Page 2 of Knot Your Pawn

When Mathew was in the lab, things went a little differently than planned as they found a ‘security guard’ at work when it was supposed to be empty. Double strange was that he seemed to be doing experiments while he was wearing a security guard outfit. Though, one that didn’t fit him —not his own.

So, Mathew, Riley and the rest of the teams took the seed samples they were there for, the ‘security guard’ and all of his stuff back with them.

The fake security guard is currently in a room in the training complex, waiting until we’ve got time to deal with him.

The two guys that Caleb, Jorge and I took back with us from the adventure we went through tonight, are in rooms next to his. Each guy in his own space, for security and safety.

It’s often hard to anticipate what they might do when they realise that they’re not getting out of there.

Not alive anyway.

Jorge and I were supposed to go on a simple movie date, take our minds off the mission that Mathew and Riley were on and get some time alone together. With a pack, it’s hard to get one-on-one time, so this had been a pretty good idea.

That was, until I caught wind of Luca’s pheromones and —not wanting to leave a new pack member out there in the world, especially not one whose pheromones smelled like they were in big trouble— I started following him.

I found him, and three guards, accompanying a group of young kids through dark and dirty alleys, well past the kids’ bedtime.

That was the second reason I couldn’t let it go.

It looked wrong and I’m not good with injustice, at least not when it’s against kids or people I care about.

One thing led to another, and it all ended with one of the guards dead and two of them currently in the training complex, waiting for questioning.

The kids are now safe and getting ready to go to sleep in an upstairs room.

And, of course, Luca.

Our beautiful, but broken, Luca.

Our troubled and traumatised Beta.

After he told us how the Hearts used threats against his family to keep him in line, Caleb and Jorge —together with Derrick and some others from Mathew’s organisation— immediately went over to Luca’s parents’ house and are now bringing his parents and siblings here.

So, they’ll be out of harm’s way and we can protect them, keep them safe.

I’ve not seen my family in six years, not since Caleb stole me out of the car that was supposed to take me to my wedding to a local pack’s Alpha. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try to protect them at any cost, if they were ever in danger and we could keep them safe.

I might not like them, I might not want to talk to them, but that doesn’t mean I want them to be harmed.

So, I fully understand why the first thing that Luca worried about once he realised the Hearts really had no control over him anymore, was to make sure his family was safe. That he had to be sure that the Hearts couldn’t hurt them either, couldn’t punish them for him getting away.

Mathew lets out a soft groan, his arms tightening around me as he leans against me more.

“You should eat something small. It will settle your stomach.” I don’t really want to get up, but staying here isn’t going to make things any better either.

He slowly shakes his head. “Everyone’s too busy. I can wait until things settle down.” He pulls me into his lap, wrapping himself fully around me. “And as long as I stay here, with your pheromones, everything will be fine.”

I let out a soft laugh, turning my head so I can kiss his jaw. “I can get you something. And you really should eat and get some fluids in you. This isn’t just about you, it’s about the baby inside you too. Tonight has been stressful enough, we don’t need to add any more to it.”

He grumbles, but then his grip on me lessens. “I guess you’re right. And I can’t stay in here for hours either. I’ve got too much to do for that.” He’s about to get up but I hold onto him, making sure he stays seated.

“Work can wait ten minutes. You need to take care of yourself first. You’re not allowed to leave this room until you’ve had food.” I stand up, running my fingers through his hair, enjoying how the soft, long strands feel against my skin. “Unless you want to join me in the kitchen? That’s the only other place you’re allowed to go right now.”

He looks up at me with that soft smile that makes my insides melt. “I guess I’ll join you in the kitchen, if my stomach allows me to.”

Well, we won’t know until we try.

But I have the feeling that the moment I take my eyes off him, he’ll go back to work and he’ll forget the whole ‘resting for a few minutes and get something in his stomach to replenish his energy’ until halfway through the day, at which time, he’ll feel even worse.