Page 150 of Knot So Social

“One moment,” Alessandro says, squeezing my hand. “I think this is my fault. Perhaps I interrupted something important.”

He mutters something in Italian and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Everyone is safe, sì? That is most important.”

“Yeah, we are.” I suck on my lip and look up shyly. “Thanks to Joel here.”

Alessandro nods. “Jeremy and I already declared a truce. How about it?”

Joel softens visibly at the mention of his brother. The dominant alpha scent full of blistering heat fades to a gentle simmer.

I raise my hand. “I would very much like a truce. If I get a vote.”

They both speak at once.

“Of course you get a vote!”

“The vote of mia cara is the most important!”

They exchange loaded glances. Joel chucks his head once in acknowledgement.

“I suppose we can come to an arrangement, for Willow’s sake.” One corner of his mouth ticks up. “I mean, I already carried you naked, so we’re pretty close already.”

Alessandro’s cheeks darken and he scratches the back of his neck. “Fuck. What a way to meet.”

Joel shoves away from the wall and offers Alessandro his hand to shake. “I’m sorry. I was worked up over Willow’s safety.”

“At least we can agree on that,” Alessandro replies, clasping his hand. His salty scent fades as well.

Their contact soothes away one lump of worry in my belly. But my relationship with Joel still hangs in a gray zone.

“Can someone please tell me what happened now?” Alessandro whines. “Why is the window broken and blood on the floor? My heart can’t take any more shock.”

Joel closes the door and then digs through the food packets he brought earlier to find three nut bars. “I came over to visit but . . . the door was locked.”

His gaze slides my way, his brow furrowed.

“It’s okay,” I say, my heart swelling over his carefulness. “Alessandro knows about my panic attacks.

“Oh. All right then.” He finishes the tale, Alessandro tugging me into his lap and murmuring in Italian with every new twist. When the tale’s told, he rests his head on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, cara mia. I should never have left you. It won’t happen again.” He gently elbows Jock away from his snack bar. “And this fine fellow?”

“That’s Jock,” I say with a laugh.

The dog spins at the sound of his name and shoves his slobbery snout into my ear.

“Hey,” Joel growls. “Get away, dog.”

Jock backs off, tail whacking the other beanbag loud enough to be percussion. “Should have named him Drummer,” I say, fighting a smile.

Joel snorts. He brings me a water bottle and passes it to Alessandro who cracks the lid. I chew on my bottom lip to hide my amusement. I’ve opened my own bottles for years now, but the care feels nice. Both these men know about my scars and panic attacks, and they haven’t laughed once or used it against me.

After drinking, I set the bottle aside. “So, what happens now?”

Joel glances at Alessandro again. “If it’s not too much to ask . . .”

“Enough said.” Alessandro wriggles out from under me. “I’ll give you two some time, like Jeremy did for us. What did he say? Something about finding a bedroom far far—”