Page 37 of Knot Your Kismet

I hate this. I hate it so damn much that heat burns on my neck, especially seeing the defeated expressions crossing the Kismet brothers’ faces.

“I don’t want to lose you either, but I have to put myself first. It’s the only way I’ll ever be okay. Please understand.” I turn and gently kiss Jensen on the lips. He sinks against me, my affection setting off everyone in the room. Shifting, I guide Lucas closer to my mouth and brush my lips to his next. “I want for all of us to be happy.”

“I wish we were enough alone,” Nolan says, touching my cheek, mingling his scent with mine. “But I understand. I do. You can’t rely on someone to make you happy. You have to be content with yourself.”

I rapidly blink my eyes, pushing away my own unshed tears. My emotions run rampant, and I slide into Nolan’s lap and cup his face. He kisses me more intensely than his brothers, his hands fervently memorizing my body from my cheek to my neck and down to my wrists where he gently massages his thumbs. He silently claims me, his touch igniting my very nature. But that’s all it will ever be. It’s my order and nothing else.

“I’m trying my best. I really am.” I rest my head to his shoulder, letting silence fill the air.

“We know. Whatever happens, we’re here for you, Cali. Forever.” Lucas touches my back.

Forever is a long time.

I don’t say it though. I just want to enjoy this moment, knowing these men have my back even if I don’t relent and do things the easy way.

That’s not me. I refuse to be anything but my unapologetic, determined self.

My mom would be proud.

22

Contracts

Calista

“There’s no way I’m letting you go in alone. I promise the scent blocker will work. No one will pay any attention to me. Consider me as your backup. I’d rather have a few tables than a solid wall between us.” Lucas taps his fingers on the steering wheel. Nolan and Jensen wanted to come, but I worry that they might make a scene. Lucas is discreet. He’s not as well-known to anyone outside of Pack Kismet, especially since he hasn’t lived here in years.

“Lucas… I know you want to protect me and do everything for me, but I’ll be fine. You should stay out here. I thought you agreed to let me have some independence.” I swivel in the front seat and rest my hand on his knee. He doesn’t meet my gaze, and I know it’s because he’ll immediately give in if he stares into my eyes. So I trail my fingers up his torso and to his neck, sliding them against his scent gland. He shivers under my touch, and I guide his face to look at me.

He has no choice but to let me capture him with my stare. “Cali.”

I shake my head with a soft smile, pulling him closer by the neck, digging my nails gently into his sensitive skin. I brush my lips to his, kissing him softly. “I’ll call you if I need you. This is just a meeting with my lawyer.”

“And her.” Lucas groans against my mouth, the sensation tickling my lips.

“Ivy isn’t going to do anything. She’s helping me.” Even if it’s more to help herself. I haven’t told her that I don’t want to go back to the city. And if I did, the Kismet brothers would be coming with me. They would be the ones by my side for my Omega Sterilization. I just have to figure out how we can make that happen.

I exhale a deep breath. None of it will matter if the contract to make me the Kismet Omega does hold up. We’ll have no choice but to deal with it. A part of me hates that we have to. That my desire for a future not seen as my order, and instead just as me, will slip away.

“I’ll stay right here, but if I don’t get a text from you every few minutes, I’ll sneak inside. I don’t like this. My brothers will be pissed off if they find out.” Lucas rests his head against mine.

“They won’t touch you. They know that no one can tell me what to do.” I ease away from Lucas.

“And that’s why Nolan calls you a brat.”

I laugh as I unbuckle my seatbelt and push open the door. “That’s what he gets. I’ll always do what I want.”

Lucas shakes his head, remaining behind the wheel as I cross in front of the hood and head toward the small café attached to the bookstore. I wanted a more casual meet-up place that wasn’t a full-on restaurant. I don’t want to be forced to stay here longer than I have to, especially if Ivy’s here.

My stomach dances with nerves as I get closer to the door. I straighten my shoulders, wanting to look confident despite how I feel. It’s been what seems like forever since I saw Ivy, and the last time wasn’t great.

Peeking through the glass, I spot Ivy immediately. She sits next to a woman with perfectly curled strawberry blond hair, light makeup, and wearing a fashionable suit. They both sit in plush chairs with a coffee table in front of them. It takes me a minute to realize that a man sits on a loveseat in front of them. I was so focused on scrutinizing my lawyer that I paid no attention to the back of his head.

I should’ve known this wouldn’t be easy. Ivy wouldn’t have traveled alone. And because Ivy does not have a partner, I know it must be one of the Daines pack mates. Most likely related to her.

I glance over my shoulder at Lucas, considering calling to him, but my stubbornness gets the best of me. Instead, I yank the door open and listen as a chime dings out. I really wish places would stop with the bells. I can feel several sets of eyes immediately turned to me, and I decide to keep my gaze toward the floor.

“Cali, over here,” Ivy calls, not giving me a second to assess the situation. “You’re late. It’s poor form to leave Ms. Galloway waiting.”