Page 18 of Knot Broken
I grip the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, the leather creaking faintly under my fingers as I glance at Violet out of the corner of my eye.
She’s curled into the passenger seat, phone pressed to her ear, eyes squinting at the dashboard like she’s debating whether to chuck the whole device out the window or keep pretending she has the patience of a saint. Her voice has that particular edge—the one she saves for Fallon when she’s trying not to strangle her with love.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.No, Fallon, you don’t need to fly back from Boston. Just focus on fixing what needs fixing, okay?”
Her tone is firm, but laced with affection, the kind you only use when you adore someoneeven whilethey’re being a pain in the ass. It makes my mouth twitch in a smile I try to hide behind the wheel. It’sso her—grumpy affection, blunt concern softened by loyalty.
I glance in the rearview mirror. Fox is sprawled out across the backseat like he owns the place, one arm draped casually over the window, a smirk tugging at his mouth. He catches mylook, lifts an eyebrow, then shifts his attention to Violet—just in time to hear her sigh like she’s preparing to do battle with a dragon.
Dare sits beside him, arms folded, eyes locked on the storefront in front of us.Fluffed Up.The sign is obnoxiously pink, the windows overflowing with pillows, plush throws, and soft, glittering lights. It’s a nesting paradise—and a pastel nightmare.
“Swear to god, if there’s a glitter aisle, I’m waiting in the car,” Dare mutters.
Violet ignores him, her voice softening slightly as she murmurs into the phone. “Fallon, Ipromise—if anything happens, I’ll call. But right now? I’m safe. I’m withthem.”
Those words do something to me.
They settle low in my chest and unfurl like heat, slow and steady. Like a tether tightening in the best way. Shefeelssafe with us. That shouldn’t matter this much—shouldn’t make my lungs feel like they’re trying to inhale something solid—but it does. Because the truth is, I want to be that for her. The safe place. The sure thing.
There’s a quiet beat, then her voice drops. “I love you. Bye.”
She hangs up before Fallon can get another word in. Classic Violet move.
She holds the phone in her lap a second longer than necessary, fingers still curled around it like she’s reluctant to let go. Then, slowly, she releases it with a soft sigh and leans back in the seat, brushing a piece of purple hair out of her face.
“Sorry, guys,” she says with a sheepish glance toward the back seat. “She’s a little… overprotective.”
Fox barks a laugh, grinning as he stretches like a satisfied cat. “Understatement of thefuckingyear. I’m pretty sure she was seconds from contacting the National Guard. Probably has a satellite tracking you right now.”
“Wouldn’t doubt it,” Dare mutters, but his gaze shifts to Violet, a little less teasing now. “She loves you. That kind of loyalty doesn’t go away, even when you don’t need it.”
Violet smiles at that, small but genuine, and damn if it doesn’t hit me right in the chest again.
A wry smile tugs at Violet’s lips. “She’s stressed dealing with the fallout from the whole Marline disaster. Then at her Boston bridal location. It’s Marcy’s bullshit. I’m getting real tired of M’s fucking with our lives. She’s got a pack of overworked employees she’s trying to keep from revolting. So of course she’s trying to micromanage my life from a different state.”
“She cares about you,” I say, my voice gruffer than intended. “Can’t blame her for that.”
Violet shrugs, a hint of fondness in her eyes. “Yeah, I know. Considering the armed break-in situation at my house, she's just worried, which is fair. And, you know, being stuck with you guys.”
I raise a brow. “Stuck with us?”
Her eyes dance with amusement. “Yeah, I mean, you three are basically a walking testosterone disaster. You’re lucky you’re hot, or this would be a nightmare.”
Fox barks out a laugh. “Good to know we’ve got at least one redeeming quality.”
“Maybe two if I’m being generous.” She tosses him a wicked grin, and fuck, I love seeing her like this—playful and sharp and a little bit reckless.
But she’s also tense. I can see it in how her fingers twitch against her phone and her shoulders haven’t quite lost their tightness even with the jokes.
Dare shifts beside Fox, his gaze locked on Violet, eyes studying her like he’s trying to unravel every twist and turn of her emotions. “You sure you’re okay with this?” he asks, nodding toward the sugar-coated nightmare that is Fluffed Up.
She groans, throwing her head back against the headrest. “I swear, you guys are more worried than Fallon. It’s fine. A little weird to be dragging you into a nesting store, but fine.”
“Honestly, doll,” Fox says, leaning forward, his arms draped over the front seat as he grins at her. “I’m kinda looking forward to watching you drag us through this fluffy pastel hell. I’d like to see what our omega likes.”
Violet snickers. “I don’t know. Some of these omegas can be just as dangerous. But... seriously, you guys don’t have to get me a whole nest.” She squirms like she’s uncomfortable with us spending money on her.
I keep my voice low and steady, eyes locked on Violet’s beautiful, stubborn face. She’s fighting me on this, but not with the same sharp edges she usually uses to keep us at arm’s length. This time, it’s hesitation. Uncertainty. And that’s something I can work with.
