and gathers me in his arms. I find myself wishing he were an Alpha. Because maybe, just maybe, if he was, he could bond me and stand up against Kieran.
Protect me.
But Kieran wouldn’t trust another Alpha the way he trusts Puck. Sure, Ricky is an Alpha and manages the drug side of the Conglomorate, but he’s not as dangerous as Puck.
If Puck were an Alpha, he’d be unstoppable. He’d snap Kieran’s neck and be done with it.
Of course, I’m not blowing out candles on my birthday, so this wish won’t come true.
But it was a nice dream, for just a moment, that Puck could be my knight in shining armor.
At this moment, I don’t care that he’s kept so much from me. I don’t care that he’s been complicit in some terrible, dangerous things or that he’s stood by while Kieran forced bonds on me for four years.
At this moment, I only care that he’s holding me, picking up the shattered pieces of me.
That’s the thing.
