Page 50 of Believe it or Knot

The rest of the table orders drinks and Gretchen leaves us to let the bartender know. In the lull that follows, Gray slips a folded stack of papers from somewhere and places it in front of me. My brow furrows as I unfold it and then scan the top page before dropping it like it’s on fire, scalding my skin.

“What’s this?” It’s a rhetorical question because I can see what it is. I can. But it doesn’t make any sense. Not one little bit.

“That is your new loan document,” Grayson says, leaning back in his chair, looking for all the world like he does this sort of thing all the time. Like he saves girls from the noose around their necks and frees them.

I shake my head, feeling lightheaded. The noise of the restaurant is muffled, and there’s a ringing in my ear. “I don’t understand.”

Gray leans into my side, plucking the document from in front of me and flipping through the pages, while Liam slides his hand onto my thigh. I think to ground me, but I can’t be certain.

Gray points to a number on the page. “This is what you owed, Sorrel. The principle for both the loan from The Stillwell pack and the amount still owed to the bank.”

I blink at the number because… well, it’s a lot lower than I was led to believe. A lot fucking lower.

“As of yesterday, you no longer owe the Stillwell pack or the bank anything.” He flips forward and points to a number. “These are the new terms here.”

I blink at the interest rate listed. “What? No, that can’t be. It’s too low.”

There’s a pause in the conversation as our server, Owen, arrives with our drinks. He goes through the spiel of introducing himself and then asks if we’re ready to order. I’m not. I haven’t even glanced at the menu, but thankfully Gage has, and he orders for me. Like he knew this sudden turn of events would distract me and wouldn’t be able to focus on something as mundane as food.

“It’s too low,” I repeat when we’re alone again.

“It’s in line with the market rate,” Gray says carefully, like he’s testing my naivete.

I roll my eyes. “It is not. The going interest rate for a personal loan is nine percent. I know. I used to rage look up interest rates every time I had to make a payment to them.”

Liam laughs. “Of course you did.”

Gray shrugs. “This is the rate you’re getting from us. I suppose you’ll just have to live with it.”

I want to argue about the rate. I do. But there’s a bigger issue at hand that I need to address. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for there to be a contract of this nature between us. And I told you not to do anything. I had it handled.”

Gage lets out a harsh laugh and shakes his head. “You did not have it handled, biscuit. If you did, you wouldn’t have been drowning in debt. This way, you can actually get out from under it.”

I don’t know why I have this stab of betrayal in my chest at his words. The only thing I can think is that it’s because he clearly knew about this. Clearly was in on whatever plan Gray concocted to pull this off.

My eyes flicker across the table to all of their knuckles, bloody and split. I’m guessing the Stillwell pack didn’t take the news well, and that’s why they got the shit beat out of them. By all four of the men at this table with me, even Liam.

They all went and did this behind my back, when I specifically told them not to.

I meant it when I said I didn’t think it was a good idea to have a contract like this between us. But then, I guess we won’t have a real relationship. They just want to have a little fun with me, get me out of their system. And when they’re done with that, with me, I’ll keep making the payments, probably through an online portal, and they won’t have to think of me ever again.

This is purely business.

“It’s too much,” I say, shaking my head.

Rafe takes a swig of his beer. “If we thought you’d go for it, we would have just paid it off in its entirety and let you off free and clear.”

“But,” Liam adds. “We knew you wouldn’t go for it, so here we are, presenting you with a new loan document.”

Gray takes the papers from me, folds them neatly and slides them into my purse. “Your payments are due on the fifth of each month. I’ll send you the information on how to make them.”

There’s a weird tightness in my chest, like I’m on the verge of breaking out into tears, but I’m also in danger of floating away from sheer relief and happiness.

Yes, I still have a load of debt I need to pay off, but the Cordova pack is nothing like the Stillwell pack. I know they won’t use this to manipulate me into anything. I’m sure as far as Grayson is concerned, this is, in fact, a business arrangement. Even if it’s one that he won’t see much benefit from.

I lick my lips and clear my throat, trying to get whatever’s lodged there to shift. “Thank you,” I say, quietly, but I know they can all hear. “Thank you so much. It means… so much to me. Really.”

Liam leans over and presses a kiss to my temple, while Rafe tugs my hand toward him to kiss my knuckles and Gray squeezes my thigh. It’s overwhelming. Really, really overwhelming.

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