Page 91 of Knot Your Business

It didn’t matter that Johnathan was doing what he could to keep all of this out of the spotlight. Sienna was already knee deep in the entire fucking mess of it.

Rage burns through me, though not nearly hot enough given my exhaustion.

I should talk with the others about what to do, about if they want any of this to be on open record. Violet’s word might not hold up in court, but it might end up being important later on that it was documented anyway. And keeping it on record means that Dominic will be less likely to turn around and involve his family if he feels so inclined.

Not that he will.

My stomach sours again.

I glance at the illuminated numbers on the microwave. Nearly two in the morning.

Realistically, they’re probably sleeping. And if they aren’t? There’s no way we’d be capable of having a conversation right now.

I clear my throat. “On record, we’re content to close the investigation if you feel that asshole will be convicted.”

Silence stretches on the other end of the line, and I have the sudden thought that maybe he knows who Dominic is and what his family is.

“I understand, Mr. Montegue,” he says, back to the careful neutral. “I’ll submit my report to the chief. As he’s confessed on record, he’ll absolutely face the justice system. I’ll be in contact regarding the trial.”

I drop my phone to the counter after a quick goodbye.

What kind of self-righteous asshole drugs their own daughter to force a bond with another Alpha?

No amount of twisting the question over in my mind gives a better answer than an asshole, so I give it up, leaving my phone in the kitchen as I head to my room and change out of the suit. The shirt I grab smells like Violet, and I breathe in her scent. No matter what the guys say, I can’t tell anything different between this scent and the one that greeted us in the hotel. Maybe it’s strength? But that could just be because it’s been a couple days since Violet wore this shirt.

Another stab of guilt hits me that I would’ve been helpless to keep her safe if Rylan and Dominic hadn’t gotten there in time. And there was no guarantee they were going to show up at all.

Damn. I really thought I’d gotten past my resentment of being a Beta at this point.

My bed is large and inviting, but I don’t drop into it, rubbing my eyes to keep the exhaustion from dropping me to my knees. The need to make sure the three of them are safe rides me hard, and I know I won’t be able to sleep until I’ve seen the three of them tucked away where Sienna can’t fucking reach them. When I see that Dominic’s door is open and his bed empty, I cross the house toward where her nest is tucked away.

The unassuming single piece of paperwork sits on the coffee table, but it might as well have a fucking spotlight on it. The single black signature stops me dead, my heart racing even as my stomach drops out.

No.

Forty-Three

JASPER

Why had she signed the annulment? When had she signed the annulment? It must have been while I was out for a run this morning. She hadn’t been gone from my side since the moment I came back and found her sitting on the porch. Had she seemed more resigned than just the bullshit with her mom would have caused? And even more important: did Rylan and Dominic know?

My mind races, and my breath is ragged. I close my eyes, forcing the questions back until I can think around them, locking them down. There’s no time to ask any of them now. It’ll be days before I can get any kind of answer to most of them, anyway. I climb the staircase to Violet’s nest on wooden legs.

Dominic leans against the wall just beside the door, his head tipped back and his hands held limp at his sides. His shirt is gone, the dark gray sweats hanging low on his hips. There’s a smattering of bruises across his throat and collarbone, light enough they nearly blend in with his skin. His hair is still damp, falling on his forehead in small black waves. He looks tired and worn, more than I’ve ever seen him.

Rylan closes the door, letting the latch catch as quietly as possible. He’s also changed into a set of sweats, his hair damp, too, and sticking to his neck. The black shirt he wears clings to his skin, small droplets of water darkening it further from where he didn’t towel dry his hair quite enough.

Desire flashes through me.

Is it bad that I want them to fuck me so I can forget how awful tonight was? Probably. Heats are no fucking joke and asking them to put out again when Violet will need them both within a matter of hours is incredibly selfish.

Doesn’t change the ache in my bones or the pulse of heat through my dick, though.

“She all right?” I ask, closing the distance between us and taking Dominic’s hand in mine.

Nothing of Violet’s scent clings to either of them.

Dominic nods once without opening his eyes. His hand pulses around mine, a low purr vibrating through his throat.

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