Page 112 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

“Yes, cute that you think they aren’t down there in the alley.”

I look up slowly. “They aren’t, are they?”

“I am not the only skilled person in our group. Neither are you. Detective. Blade master. Fighter. Very talented alphas. So, maybe a couple of them are stalkers, and I’m fairly certain Roseland put trackers in us.”

Pix cups my face and leans down, kissing me.

I forget all about the alphas.

“We’re going to get into lots of trouble,” Pix whispers against my lips.

I smile against his. “Oh, no. Whatever will we do?”

“We could run away.”

“I mean, you could try, but that would end up with you getting tied up and spanked again, which we both know you would enjoy, and then we’d end up in a sweaty fuck-a-thon.”

Rolly stalks out of the dark, looking more dangerous than I think I’ve given him credit for. It suits him.

I sidestep, but he captures my wrist, moving with me easily.

“Where are you going, Raven?”

“How did you know it was me?” I ask, honestly surprised.

“It’s always you sneaking off in the night, and you smell less intense and more like a glimmer of something I can’t quite reach. Ah, I know, it’s called rebellion, it’s a perfume that reeks of ‘come fuck me’.”

His fingers tighten around my wrist and tow me closer until we’re chest to chest.

I’m actually so overwhelmed I’ve lost the ability to form coherent words. Has he always been this pretty?

“I was worried.”

Three words. Three little words that convey so much anger, rage, and fear. His hand slides up my body, leaving flames licking in its wake.

The conviction that had me so certain doing this was right shakes and leaves me feeling like it might crumble and break. Suddenly, I’m sorry I didn’t speak to them.

“Would you have let me come here?”

“Of course, I would have. But we would have come with you.”

“You would have spooked him, and we would have ended up without him, anyway.”

“How is that any different to what is happening now?” Rolly growls.

Pix steps forward, but Rolly snaps his head in his direction. “Go see Roseland.”

“You can’t tell me-”

“Go see Roseland!” Rolly barks.

Pix inhales sharply, fury filling every line of his body. He turns on his heel and stomps off, muttering nasty comments about arrogant alphas.

Rolly moves closer, and a slice of light from the world outside shines across his jaw, illuminating his mouth.

I am mesmerised by the shape, the way his lips part, and I see the faintest hint of his teeth. I sway with the feeling that I should run, anywhere.

Just when I’m about to make my move and break free, his arm wraps around me, a living band of warmth, and I’m suddenly in his arms, staring into those eyes, wondering what he’s going to do.