Page 34 of Knot Just A Fan

I thought she would cry. That’s what I expected. Instead, she left her scent on all of us, and if they don’t know by now, then they’ve got absolutely no Alpha in them whatsoever.

But I know they do.

What I knew before—what I’ve known deep inside but without any proof other than what my guts and my nerves and my cock often thought—Enzo and Ronan now realize. Briella Phillips isn’t just the love I would have in life if I could. She’s our scent match. All of ours. And we’ve just somehow ruined her life.

“I don’t understand what’s happened. What the hell did you guys say to her? Why did she decide to leave?”

Enzo and Ronan exchange a glance, and Ash gets in there somehow, too. The three of them, just looking from one to another to another.

“Dammit, somebody better fucking explain or therewillbe no rehearsal and you can all sit around twiddling your dicks while I go talk to her.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket. It must be Briella. I pull it out, eyes glued to Ash’s while I tap the screen to answer.

“Babe! I hope I’m not interrupting anything. Ash sent me over your schedule and whatnot last night, and I haveamazingnews!”

Willow’s voice jerks me out of my anger. I pull the phone away in shock, but of course it’s her. I step out into the hall, shooting daggers at the group before I slam the door behind me.

“What is it?” I say softly. As usual, no greeting, just Willow bursting into my life and bursting back out at her leisure. I take the steps down to the lounge area two at a time and hole up down there. The warmth in her voice softens my core a little. I haven’t heard in a long time.

“I’ve decided I step away from the office for a bit of time, after all. Maybe a long weekend. I’m going to join you on your first two days!”

Willow … is going to join us?

My head spins. “Ah, really? I don’t know, darling, it’s been awhile since you’ve seen us and we’re rusty as hell. Maybe, can you wait until these first few dates are done and then we’ve got our road feet again?”

But she’s talking over me, about texting with Ronan and Enzo last night, about a secret text group with them because she planned to surprise me maybe at the last night of the tour, but that’s not for twelve months. So now she’s decided she’ll be with us in three days. As she says, for a weekend of performing music on stage “and on her.”

Oh, Jesus. We’re stuck. I can’t tell her no. Not after Ronan and Enzo have been trying so long to make this happen.

To make this … happen.

Theyare what happened. They brought this about.

“Okay, so it’s all set! I’ll see you on Friday night in Nice! I’ll message you when I get in. I can’t wait, babe. Smooches to Enzo and Ronan, they’re lovelier than I thought.” She gives a throaty laugh. “Even old Ash. I can’t wait to see you.”

I race back up the stairs and throw the door open. I can practically feel the smoke coming out of my ears as I stare them all down.

“Willow is coming to Nice.”

Ronan’s face is blank. “And you told her no, right?”

“Um, no?” I say.

“Bollocks on fire,” remarks Enzo in despair.

Ronan’s eyes go wide. “This wasn’t my plan.”

“Was Briella being our scent match in your plan? Because she fucking well is—and now you know,” I growl.

“This tour is fucked,” says Ash, throwing his hands up in the air. He slumps behind his desk, head in his hands.

“You better call her up and get her back on it!” I snarl.

“I can’t! It doesn’t work like that. You know once you’re out of the Guild, you’re out!”

“So hire her privately!”

“I’ve already hired fucking Vince!”

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