Page 32 of Knot So Damaged

“I will be okay. You should go home and get some rest. I know just how exhausting looking after her can be.”

Mrs. Perry waves her hand in the air, collecting her bag from the bench.

“Nonsense. That beautiful little girl keeps me young. You know just how much I wanted kids and grandkids of my own. You both help to fill that hole I have been missing all of my life.”

Tears well in my eyes as I walk over to the older Beta woman and wrap my arms around her tightly. She chuckles, returning the embrace but I don’t miss the sniffle as she does.

“You have no idea how much you fill that mother and grandmotherly hole for both of us too,” I murmur into her warm jacket, unable to say anything more. It would be a sobbing fest if I did.

“I love you, Valentina. I hope you know just how proud your mother would be of you.”

I nod as we eventually separate. Mrs. Perry smiles at me as I see her out the door, silently watching as she steps inside her apartment and locks the door behind her.

It gives me a bit of peace of mind that she is safe as I close my door and lock it behind me.

I don’t know what I would do if I was to lose her as well.

The distraction that Amity brings me is welcome. After a visit from Luna who can’t stop gushing at how good our night was, along with a Beta client that she saw who has become her new fascination and in turn obsessed with her, I feel at least partially ready for my night.

As I step into the club, I thank my lucky stars that I don’t see any of the three Alphas that seem to be popping up everywhere I am.

I know they are here though. Judging by the sweet and earthy scents that I am able to identify as theirs, I know that they won’t stay hidden for long.

That isn’t their thing.

Especially not Conall’s.

From the limited reaction that we have had with each other, I already want to tease him. To really play with the Alpha that seems hell bent on not listening to my warnings that I am not interested.

Even though I have swarn off the entire designation, that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun and fuck with them, can I?

My outfit tonight is a simple bikini set. The fabric is a gorgeous purple holographic color that helps to make the more basic outfit pop.

It also does wonders against my lightly tanned skin.

My hair hangs in curled cascades down my back and I make sure to fluff it before I walk out the door.

Tonight, I have a little bit of time on the floor before I have to be up and ready for my stage set.

Even though I have been mostly distracted with my three year old, it hasn’t stopped me from running tonight's routine over in my head.

Much like last week's revenge dance, this routine is one of my favorites. I have been savoring it for a night that I felt like I needed to give a little extra something.

Tonight feels like that night.

The club is already packed with suited businessmen and I know that this shift will be much like the last.

A hand gripping my wrist has me stopping with a jolt.

Panic grips me, making me want to turn around and slap the hand away to escape. But I don’t.

Instead, I plaster a fake smile on my face and turn around to the Beta who is smiling at me. Once he has my attention, he quickly drops my hand, his smile now shy.

“Hi, I um… I was… Ah. You are…um,” he stumbles over his words, a blush forming on his cheeks as he fights for his life to speak to me.

It's clear that this is this guy's first time in a strip club. Surprisingly, he is here alone, clearly not wanting his friends to make a big fuss out of it.

I have seen a lot of situations like that and I refuse for this guy to feel as uncomfortable as the others have seemed.