Page 19 of Forget me Knot
Marching towards the door, making sure my movements are deliberate and noticeable, Bowler Hat’s eyes follow me, and I plaster that stiff smile back on my face.
Swinging the door open just enough to stick my head out, wedging my foot against it so he will have trouble pushing it open, I chirp, “Hi there. Nice to see you again. I’m sorry, but I’m closed right now for stock take.”
He narrows his eyes at me before barking out, “I saw you let someone in.”
Shit. Think fast.
“She works for me, so if you don’t mind, we need to get back to work.”
He doesn’t seem convinced. His nostrils flare as if trying to catch a whiff of something incriminating.
“Move aside,” he demands. “I need to have a word with her.”
“Excuse me?” I say, gripping the edge of the door tighter.
He places his hand on the glass pane and gives it a rough shove.
“Hey!” I blurt out as he bruises my foot. He is strong, an alpha, and not a nice one, judging by the look on his face.
“Move, or I’ll make you move,” he growls, and it makes the omega inside me tremble with fear and the hideous feeling of wanting to do as he says.
“What is going on here?”
Jack’s voice booms down the pavement before I see him stride up, looking like a caged tiger about to break free from his prison.
Jack’s presence calms my frazzled nerves. I feel my shoulders relax slightly, even as Bowler Hat’s eyes darken with what can only be described as annoyance.
“Who the hell are you?” Bowler Hat snaps at Jack.
“Someone who doesn’t appreciate you bullying innocent omegas,” Jack replies coolly, his eyes narrowing. He steps closer, his stance protective.
The man hesitates for a second, sizing Jack up. My heart pounds from fear and also with an inappropriate bolt of lust from watching Jack defend me—and indirectly, the scared omega cowering behind the counter.
“You have no business here,” Jack continues, voice steady and commanding. “Leave.”
Bowler Hat looks like he’s weighing his options. For a moment, I think he might actually take a swing at Jack, but then he sniffs disdainfully and turns on his heel with a huff. “This isn’t over,” he mutters before stalking off down the street.
“Are you alright?” Jack asks softly, stepping past me and inside the shop before shutting the door firmly behind him and locking it for good measure.
I nod, managing a shaky smile. “Yeah, thanks to you.”
The omega slowly emerges from her hiding spot like a bunny coming out of its burrow after a storm. “Thank you,” she whispers to both of us, her eyes wide and grateful.
Jack’s eyebrow goes up when he sees the second omega, and then he frowns, directing it at me as if somehow, I caused this mess.
“Hey,” I say, prodding his rock-hard chest. “Don’t look at me like that, Jack Thorne. I did what I had to.”
“Did I say otherwise?” he asks with a slow smile as he stares down at my finger jabbing at him. I can’t resist splaying my hand over his pecs for a brief moment before I reluctantly pull my hand away.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
“I’m always here for you, Lily,” he murmurs back.
We lock gazes and I feel that bolt of lust blossom into something so much more, it nearly brings tears to my eyes.
I step away from Jack, feeling my cheeks heat up. “Right,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Let’s sort this out.” I walk back around the counter and crouch next to the trembling omega, who has curled up again, trying to appear calm and composed. “You don’t have to tell me anything, but it would help me help you if I knew what we’re dealing with. Who was that?”
She bites her lip, glancing up nervously. “That was the enforcer for my pack.”
