Page 25 of Trick Knot Treat

“I promise you, I’m fine.”

“I’m sending Teddy.”

“NO!” I shout. I wince when I see Sofia looking at me in shock. With a quick look around, I turn around and hunch my shoulders, hiding again. “I promise, you do not need to send Teddy. I am good. Really good. I have a tan. and I’m having fun.”

Dad heaves a sigh. “Are you sure, princess? We can come and get you, it would be no problem.”

“I swear, I am fine, Dad.”

“All right. I guess I can wait. Five more weeks?”

“Five more weeks!” I confirm with relief.

“Okay, fine. Tell me about the newest commission. How’s it going?”

With relief, I start walking home, telling him about all the stones I’ve painted and missing him so much. Five weeks will be over before I can blink.

Chapter 7

Khione

Jace arrives at the Sol house at the same time that I do. He’s dressed in his uniform, and I kind of really want to be arrested. He’s got the dark blue shirt all tucked in and a heavy leather belt with his gun on his hip, but it’s the way he stands up straighter, the confidence he exudes that makes his uniform magic.

“Morning, Khione.”

“Hey, officer…” I hesitate. “Jace?”

“Just call me Jace.”

I beam up at him. “Okay, Jace. You do look different in a uniform, though, this is the first time I’ve seen you up close.”

“By all means, if you’d like a better look, just let me know.” He pauses and frowns. “I did not mean it like that.”

“Ah,” I mutter, but I don’t know that he hears me.

We walk up the stairs and stand in front of the wooden door. He presses the button. I wait until I see movement before I glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

“Shame.”

The door opens, and I fight back a laugh at the stunned and precious look on his face and slip inside.

“Hello, Karla.”

I cock my head to the side, unable to believe that this incredible omega who has somehow managed to pull off all these pack-making events, raise one of the most interesting males I’ve ever met and a hoard of children, all of whom have jobs and good reputations, but can’t manage to remember a single name.

“Thank you for coming at such short notice. I want to make a change to the designs.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I’ve got a new idea, a whole new theme. It’s going to be brilliant, but it changes the direction of all the art.”

“Okay.”

Jace clears his throat and approaches, standing very formally in front of us. “You called me out, too.”

“Ah, yes, I did. Well, see, the thing is…I need a favour.”

“Oh?”