Page 20 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

Silence stretches. The bass from the club vibrates through the walls. Ten minutes? Twenty? Time slips like sand through my fists.

Then—

The door opens.

Four figures step inside, their scents cutting through the cheap perfume: gunpowder, whiskey, old blood, and something feral beneath the cologne.

Pack Ashgrave.

The scarred alpha from the gala takes the lead. His silver viper cufflinks catch the light as he folds his arms. “Ironwood.”

Ren doesn’t stand. Doesn’t flinch. Just lifts his chin and says, “You’re late.”

The alpha’s lips twitch. “Had to clean up your mess.” He jerks his head toward Jax and me. “They know?”

“Everything.” Ren eases back.

A beat. Then Ashgrave’s leader nods to the rest of his pack. They drop a file on the table between us.

“Coordinates,” he says. “Security schematics. Shift changes.” His smile is all teeth. “Heath left the gala shortly after you did. We’ve got a tail on her, but she’s headed home.”

Ren eases forward, eyes on the file on the table. “So what’s this, then?”

The scarred alpha raises a brow, only slightly. He smiles again. “You aren’t the only one who has a bone to pick with these high-profile pricks. We have eyes on her estate. Unmarked vehicle left shortly after she arrived. Looked suspicious. Figured she was in it. Had it followed.” He jerks his chin at the file on the table. “Best bet…this is where your omega is being held.”

My stomach turns. Veyra Heath is with Hailey right now.

Ren’s on his feet in an instant, already reaching for the file?—

Ashgrave slams a hand down on it. “Price went up.”

Ren freezes. “We agreed?—”

“That was before you brought witnesses.” The alpha’s gaze flicks to me and Jax. “Now it’s personal.”

The air in the room curdles. Jax shifts subtly, putting himself between me and Ashgrave.

Ren exhales through his nose. “Name it.”

Ashgrave leans in. The smile on his lips changes. There’s no mirth in it now. It’s pure ice and blood. “The one you call…Father.”

Fuck. What? Even Jax stiffens.

Ren doesn’t blink. “Done.”

Ashgrave tilts his head. “You’re not even gonna negotiate?”

“No.” Ren’s voice is steel wrapped in silk. “Because you’re going to give me one more thing.”

A raised brow. “Oh?”

Ren steps closer until they’re nose to nose. “The name of the alpha who paid for Hailey.”

The room holds its breath.

Ashgrave laughs—a low, ugly sound. “You don’t wanna know that, pretty boy.”

“Try me.”

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