Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

4. Kaylani

Chapter 4

Kaylani

C oming down the stairs, I head straight to the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee already calling to me. As I reach the threshold, I pause, surprised to see Sheriff Liam Bradshaw sitting at the breakfast nook, nursing a cup of coffee while Aunt Eden fusses over him.

"You haven't been here in months, Liam. You work too much," she reprimands him, her tone half-motherly, half-annoyed.

Liam gives her a sheepish grin, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I missed you too, Ms. Jacobs," he teases, his voice warm and familiar.

"Liam, how many times do I have to tell you? It's Eden."

Liam shrugs, chuckling, but the humor fades when he notices me standing in the doorway. His eyes meet mine, and I can see the concern etched in his features. It's strange seeing him in casual jeans and a button-up shirt. There's no sheriff's badge or uniform in sight, and my tense shoulders relax slightly. I don't need an interrogation this early in the morning, especially not from Shade's best friend.

"Hey, Kaylani," Liam greets, his voice a mix of worry and familiarity.

"Morning," I grumble, heading straight toward the coffee pot. I don't have the energy for Liam's questioning right now.

I have a date with a porch swing.

I pour myself a mug of coffee, savoring the rich aroma as it fills the room. The weight of the last few days feels a little lighter with the familiar routine. As I turn to head out to the porch, Liam's voice stops me.

"Kay, can we talk for a minute?"

I pause, glancing back at Liam. His expression is serious, and I know this isn't just a casual visit. With a sigh, I nod and take a seat across from him at the breakfast nook. Aunt Eden pats my shoulder gently before stepping out to give us some privacy.

"Depends on what about," I say, trying to keep my tone light despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.

Liam leans forward, his concern deepening. "The coroner said Bex died from an overdose? Where was she all these months? What really happened to her, Kay?"

His questions come fast, one after another, his voice tinged with frustration. I swallow hard, the memory of Bex's overdose still raw. "It's complicated, Liam," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Liam nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Let me put away whoever is responsible," he murmurs.

I scoff. "If only it were that simple. I told you what Adam did to me, Liam. On the record," I snap. "And still, he walks free. The Hounds blew up the estate, and I don't see you arresting any of them for their involvement." My gaze hardens as I take in the man sitting across from me. "What exactly can you do? Your partner, Shari Ledger, is on the Sterling payroll and we both know it. Her brother Dane was the alpha Hux 'murdered ,'" I say, using my fingers to make air quotes. "Hux didn’t actually kill him, Liam. And now Shari’s tangled up in Michelle’s web too. So what can you do, Liam, really?"

Liam's jaw tightens, frustration evident in his eyes, but I shake my head, averting my gaze. My hands tremble slightly as I wrap them around my mug and take a sip, hoping the warmth will steady me.

"I know it seems like nothing is being done, but we're working on it. Adam's case is complicated—his connections make it tough to bring him down. And the Hounds... they're slippery. But I'm not giving up, Kay. I promise you that."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Promises don’t mean much when people like Titus and Michelle are still out there ruining lives and kidnapping omegas."

He leans closer, his voice low and intense. "I care about you, Kay. More than you know. You're Shade's sister, and I won't stop until those who hurt you and Bex are brought to justice. But bringing down Michelle or Titus won’t be easy."

I shiver at the mention of my ex, but I see the logic in Liam’s words. Removing Adam weakens their power, and that’s a crucial first step. Plus, with Adam gone, maybe I can finally start to move on.

"Go on," I encourage, giving him my full attention.

"I need your help. Tell me everything you know about the Hounds' operations. The more we know, the better our chances."

I hesitate, the weight of what I’m about to share heavy on my shoulders. "You really think you can make a difference?"

"Yes, but I can’t do it alone. We need to be smart about this."

I take a deep breath, considering his words. Bex deserves justice, and I could have a chance at happiness with Hux, Creed, and Vaughn. No, Michelle's twisted plan to open the sanctuary wouldn't be stopped. Yet. But it would be a start.

"Alright," I say finally. "I’ll tell you everything. But you have to promise me you'll be careful. Michelle doesn’t just hurt people—she destroys them. And if you think for one second Michelle isn’t behind everything that happens in Sterling City—"

Liam raises a hand to stop my rant. "Kay, I know how dangerous she is. That’s why we need a solid plan and evidence. We have to find her weak spots and take out her pawns before we go after the queen."

I nod. "Michelle’s got eyes everywhere. She’s got cops on her payroll, like Shari Ledger, and leverage over half the town."

Liam’s expression darkens at the mention of Shari, but he doesn't comment. "And the stimulant that killed Bex?"

My stomach sinks at the thought of Sabrina’s betrayal. "Sabrina was supplying them," I admit, my voice wavering. "Jordan, Titus’s son, gave Bex more than she could handle. I think he was sending a message during the raid. But I’m not sure."

But Jordan’s motives and Sabrina’s betrayal weren’t the focus right now. What mattered was making sure we hit back at the Hounds just as hard. We need to take out a key player in their game and our best bet is Adam. A part of me wishes I had let Vaughn kill Adam that night he tried to rape me. But if Michelle was willing to fabricate charges against Hux, what would she do to someone she considered a stray?

I shook my head, pushing away the regret. My pack wouldn’t be involved in this. I wouldn’t let anyone else I cared about get hurt by Adam Sterling. This was my responsibility. I was the one who was bitten by an alpha and didn’t return the bite. He went feral because of the half-completed bond, and now it’s up to me to stop him once and for all.

I look back up at Liam Bradshaw, the authority I know I can trust. The justice system might be corrupt, but he isn’t. He’s a good alpha, and I trust that he will help me see this through. He might not like my plan, but it doesn’t matter.

Liam’s jaw tightens as he sees the determination in my eyes. "Adam needs to pay for what he did to you, Kay," he growls. "I'll help you take him down. I promise you that."

I look at him, searching for doubt and finding none. "Alright. But if we’re doing this, we do it my way. Michelle won’t hesitate to hurt anyone who stands in her way. We have to be prepared for anything. Especially if we plan to take down her son. She won’t let him go down without a fight."

"We will be," Liam assures me, his eyes burning with determination. "We’ll take Adam down together. Hit Michelle and Titus with the loss of their prized alpha."

I take a deep breath, feeling a mix of fear and resolve. "We need to gather more intel first. Why do Michelle and the Hounds need these omegas to be on Heat? What does Adam, or any feral alpha, have to do with it? We need to understand the full scope."

Liam leans forward, eyes fixed on mine. "Do you have any idea where we can start?"

"Liam," I hesitate, my voice barely above a whisper, "this isn’t just about taking down Adam or Michelle. It’s about dismantling a network that’s been built over years, woven into Sterling City’s fabric."

Liam’s gaze is unwavering. "I know, Kay. And I’m ready to do whatever it takes. But I need you to trust me. We can’t let fear paralyze us. We need to act, and we need to be smart about it."

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. Trust is a luxury, but Liam’s determination is infectious. Despite my doubts, I nod.

"They’re using the omegas as leverage, Liam," I say, voice steady despite my turmoil. "The Heat drug, the Bramwell Sanctuary. It’s all about control. Adam’s more than just Michelle’s son. He’s a symbol of their power. If we can take him down, it will significantly disrupt their empire."

Liam’s jaw tightens, fists clenched on the table. "Then we’ll hit them where it hurts the most. But we need allies, people we can trust. We need more than just rumors. We need solid evidence."

I nod, fear and anger mixing inside me. "I’ll get you what you need. But we do it my way. No rushing in, no half-baked plans. We can’t afford mistakes."

"Agreed," Liam says firmly. "We’ll be methodical and precise. We’ll dismantle their operation piece by piece."

A heavy silence settles between us, the enormity of our plan hanging like a storm cloud. But beneath the fear and anger, a flicker of hope persists.

"For Bex," I whisper, a vow and plea. "And for every omega, they’ve hurt."

Liam reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. "For Bex," he echoes, determination mirroring mine. "And for you, Kay. We’ll make sure Adam never hurts anyone again."