Page 69 of Hot Knot Summer
“No,” I cut him off. “I know what you’re going to say. That we need to be patient, respectful, give her space. And yes, we do. But that doesn’t mean we can’t also show her exactly what she’d be getting with us.”
“He’s right,” Levi says, surprising us both. “Emma’s been hurt. She’s guarding herself against more pain. But what if we could show her that what we’re offering is nothing like what she’s experienced before?”
I nod emphatically. “Exactly. We’ll respect her boundaries while making it damn clear that when she’s ready, we’ll be waiting.”
“All three of us,” Atlas murmurs slowly.
“All three of us,” Levi confirms.
“Together,” I add, a wicked grin spreading across my face. “We’ll show her what it means to be claimed by a pack who worships her.”
Atlas and Levi exchange a look, and I know they’re on board. Whatever it takes, however long it takes—Emma is going to be ours.
And God help anyone who tries to get in our way.
“I want this,” I say simply, looking from Atlas to Levi. “I want her. I want us, all of us, together.”
Levi nods, solemn but with that intensity that burns behind his careful facade. “So do I.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Atlas says, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Now we just have to convince her.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Piece of fucking cake.”
13
EMMA
The colors of the sunset outside the watchtower are almost unreal. Oranges and pinks bleeding into purples so deep, they look like bruises against the darkening sky. From the watchtower balcony, the view stretches for miles, forest rolling out like a dark green sea beneath us. As night creeps in, the shadows deepen between the trees.
I cradle my mug of hot chocolate between my palms, letting the heat seep into my fingers. The marshmallows have melted into a gooey cloud on top, just the way I like it. The iron stove in the tower room crackles and pops, throwing shadows across the faces of the three Alphas lounging around me.
It should feel awkward, this domestic scene with men I’ve known for less than a week. Instead, it feels disturbingly comfortable, as though I’ve somehow stumbled into a life that was waiting for me all along.
That thought alone is enough to send anxiety spiraling through my chest.
“So,” I begin, trying to keep my voice casual despite the knot of dread in my stomach. “Should I be worried about this police interview tomorrow?”
My right knee bounces nervously. Atlas, sitting beside me on the oversized couch, places a warm hand on my bare knee, stilling it instantly. The weight of his palm sends an electric current up my thigh that I desperately try to ignore.
“Not at all,” he says, voice steady and reassuring. “It’s standard procedure for them to conduct follow-up interviews for any structural fire. They just want to go over your statement again, see if you remember any additional details now that you’ve had time to process.”
Levi nods from his position by the window. “Police reports show a statistical increase in accurate recall after a 72-hour buffer period following traumatic events.”
“We’ll drive you there and wait for you,” River adds. “Support you no matter what happens.”
“You can’t come in with me?” The question slips out before I can stop it, revealing more vulnerability than I intended.
Atlas shakes his head. “They’ll want to speak with you privately. Standard protocol.”
My stomach clenches painfully. What if they twist my words around? What if they don’t believe me?What if I accidentally say something that makes me sound guilty?
“Hey,” River says. “You look like someone just told you dragons are real, and they’re coming for your chocolate stash.”
I force a smile that feels more like a grimace. “Just nervous about being interrogated, that’s all.”
“It’s not an interrogation,” Levi clarifies. “In cases like yours where there’s no evidence of foul play, these follow-ups are merely formalities.”
“Right,” I say, though the reassurance does little to calm the riot of worst-case scenarios playing out in my head. What if they’ve found evidence that contradicts my statement? What if they think I deliberately set the fire for insurance money? What if I somehow left a candle lit? What if they arrest me on the spot?
