Page 16 of Knot My Boss

Fiora chuckles, but there’s no humor in her tone. “It’s all right,” she says. “I am at the Wildfire Casino.”

“Oh, okay,” I respond before rattling off quick directions on how to get to the house. “We can grab some stuff and stay in my apartment.” I rise to my feet while earning a questioning look from Dayton. Holding a finger up in Dayton’s direction, I quickly finish my conversation with Fiora before hanging up.

“With everything that went on last night, it slipped my mind that Fiora said she would be arriving this morning,” I explain.

“You can stay here,” Dayton says quietly.

Returning from the kitchen, after putting my mug in the dishwasher, I look at my sister, really look at her. Dayton’s wan features cause me to move closer to her.

“Are you okay?” I ask, crouching down beside her

“I-I d-don’t wa-want you to le-leave,” she blubbers as tears streak heavily down her cheeks.

“Oh, honey,” I coo, wrapping Dayton in a side hug. “It isn’t as if I am leaving town.” This seems just to set her off more, and her tears turn into full-on sobs.

Kali walks in, giving me a questioning look just as the doorbell rings.

“That should be my friend, Fiora,” I explain to Kali. “Can you please let her in?”

Soft conversation reaches me as I continue to comfort my sister. When Kali and Fiora enter the room, it’s apparent that we need to talk. My friend, while normally impeccably put together, looks harried. I’m not just talking about being travel-weary either.

“Dayton, this is Fiora Valenhart. She was my roommate at Stanford. Fiora, this is my sister, Dayton Morris. Kali Monroe, who let you in, is Dayton’s best friend,” I explain, completing introductions.

“It’s nice to meet both of you,” Fiora says, looking uncomfortable.

“Please stay until Christmas, at least,” Dayton pleads softly, drawing everyone’s attention back to her.

“I can stay at the hotel,” Fiora says, pointing over her shoulder to the door.

“No,” Dayton says quickly, her voice breaking. “Please, I don’t want to leave the house if I can help it.” She points to her belly. “Having everyone here for Christmas would make me ha-happy,” she urges as the tears start up again.

Glancing at Fiora, it’s apparent that she is uncomfortable with this situation. Unfortunately, my sister’s feelings take precedence over those of my friend.

“You can take my room,” I state, addressing Fiora. “I will sleep on the couch.”

She hesitates, looking between the three of us. “Are you sure?” Fiora asks warily.

“Yes!” I say firmly, leaving no room for argument. “Either that or I can sleep on the floor in one of the nurseries.”

“I have an overnight bag in the car,” Fiora says, turning around. “Is it possible to get a shower and a nap? I have been driving most of the night.”

“Absolutely,” I chime in. “Do you need help with anything?”

“No, thanks. I can manage.”

Ten minutes later, the shower in the ensuite bathroom to mine, now Fiora’s room, runs. She looks exhausted, so I put the interrogation on hold. For now.

Chapter 12 - Arek

Standing in Kyle Morris’s office, I feel like a child again as he chastises me for not only upsetting Darby but also causing Dayton undue stress in an already tenuous pregnancy.

“How many times do you want me to say I’m sorry?” I ask, my attitude not helping with the situation. I came here, taking Declan’s advice, to smooth things over with the tiger alpha. He just so happens to be one of my best friends, but also my future brother-in-law.

“Your behavior was callous,” Kyle argues, crossing his arms over his barrel chest. “What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t, really,” I respond sheepishly. Falling into a chair in front of his desk, my head hangs in shame. “I attacked Declan when he showed up at the restaurant smelling like her. It got worse when Daegyn met her before I did, too. My bear went off the rails, almost forcing a shift to track her down.”

Kyle’s eyes get as big as saucers at my confession.

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