Page 196 of Knot Baked Out For This
"Whatever it is," Luca's hand finds my lower back, steady and warm, "we're handling it together."
We take seats on the opposite side of the room—me between Rowan and Luca, Levi on Rowan's other side like they're forming a physical barrier between me and Korrin.
I can smell them even through my panic—cedar smoke and gingerbread and honey butter mixing with my own vanilla cinnamon that's spiked with fear-sweat and adrenaline.
The judge enters—a woman in her sixties with steel-gray hair and an expression that suggests she's deeply unimpressed with everyone in this room.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Patricia Winters."
We stand. Korrin stands. I try not to pass out.
"Be seated." Judge Winters settles behind her bench, glasses perched on her nose, reviewing papers with the focus of someone who's seen every ridiculous case this town can produce. "This is an emergency hearing regarding..." she pauses, "multiple matters concerning Hazel Holloway and her business, Hazel's Hearth & Home Bakery."
Multiple matters?
"Mr. Voss, you filed the initial complaint. Please state your case."
Korrin stands, and he's good. Too good.The concerned ex-husband, the wounded party, the victim of cruel circumstance.
"Your Honor, I'm here to address a serious matter of defamation and harassment." His voice is smooth, practiced. "Ms. Holloway has spent the past several months systematically destroying my reputation through her business success and public statements."
I make a sound that's half laugh, half choke.
"She's gained significant social media attention," Korrin continues, pulling out printed screenshots—when did he get those?—"and in interviews and posts, has made implications about her previous marriage that are damaging and false."
"I never mentioned you!" I blurt out before I can stop myself.
"Ms. Holloway," Judge Winters says mildly, "you'll have your turn to speak."
Korrin's smile widens slightly. "She's also engaged in what I believe to be fraudulent business practices?—"
"That's bullshit!" Levi's on his feet, and Rowan pulls him back down with a hand on his shoulder.
"Mr. Cambridge, contain yourself or you'll be removed."
"It's Maddox," Levi mutters. "And he's lying."
"What evidence do you have of these claims?" Judge Winters asks Korrin, and something in her tone suggests she's not as convinced as he'd like.
He presents a folder—thick, organized, clearly prepared by someone who knows how legal harassment works.
"Documentation of her success timeline, which coincidentally began immediately after our separation. Analysis of her social media presence showing targeted remarks about 'toxic packs' and 'controlling Alphas.' And testimony from pack members who witnessed her erratic behavior during our marriage."
Erratic behavior. Because trying to survive abuse is erratic.
I'm shaking now, Luca's hand tight on my knee under the table, Rowan's solid presence on my other side the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
"Furthermore," Korrin says, voice taking on a wounded quality that makes me want to throw things, "I'm concerned for her safety. Her current living situation with three unmated Alphas seems... unstable. I'm requesting a wellness check and possible intervention for?—"
"That's enough." Judge Winters holds up a hand. "Ms. Holloway, do you have representation?"
"I—no, I didn't know I needed?—"
"She has representation." A new voice, and I turn to see Nash entering the courtroom, dressed in a suit that makes him look less "motorcycle bad boy" and more "lawyer who will end you."
"Nash?" I whisper.
"Called in a favor," Luca murmurs. "Told you we were handling this."
