Page 28 of Knot My Band: Part Two

“Jack was able to deflect those questions and any about our relationship with you, Oli, steering us back to the music, but I doubt anything we said will make headlines,” Aiden adds.

Jack leans closer, inspecting me for injuries before passing me a water bottle. When he gets to my wrist, his attention narrows in on the bracelet.

“What’s this?” Jack asks, suspicious.

I glance at Dax to see him blushing and realize he didn’t talk to his pack about this gift. It means even more to me that this idea was all his.

“Dax got it for me,” I announce.

Chase and Aiden move closer, examining it with smiles.

Chase smacks Dax on the back with a laugh. “Impressive, I’m a proud papa.”

Dax rolls his eyes before shoving him off. I can see he wants to leave this conversation and hide, but instead, he looks at each of them.

“I’m trying to make things up to Oli, and this is only the beginning, but I owe you three an apology too. I tried to get between you and your omega. I’m sorry,” he says, and it sounds like it was scraped from his mouth by force, but the fact that he did that speaks volumes.

I can almost taste the shock and respect in the room, and Jack, Aiden, and Chase stare at Dax.

Aiden looks back at me and the bracelet before smiling at Dax and promising, “You’re forgiven. Make things right with Oli, and we can all move on.”

Jack and Chase agree, making Dax’s lips quirk slightly with a rare smile. I can just barely see that dimple popping out.

“That’s my plan,” Dax says simply, then sits back down on the couch, moving on like that wasn’t just a huge, emotional moment for him.

Oli

PACK EM UP GOSSIP COLUMN

WHY WON’T OLI HART AND THE EDGE CONFIRM OR DENY DATING RUMORS?

June 9th

The security team we hired has done a great job of staying hidden. Most of the time, I forget that they’re even there unless I’m looking for them.

Now, as they stand in front of me as a unit with only one of them missing, I wonder how that’s possible. They’re so large and formidable that they take up half the bus. Their presence fills the space with an air of command that’s hard to ignore.

Jack gathered all of us after he received a text from their lead alpha, Saint.

Aiden, Chase, and I are sitting on the couch with Jack and Dax standing across from the security team.

“I think we are in good hands with them,” I whisper, nudging Chase, who’s seated beside me, his arm draped protectively over my shoulder.

Chase grins, his eyes scanning the team with approval. “Definitely makes me feel better.” I can feel the rumble of his voice through his chest.

“Ms. Hart, gentlemen,” Saint addresses us, his voice calm and smooth, like whiskey poured over ice. It’s not loud, butit cuts through the hum of the bus’s idling engine, demanding attention without needing to shout.

“Call me Oli, please,” I insist once again.

A flicker of amusement crosses his face before professional detachment slips back into place. “Oli, then. We’ve completed the vetting process for everyone involved with the tour going forward,” he informs us, his eyes meeting each of ours in turn.

“That sounds promising,” Aiden pipes up, leaning forward with interest. “No more surprises?”

“We’ve done our due diligence,” the security leader assures, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “You can focus on the music and leave the safety concerns to us.”

“Music to my ears,” I breathe out, feeling the tight coil of tension in my gut begin to unravel. The guys nod their agreement, the collective relief palpable in the cramped space of the bus.

“Thank you,” I add, locking eyes with the leader. “Seriously, this means everything to us.”