Page 9 of Down Knot Out
Holden frowns, his fingers tapping a nervous rhythm on the counter. “Inside job?”
“Looks like.” The water circles the drain as I dry my hands. “Emily will keep an eye on people today, and we’ll set cameras up once the workers head home. If they try this again, we’ll catch them.”
Holden curses as he rolls utensils into cloth napkins and adds them to the basket. “I’m not sure whether to hope it’s someone on the construction team, or someone sneaking onto the island.”
I understand what he means. Most of the people on our crew have been with us from the start. They’re almost like family. The idea that any of them would betray us… But you never know what’s happening in other people’s lives, what desperations could push them to betray their friends.
“Enough about that.” Holden closes the lid onthe basket and tops it with a thin, folded blanket. “One romantic picnic for two, at your service.”
He extends it toward me but doesn’t let go when my fingers close around the handle. “Are you sure a picnic is a good idea?”
“We can’t stay holed up in the Homestead forever,” I say. “And we’ve found no evidence Simon’s returned.”
Holden sighs, and his grip loosens. “I don’t like that the issues at the job site didn’t end with Louie. Don’t wander into areas of the island where you lose your cell phone signal.”
“We’ll stay within range.”
If someone is targeting our business, they might not stop at equipment. And with our Omega, we can never be too cautious.
I hook the basket over my arm and squeeze his shoulder. “Thanks for this.”
His expression softens. “Don’t let the hot chocolate get cold.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” I head through the two-way door into the dining room as Chloe bounces down the steps.
One of my quilted jackets engulfs her short frame, the sleeves rolled several times to free her hands, the hem hanging to her knees.
“Right on time,” I say, moving to meet her at the bottom step.
Her fingers play with the zipper of my jacket. “I might have been a little eager to escape work.”
“Then it’s a good thing we had this excursion planned.” I catch her around the waist and bend as she rises on her toes, and our lips meet.
She tastes of strawberry lip balm and mint toothpaste, the combination bringing a rumble of appreciation from me. This close, her scent envelops my senses, her lilies and lilacs intensifying as she melts into my arms. The pheromones whisper of home and belonging and mine in a language more ancient than words.
I break the kiss before instinct takes over, before the basket drops from my arm and we never leave the Homestead. A pink flush fills her cheeks, bright enough to match her hair, and the Alpha in me preens at the effect my touch has on her.
“I find myself more inspired already,” she whispers, a teasing lilt to her voice.
My hand slides from her back, fingers finding hers. “Let’s go.”
Her fingers tighten around mine in response, and we head outside, my long stride shortening to accommodate her smaller one.
She draws in a deep breath as I steer her down one of the smaller paths, stepping off the gravel and onto hay-covered dirt. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a small alcove down by the western shore I thought you might like.” I take in the way the sunlight plays in her pink hair. “It’s protected from the wind and has a nice view of the water. Sometimes you can spot orcas swimming past.”
Her face brightens with excitement. “I’ve never seen a whale in real life!”
“I don’t know if we will today.” I squeeze her fingers. “But living here, you’ll see them at some point, and they’re always fun to watch.”
“Is it weird that my apartment is so close to the harbor, but I never visited it?” She rests her head on my bicep. “I’m such a hermit unless someone drags me out of my cave.”
My chest tightens with unexpected emotion. Grady was probably that person, but now she’s here, with us, our pack will be the ones showing her things she’s never experienced before.
“I don’t think it’s weird.” I lift our joined hands, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “We can dig for shells, too, and dip our feet in the ocean.”
“Oh, I didn’t bring anything to swim in.” She peers down at her outfit of leggings and a T-shirt under my jacket.
