Page 34 of Knot Enough

Me?

Kane lifted the rounded metal cover to unveil food underneath. A roasted turkey with vegetables, mashed potatoes, and macaroni lay beneath it. Another two of those metal covers lined the table.

I licked my lips.

Axel reached over to the bottle of wine. A loud pop rang out as he easily took the cork off with a twist. He tipped a wine glass as he poured.

“Here.”

I mechanically reached for it. Why were they doing this?

Axel poured one for Kane, who swirled his glass.

I set the wine down, too nervous to eat or drink.

Clearing my throat, I popped to my feet, curling my toes into the grass.

“Could I use the bathroom?”

The meek words didn’t sound like me, but my submissiveness came out around them without trying.

Kane tipped his drink at the house.

“Go to the one upstairs. It’s next to my office.”

I nodded and hurried off as quickly as possible without it being obvious that I wanted to get away. As soon as I was out of sight, I crouched on the porch and buried my hands in my hair. All of this was crazy. I felt crazy. They went from hating me to treating me like porcelain. I didn’t understand, and I struggled to wrap my mind around it. Hiding within the shadows of the house, pieces of their low conversation echoed to my ears.

“—Killing her will?—”

“Enough, Axel,” Kane snarled.

My heart stuttered. Still the talk of death. Even after their sweet behavior. Even Axel. I pressed my back against the wall.

What was I doing? I couldn’t escape them. Somewhere in the house, echoed movement. The Beta would snitch on me in a heartbeat. I had no exit.

My heart dropped, and my lip wobbled.

Why fight so much?

Once I was standing, I rolled my shoulders and lifted my chin.

With a knot in my throat, I stormed up to them. Breathing hard, my gaze bounced from one to the other.

Kane pinched my chin and forced my face toward him. “What is it?”

Gritting my teeth, I gripped his wrist and forced his hand to my throat.

“Stop talking about killing me and just do it already.”

Silence from both of them. Fury flickered in Kane’s gaze, and his muscles rippled as he stood, still holding my throat, stern and unrelenting, yet gentle.

“I’m not going to kill you.”

I scoffed, throwing my hands up. They were too much. Being on the fence between death and ecstasy was too much. I had had enough.

“Lies,” I hissed.

Kane’s teeth flashed with his cruel grin.