Page 29 of Knot Without My Permission
“It’s your fault for not paying attention,” Storm mutters. “What are you huddled over here gossiping like old women for?”
Elaine snorts before moving away, and Storm remains unrepentant. She’s only in her mid forties, so he isn’t poking fun at her age.
“Marie’s not feeling great and we have to ride,” I mutter. “I need to make sure she’s got someone with her who can help her through her heat that I won’t want to murder afterward.”
Arsenal’s eyes open wide, and he turns around and walks right the fuck out of the building.
“Oh my god, he didn’t mean you!” Storm yells after him as I growl at the thought.
“I feel as if I keep leaving you behind the way Lore did, but we can’t leave Ransom with her,” I say, choosing to ignore Arsenal’s theatrics.
“Why the fuck not?” Ransom asks, his shit kickers loud as he walks over to us.
“Outside,” I grunt. “I don’t want our shit overheard by anyone.”
A few of the club girls look over in interest, and I bare teeth at them, forcing them to mind their own fucking business. I don’t want one of them saying something to Marie later that’ll be misunderstood.
Walking outside, I lead what’s left of my pack into a corner of the yard.
“Marie’s body is rioting right now,” I breathe. “I need to tell you something, Ransom, and you need to keep it to yourself.”
“Fuck,” Storm groans. “Please don’t punch me.”
“You two suck,” Ransom sighs. “What is it? I reserve the right to punch you, Storm.”
“Marie thinks she’s on heat suppressants and birth control but we switched them for placebos,” I explain, wincing. “We were in the dog house with her, and Lore was still alive. We planned to get her to forgive us, even if it meant breeding her into it.”
Ransom’s lips part before he rubs his face in thought. He’s completely clean shaven, and the hair on his head is cut close to his scalp. It’s a very different look than most of the men in the club have with their beards, but also means he has less hair to hide his emotions.
When Lore would grow his beard out, you couldn’t tell what he was thinking. His lips were hidden, which meant his only tell when he was lying was gone.
“You’re idiots,” he grunts. “I’m not saying seeing Marie barefoot and pregnant wouldn’t be incredible, but she’s not the type to stop moving unless something puts her on her ass. I can tell she’s not feeling well.”
“I don’t think she’s pregnant, not if she’s having heat symptoms,” I say, trying to be the voice of reason. “If she goes into heat, I don’t know if the first time you have sex with her should be while she’s without her other pack members when she’s out of her mind in pain.”
“Fuck me,” he groans.
“Your ass is fantastic and your abs are lickable, but no thank you,” I smirk.
Storm chuckles under his breath, but Ransom doesn’t think I’m amusing. Oh well. Can’t win them all.
“Since we’re in agreement,” I continue, even though we’ve agreed on nothing, “I think Storm is the best person to stay behind.”
“It’s really not a hardship,” Storm says. “Ransom, if you get my man killed, I will fuck your ass up with a rusty pipe.”
Ransom noticeably clenches his ass, looking appalled.
“Fucking Neanderthals,” he mutters. “Devon!”
“I’m not taking you back,” Devon says as he walks past. “Storm and your new Prez are not going to braid your hair, Ransom. Stop asking.”
The alpha pretends to gaze up as if he can see his buzzed head, frowning, and I roll my eyes in derision.
“We almost ready?” I call after Devon.
“Just waiting for you to decide what you want to do with your girl,” he replies. “If you’re that codependent on her, I’d say to just bring her.”
“If only it was that easy,” I grumble.
