Page 60 of Knot So Damaged

“Oh no! I’m going to catch a firefly!” Cal shouts, appearing from behind her. The little girl squeals as he grabs her, lifting, spinning and tickling her.

Both of them laugh together as he sets her down. Eventually he straightens like he is about to speak to Val but pauses when he sees the two of us standing with her.

A sheepish look appears on his face, bringing a hand up to ruffle his unkept hair, clearly having not long got out of bed. Judging by the lack of pillows and blankets on the couch; Valley’s bed.

“Ah, hey guys. Um, Amity, these are my pack-brothers Vic and Olis.”

Amity nods, grabbing ahold of Conall’s pants leg and attempts to hide behind the Alpha’s leg.

It’s blatantly obvious that in the days he has been absent, he has been here developing something further not only with our girl but also with her daughter.

I can’t stop the pang of jealousy that shoots through me. It's a foreign feeling, especially when it is aimed at someone that I consider a brother.

But here we are.

Valley steps up into us, breaking the now awkward tension in the room. “Ah, do you guys want a coffee?”

I nod and so does both Vic and Conall.

“How do you like it?”

“One sugar and milk please,” I reply just as Vic replies, “Black.”

Val turns a disgusted look Vic’s way. “Why am I not surprised that you take your coffee that way?”

He just shrugs his shoulders and turns, making himself familiar with what little there is in here. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had cameras that he was secretly stashing to keep a closer eye on our girl.

“Bitter like his soul,” Conall murmurs, eliciting a chuckle from our girl. The sound is like music to my ears.

“I don’t want coffee, Mommy,” a little voice grumbles. I turn to see Amity walk over to the bench separating the kitchen and the lounge room.

Valley chuckles again, opening the fridge and pulling out a juice box. Amity giggles and wriggles in her seat, patiently waiting for her version of liquid gold.

A smile turns the corners of my lips, unable to deny just how adorable she is.

Once our coffees are set out before us, Valley leans against the counter behind her, crossing her arms and pinning both Vic and I with a suspicious look.

“So, what brings you both to my home? I feel like this is overstepping the boss and employee work relationship.”

Vic scoffs, setting down his mug, “I think that was well and truly thrown out the window when you allowed one of your bosses to stay here for the last two nights and sleep in your bed,dolce ciligera.”

Valley’s eyes narrow. “What I do in my house is none of your business, Victor.”

I cringe at the use of Vic’s name. He hates anyone using it after our father’s overuse of it following demands as him and Conall were growing up. It's the same reason why Cal also prefers his nickname. Except he is much less anal about it.

To my surprise, he doesn’t bark at her like I expected him to. Instead he just leans forward, his arms resting on the bench.

“The truth of why I am here is because I wanted to see you. A week without seeing your face would have been a catastrophe.”

There is a slight tinge to her cheeks but she doesn't completely let go of the grumpy cat persona she is leaning on for obvious support.

“You having a school boy crush is no excuse for you to just barge into my apartment. Especially not when my daughter is here.”

He shrugs his shoulders and straightens. “Fine, if you won’t allow us to barge into your home, then pack a bag.”

Valley’s head tilts and she frowns in confusion, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth. A growl escapes my chest unwillingly as my eyes remain locked on that spot.

Cal chuckles from behind me, slapping a hand on my shoulder. I don’t jolt or push him off, even as he leans against me.