Page 85 of Seen Knot Heard

I swallow hard, my heart thundering in my chest as I step out from behind Nathaniel. “Louie, just let me go. We barely know each other, and whatever you think you can gain from my career as an author is nothing compared to your casinos.”

Louie barks out a harsh laugh, and I flinch. “Oh, my sweet, naïve little Omega.” He steps closer, his expensive leather shoes clicking on the marble floor. “I didn’t invest in you seven years ago, when you were nothing more than a poor, dyingchild, because of your current career.”

My breath catches in my throat, confusion warring with the dread settling in the pit of my stomach. “What are you talking about?”

A predatory look slithers across Louie’s face, making my skin crawl. “I’ve invested far too much in our bonding to let you go now, darling. You’re mine, and you always will be.”

His words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. I stumble back, pressing against Blake’s solid chest, his arm wrapping around my waist once again to steady me.

“No.” My hands tremble, my chest tight as I take a shaky breath. “I’m not yours. I never was.”

“You think you have a choice in this? That you can walk away after everything I’ve done for you?” Louie’s jaw clenches as he steps forward, closing the distance between us. “For your mother?”

Nathaniel growls in warning. “Back off. She made her choice.”

One of his bodyguards pulls his gun, pointing it at Nathaniel. “Step aside.”

“You think you can protect her?” Louie smirks. “You’re only delaying the inevitable.”

I shrink back, and Blake’s fingers tighten around mine.

Nathaniel remains an immovable wall between Louie and me, unwavering even under the threat of being shot.

“What’s going on here?” The door to the manager’s office opens, and the older woman steps out, taking in the scene before settling on Louie and his bodyguards. “Guests are not permitted in the building without a resident escort. State your business.”

The bodyguard swiftly hides his gun, and Louie’s attention shifts to the manager, assessing this new obstacle. I hold my breath, praying her interruption will be enough to force him to back down.

But Louie won’t be so easy to deter.

The charming smile that spreads over his lips doesn’t reach his eyes. “My apologies, ma’am, but there seems to have been a misunderstanding. I’m here to collect my Omega.”

The manager juts out her chin. “I don’t care what your business is. This is a private residence, and you’re trespassing.”

She steps closer, her presence commanding despite her small stature. “Those weapons your men are carrying are forbidden on the premises. I suggest you leave now before I call the authorities.”

Louie’s scent spikes with anger, the bitter almond turning acidic. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

“I don’t care who you are,” the manager retorts, her expression steely. “In this building, my word is law. Right now, I’m telling you to leave.”

She gestures to the security cameras mounted on the walls. “Everything is being recorded. So unless you want to deal with the police, I suggest you take your men and go. Now.”

Louie stares down his nose at her. “Not without my Omega.”

“It appears Ms. Richards already has Alphas.” She arches her brow. “If you disagree, then you can wait outside for the police to arrive and sort this out.”

Muscles in Louie’s jaw jump, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a moment, I think he’ll lash out.

Then he takes a step back, his focus shifting to me. “This isn’t over, darling. You can’t run from me forever.”

He leans forward, his nose inches from Nathaniel’s face. “She belongs to me, and I will have her.”

My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat. I want to run, to hide, to bury myself in the safety of my blankets and pillows.

But I force myself to stand my ground. “I will never belong to you.”

Louie’s lips curl into a sneer, rage twisting his handsome features before he steps back, smoothing his slicked-back hair with a hand.“We’ll see about that, darling.”

With a jerk of his head, he motions for his bodyguards to follow him toward the entrance.

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