Page 190 of Knot What I Expected

Once.

Twice.

The matebond pulls again.

Fear.

Fuck this. I yank my shirt over my head.

“She's coming here this weekend,” I tell them. “Her and Matteo.”

Wreck's expression softens slightly at the kid's name.

Good, because that's another thing we're going to get straight.

“And I expect both of you to mind your fucking manners.”

Justin stares at me.

“Matteo, too?”

“Yeah.”

Something inside me settles just saying his name.

Gabby's son. Not just that. Monster speaks up, my pup too.

The realization doesn't shock me nearly as much as it probably should.

Maybe because Monster already decided that too.

Matteo belongs with Gabriella.

Gabriella belongs with me.

Not like property.

Like family.

And anything that is hers?

I protect.

Simple fucking math.

Wreck studies me for another second.

Then he nods.

“Understood.”

Justin sighs.

“Fine.”

“Good.”

I shove my feet into my boots.