Page 88 of Knot All is Crystal
Crystal is beautiful. It’s expensive and seen as a sign of luxury.
But if you’re not careful with it and don’t treat it like the precious thing it is, it can break.
And no matter how pretty that champagne flute is, it still ends up in the thrift store once it’s cracked.
THIRTY-TWO
He went too far.
I knew it would happen eventually, but I hoped I’d be here to intervene.
Instead, I’m left cradling the sobbing Omega to my chest, trying to pull my eyes off the rapidly darkening purple bruise around her throat.
Kieran knows about her pack.
I don’t know how, but that doesn’t matter anymore.
He knows, and none of them are safe.
Especially not her.
I softly rub my hand down Queenie’s side, but she winces away from my touch. I try to touch the same spot again, and she whines.
“Don’t, it hurts too much.”
“Did he…” My voice gets caught in my throat. Fury churns in me, leaving my hands shaking as I pull her even closer to me. I can’t bring myself to say the words I know to be true.
“He kicked me.” Her voice is so small and broken, making me ache.
“I never thought he’d go this far. I truly thought you weren’t in any real danger from his hand.” I pray she believes me. “I would’ve gotten you out if I thought he’d hurt you. I would’ve tried my best, would’ve figured it out.”
Fuck the plan.
Fuck what I’m here to do.
For her, I would’ve risked it.
For her, I would risk everything.
But it’s too late.
He knows.
He knows about her pack and is probably putting together the pieces and realizing that she’s figured out his game.
Kieran threw me out of his office two hours ago after he got a phone call that left him fuming, and I didn’t think much of it.
Who called him?
What was said?
Whatever it was, it’s made him reckless.
“C’mon, Queenie, we gotta get you out of here and cleaned up,” I say softly. I gather her in my arms and stand up. I shake out the legs of my jeans from where they bunched up and take her from the scene of her trauma.
She’s shaking, low, quiet, whines the only sound escaping her, as I head down multiple stairs towards the dressing rooms.
Trey stops me.
