Page 9 of Seen Knot Heard

“Perhaps next time you’ll have greater success.” He lingers behind me, making me sweat, before he settles back at the head of the table. “How are you enjoying your room?”

“It’s comfortable,” I lie, struggling to keep my tone light despite the way my skin prickles with unease from being this close to him.

Mere hours ago, this man had made his true intentions clear, to breed me against my will, and no amount of fake kindness now will make me forget.

“I’m glad you’re settling in.” He lifts a bottle of wine from a bucket at his elbow and fills our glasses, passing me one. “It’s a temporary accommodation while I have the suite next to mine prepared. We will be bonded, but that doesn’t mean you’ll lack privacy. I’ll also bring in a tailor to ensure your new clothes fit properly. You’re still so petite. I thought you would grow more over the years.”

My shoulders hunch, my grip tightening on the delicate stem of my glass. Louie’s pheromones pump into the air, curling around me like a poisonous gas as he speaks of the future we’ll have together, where I have no say.

Beneath my placid smile, anger simmers in my veins. I won’t let him control me, no matter how many pretty dresses and fancy dinners he throws my way. I just have to bide my time and play along until I can escape.

Louie sips his wine, his gaze lingering on me over the rim, before he lowers it to ask with feigned concern, “And your arm? How does it feel?”

I resist the urge to rub the cast. It won’t ease the ache and will only draw attention to how my injury puts me at even more of a disadvantage. “It hurts a little, but I’m doing okay.”

“Good,” Louie says, voice dripping with false sincerity. “If you need anything to make you more comfortable, just tell me.”

His words sound like an offer, but I know better. Every favor Louie gives comes with strings attached, a web of obligation that threatens to ensnare me further. That’s how he got to my mother, not that she fought. No, she jumped on his generosity without hesitation, knowing she wouldn’t be the one to pay the price.

Still, I take the opportunity to test the limits of my gilded cage. “Actually, I’m missing a few things, since I couldn’t pack before coming here.”

His eye twitches, and he turns to face me. “Go on.”

My pulse hammers, and I lick my lips. “I was wondering if I could order some hair products, lotions…” Heat creeps into my cheeks. “Suppressants.”

At the mention of suppressants, Louie’s smile vanishes, his eyes turning to shards of ice. The playful indulgence of a moment ago disappears as if it never existed, and his pheromones spike with a possessive edge.

My breathing turns shallow, my muscles tensing.

“You don’t need those,” he says, his voice dangerous. “As I said, we’re to bond.”

My heart skips a beat, and I lower my head. “I just thought you’d want a proper ceremony. It will be easier to plan if I have suppressants.”

A cool finger under my chin draws my head up, and he strokes my cheek. “Ceremonies aren’t what form a bond, darling. You’ll have to forgive my eagerness after so many years of patience. We can throw a party afterward when the official announcement goes out.”

“Of course, I understand,” I murmur, forcing out the bitter words. “Thank you, Louie. You’re too kind.”

He leans back in his chair, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He thinks he’s won, that he has me rightwhere he wants me. Which isgood. If he believes I’m already broken, then he won’t be as vigilant.

As a server brings food out to the table, Louie asks, “Have you started writing your next book? I’m excited about the new adventures you have planned withThe Fairy and the Dragonlord. It’s such a pleasure to know the most recent release wasn’t the end for them.”

I stiffen, my mind flashing to the hacked social media accounts that have been causing me trouble by over-promising to my fans. Could Louie be behind them? He’s certainly controlling enough.

“I’m working on it.” My hand rises toward my lucky shamrock necklace before I remember it went missing at the hospital.

He arches an eyebrow, leaning forward. “Really? I’d love to read what you’ve written so far.”

Lifting my fork, I poke at the sea bass on the plate. “It’s not ready for other people to see yet. I usually redo the first few chapters once I’m deeper into the story. Where I start rarely turns out to be the beginning.”

“Fascinating.” Louie’s lips curve into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “But as your new agent, it’s my job to keep you on track so that you meet your deadlines and produce the content your fans expect.”

The fork clatters from my fingers, and I bristle at his presumption, anger simmering beneath my skin. “Grady’s my agent. I have no plans to replace him.”

Louie’s expression hardens, his jaw clenching. “Your time with Mr. Finch is at an end. You’ve allowed sentimentality to interfere with your career. You could have been earning so much more by now, going on world tours. You need someone who can take charge and help you rise to the top.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off with a wave of his hand.

“Enough. I’ll be taking over as your agent effective now. As for your next book…” He leans back again, his expression calculating. “I have some ideas.”

---