Page 41 of Knot a Good Idea

I snap.

“Let me set one thing straight right now,” I say, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice. I meet Donovan’s eyes that narrow with frustration. “If we’re going to move forward ina successful partnership, you can’t boss me around. You justcan’t.” I hope I look furious and not paralyzed with terror.

I turn to Liam, whose face is etched with concern. “I make my own choices,” I say softly. “I need you all to understand that.”

Hunter nods, raising an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. If she doesn’t want to eat, you can’t make her eat, Donovan. What the fuck?”

Donovan drums his fingers on the marble countertop, looking like he wants to argue.

Like he’s used to getting what he wants, and no one bothers to tell him no.

Even his scent becomes spicier, thick and rich with his frustration.

But how could I begin to explain what being ordered what to do feels like? That it brings back horrific memories of a time when all my choices were taken from me?

Donovan, Hunter, and Liam don’t know what happened to me, and I plan to keep it that way.

“Fine.” Donovan says, his jaw clenching. “Then there’s something we need to discuss.”

I sigh with relief. “Sounds good.”

“There’s a gala this weekend. It was originally scheduled three weeks from now, but it was just moved,” he says. “And we’re expected to go.”

I swallow. “Including me?”

He nods. “Including you.”

While Donovan looks furious, Hunter smirks. “It’s going to be fine, gorgeous. You’ll fit right in with them,” he purrs, but his playful teasing does nothing for my anxiety.

Panic seizes my chest. A galathis weekend?

Liam chews his lip. “And you just found out about this now?” he asks Donovan.

“Apparently, I was told earlier this week via email, but I never received one.”

Hunter rolls his eyes. “I don’t know how that’s possible, since you have a stick up your ass about anything business related?—”

“When is it?” I interrupt.

“Tomorrow night,” Donovan replies.

Holy shit.

I nod. “Okay. We can make that work. I’ll just need a crash course on what to know.”

Hunter grins. “I knew you’d be up for it.”

“That means going over the contract,” Donovan says. “Which I didn’t plan on doing until a week from now.”

“Well, plans change.” I shrug while Donovan scowls. “Not everything goes the way we want it to all the time.”

I’m going to have to make this work.

Hunter gives Donovan a look and tilts his head. “Imagine that,” he says to Donovan, who just glares at him. The grumpy Alpha leaves his seat at the kitchen island and heads in the opposite direction of the staircase.

I raise an eyebrow and look at both Hunter and Liam. “Is he always like this?”

“Huffy and stubborn? Yes.” Liam smiles, his eyes gentle. “But he’ll be back. I’m sure he’s just going into his office to get paperwork.”

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