Page 5 of Knot So Sweet (Leather and Lace #1)

Chapter 4

Candi

I slid into a booth at Sully’s diner, seeking refuge in its greasy comfort food and the promise of caffeine. The place was decked out with old-school memorabilia, a nostalgic nod to simpler times that felt almost comforting amidst the chaos of my life. And right now, I seriously needed a break from everything going on at the Den.

Plus it's been ages since I've seen my girl Julia. Last time I saw her she was telling me she was pregnant. That was maybe three months ago now.

I cringed.

God I was a shit friend.

I searched the diner for her long-as-fuck blonde hair and spotted her serving a booth of old ladies in the far corner. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and placed her hands on her hips as she scowled at them. Even pregnant, Julia wasn't taking their shit. I chuckled, shaking my head at her antics.

I shifted in my booth, my skin flushing as a sweat broke out on my brow. I knew it wasn't because of the heat inside Sully's diner, but more likely because my heat was coming sooner than I’d thought, and I still didn't have a plan.

Would The Den be safe enough?

I wasn't sure. But with Adam's track record, with him forcing his bite on Kaylani during her heat. I can't risk it. I won't allow him to do to me what he did to Kay.

Rage simmered at the injustice of it. That his ass still walked free. He was a dick, and he deserves to suffer some consequences for what he did to my brother's omega.

One day, he would get his.

I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead and shrugged off my leather jacket with a dramatic sigh. Maybe Pixie's security cameras, and whatever else the Serpent's tech wiz could do, would be enough.

But I highly doubted it.

There really isn't anywhere else I could go, is there? I snapped my hair band absentmindedly.

The Steel Serpents compound comes to mind, but I immediately shut that shit down. Nope, no way was I going to spend my heat with Ghost and Viper.

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered wildly.

Viper and Ghost… They wanted me as their omega. But hell no. That was never going to happen. They hadn't been by to start setting up security since we made our deal, and I was getting anxious as hell. Hopefully, whatever Owen was plotting with Shade could get me out of this ridiculous deal I’d made.

Who even makes a deal like that?

I growled under my breath, frustration simmering as my gaze shifted to Shade’s garage across the street. Owen was due to show up there soon, and I had a feeling that whatever they were planning was about to be exposed.

I was fed up with Owen’s overprotectiveness. If they were plotting something, I wanted in. Anything to get out of this damn deal.

Julia’s voice sliced through my thoughts, sharp and sweet as cherry pie.

"Who are we spying on, Candice Huxley?"

"I’m not spying," I shot back, irritated by her use of my full name.

I glared at her as she waddled over to my table, balancing a tray with two cups of coffee. Though, I couldn’t stay mad at her for long. We’d always had this dynamic since high school—her, the head cheerleader, blonde, bubbly, adored by everyone. And me, the girl with dark hair, sharp eyeliner, and a permanent scowl.

Back then, I was more comfortable blending into the shadows in my leather jacket, avoiding the spotlight. People thought I was dangerous, or at least too different to bother with.

But not Julia.

She had forced her friendship on me, like her light could withstand my darkness. I’d brush her off, but she always came back, relentless with that big smile. And somehow, over the years, that sunshine-and-rainbows cheerleader had broken through my walls. Now, despite all our differences, we had this weird but unbreakable bond.

She cackled as she plopped down in the booth across from me, her grin mischievous. "Liar," Julia grunted, brushing her blonde hair from her face. "You can’t fool me, bitch. Spill the coffee."

"The expression is ‘spill the tea,’" I corrected, rolling my eyes.

Julia wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Eww, no. I don’t like tea. It’s overrated, and too proper. Now quit stalling and tell me why you’re giving Shade’s Garage a death glare."

I chuckled, appreciating her bluntness. "Fine. Maybe I’m... observing."

"Observing what?" Julia leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Shade? Are we plotting someone’s demise? Ooh, or are we setting up a heist? Either way, I’m in. Anything to distract me from this damn pregnancy."

"You’re a menace, you know that?" I couldn’t help but grin.

"Please," Julia retorted with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "Like you’re any better."

"I missed your face," I said, my smile widening.

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, stop trying to change the subject. So, who’s the unlucky victim this time?"

"Possibly my brother," I said, taking a sip of my coffee.

Julia’s interest sharpened. "Oh? What did Owen Huxley do now?"

"Same shit as always," I grumbled, stirring my coffee. "He thinks he’s protecting me, but really, he’s just making everything worse. You know how it is." I said with a shrug. "Overprotective alpha bullshit. Like I can’t handle myself. Apparently, Owen and Shade have made some kind of deal with the Hounds."

Julia rolled her eyes, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Roman’s the same way. My brother and his pack act like, just because I’m pregnant, I need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and kept away from any drama. Like I’m some delicate flower. Hello? I run a diner by myself! It’s fucking ridiculous."

"I can’t actually imagine you playing the damsel in distress role. Even pregnant," I said, shaking my head. "How far along are you now?"

"Sixteen weeks tomorrow," Julia said with a chuckle. "Sean is more protective over me than Roman, if you can believe it. But he’s actually starting to trust Zane."

I smiled, taking a sip of my coffee. Sean Cromwell wasn’t someone you wanted to cross. "That’s great, Julia. I’m so happy for you. Sean is scary. I wouldn’t wanna be Zane."

"Thank you. I’m so happy, and I can’t wait to meet him or her. Zane is going to be a great dad," she said, rubbing her belly with a beaming grin.

"You don’t know what you’re having?" I asked, surprised.

She shook her head. "We want to wait to find out."

We both sipped our coffee in silence for a moment, and I thought about what she has with Zane, a solid relationship with a beta. The thought made Benson cross my mind again. I had an appointment for a tattoo tomorrow.

Benson has done my tattoos for years now, but it's never gone further than a quick fuck. Julia was clearly smitten with Zane. Did I feel the same way for him?

I wasn't so sure.

Breaking the silence, Julia said, "So Hux is living with three snarky, independent omegas, and a beta, huh? That’s gotta be driving him up the wall. How’s he not gone completely mental yet?" Julia asked.

"Oh, trust me, it’s only a matter of time. We’re going stir crazy in there." Once again, Viper's offer flashed in my mind. But I pushed it out of my thoughts.

I wasn't moving out of my home.

Julia’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "And now you’ve got the Omega Den reopening on top of everything else he's dealing with. I swear, you’re not making things any easier on him."

I cringed. "I know, but with Sterling City going to shit and Adam’s feral ass on the loose, we needed a plan. And a safe place for omegas."

She nodded, her gaze softening. "Yeah, I get that. You’re doing a good thing. But do you really think Hux can handle it all? His omega is half bonded to Adam. His sister is who Michelle thinks is the ideal omega for her pretty boy of a son. I mean, how are you going to maintain The Den, Candi? It all sounds like a bitch and a half."

"I know," I said, fidgeting with my mug as I thought about Michelle's plans for me and Adam. That was a fate worse than death. "It's a lot to deal with, but it will be worth it if we all do it together. The problem is that Owen thinks he needs to do it all alone. It pisses me off. He’s too protective. If something goes wrong, he’ll throw himself into the fire without thinking twice. And I can’t let that happen. I need to be one step ahead, just in case. Have a backup plan, you know?"

Julia raised a brow, her expression serious. "So, you’re spying on Shade’s garage because...? What’s the connection?"

"Because Shade and Owen are planning something, and if the plan I made goes to shit, I need a contingency," I admitted, glancing back at the garage. "And my brother has been secretive as hell. That’s never a good sign. I need to know what’s going on over there."

"Yeah, I’d be suspicious too," she said, leaning in with a narrow-eyed look. "So what's this plan of yours that might backfire?"

FUCK. Here it goes.

"Well, I made a deal with Viper," I said honestly. "But I’m not actually going to be fulfilling my end of the deal."

Julia’s eyes widened, and she cackled. "Oh my god! What did you promise him?" She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Whatever it is, I bet it’s juicy."

I took a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable fallout. "I promised him a chance to… woo me. He asked me to come live at the Serpents' clubhouse."

Julia blinked, then burst into laughter, drawing the attention of a few nearby patrons. "You’re letting the Steel Serpents’ president court you? Oh, this is too good!" Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself grinning despite the mess.

"Yeah, I know. But the plot thickens," I said, leaning in and lowering my voice. "I’m also his scent match and he said he would share me with his enforcer, Ghost…"

Julia’s mouth fell open and she let out a sharp laugh that had several heads turning in our direction. "Girl, you’re fucked either way. But what I wouldn’t give to be in between that alpha sandwich." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Not to mention," I continued, "Ghost is also my match."

Julia’s eyebrows shot up, and she stared at me in disbelief. "Oh damn, you’ve got a real mess on your hands. Talk about a double whammy. No wonder you’re so on edge. Well, more than usual. So when do you move in?"

"I'm not," I protested.

"Fine, fine." She waved me off, not believing me in the slightest. "Let's see what happens when Viper starts to court you. When will you see them next?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows dramatically.

I chuckled at her antics and shrugged. "After my tattoo session tomorrow. I’m going by to make sure he’s still having Pixie set up the cameras and added security."

She whistled. "Oh shit. What's Benny boy gonna say?"

I gnawed on my bottom lip. "It's not a big deal. We weren't actually more than fuck buddies anyway."

Julia frowned. "That sounds complicated as hell. I can't wait to see them sweep you off your feet, bitch. You deserve to be wooed."

I chuckled. "Not going to happen." I'm not sure she believed me, because even as I protested, a flush took over my cheeks.

I'm blaming it on my impending heat. I am not fucking blushing.

Her gaze softened with a touch of sympathy. "Hang in there, Candi. You’ve got this. And if you need a distraction from all the alpha drama, just let me know. I’m always up for some trouble. I miss you something fierce, lady."

"Thanks, Julia," I said, feeling a bit more at ease. "I might just take you up on that." Just then, Julia glanced out of the window and squealed. "Showtime," she said, her voice low and serious.

I followed her gaze and saw Owen’s town car pull into the parking lot across from the diner. My heart raced as I processed the sight of Owen arriving.

"Let’s find out what you’re planning, big brother," I murmured, gripping my coffee cup tightly.

A few seconds later, an SUV pulled in, parking behind Owen’s car. The doors swung open, and out stepped Sean Cromwell, Lincoln, and Roman—Julia’s brother.

My eyes widened in disbelief as Julia took in her brother’s pack with a frown. "That can’t be good," she said, her voice laced with concern.

I cringed, nodding in agreement. Either the Cromwell pack was working with my brother, or there was about to be some serious drama unfolding across the street.

"You want to go find out?" I asked, standing up and tossing a few bills onto the table for the coffee. She might be one of my best friends, but she deserved to get paid for her services. Even if all she did was poke fun and drink a stale cup of coffee with me.

Julia’s grin widened, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Hell yes. Let’s crash this party and see what’s going down."