Page 1 of Knots & Treats

One

Kisha

“God dammit!” I yell, when another demented clown jumps out from behind a neatly trimmed bush.

I hate this shit! Stupid lumberjack billionaires and their ridiculous games. What kinda grown-men would set up something like this? A fucking Halloween haunted maze. And my unlucky ass had to be the one to come check it out. Sheeyit!

* * *

My family’s business, Garrett & Co, is in talks with B.J.R., the three lumberjacks’ company, to become investors in their nationwide outdoor activities stores chain.

Legend has it, the three alphas were barely out of high school when they organized their first sustainable hiking tour. They soon added renting out gear to their clients, then designing their own equipment. And the rest is history. The three childhood best friends opened one store to sell their patented gear, then another, and ended up spreading all over the country. Now, justa little over a decade later, these motherfuckers made Forbes’ list of Thirty Under Thirty. That magazine cover sold out on the first day it came out. Three handsome, rugged, rich, and talented alphas. All bulging muscles, sun-kissed skin, permanent five-o’clock shadows, thick, brown hair, and deep, soulful eyes. Sigh.

No, I haven’t been staring longingly at each and every picture of Maddox Brown, Hunter Jones, and Jackson Rivers I came across. Or replaying videos of their interviews. Nope. Uh-huh. I don’t daydream about the three alphas or what it would feel like to be their omega. No. None of that. I’m a strong, independent, single omega who’s focused on her career. Not on eccentric billionaires whose idea of fun is to scare the crap out of their guests.

This was supposed to be a casual meeting. B.J.R. sent an invitation to their partners and potential future investors to a Halloween party on their estate. I was expecting costumes, food, music, and fun. Not to be jumping out of my skin at each corner of their hedge maze.

* * *

I sprint away from the clown as fast as I can, grumbling under my breath, cursing him and his family for generations to come.

If I’m remembering correctly the maze’s map, I should be close to the center. Then it’s grab that stupid bracelet that’s proof I completed the route, and I can finally sit and catch my breath. If I don’t drop dead from a heart attack before.

I barely turn another corner that a disgusting zombie taps on my shoulder. When I turn to face him, the horrendous thing is grunting, walking toward me in jerky moves, all raggedy clothes, and skin falling from its fake putrid flesh. Who made these dang costumes?! This is some Hollywood-level shit! I screech again and back-pedal, taking another turn. When my heartbeatreturns to a less alarming pace, I realize I don’t have the first clue where I am in this stupid place. And it’s getting dark. Great. Just fucking great.

Two

Maddox

“I think we should go get her,” I mumble, eyes fixed on the monitor in front of us

I’m standing in our video surveillance room, my pack brothers on each of my sides. Hunt and Jax, just as captivated by the live stream in front of us.

We organized this Halloween get-together to rile up the stuffy members of our board and some potential partners. Just a bit of fun.Ourbrand of fun. Remind this stuck-ups that there’s more to life than dividends and company shares.

But we never expected to find ourselves glued to a security camera feed, watching the most beautiful omega we’ve ever seen, run, jump, and cuss like a sailor while making her way through our haunted maze.

We can hear muffled sounds of music, laughter, and conversation from behind the door. The rest of our guests areenjoying the Halloween party in our manor. But our attention is entirely captivated by the tall, curvy woman on the screen.

“She’s fucking adorable,” Jax mutters, eyes still glued to the screen. The way Ms. Kisha Garrett yells at those poor actors in our maze has him grinning from ear to ear.

“Adorable isn’t the word I’d use,” I say, watching her sassy little strut as she mutters curses under her breath. I can practically feel her frustration radiating through the screen, and damn if it doesn’t light something in me.

“Look at the way she’s getting all worked up,” Hunt adds, his voice low, almost reverent.

“Alright, let’s go get her,” I finally decide, tearing my gaze away from the monitor and heading for the door. Hunt and Jax fall in step behind me, no questions asked. They know as well as I do that there’s no way we’re leaving her to find her way out alone. Not when we’re right here, aching to be close to her.

We sneak through the estate and slip into the maze. It doesn’t take long to pick up on the sounds of her light, quick footsteps and those muttered complaints she probably thinks no one can hear. My lips pull into a grin. If she’s as frustrated as she sounds, she won’t hold back when she sees us.

The three of us round a corner, and there she is, her back to us, looking left and right like she’s mentally mapping out her escape. She’s tall, all full, soft curves, and even though we’ve only just laid eyes on her, it feels like every one of our senses is lit up.

“Lost?” I ask in a voice low but loud enough to get her attention.

Kisha whips around, her big brown eyes wide, taken off guard.“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me,” she mutters, and then louder, “Let me guess, the big, bad lumberjacks are here to save the day?”

Jax steps up, a smirk playing on his lips. “Wouldn’t say ‘save,’ exactly. But if you need a hand, sweetheart…”

She crosses her arms, the gesture making her full tits push against the fabric of her dress and I swallow hard. Arching a brow, she adds, “you mean after you nearly scared me half to death with this shit?” Her hand sweeps around.

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