AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Hey, Knotty! How are you feeling? You doing okay?’ I ask, and his eyes swing to mine. He gives me a slight smile.
‘I’m doing fine. Just a little tired from the training and ready for sleep. Nothing to worry about,’ he assures me.
‘Promise?’
‘Absolutely.’
I blow him a kiss and catch Levi staring at Knots as well, concern plastered on his face. Hopefully, he’s just checking up on him as well and not picking up something worrisome through his emotions. I worry my bottom lip as I debate going behind Knots’ back on this. I just want to make sure he’s okay.
‘JP, is Knots okay? Is he projecting? Can you hear him? Is he in pain? Can you check?’ I send my thoughts to JP, and his head jerks up with shock. He clenches his jaw and backs away from the table before slowly making his way to me as Lucifer explains where this Master Portal is.
I’m surprised as JP grabs my arm and gently pulls me away from the table. Once we are away, I take a look at him and know I’ve fucked up. JP runs a jerky hand through his hair. His muscles tense before he lets out a shaky breath. Leaning down, he looks me in the eyes.
“Rez, I know you mean well and you want to check up on Knots, but it’s not fair to ask me,” he says with a clipped tone.
Immediately, tears start to sting my eyes at his words.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to come off like an ass, ma chérie. But you have to see it from my point of view. I’ve had an easier life than Moni, but not by much. I’ve been accused of dipping into people’s private thoughts, and it’s a trigger of mine. Having you ask me to do that with one of your mates and my friend…” He sighs and looks down at his feet.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him as I grab a hold of his arm. “Please forgive me,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to upset you, and I didn’t know. But you’re right.” I try to keep the emotion out of my voice, but some slips out as JP looks up at me, his face softening.
“It’s okay,” he says and pulls me into an embrace. “I know you didn’t mean to and your heart is in the right place, but you also have to trust us, Rez.”
He leans back and looks down at me. I feel better that he didn’t flat out yell at me and then leave me here standing alone. If anything, I feel more love pouring out of him now that he’s taken the time to explain while still holding me.
“If I ever pick up something troublesome and I need to call in the cavalry, I will, but until then, if you’re worried about one of us, come ask us.” He lets go of me and cups my cheeks. “Coming to us one-on-one when you’re worried about us makes us feel special too,” he says with a smile and kisses me briefly. “Now, let’s go see what we missed.” He grabs my hand and pulls me back to the group around the table.
CHAPTER 47
The Labyrinth
Knox
I can feel Kitten’s worry as she looks at Knots, and it doesn’t take a genius to know she’s talking to him. What does stump me is JP suddenly walking around and grabbing Rez, pulling her away from the table.
‘How dare he grab her like that. Attack! Protect mate!’ Fluffers yells in my mind.
‘Settle down; she’s his mate too, so he won’t hurt her,’ I reason with him, that is until I feel her shock and sadness. Focusing on JP, it’s easy to see the anger he’s carrying. If his clenched jaw and fists weren’t an indication, his agitated state and jerky movements would tip off anyone if they are paying attention.
The fuck?
Yeah, that’s not going to fly when I’m around. I push away from the table and try to squeeze around Bez when Fluffers starts laughing.
‘That didn’t take long to switch sides,’ Baron taunts me, but I know better than to comment back. It will just be something else he can possibly hold against me.
Before I can make headway to my kitten’s rescue and JP’s ass whopping, JP pulls her in for a hug and I feel her relax against him, but I need my own reassurance as Fluffers pushes for me to shift. I send my worry down the link to Rez, and as she walks back to the table with JP, I feel her assurance; she's okay.
It’s not complete happiness from her like I’m used to, though. It’s putting me on edge, but at least it’s enough to keep me from ripping into JP. I feel something else shift inside of me, though that brings me pause.
‘Did that come from any of you?’ I ask, but it’s silent for a moment. ‘GUYS!’
It’s my turn to feel Rez’s worry come down the link, and I give her a smile I know doesn’t reach my eyes, but I have bigger problems going on.
‘No. It wasn’t,’ a strong voice slithers in my head. I immediately go on the offensive. Who’s in me that doesn’t belong? Anger surges inside of me as I assess my body and realize I still have control of it as I bare my teeth.
‘Who are you? Are you like Cain, a parasite catching a ride?’ I accuse.
‘Pfft. You should be grateful I chose you to bind my soul with. We will talk later. Pay attention so we don’t look like fools.’
