Page 60 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

“No need,” Riordan says. “We know exactly where she’s going. Take the next exit and follow our lead.”

Jax hesitates, clearly conflicted about following the Ashgraves blindly.

“We don’t have time for trust issues, Ironwood,” Riordan says, as if reading his thoughts. “Your omega’s life depends on it.”

That decides it. Jax takes the exit, following the Ashgraves’ SUV as it accelerates ahead of us.

“How do they know all this?” I ask, suspicion nagging at me.

“They have connections we don’t,” Stone answers, still typing on Ren’s laptop. “Those bastards operate in shadows most people don’t even know exist.”

“But why help us?” I press. “Really. A stake in a gym doesn’t seem worth all this.”

Jax meets my eyes in the mirror again. “Because it’s not about the gym, babe,” he says. “It’s about establishing a legitimate business connection with us. Insurance.”

“Insurance?”

“The Ashgraves operate on the edge of legality,” Stone explains. “And I mean the edge. Having public ties to a respectable business like Iron Fitness gives them cover. Legitimacy.”

“And they get to launder money through us,” Jax adds grimly.

The implications sink in. “So we’re making a deal with devils.”

“For Hailey,” Stone says, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “For Ren.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “For pack.”

The Ashgraves’ SUV accelerates further, and Jax matches their speed. The landscape blurs outside my window—dark trees, occasional buildings, the distant glow of city lights fading behind us as we head into more remote territory.

My phone buzzes with a text. It’s from Connor, which is unsettling since I never gave him my number.

The omega we’re after. The one you called your ‘mate’. What’s she like?

I stare at the message, unsure how to respond. Why would an Ashgrave care about Hailey’s personality?

After a moment, I type back:

Why does it matter?

The response comes quickly:

Just curious what kind of omega inspires this level of devotion.

I frown at the screen. There’s something about the question that feels off, but I can’t place why. I finally type back:

She’s everything

Kind. Brave. Strong in ways most people don’t understand.

I hesitate, then add:

She’s worth all of this and more.

There’s a long pause before his reply appears:

Then we’ll get her back.

It’s unexpectedly sincere, which makes me even more suspicious. I show the exchange to Stone, who reads it with a furrowed brow.

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