Page 108 of Hot Knot Summer
The words strangle me, each one designed to cut deep and remind me of every cruel thing he ever said during our relationship. But this time, instead ofcrumbling, I feel a fierce surge of pride. Because this time, I’m not alone.
One moment River’s lounging in his chair, all lazy smirk and relaxed limbs—then he moves. In a blink, he’s out of his seat and on Chad, slamming him face-first into the white tablecloth, a fist tangled in his perfectly styled hair.
My eyes widen. Oh my God. That was fast. Like blink-and-you-miss-it, apex predator speed.
Chad lets out a strangled noise, more indignation than pain, but he doesn’t even get the chance to recover before River leans in, low and dangerous, holding his head flat to the table.
“Let’s try that again,” River growls, his usual playful tone replaced by something deadly calm. “But this time, show some respect when you talk about our Omega.”
The restaurant has gone completely silent now, all pretense of normalcy abandoned as the drama unfolds. Nobody moves to intervene—perhaps sensing that these Alphas are not to be trifled with or perhaps simply recognizing that Chad brought this on himself.
Atlas leans in. “Emma doesn’t exist for you anymore,” he says, but his voice carries in the stillness. “In fact, after tonight, you’re going to forget you ever knew her name.”
“You can’t—” Chad begins, but River increases the pressure on his skull, cutting off his words.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Atlas continueswith lethal calm. “You’re going to finish your dinner. You’re going to pay your check. And then you’re going to leave Whispering Grove and never come back. Because if I see you near Emma again, if I hear you’ve tried to contact her, if you so much as breathe her name in public, I will make you disappear. Are we clear?”
Chad tries to nod, limited by River’s grip on his hair. “Crystal,” he gasps.
“Good.” Atlas straightens, and River releases his hold, allowing Chad to sit up. But they don’t back away, keeping him trapped between them like wolves circling wounded prey.
“One more thing,” River adds, his cheerful mask sliding back into place with terrifying ease. “That wasn’t a threat. It was a promise. And we always keep our word.”
Chad scrambles to his feet, his face flushed with humiliation and what looks like genuine fear. “You’re all fucking insane,” he mutters, but he’s already backing toward his table.
“Maybe,” Atlas agrees with a cold smile. “But we’re her kind of insane. Run along now.”
Chad doesn’t need to be told twice. He practically flees back to Megan, who’s been watching the entire confrontation with wide, horrified eyes. They have a brief, heated discussion before Chad throws money on the table, and they make a hasty exit, Chad casting one last fearful glance in our direction before disappearing into the night.
The restaurant slowly comes back to life, conversations resuming in hushed tones as people try to process what they just witnessed. Atlas and River make their way over to where Levi and I sit, their expressions immediately softening when they see me.
“I’m sorry,” Atlas says, settling into the chair beside me. “We didn’t mean to make a scene.”
“Are you kidding?” I ask, looking between the three of them with something approaching awe. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Nobody has ever stood up for me like that.”
“Then, get used to it,” River says with a grin that’s equal parts dangerous and affectionate. “Anyone who hurts you answers to us now.”
“But our dinner… and everyone is staring at us,” I protest weakly, gesturing toward the table they’ve abandoned.
“Fuck the fancy dinner,” Atlas states, offering me his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
They huddle around me as we leave the restaurant, Levi leaving some money on the table for our troubles I assume.
Thirty minutes later, we’re parked at a scenic overlook outside town, the city lights twinkling below us while we feast on tacos and burritos from a roadside stand. The food is simple but delicious, and the company is infinitely better than any fancy restaurant could provide.
“This is my kind of going out,” I say around a bite of carne asada.
“Ours too,” Levi agrees, carefully folding his burrito to prevent spillage. “Though perhaps next time, we should start with the food truck and skip the drama.”
“I really appreciate you standing up for me with Chad,” I say, setting down my taco to look at each of them seriously. “God, he’s such a fuckhead.”
The crude assessment makes all three of them burst into laughter.
“There’s our Emma,” River says with delight. “I was worried Chad might have scared away your sass.”
“Never,” I assure him. “Though for a minute there, I felt like I was with him again, all tongue-tied and intimidated. I hate that he still has that effect on me.”
“It’s natural,” Atlas explains, his arm coming around my shoulders to pull me closer. “He was designed to hurt you. But you’re stronger now, and you’re not alone.”
