Page 24 of Knot Our Reality

I shake my head, grabbing his hand when he tries to pull away. “No, that’s a good way of looking at it. Each child is precious, and I would never hold the events that led to my son’s conception against him. He’s mine, not Simon’s. He’ll bring me joy. I love being a mother. I’ve been blessed with three children when many can’t even have one.”

“You’re right. They are a blessing.”

“And you’re cool with the idea of taking on three kids?” I lift my eyebrows as I continue to smile at him. “So far, I’ve gotten six yeses.”

Ian snorts. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I understand why you feel the need to ask, but you don’t need to worry about me. I like Jasper and Hawk, and I’m sure I’ll like this one when he comes out, too.”

My heart melts a little more as he turns his hand over so he can lace our fingers together. Too bad my words fail me once more as I stare into his eyes.

Someone clearing their throat has me jerking away. My eyes find Reginald, who’s smirking at me again as he tells me to wrap it up.

Something tells me he’s been trying to get my attention for a while, which is so embarrassing.

How am I becoming this woman?

“Apparently, our time is up, but it’s been wonderful chatting with you again,” I tell him.

He lifts our entwined hands, pressing a kiss to the back of mine before releasing it. “I could spend forever talking to you, Emilia, if you’d give me the chance to. But I’ll leave you to meet your next suitor.”

My eyes follow him as he makes his way over to Maverick, Dalton, Tessa, and Bree.

Where the hell did that come from? Was he like this with Remington? I don’t recall seeing him flirt with my brother like that, but it’s not like I was around all the time.

Shaking my head, I tear my eyes away from him and face forward. Reginald catches my eye and makes a crude gesture, so I flip him off as the last limo of the night pulls up.

The man who steps out is the tallest of my suitors thus far. He’s at least a full foot taller than I am and at least twice as wide. The man is built.

He flashes me a smile, his white teeth standing out against the deep, warm umber of skin. His black hair is in dreads, falling to just past his shoulders. The goatee he sports looks damn good on him.

There’s a bit of recognition when I look at him, but it’s there and gone again.

“Hello, Emilia.” He nods his head when he comes to a stop a good ten feet in front of me, causing me to frown as hints of coffee and cinnamon scent waft toward me. “I’m Dylan Whitlock from Sophia’s season.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Maverick growls, and I jump as I spin around to face the rest of my suitors.

All three of them look practically rabid, confusing me. Bree and Tessa seem to be the only things keeping them from storming over to me.

Dylan sighs, full of pain and regret, bringing my attention back to him. “I’m sorry, Emilia.”

“Sorry for what?” I ask, tilting my head as I consider him.

“For making them respond as they have.” Dylan shakes his head. “I take it you didn’t watch my season?”

I shrug. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of each of them, but it’s my brother who’s the rabid fan. Did something happen with you?”

“You could say that.” He glances over my shoulder, holding his hands up in surrender. “I promise not to get any closer to her unless she wants me to.”

“You shouldn’t even be here, Dylan.” Dalton’s voice is cold—completely opposite of how he’d spoken to me and Maverick.

“Will the two of you shut the hell up?” Bree yells, and I can’t help the smile that slips across my face as I watch the petite omega stand off with alphas twice her size while Tessa stands in front of Ian. “Do you really think we’d bring someone onto the show who would be a danger to Emilia? Especially since she’s pregnant.”

Ian scoffs. “You already let him hurt one omega.”

I hold my hand up when Dylan goes to speak, turning my attention to my other suitors. “Clearly, I don’t know the situation yet, and I never will if you don’t shut your mouths. I trust Bree and Tessa. If they say Dylan isn’t a danger to me, then I believe them. I don’t know what makes you think he is, but I’d like to find out—from him.”

Ian, Dalton, and Maverick look sufficiently chastised as I shake my head and turn back to Dylan.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning?”

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