Page 57 of Knot All Is Ruined: Part 2

“So, did you guys have a plan once you got me out of their clutches?” I questioned. “Take that also as what the hell are Lucian and Sorin still doing back there?”

Each of them looked at the other, but no one seemed to genuinely have an answer for me. “Look, we didn’t necessarily have a plan for after we got you. It was more of a play it by ear,” Victor finally admitted. “I know for a fact they’re staying behind to make sure no one follows us. They’ll join up when it’s safe.”

“Good, then we need to figure out a way to meet with them on neutral ground so I can finish the conversation I was having with Branko,” I shared.

“The fuck you are,” Victor snapped.

“Why would such a thing be crucial?” Petru questioned.

“Not a chance,” Toma added at the same time as the others.

I held my hands up as if to defend myself from the onslaught of emotions from them. “Wow. Do you think you guys could dial it down just a smidge? If you’d give me a chance to explain, I’ll tell you why this is important.”

Cris nuzzled against my cheek and pressed a kiss to it. “I think you should wait to have the conversation once the other two are back. Something tells me you’ll need everyone’s approval for this idea of yours.”

He made a fair point, which I agreed with. “All right then, I’ll wait, but we will discuss this. I’m not gonna let you get all Alpha on this and force me to take a back seat. You keep telling me I’m part of this unit and pack. Well, it’s time to prove it by hearing me out.”

“When the others arrive, I’m sure we can all manage to let you explain without getting too upset… right, Victor?” Petru asked pointedly at the man.

Arms crossed and a fierce scowl on his face I didn’t think he’d agree, but he shocked the hell out of me with a sharp nod.

“Very well, then I’ll wait,” I agreed. “Unless you think that is going to take all night. We really need to make sure they don’t leave in the middle of the night, putting us back at square one.”

“It will take however long it takes,” Victor stated, clearly unhappy with me.

While I respected the man’s wishes not to bond, it seriously was hard not knowing what he was thinking or feeling. Was he mad at me or just the situation? Could it be tied more to the fact they didn’t want me to be in danger? Or have I somehow found a way to piss him off without even realizing it? So many choices, and any of them could be correct.

Tapping gently on Cris’ hands clasped around my waist, he released me, albeit reluctantly, so I could go to Victor. Reaching up, I placed my hands on his arms that were still crossed over his chest and peered up into his eyes. “Vicky, I know protecting me is your main priority. However, you need to realize that ending this war is mine. If I have the chance to do something, then I damn well need to do it.”

The big man gave a heavy sigh. “I know, Little Spark, I know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“No, you’re right. You don’t have to like it, you just need to respect it,” I countered. “Branko knows me. We already have a connection from living through the same hell at that outpost. In fact, we also have a connection, loving two people from completely different lifestyles. He’s our ticket into this. I know if I can get him on our side, we can pull this off and get their help.”

Victor unfolded his arms to rest his hands on my shoulders. “How did you become the center of all this? If you hadn’t shown up in Lucian’s life, then ours, none of this would have ever been a thing.”

“Guess Petru’s been right all along, and the fates have been calling the shots the whole time,” I offered. “Either way, I have to try. If I win out, then really, it’s a win for us all.”

“What are we winning?” Sorin asked as he entered the grotto. “Because it’s certainly not friends after Lucian had to shoot one of that guy’s men who almost shot you guys.”

I cringed hearing this. That was the last thing I wanted, but if it was between us being dead and someone else, I’d pick us every time.

“You make it sound like I killed the guy,” Lucian interjected as he dropped down from the rock wall. “It was a simple leg wound that will heal just fine, but it definitely stopped him from chasing after you guys.”

“Oh, thank god,” I muttered, trying to comb my hair out of my face, but it had gotten so tangled I just gave up.

Toma took my hand and had me sit on a boulder while he grabbed a few things out of his bag. Surprisingly, he started to brush and style my hair for me.

“Where did you learn how to do this?” I asked, peering up at him.

Frowning, he adjusted my head to where he wanted it and resumed. “Beth, she wanted to make sure if I ever ended up with a woman, I would know how to spoil her.”

“Huh… remind me to thank her when we get back because I could get used to this,” I teased.

He just snorted and continued doing quick work out of managing my curls enough to get them in a bun and tied down. “Not the best I’ve ever done, but it’s out of your face, off your neck, and contained for the time being.”

“What more could I hope for at this point, because seriously we’ve been washing in rivers and buckets with a bar of soap,” I reminded, reaching out to catch his hand. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

He dropped a kiss on my head. “For you, anytime.”