Page 25 of Believe it or Knot

I frown at this man’s use of an endearment with Liam and glance at Gage to see if he’s feeling the same way I am. My best friend’s face is nearly expressionless, except for the slight tightening around his eyes and mouth. He also thinks it’s weird. He looks down at me and his hand tightens on my hip before he looks back at the two men in front of us, gaze assessing.

I follow his line of sight as Liam reaches out to take the proffered tablet, seeming unperturbed by the nickname. Maybe, though I highly doubt it, this is the fourth, very little talked about, member of the Cordova pack. Their beta, because there is no way he’s an alpha when I’m almost as tall as him, and he doesn’t have that omega glow that Liam, Sadie and Sylvie have.

“Sorrel, Gage,” Liam says as he flicks through what I assume are the photos. “This is Joey. he works for me in a roundabout way.”

The beta gives him another simpering smile. “No, hon, I work for you.”

My teeth grit at Joey’s total lack of professionalism, but Liam doesn’t seem to have a problem with it, so I don’t say anything, even when the mousy man looks over at us. “And who might you be?” His tone makes it clear he thinks we’re not of importance.

Gage makes a rumbling noise. A warning. Liam’s head shoots up, his eyes wide as he slides to put himself between Gage and Joey. “This is Sorrel Forbes and Gage Wagner,” he says smoothly, handing the tablet back. “They’ll be spending quite a bit of time with the pack.”

Joey takes the tablet back and glances down.

“You didn’t finish-”

“I didn’t,” Liam cuts him off. “I have guests. It’s rude of me to work while they’re here.”

Joey’s eyes flick up to us and then back to Liam. He seems to debate something, how far to push the celebrity in front of him, his boss. “We need to get these approved, hon.”

Liam backs closer to us. “Tomorrow will be soon enough, Joey.”

“Why don’t you take the night off, Joe?” Gray says, moving into the room. He’s shed his suit jacket and tie, his sleeves are rolled up and the top two buttons are undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his chest. So not fair how hot that is.

The assistant hesitates, again flicking his gaze around the room, landing on all of us before he tips his head at Gray. “Of course, Mr. Cordova. I’ll…I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”

“I think we can manage,” Gray says pleasantly enough, but I get the impression he’s not really a fan of the beta. I wonder why he puts up with him., if that’s the case. Surely they can find someone that isn’t that… off putting. But he must be good at his job if he works for Liam. So maybe that’s it.

“Nice to meet you, Joey,” I say with a smile, wanting to ease the tension. They don’t need to blow up a professional relationship just because of me.

The look he gives me makes it clear what he thinks of me. That is to say, dog shit on his shoe. “Likewise.” He disappears farther into his house.

Liam moves closer, ignoring Gage when he tucks me tighter against him. The omega’s fingers brush the back of my hand, and when I don’t pull away, he laces our fingers together, reaching to do the same to Gage. “Come on,” he tugs gently. “Lets go sit on the deck. Rafe can start a fire while Gray gets everyone drinks.”

I allow him to pull me out the glass accordion doors and on to the deck, Gage right on our heels, pressing to my side.

He’s never been like this before, this touchy, this physical.

Don’t get me wrong. We’ve hugged and cuddled while watching a movie, but this is like, he can’t leave me alone. Like he needs to be touching me.

A part of me wonders if it’s his possessiveness coming out, wanting to stake a claim on me before the Cordova pack can.

But that thought is ridiculous. He’s never shown even the slightest bit of interest in me like that. It’s more likely that he’s keeping me close like a big brother, like he’s warning them to keep their distance and not hurt me or he’ll hurt them.

Gage and I watch as Rafe ‘starts a fire’ by flicking on the gas outdoor fireplace. The flames leaping to life with just a flip of a switch.

I glance over my shoulder as a phone rings and find Gray frowning down at his cell. His gaze flicks up to me, genuine regret on his face. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. Work.”

“Noooooo,” Liam wails as Rafe chuckles and pulls him onto a two-seater outdoor lounge. Gage all but drags me over to a loveseat facing them and urges me to sit before he takes the spot next to me.

Gray’s lips twitch into a smile. “Sweetheart, you knew this was the tradeoff. We came up here, but I still need to work.”

Liam’s bottom lip sticks out in a pout, and he folds his arms over his chest. “But we have guests.”

Before Gray can feel bad about it, though, I gently say, “Oh, don’t worry about us. If anyone understands the need to work, it’s me and Gage. We’ll be fine.”

Still, he hesitates, and that makes my chest get all warm and tight. Everyone knows Grayson Cordova is an alpha you don’t mess with. He’s ruthless, determined, and focused. He’s built his empire brick by brick with his own hands. Never mind that his parent’s pack is almost as well known as the Cordova pack is now. His father is Fin Cormack, movie producer and maker of dreams. His mother is Helen Cormack, an omega and philanthropist who supports more charities than I can count.

Everyone knows he didn’t take a penny of their money when he started his business. Not even seed money. He was determined to do it himself, and he did.

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