Page 166 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

He feeds her one.

Cyn and King walk into the room together, talking. I do not see the resemblance at all. King is meant to be younger, but with his blue hair, huge muscles, and tatts, he looks older and wilder. Cyn looks like he’s going to break out a polo top and start a speech about how he’s a good candidate for senate.

So weird.

Pix and Mark come tumbling into the room, wrestling and punching each other. When Vale goes to grab Pix, he’s met with a wall of growls.

“Hands off my puppy,” Blaze says to the room at large.

“Hey, bro.”

Blaze ruffles Kota’s hair. “How are you doing, kid?”

“Good. We’re turning down the renos on the hotel.”

Blaze smiles indulgently. “You’re learning.”

Have I entered a strange, between world? I exchange a look with Meg, who is watching avidly with a bowl of popcorn that she’s pilfered from somewhere.

Bonnie struggles herself free and stands up. “Have you seen Sariah?”

Mark tenses but doesn’t look up or speak.

“No, I tried contacting her and got one of those messages saying she's taking some time off.”

“She’s been gone for a bit,” Bonnie mutters. “Someone should go check on her.”

“I can drop in,” Mark says. “Me and the puppers are going on a road trip, so we can check on her on our way past.”

Bonnie nods, but she misses the way Mark’s lips curl in a satisfied smile before he quietly leaves the room, three of his dog pack on his heels.

Mitchel and Yvonne call us to come eat. Blaze turns and sees my dress. For a moment, I feel awful, but his eyes heat and steam, and suddenly, it’s hard to breathe.

“Get out.”

Everyone leaves the room, and he moves slowly towards me.

“You look incredible.”

I exhale softly and lean my cheek into his hand. “Blaze.”

“So pretty. Hot. I want to kill anyone and everyone who looks at you.”

I step into his arms. “We could go home?” I say hopefully.

Blaze chuckles. “Nice try. Nope, no getting out of family affairs.”

My heart skips a beat. “Is this a family affair?”

His thumb brushes over my cheek. “Yes, Kestrel, this is our family, these people are ours. So, we have to stay, at least until after the cake, then we can run away. Can you do that for me?”

I nod, but my stomach flutters.

“I know it feels weird right now, but this is where you belong. We are your people. Trust me until you see for yourself.”

He leans down and touches his lips to mine.

“I love you, Kest. I’m going to give you everything you lost. Family. Home. Love. A big house, with a big yard and a tree.”