Knot a Good Idea (Bittersweet Omegas #4)

Chapter 26

26

LIAM

I usually do alright at these events.

It’s easy to exchange pleasantries and talk business.

But April has me distracted.

She’s breathtaking in her black dress, and all I want to do is show her off.

And maybe, if Donovan gets this deal done early, we can end the party.

Especially since my inner Alpha is desperate to come out, ready to help April through her Heat.

Ever since I heard what she said to Hunter, my mind has been distracted.

Does she prefer baths or showers during it?

What are her preferences?

I want to plan everything in advance so I can treat her the way she deserves.

But instead, I’m stuck with Clay making her uncomfortable.

By the time I’ve done my rounds and spoken to everyone once, Donovan is shaking hands with the parents of the teenager that built the app we want to have our software in.

I breathe a sigh of relief. That means everything will be over soon, and we won’t have to put on this facade anymore.

The only guests I were looking forward to seeing were Sophie and Tom, but they were unable to make it. So, Hunter and I were stuck schmoozing with investors and tech affiliates.

I hate it.

I nod at Donovan, who subtly tilts his head in return.

The eighteen-year-old Beta kid that built the social media app is polite and shy, dressed in a suit that he obviously doesn’t feel comfortable in. But when he sees me, he approaches me and gives me a genuine, excited smile. We chat for a few minutes, and he asks me questions about how I learned to code—and I happily tell him the story of how Donovan, Hunter and I were working out of a crowded storage unit to create Axton .

That’s when I discover he was part of our art program when he was a teenager.

“Thank you for everything,” he says. “If you ever have time, I would love to chat with you guys more about some programs.”

And that moment with him is worth all the posturing we endure.

“Sure. Shoot any of us an email; we’ll look out for it.”

The excitement in his eyes makes me laugh.

“Wait—really?” he asks. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. We’ll make time.”

“Thank you so much,” he stammers. “I can’t even believe I’m here. I’m so happy I got to meet you guys.”

I say goodbye to his parents, who thank us for having them.

Based on their reactions, this party was worth it.

“That was kind of you.”

I turn around at the sound of April’s voice, her sweet scent barreling into me. Hunter accompanies her, his arm at her waist and his breathing heavy.

The air is charged with electricity, and I’m ready to tell Donovan that we need to end this party when Clay saunters up to us.

“Liam, Hunter,” he chuckles, and Hunter groans under his breath. “I have something for you. A thank you present for having me.”

I don’t want anything from Clay.

“You probably want to look away,” he chuckles at April. “I doubt you partake in this. It’s not meant for you.”

Alarm bells go off in my head.

Niceties and politeness have gone out the window.

“It’s time for you to go home,” I tell him evenly. “We can arrange for a driver if you’re too inebriated.”

“We don’t need shit,” Hunter adds at the same time.

Clay is undeterred and gives me a shit-eating grin. “C’mon, Liam. You ever hear of O ?” he whispers.

Time stands still.

Something itches in my brain at the name. Where have I heard it before?

O ?

April lets out a gasp as she drops her glass.

“What did you say?” Hunter growls. “What the fuck did you just say?”

My mind spins as I watch April hyperventilate.

She’s having a panic attack, and Hunter pushes her into my arms.

“Get her out of here, Liam,” Hunter snarls. “ Now. ”

“It’s fine,” April gasps, shaking her head. “I’m fine.”

What the hell is going on?

“I didn’t offend you, did I?” Clay looks at April and chuckles. “Sorry. I know it’s only meant to mimic an Omega’s pheromones, right? And you’re the real thing, so there’s no competition?—”

Donovan storms over and grabs Clay by the collar of his jacket and slams him against the wall. Tables rattle and food and drinks fall to the floor.

“Get the fuck out of my house, now ,” he growls, as guests look on in shock.

I pull April away from the chaos, her hand clammy as she clings to me.

Donovan has never lost it like that on someone.

And I still don’t know exactly what’s going on.

We’ve been offered drugs before. It’s not like this would be the first time it’s happened, and we’ve always declined. But O ?

I briefly remember hearing about it once, months ago.

It’s a substance that is supposed to mimic an Omega’s Heat.

And there was something about a trafficking ring…

I pull April out a side door and lead her into the greenhouse, deep in the backyard and away from the party.

Something is very, very wrong.

“Sweetheart. Sweetheart ,” I whisper. April buries herself in my arms, crying quietly into my chest, and I want to weep myself.

I hold her close, kiss her hair, and let her sob.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” I continue, completely confused. “He’s gone, now. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you.”

Fuck Clay to hell and back.

April won’t stop shaking, so I keep my arms around her and rock us gently, purring as strongly as I can.

The sun sets when her tears finally subside. She sniffles into my shirt, and when she pulls away from my chest, my heart breaks.

Makeup and tears stain her cheeks, and her eyes are red rimmed and hollow.

She looks haunted.

“He was right,” she whispers, staring at my chest. “He did recognize me from television.”

I’m at a loss for words.

“Remember when I said there’s things you don’t know about me?” she continues.

I nod. “I do.”

She chuckles humorlessly, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I was kidnapped and used to make O ,” she mumbles, so softly I almost can’t hear. “I was missing for months.”

I grip her harder, my hands shaking.

“But you guys didn’t know who I was, which is why I signed the contract,” she admits. “I felt normal, for once. I could just be April the café owner, not the girl who was trafficked for her blood. I could be the fun girlfriend that can play board games and paint with kids, not the victim that came back ruined and broken.”

I shake my head. “You’re not broken or ruined,” I promise her, my voice cracking. “You’re not .”

She sighs. “Liam,” she finally looks up at me, her honeyed brown eyes wet, “I just broke down at a cocktail party. I can barely be a functioning adult. Before you met me, I was a miserable bitch . I wasn’t a good friend, or a good daughter. My best friend went through the same thing I did, and I could barely be there for her. I came back wrong. ”

I continue to shake my head. “No, you’re perfect to me,” I insist.

“Did you hear any of what I said?” she asks incredulously, her voice cracking. “I’m not a good person.”

I look at April, at the Omega who has been through so much, and I don’t even realize what I’m doing until I’m on my knees, kneeling in the dirt of the greenhouse.

“And I choose you,” I murmur, as she stares down at me with wide eyes. “And I will choose you, again, and again.”

She twists her face in sorrow. “Stop,” she whispers. “Liam, get off the ground.”

“I mean it, April. I choose you. I will always choose you, every part of yourself you’ll offer.”

“You’re acting crazy,” she chokes out, her eyes wide. “You’re kind . You’re smart. You’re good. I’m not.”

“I’m still choosing you.” I reach to take her hand that’s at her side and kiss it.

She stares at me, bewildered. Then, she slowly sinks to her knees, and I watch in surprise as she kneels in the greenhouse facing me.

“I’m not letting you stay on the ground by yourself,” she sniffs. “You look ridiculous.”

The door to the greenhouse opens, and Hunter greets us with a startled expression.

“What the fuck are you two doing?” he demands.

I ignore his question. “What’s going on inside?”

He scowls. “Everyone’s gone and Donovan filed a police report—seriously, why the fuck are you letting her sit in the dirt?”

“I told April I choose her,” I say simply.

Hunter gives me an incredulous look. “Okay,” he sighs, stressed. “Okay, that’s just fucking great.” He turns to April. “Baby, are you alright?”

She turns to me, bites her lip, then nods. “I’m alright for now,” she says slowly.

“Okay, good. Then how about everyone gets out of the fucking dirt, okay?”

April looks at me and almost smiles.

I choose you , I mouth to her. I will always choose you.

Regardless of her past, regardless of how she sees herself?—

I’m in love with her.