Page 119 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

“Ironwood,” he says finally, gesturing to the empty chair opposite him. “Thank you for coming.”

I take the seat, matching his neutral tone. “Didn’t realize I had much choice.”

A flicker of amusement crosses his face. “There’s always a choice. But I’m glad you made this one.” He pushes a manila folder across the table. “I believe this is what you’re most interested in.”

I open the folder, finding photographs and documents detailing surveillance on Veyra Heath. The most recent image, dated just three days ago, shows her boarding a private plane in Toronto, her distinctive features partially obscured by large sunglasses and a scarf, but unmistakable nonetheless.

“She’s alive,” I state the obvious, something cold settling in my stomach at the confirmation.

Riordan nods. “Two gunshot wounds. Non-fatal, though I understand that wasn’t for lack of trying on your omega’s part.”

“Where was she headed?”

“Switzerland, initially. But we believe that’s just a stopover. Her final destination is likely somewhere without extradition—Venezuela, perhaps, or one of several Asian countries where she has connections.”

I flip through the rest of the file, absorbing details about Heath’s movements in the days following her escape from the facility. “And Caldwell?”

“No sign of him since the raid.” Riordan’s expression darkens slightly. “The official report claims he was killed in the crossfire between Heath’s security forces, but no body has been recovered.”

“Convenient,” I mutter.

“Indeed.” He watches me with that same cool assessment. “I must admit, I’m surprised by how this played out. I would have expected you to handle it…more discreetly.”

I close the folder, meeting his gaze. “Meaning?”

“Meaning I thought you’d take them both down yourself. Quietly. Permanently.” He tilts his head slightly. “Your reputation suggests a preference for direct solutions.”

There’s something almost like disappointment in his tone, as if he expected better—or worse—from me. It stirs an unexpected defensiveness in my chest.

“It’s bigger than me,” I say simply. “Bigger than personal vengeance. What Heath and Caldwell were doing—an operation that extensive needed to be exposed, not just eliminated.”

Something shifts in Riordan’s expression. Reassessment, perhaps. “A surprisingly civic-minded perspective.”

“It wasn’t my decision anyway,” I add, deciding to correct his assumption. “Finn was the one who exposed them. Our omega. He broadcast it to every news outlet and law enforcement agency he could reach.”

Surprise registers briefly on Riordan’s face. “Your omega did that?”

I nod, unable to keep a hint of pride from my voice. “While I was chasing after Caldwell, Finn was the one who brought it all down. Without him, the world would have never known.”

“Brave,” Riordan comments, the single word carrying genuine respect. “And resourceful. Most omegas would have crumbled under that kind of pressure.”

“Finn isn’t most omegas.” The simple truth comes easily. I’d spent so long holding myself apart, convinced I was protecting him by keeping my distance, that I’d failed to see how strong he’d become, how capable.

“Clearly,” Riordan says. He’s studying me now, eyes unreadable, but it’s clear he’s turning my words over in his head. Pack Ashgrave doesn’t have an omega. That in itself is strange. A pack with their connections should have no trouble finding one. Unless…they don’t want an omega.

The moment snaps as he taps another folder, thicker than the first, that sits on the table between us. “Which brings me to the other reason for this meeting.”

He slides the second folder toward me. Inside are reports, photographs, and what appear to be internal police documents, all related to the investigation into Heath and Caldwell’s operation.

“What am I looking at?” I ask, scanning the contents.

“Evidence that’s disappearing from the official investigation.” Riordan’s voice takes on a harder edge. “Key witness statements being retracted, financial records going missing, surveillance footage corrupted. Someone is undermining the case against Heath and her network.”

I look up sharply. “What?”

“Someone inside law enforcement.”

“Fuck.”

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