Page 9 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

Best to just… nip this in the bud right now.

“I am not a tool to be used to gain favor with my father.”

His brows jump in surprise, like he hadn’t expected me to just call him out on it, and for some reason, that makes my stomach drop. I suppose I’d hoped in my heart of hearts that maybe they did actually want me for me.

“He doesn’t-”Care.“listen to me about his policies or next project,” I continue. “I may be his daughter, but I hold very little sway over him. So trying to ingratiate yourself with me won’t help you get close to him.”

Creed stares at me hard for a moment, like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to figure out, and then his jaw tenses as he looks away from me. “Jesus, have people done that to you in the past? That’s fucked up, Haven. But I can assure you, we’re here foryou. Not for him.”

He seems… genuine as he says it. Even though he’s still looking off to the side. Isn’t that a sign someone is lying? Why do I believe him? Or is it only that I want to believe him? He meets my gaze again. “Give us a chance to prove it to you. Come out with us tonight,” Creed says, giving me a hopeful smile. “Please?”

I blink at the word. No one uses it with me ever, except for Florence, but even with her it’s few and far between. Not that she’s demanding of my time or my obedience like my father is… she just never has to say it to me. Anything she asks for that’s within my power to give, I happily do. She never abuses that privilege.

I glance around the crowd, searching for a sign of my father, but he’s vanished, likely behind a closed door to make some kind of shady deal.

“Baby girl,” Creed murmurs, sending a jolt down my spine with the endearment even though it’s not the first time he’s used it, drawing my attention black to him. He moves closer, crowding into my space like I wanted him to earlier. Under the chemicals, his scent teases my nostrils. “Come out with us.”

I should say no. Going out with the Calloway pack is definitely not on the list of approved activities given to me by my father. But… he smells like home. Like a heavy rain after weeks and weeks of too hot weather. I’m parched earth and he’s… everything.

Petrichor.

That’s what his scent is. And I love it.

I want more of it, more of him.

“What would we do if I came out with you tonight? I’m not saying yes,” I caution.

“But you aren’t saying ‘no’ either, so I’ll take it.” He wiggles his head back and forth as he runs his gaze over me, considering my question and his answer. My fingers clasp tighter as I realize how I must look. Not like the twenty-one-year-old I am, more like a forty-year-old businesswoman, all the way down to my sensible low heel.

I want to tell him this isn’t me. That I have no choice in my clothes, or my hair or my makeup. I have explicit instructions on how I present myself, and there is no room for even an ounce of my personality.

God, I don’t even know what I would wear given the choice.

“Dinner?” he finally says. “Something tells me you don’t go to a lot of bars, so dinner seems safe.”

My brow furrows. He’s not wrong, but his assessment bothers me. A lot. I can be fun. I can let loose and have a good time. Even if you wouldn’t think it when you look at me. I’ve done it with Ren before. If I’m going to do this, see the Calloway pack and give them a chance to prove that they actually want me, I want to show them as much of myself as the commands binding me tight will let me.

Like an answer to my prayers, my phone vibrates and I pull it out to glance at the screen.

Ren:

Drinks tonight

That place with the cocktails and the dancing

I’ll pick you up at the normal spot at 8.

My lips curl into a smile at her vague invitation, but I know exactly where she means. It’s the benefit of having a best friend that’s the other side of your soul, your heart, your brain.

Creed watches me as I type out a reply, then smiles when I meet his gaze again. “Do you know that club, The Market?”

His brows jump in surprise at my question, but he nods. “Yeah. I know it.”

Excitement zings through me. I’m really going to do this, aren’t I? “My friend, Florence, and I will be there tonight at around 8:30. Maybe I’ll see you there.”

His lips pull into a wolfish smile, one that makes me feel like prey, but I really find that I don’t mind in the least. “Oh, baby girl,” he growls. “You can count on it.”

Chapter 4: This is the Way Forward

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