Page 114 of Knot Going Down
DECLAN
Glenn Plansky's estate is exactly what I expected from a man who deals in drugs and shadows, orchestrating his empire with cold calculation and absolute control. The place is opulent in the kind of way that screams new wealth—too much marble, gold leaf in places it has no business being, and lighting designed more for show than function. The wedding reception is being held in the backyard under a massive white tent lit by cascading chandeliers and overpriced string lights, the kind you'd see in luxury wedding magazines.
Security’s tight. Invisible to the average guest, maybe, but I’ve already clocked five men stationed at key exit points, their stances too controlled, eyes too sharp. They're pretending to be wedding guests—badly. Every one of them scans the tent like it’s a warzone, not a celebration for the boss man’s daughter.
“Ah, there you are.” I turn just in time to see Glenn saunter toward us, a drink in one hand, confidence oozing from every pore. A king in his castle. He’s in his late forties, but he’s kept his body lean and fit. Tailored tux. Too-white smile. Eyes like a predator—sharp and calculating. He looks me over like I’m a new model he’s considering buying. “New boy toy?”
“My mate, actually,” Knox replies, sliding his hand into mine. “Newly bonded.”
The words are real this time. Not cover. Not pretend. And the way Knox says them—soft but solid—makes my chest ache. He squeezes my hand, tugging me closer like he needs the contact to stay steady. Knox gives me an easy smile, but under the affection I feel in the bond, there’s a nervous energy that’s all too close to fear.
“Never took you for the settling down type.” Glenn takes a slow sip of his drink. “And with an alpha, no less. Interesting.” His gaze flicks behind us, and the warmth vanishes from his expression. “Excuse me. Other guests and all.” He steps past, but as he does, he leans in enough to murmur, “‘Til death do us part.”
I track him as he walks away, greeting another guest. He claps the man on the shoulder and laughs, completely at ease, but I catch the way his grip digs into the man’s flesh a little too firmly to be friendly.
“Do you think he suspects?” Knox whispers.
“I don’t,” I say, trying to sound more certain than I feel. “But I’d rather not stick around long enough to find out.” I brush a kiss against his cheek. “I’m going to the restroom,” I say, loud enough that other people might hear.
“Wait, I’ll come with?—”
I cut him a look. “It’ll be better if people see you here,” I keep my voice low, firm. We’re safer if Glenn believes we’re just guests enjoying the party.
I turn and head toward the nearest security plant. Guy in a navy suit, built like a tank, clearly muscled under the wedding guest veneer.
“Excuse me,” I say politely. “Can you point me toward the restroom?”
“Straight inside, down the first hall, and two more in the east wing. Anything on the ground floor is acceptable. Guests aren’t allowed upstairs.”
Perfect. “Thanks.”
I move through the crowd, skirting the dance floor and heading toward the house. According to the blueprints Curtis’s team pulled—surgically lifted from a building permit database—Glenn’s office is upstairs. But so is a guard, stationed at the base of the main staircase. This one’s not trying to blend in. Black shirt, tactical pants, visible firearm on his hip. His arms are crossed, and he watches the room with the stillness of someone trained not to blink when things go sideways.Shit, really wish I had a few more guys with me about now.
Curtis has a small team stationed a few blocks over, but we knew we couldn’t push the limit of Knox’s plus one, so I’m on my own. Boss man also thought it’d be too risky to wear an earpiece. The only way I’m getting back up is if I can get a call out. But he’s ready. Even got a judge to quietly issue a warrant in case I find anything.
I’m halfway through deciding how to lure the guard away—or take him down quietly—when Knox’s voice hits me from behind.
“Sorry,” he says, slipping up beside me and hooking an arm around my waist. “Got caught up talking to the groom.”
The guard is looking right at us now, and I want to fucking snap at Knox for drawing attention to me. But I bite my tongue. This isn’t the time for one of our pissing matches.
He kisses my cheek again and whispers, “Follow my lead.”
We walk hand-in-hand to the base of the stairs.
“Hey, Georgie. Got a minute?”
The guard, Georgie, perks up immediately, flashing Knox a grin. “You know it takes me longer than that.”
I flex my hands to keep from punching the guy. Knox laughs, easy and careless, the complete opposite of the storm raging through our bond.
As we step closer, Knox runs a hand up the guy’s chest like it’s nothing. “Maybe my buddy and I can get you there a little faster.”
Buddy,notmate. It’s necessary, but it cuts.
Georgie shifts his focus to me, raking over every inch with a heat that makes my stomach roll.
I plaster on a smirk. “Bet we’d make you feel so good you’d pass out.”
