Page 83 of Knotty Lessons

Dominic’s comment draws my attention to where Ms. Sandy hugs the officiant of our wedding. Blood sprinkled across both of them from Dean Clearwater. I stride closer and lace my fingers around Ms. Sandy’s arm, feeling her trembling.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through this. I won’t ask if you’re okay, but I need you to listen. You need to go to the manor and wait for the authorities there. You’re a witness to what happened, and we’re going to need you to address it. You’ll be safe. Those bastards took who they wanted, and they won’t come back.”

Ms. Sandy bobs her head, her eyes wide and glassy. She tries to say something, but she chokes up and releases a cry instead.

“Get her to the car,” I add, motioning to Jonah. “I’ll call in some favors to use Pack Clearwater’s private jet. We’ll need an escort team and protection detail. Pack Carlisle won’t be able to ignore this with the death of the dean.”

Scarlett screams, her voice screeching from the phone again. I tense, my muscles rippling through me.

“This is your last chance! You’ll regret it, Rip. Take my fucking offer and forget about my mom. She and Chaz will take you down with them. You’re supposed to be a good guy. You’re supposed to save us, not ruin—”

A growl reverberates through my bones. “Enough, Scarlett! Shut your goddamn mouth, or I’ll tape it. Be a damn good omega and move the fuck on. These are Sage’s orders. She arranged a good marriage with Pack Broderik. Count your blessings. If you were mine, I’d—” Pack Broderik. Fucking Chaz clearly recognizes his mistake about using Pack Miller without their authority, now choosing his alias.

Scarlett screeches and hisses a moment before a groan sounds through the air. “I said don’t fucking touch me! I’ll take your balls next time.”

Silence falls over the line, though it doesn’t disconnect. Scarlett grumbles under her breath, whispering out what I think might be street names. I’ve never been so proud in my life. She’s no longer the shy woman I met. She’s my fierce wife, and I swear on my life I’ll get her back.

“Fuck yeah, my dirty girl!” Leo punches his open palm. “She’ll give them so much hell they’ll want to leave her on the side of the road.”

I can only pray for it to be that easy.

“Scarlett’s a fighter.” Adrian manages to compose himself, cradling his bloody hand. “The actions of Sage will benefit us. She’s proven unhinged, and the authorities will consider our actions from here on absolutely justified.”

The death of Dean Clearwater proves how volatile the pack who kidnapped Scarlett is. The Steeles can face omega endangerment charges if it’s put in front of the right people, especially since Sage proceeded to make arrangements before the court-ordered appearance.

Dominic clenches his jaw, rocking on his heels. He shrugs from his jacket, dropping it to the ground. “I’ll reach out to Paul and see what he can tell us about Chaz’s plans. The fucking psycho won’t get away with this. Not this time. He can’t hide behind the power of his pack.”

“He won’t be able to because I’ll kill him. I’m going to fucking kill him.” Leo fists his hands, finally snapping out of his shock over what happened. The man can go from easy-going to intense in seconds.

I swing my arms around him, squeezing him to me. “Save the anger for that moment. We have to move. Go with Jonah. I’ll take the justice of peace where he needs to go and have a flight up north on standby.”

“I’ll alert the authorities and wait with Dom,” Adrian says, cracking his neck. “We’ll reconvene in thirty.”

Fuck. Thirty minutes sounds like forever.

I just hope Scarlett knows we’re coming for her. We swore our lives, our love, and our loyalty. We will keep our promise.

30

Scarlett

Fighter

Ipretendtosleep,clutching the phone within the skirt of my dress. The flight to San Francisco was longer than I remember, and every second feels like a minute as I keep my eyes shut.

I refused to exit the plane on my own, not making it easy on Rip. He carried me all the way across the tarmac to where a van awaited.

I haven’t seen Chaz since San Diego and a part of me knows I’ll face him soon. He was in on this. He and my mom.

I’ve never hated two people more in my life.

“Wake up, sweetheart. Mama Steele is waiting for you.” Fingers latch onto my shoulder, shaking me.

Rip’s crazy to think I’ll stop being difficult now.

I snap my eyes open and glare at Rip, wishing that I had the power to shoot lasers or bullets or acid from my eyes. I want nothing more than to burn the cocky look off his smug face. How could I ever mistake him for a hero? My naïve ass. Just because he did something good for my family doesn’t mean shit about his character.

I swing out and smack his arm, knocking it away from me. “Don’t touch me. I don’t want your gross stench lingering on my skin.”

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