Page 126 of Knot a Thief

I narrow my eyes as I stare at Emmie. “What do you mean, ‘he won’t be getting a virgin either?’ Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Oh, fuck.” Emmie sighs. “He warned me.”

Lottie turns to Emmie and whispers in her ear, their heads close together, a curtain of dark hair hiding their expressions.

I feel another chill run down my spine.

“Our disgusting stepfather is keeping Emmie for himself to produce the next generation of omegas he can sell,” Lottie hisses. “He’s such a bastard. I want to kill him.”

“Does she know?” I ask Emmie as Mom walks back to the table.

“He told me he’ll kill her if I tell her.”

Epilogue Two–Ava

One week later

I step into the ornate Catholic Church, flanked by my pack and holding Lily’s hand tight.

“Look at all the colors, Mommy,” Lily says, pointing at the floor.

“It’s coming from the stained-glass windows.” I point to the high vaulted ceilings and multicolored windows and show how they cast the kaleidoscope of colors across the polished wooden pews.

“It’s magic,” Lily says.

Since her trip to Disney, everything is magic, so I don’t spoil the illusion with facts.

I inhale as we walk down the aisle to our pew. The fragrance is almost overwhelming, a cloying sweetness that seems to stick in the back of my throat.

But this is Florida, and the air is thick with not only the sweet, heady scent of lilies but with a heavy dose of humidity we don’t get in Ibiza.

The flowers look pretty, though. Their white petals standing out starkly against the deep green foliage adorning the altar and lining the aisle.

All around me, I hear the low hum of conversation as guests file into the church. It’s a mix of restless whispers and polite small talk, accompanied by the rustle of expensive fabric and the click of high heels on stone floors.

My eyes are drawn to the front of the church, where the groom stands tall and impassive. His tailored suit is impeccable, but his face is a mask of indifference.

There’s no hint of nervousness or excitement in his eyes. Only a cold, calculating look that seems more suited to a boardroom than a wedding. His posture is stiff, hands clasped tightly in front of him. As if this is just another business transaction he is about to endure.

I turn to Lily, who’s dancing with excitement next to me. “Should we get you ready to walk down the aisle?” She danced with happiness when my sister asked her to be a bridesmaid, and I don’t want to stifle her spirits with my own concerns.

Silas pulls me closer, his warmth a comforting presence against my side. He kisses my head gently, his lips lingering for a moment. “It’s too late for Lottie. These are Colombians,” he murmurs, his voice low. “But we can save Emmie. I’ve been speaking to Max."

I nod, my throat tight with emotion. “I hate that Mom just ignored my concerns,” I reply, resigned.

The memory of Emmie’s upset face when I presented an offer to my mom to save her and Emmie during this evening’s reception. Lottie gave her blessing, but Mom brushed it off, and it still stings.

“We have a plan,” Max adds. “We need to get Emmie alone during the reception. I’m going to have the boat ready to leave at seven-thirty sharp with her on board.”

“Really?” I smile as hope blooms. “I’ll speak to her now.”

“Come,” Lily says, dragging me toward the other bridesmaids.

Emmie picks her up and cuddles her when we reach her. “You and I are chief bridesmaids today.”

“I need to speak to you after the wedding,” I tell Emmie.

She nods before I turn to find Lottie while Lily and Emmie have a conversation.

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