Page 54 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

I see the moment he realizes he’s fucked. Well and truly fucked.

His problem.

“Your phone.” I shift in the seat, strapping the knife to my leg as I keep the gun trained on him. “Give it to me.”

The beta hesitates, then reaches awkwardly into his pocket, pulling out a smartphone. I take it, quickly dialing one of the few numbers I have memorized.

Jax answers on the first ring. “Talk.”

“It’s me.” My voice is raw.

“Fuck.” His voice breaks with relief. “Where are you?”

“Heath’s facility—she’s still there. But she’s not alone.”

A beat of silence. Then, low and dangerous: “How many?”

“At least six armed. Maybe more.” I swallow hard. “But she won’t be there long. If you move now, you can catch her before she runs.”

Another pause. I canhearhim weighing the risk—our resources against armed guards, against Widow herself.

“And Hailey?”

My grip tightens on the phone. “Caldwell has her. I’m going after them.”

“Alone?” His voice cracks.

“Only way.” I force the words out. “If I don’t make it?—”

“Don’t.” A sharp inhale. “Don’t fucking say it.”

But I have to. Because this might be the last time.

“If I don’t make it,” I say again, slower, “tell Finn I’m sorry. About everything. That I?—”

“You’ll tell him yourself.” Jax’s voice is steel. “We’re coming for you.Bothof you.”

The line goes dead before I can argue.

I stare at the phone, throat tight.

He didn’t let me say goodbye.

My good friend, my brother who took me in and showed me I could have a family again, won’t accept that this might be the end for me. Even if I get Hailey out.

I swallow hard, focusing on the road ahead. Caldwell’s van continues its steady pace, unaware of our pursuit. He thinks he’s gotten away clean. Thinks he’s won.

He has no idea what’s coming for him.

I check the gun, confirming the full magazine. The knife at my thigh is secure, and the body armor I took from the dead alpha feels heavy but reassuring against my battered ribs.

The beta glances at me nervously, then back at the road. “What…what are you going to do?”

I don’t answer immediately, watching Caldwell’s taillights winding through the darkness ahead. When I speak, my voice is so calm it seems to frighten him more than rage would have.

“I’m going to get her back.”

Chapter 12

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