Page 273 of Knot What I Expected

Come alone.

If Ethan sees Rowan⁠—

If he hurts Matteo because I⁠—

“Gabby. Look at me.”

Rowan catches my face between his hands.

I’m hyperventilating.

“Breathe.”

“I—I can't⁠—”

“Yes, you can. Eyes on me.”

Gold flickers around his irises.

Monster.

The matebond surges.

Rowan’s fear hits me first.

Then concern.

Then something feral as he scents my terror.

“What happened?”

I shake my head. Ethan told me to come alone. I should lie.

Tell Rowan everything is fine.

Get in my car. Drive away. Save my son.

But I spent too many years surviving alone. And Rowan has spent the last three weeks showing me what it means not to be.

He chose me.

He chose Matteo.

And I will not build our life on a lie.

“He—”

My voice breaks.

Rowan goes still.

“Who?”

“Ethan.”

Monster rises so fast the air around us seems to change.

“What about him?”