Page 56 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

Riordan’s jaw tightens. The scar across his eye seems to pulse with tension. “Yes,” he acknowledges after a moment. “That is true.”

He pushes off the wall, taking a step toward us. “But that debt has already been repaid.”

“How?” Jax asks, arms crossed over his chest.

Connor, the pale-eyed alpha, speaks up from where he’s leaning against a dingy filing cabinet. “We’ve been trailing people on a long list Ren gave us for weeks now.” His voice is softer than I expected, almost musical, which somehow makes it more unnerving. “How do you think we found that facility that eventually led you to your omega?”

Jax’s jaw tightens visibly. “She wasn’t there.”

Connor shrugs, a dismissive gesture that seems to light a fuse in Jax.

It happens so fast I barely register the movement—one moment Jax is standing beside me, the next he has Connor pinned against the wall, forearm pressed to the alpha’s throat.

I’ve never seen Jax act like that. It sends a thrill through me that shouldn’t exist in this situation.

Everyone tenses. Ellis and Declan shift their weight, hands moving toward what I assume are concealed weapons. Stone steps fully in front of me now, his posture ready for whatever comes next.

“Listen carefully,” Jax says, his voice terrifyingly calm despite the aggression in his stance. “This is mypackwe’re talking about. Myfamily. And I know that even though the Ashgraves don’t take sides, you’re one thing above all else. Loyal. You understand what that means.”

Connor doesn’t struggle against Jax’s hold. His pale eyes flick briefly to Riordan, then back to Jax. There’s no fear in his gaze, just a cold assessment.

“We understand loyalty,” Riordan says from behind Jax. “Better than most.”

Jax holds Connor against the wall for one more beat before releasing him and stepping back. Connor straightens, adjusting his shirt collar with slow movements.

“Alright,” Connor says, seemingly unruffled by the confrontation. “Point made, Ironwood.”

Ellis, who until now has been the quietest of the four, steps forward. His height is more noticeable as he moves into the center of the room. “We’ll take Heath down,” he says, “but not because we’re helping you, Ironwood.”

Stone’s eyes narrow. “Then why?”

The Ashgraves exchange glances, some silent communication passing between them. I’ve noticed they do that—speak without speaking, especially when questioned directly.

“That’s our business,” Riordan answers flatly.

The tension in the room ratchets up again. The air is thick with alpha pheromones—aggression, territoriality, dominance—all swirling around me. I focus on keeping my breathing steady, refusing to be affected by it.

“Fine,” Jax says after a long moment. “Your reasons are your own. We need to move now. We’re running out of time.”

We begin gathering our gear—the weapons we brought from a stash that apparently belonged to Ren (the fuck should I know). Jax checks his phone, and I see the Ashgraves check theirs as he sends the coordinates Ren gave us.

“Wait,” Riordan says suddenly, holding up a hand.

We all stop, the silence stretching taut between us.

“We want something else,” he says, eyes fixed on Jax.

Stone’s posture stiffens beside me. “Name it,” he says before Jax can respond.

Riordan’s lips curve into a thin smile. “A stake in Iron Fitness’s expansion to Burlington.”

The request surprises me. I knew the Ashgraves had business interests beyond whatever shadowy operations earned them their reputation, but this is unexpected.

“A stake?” Jax repeats, his expression carefully neutral.

“A stake,” Riordan confirms, completely impassive.

Stone frowns, glancing at Jax. “Business partners?”

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