Page 12 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

“What does it mean, beloved? You put it there for a reason, why?”

“Don’t call me that,” he says absently. “And none of your business.”

I smile and watch him from under my lashes as I continue my ministrations on her delicate hands. I could crush them and break all the bones so easily. There is something so arousing about knowing that I could hurt her, but that I would rather stab everyone else than even think about hurting a single bone in her body.

“Merle,” I whisper. “Time to wake up now, dead girl.”

Pix snarls at me, but he doesn’t interrupt or say anything at all. Instead, he watches over her like her guardian dog.

King comes into the room. I can feel the tension radiating from Pix, but more importantly, the secret bonds we exchanged give me insight into his comings and goings. It seemed safer not to tell anyone that he is the other half of my soul. Learning to trust him was hard and took many years. We spent a lot of years trying to kill each other.

He was worthy of me.

“My love, look at our dead girl. Isn’t she pretty?”

King approaches the bed, his movements slow, almost reluctant. He leans down, picking up her arm, twisting it back and forth, then moves to her neck. His mind works differently from mine, so I wait to see what he’s going to say.

“Bruises are consistent with a beating. Fingerprints on her collarbone. These bruised circlets on her arm is where the person grabbed her. This isn’t from the accident.”

Oh, no.I don’t like that information at all. I study the purple and black with deep unhappiness that starts morphing into a deadly rage.

Pix stays pressed against the wall, arms folded over his chest, watching and waiting.

“How do you know?” I ask for Pix’s benefit, giving him an indulgent smile.

“I know how to hurt people,” King murmurs. “She’s been hurt a lot. Scars on scars and bruises on bruises.”

His temper unfurls in me like a wildfire, and he starts to shake.

“Where’s that detective?” he snarls. “If he did this, I’ll kill him.”

Pix moves, kicking out with a speed I find utterly charming and, to no one’s surprise, puts King on the floor before my alpha can think.

“You don’t touch my Roseland.”

Now that is interesting. The omega’s eyes get hard. Deadly. Very interesting.

King sits there for a moment, his eyes glowing, and the rage transforming to something far more edible.

He rolls to his feet and slams Pix against the wall. The two of them fight, making a hell of a lot of noise. I turn my head to watch them, cackling, even as I continue lightly stroking her inner arm in a soothing pattern.

Blaze walks in, his satin robes swishing as he moves. “No fighting in the sickroom, King, Daega.”

Pix’s head snaps up, and he glowers. “Don’t call me that. In fact, how did you find out my name?”

“There is a gym at the end of the corridor, go and take your argument there, but you will not disrespect this omega or my house rules.” He lifts his chin. “And I called my little brother.”

“Who is your brother?” Pix growls. “I didn’t pay attention to your babbling.”

“Kota Myles. I believe you know him well?”

Pix lets off a stream of curse words that have the three of us watching him in interest.

“Why do you wear such loud clothes?” I ask, glaring at Blaze and his silk dress. He looks like an ancient warrior.Pussy.

“Because I like to look pretty,” Blaze says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

I snort my disgust and glance back at the female omega who is frowning in her sleep.