Page 90 of Ruin Me Knot
My reflection stares back at me from the metallic walls of the elevator as we rise toward the penthouse. Gabriel is beside me, along with one of Mira’s Alphas, Zane, who came to collect me after my medical examination with Dr. Maverick. The floor numbers climb in steady increments, but my heart hammers so loud it might as well be lodged in my throat.
Zane gives nothing away, his posture seemingly relaxed in his tailored suit. For him, riding luxurious elevators to billion-dollar penthouses is routine. This is hishome after all.
Gabriel’s arm is snug around my shoulders, solid muscle and warm reassurance, but my nerves flutter beneath his gentleness. I can’t stop marveling at Mira living in the Pinnacle building. Not just living here, but calling this entire glittering, impossible place home. Her Alphas founded and own Pinnacle Therapeutics. I struggle to reconcile the Mira I knew with all this wealth and power.
The story of how they found each other must be incredible. As will be the story of how Emma found her Alphas, no matter how intimidating they all are.
I wipe sweaty palms on the thighs of my jeans, a new pair Adrian delivered to me this morning. The denim is buttery soft, unlike anything I’ve ever owned. Adrian brought bundles of clothing for all of us. I’m so grateful as we have nothing but the clothes we wore when we crashed into the foyer days ago, and those were largely destroyed in the chase. I don’t think I could have worn those items again anyway. I want no reminders.
Being brought here with Gabriel and Zane ought to be comforting, but unease still lingers. Maybe it’s because the first time I met Zane was when he stormed the gala, looking like he’d carved a path through hell. I silently thank whatever gods might be listening that he looks nothing like that god of vengeance now.
Or maybe it’s because the others are out there hunting. Ronan and Jax, along with Cole from Mira’s pack and Asher and Phoenix, Emma’s police officer Alphas, are combing through Hardwick’s last three known safehouses. The officers have authority to dig where others can't, searching for any trace of her before too much time passes and she disappears for good.
I know they’re risking themselves because of me. Because we all know Hardwick won’t stop trying to drag me back.
Gabriel notices my fidgeting and tugs me against his chest with a press of his lips to my temple. "Everything’s going to be fine. You’re safe and I’ll be in the penthouse with you."
Zane gives me a sunny smile. Something about that smile helps me to relax. "Mira and Emma have been climbing the walls waiting to see you. They’re so excited they’re practically a hazard."
Seeing Mira and Emma again is everything I’ve dreamed about for the two years since we escaped Haven, but the pit in my stomach won’t loosen. I manage to smile at the huge Alpha, proudly wearing Mira’s bonding bite, a silvery scar on his neck. If she chose him, then I know I can trust him.
"If you’re too tired, we can go back and rest. I’m sure they’ll understand," Gabriel says.
"I’ve rested for three days." I aim for wryness, but my voice barely slips past the nerves tightening in my throat.
The plastic film in the room was removed two mornings ago after my results came back negative, leaving us with a bigger space. Even with freedom just outside, I barely set foot beyond our nest. My bones were hollowed and heavy, my muscles thick with that exhaustion that belongs only to the aftermath of heat and finally being safe enough to let go.
We ate and slept, my Alphas feeding me until I was full and sleep would drag me back under. When I woke, they were always there. Their tenderness came in so many shapes. Ronan’s solid arms, Gabriel’s jokes and kisses, Jax’s painstaking care, each of them as necessary as breath.
We made love again and again. Slower though. Indulgent. Not directed by the urgency of my heat. Sometimes it was all three of them. Sometimes just one.
Jax, stroking every inch of me until I melted. Gabriel, making me laugh even when I sobbed against his mouth. Ronan, letting me lose myself in the safe, rough anchor of his body. Those days of touch, and rest, and slow, relentless devotion was sublime.
I wasn’t scared of them. Not of the wanting. Not of the reckless ache their nearness stirs. They awaken things in me I’d only ever read about or overheard in whispers between the bars of our old, haunted rooms. Now, desire and tenderness are real, as fierce as hunger and infinitely softer. I’m falling in love with them.
Unmistakably.
Helplessly.
And I don’t want to run from that knowing. I’m terrified and hopeful and blissfully open. The Omega voice that normally screeches in my skull isquieter. I’m not warring with her. There are no ragged edges scraping the inside of my skull. We’re in agreement. We both want our Alphas in every hungry, grateful way. I hold this new peace close, for once able to finally, blissfully relax.
The Omega lifts her lazy head and whispers one word:Bond.
Want rushes through me, hot, heady and sudden, and the want…the want is soright. There’s no fear. No shame. A ball of tingles blooms low in my belly.
Gabriel tilts his head. A smile tugs at a corner of his mouth as his gaze flicks over my face. "What’s going on in that pretty head, Sweetheart?"
I tuck the sweet desire away until I can share it with them when we’re alone and it can be just ours. I smile up at my Alpha. "I’ll tell you later."
Mira, Emma and I have waited too long for this reunion. They’ve sent me notes for days, peppering me with questions through the speaker that I’ve been too exhausted to answer properly. Now I’m going to see them face to face. I’m finally going to hug them and hold them close, cry and laugh together.
And, together, we’ll give the biggest middle finger to Hardwick, Mercer and everyone else who thought they could own us.
I squeeze Gabriel’s hand, trying to keep my voice steady even as my heart wobbles. "I just want to see my friends. My sisters."
The elevator doors slide open, spilling the three of us into a vast and bright space. Floor to ceiling windows offer billion-dollar views of Canton City, and for a moment I can’t breathe. It’s a lot to take in, gleaming floors, miles of glass, a riot of green plants and deep, lush couches meant for sinking and sprawling.
And then they’re here. Mira is half-laughing, half-sobbing before we even cross the threshold, glossy auburn curls falling loosely over her shoulders. Emma’s right beside her, clouds of pale blonde hair catching the sunlight like spun gold, blue eyes bright with unshed tears.
