Page 7 of Knot So Sweet
"This is a business, not a charity. She can't afford to fix her car? She can figure out some other solution that doesn't involve camping out in the parking lot."
Xaden stares at me. "Where's your heart, man?"
“I tossed it out and threw it away, after being stabbed the last time."
"Garrick," he says, gentler now, "you need to leave that shit in the past. Not everyone is…”
"Out to screw me over? Take whatever they can and disappear when things get difficult?" I bark out a laugh. "You're right. This new omega shows up, causes a scene, and I’m the asshole for not rolling out a red carpet?”
"That's not what I meant."
I move toward the kitchen, needing distance from the disappointment on their faces. "I want her out of here by noon."
"What if she has nowhere to go?"
I pause at the doorway. Grip the frame until my knuckles go white.
For that brief moment when I went out to talk to Violet, I realized we were a scent match. Her scent hit me like a sucker punch to the gut, made every instinct I've spent years burying roar back to life.
She may be on the run, but I'm in hiding. And I can't afford to let my heart get broken again. I won't.
I disappear into the kitchen. Behind me, Xaden mutters, "Stubborn bastard." Meredith makes that disapproving tsk sound.
Fine. Let them think I'm heartless.
Easier than explaining that I'm not feeding my heart through the shredder twice.
3
GARRICK
Friday night poker used to be simple.
Three guys, a deck of cards, and enough beer to make Xaden's terrible jokes seem funny. No drama. No complications. Just the familiar rhythm of shuffling, dealing, and taking each other's money in the back room of my bakery after hours.
Tonight's no different. Except it is.
The beat-up Ford is still parked outside. I told Xaden and Meredith I'd call Tom to tow it, figuring they'd handle it instead. They didn't. And I never made the call either, though I'm not admitting I had a change of heart.
The stubborn occupant is still out there, apparently determined to freeze to death rather than accept help from anyone in this town.
I'm dealing another hand of Texas Hold'em when the front door creaks open. The brass bell jangles with unusual force, followed by the sharp staccato of heels across hardwood.
Meredith Blackwell. Marching like she's heading into battle. Her lavender and apricot scent hits the air, sharper than usual with determination.
"Gentlemen," she announces, voice carrying that authority that once commanded classrooms full of unruly kids, "we have a situation."
I glance up from the cards. Meredith's hair is a mess, eyes wide and wild. Still in her Friday clothes, but standing like she's ready for a fight.
This isn't a social call.
"Evening, Meredith," Xaden says, flashing his wining smile that's gotten him out of trouble more times than any man deserves. His dark coffee and cedar scent remains relaxed, amused. "Care to join us? I was just about to take these two for everything they're worth."
"This is no time for jokes, Xaden Riorson." She plants her hands on her hips, pearl bracelet catching the light from our makeshift poker table. "How can you three sit here playing cards when that woman is still sleeping in a car outside? Not just any woman, but an omega who's clearly in distress."
Liam looks up from his cards with that confused expression he gets when he's been lost in his own head. He’s only twenty-eight but the past few years of being Cedar Ridge's vet have aged him around the eyes. His blonde hair's out of place, grass stains on his jeans suggesting he's been making farm calls. His clean cotton and chamomile scent carries a note of exhaustion.
"There's someone in the car?" Liam blinks like he's surfacing from deep water. "I noticed the car when I got here, but I thought..." He trails off, shaking his head. "Sorry. Rough day. Wasn't paying attention."
