When Knight Falls

by Nikki Rose

  Table of Contents

  Books by Nikki Rose

  Title Page

  Legal Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

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  About the Author

  Totally Bound Publishing books by Nikki Rose

  Single Books

  When Dae Breaks

  WHEN KNIGHT FALLS

  NIKKI ROSE

  When Knight Falls

  ISBN # 978-1-83943-434-1

  ©Copyright Nikki Rose 2020

  Cover Art by Nikki Rose ©Copyright September 2020

  Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Totally Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2020 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

  Totally Bound Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.

  They finally found their way to each other, but outside forces threaten to tear them apart.

  Best friends since childhood, Rachel and Anthony finally found their way to one another despite life-threatening odds, but their love comes with challenges, as outside forces are determined to destroy their relationship and their lives.

  While packing to move in with Anthony, Rachel finds that Ian Knight has hidden a small camera among her things. Her ex is clearly not ready to let her go, and the camera is just the beginning of what the cartel leader has planned, including kidnapping, manipulation and murder.

  Dedication

  To my readers, whose enthusiasm for my stories inspires and encourages me to keep creating more.

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Batman: DC Comics Inc.

  LSATs: Law School Admissions Council

  UNO: Mattel Inc.

  Pop-Tart: Kellogg’s NA Co.

  Playdough: Hasbro Inc.

  Magic 8-Ball: Mattel Inc.

  Beauty and the Beast: Disney Enterprises Inc.

  You and Me: Jason Wade, Jude Cole

  G.I. Joe: Hasbro Inc.

  The Fly: 20th Century Fox

  Rapunzel: Disney Enterprises Inc.

  The Wizard of Oz: Lowes Inc.

  Rambo: Orion Pictures

  TV Guide: NTVB Media

  Tylenol: Johnson and Johnson Consumer Brands Inc.

  Pedialyte: Abbott Laboratories

  Chapter One

  Rachel

  One week after Belle’s birthday party, I walked into my apartment for the last time. One of the broken-down boxes threatened to slip from my arms as I made my way through the front door. I shut it with my foot and set the boxes in the entryway.

  Anthony was at his apartment—soon to be our apartment—clearing out space for me. He’d be by later to pick up the heavy stuff.

  I walked around admiring my place. There were a lot of good memories. It was the first home I’d lived in by myself, where I’d found my independence and learned to enjoy it. The day I’d moved in had been terrifying and exciting, all at once.

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want to be roommates? This apartment is way too big for just me.’ I’d plopped the heavy suitcase on my bed and unzipped it to start unpacking.

  ‘It’s a one-bedroom, Rach.’ Sarah had rolled her eyes and laughed at me before joining in, putting my clothes on hangers to put into my new closet.

  ‘I can get a sofa bed. We’ve been roommates since freshman year. It’s not going to be the same without you.’

  I had looked for a two-bedroom close to my new job for months but could only find one-bedrooms available. The new place hadn’t been too far from the one Sarah had found for herself, but I was used to having her in the same dorm. Before that, I’d lived at home with my dad.

  ‘You’ll be fine. Besides, aren’t you ready for a break from all my overnight guests?’

  ‘I will get a lot more sleep without the headboard banging against the wall all night.’ I’d chuckled and Sarah had thrown one of the couch pillows at me.

  I laughed at the memory and ran my hand along the back of the sofa as I walked toward my bedroom. I fought my way to the back of my closet and pulled out my three suitcases, so I could start packing.

  I filled one with the clothes from my dresser and had just zipped my overstuffed case when the silver jewelry box caught my eye. My stomach sank as I thought about the necklace inside.

  I stared at the silver oval like it was Pandora’s box, grazing my fingertips over the rim—but I couldn’t open it. Every time I thought about seeing the necklace again, my chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.

  Maybe you should just throw it all out. Get rid of the whole box and don’t bother even looking at it. But I couldn’t do that. I had to face it. I should sell the necklace and do something good with the money to make up for all the horror Ian Knight—my ex-boyfriend but really cartel kingpin and all-round horrible person—had put me through. It’s probably a fake. God knows he was.

  I decided to wait on opening the jewelry box. Instead, I wrapped it in a plastic bag and tucked it into the case with all my intimates. I’d go through it later. I still had a lot of stuff to pack.

  I dreaded going through
all of it but it needed to be done. I walked into my closet and grabbed a handful of clothes—hangers and all. As I walked out, I heard a knock at my door.

  I threw the pile of clothes onto my bed and hurried through the living room. Looking out of the peephole, I saw Sarah standing with extra boxes and packing tape in her hands. As soon as I opened the door, I was bombarded by Sarah’s energy and enthusiasm.

  “Oh, my gahd, Rach, this is so exciting. I still can’t believe you and Anthony finally got together. It’s about damn time.” She laughed then scowled when she looked around the place. “Why aren’t you packing?”

  “I am. I started in the bedroom.”

  “Good idea. Gotta hide all the toys before Anthony gets here?” Sarah grinned and bumped my hip.

  I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “Sarah, I’m not you.”

  I sent Sarah into my closet to grab a bunch of clothes while I put together one of the boxes.

  Sarah came out with her arms full. She tossed everything on the bed with a huff. “Girl, you have too many clothes.”

  “I have about half what you do. What are you talking about?”

  “Well, it sure seems like a lot more when we have to pack it all.” She chuckled. “How many black skirts and white tops does a girl need?”

  “Those are for work.”

  “You’re not going to be working there anymore, are you?”

  “No, but I’ll need them again once I become a lawyer.”

  “Rach, once you’re a big-shot lawyer, you’re gonna want new high-end stuff. When you get that job you’ve always wanted, we are going shopping.”

  “And once that happens, I’ll get rid of some of the older pieces.” I turned to set up a box. We were going to need a lot of them.

  After struggling for a few minutes to get the box taped, we started folding clothes and packing them away.

  “So, how are things going with you and Wilson?” I asked my best friend as we folded.

  “There is no more me and Wilson.”

  “What? Sarah, why didn’t you tell me you guys broke up? What happened?”

  “It’s nothing. It was just a casual fling, like I told you. Those always run their course.”

  “Sarah, you and I both know it was more than that. You never spend that much time with one guy.”

  She plopped down on the bed with a sigh and I sat next to her. “He wanted more.”

  “More? Like, what, marriage and stuff?”

  “He wanted us to be exclusive and to know that marriage was an option one day.”

  “That doesn’t sound unreasonable. What was the problem?”

  Sarah tilted her head to the side and gave me the ‘you know me better than that’ look.

  “Were you seeing someone else?”

  “No.” Sarah sounded almost…offended?

  “Was he?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “So, what was the problem? It sounds like you were already exclusive.”

  “Unofficially, maybe. But once you make it official, there are expectations. And expectations lead to disappointment. Those are the things that get you hurt.”

  “Sarah—”

  “Rach, I really don’t want to talk about this. It just wasn’t meant to last. Nothing good ever lasts.”

  “Gee, that’s comforting, as I’m in the process of moving in with one of my best friends-turned-boyfriend.”

  “I meant for me, not you. You and Anthony were made for each other.”

  “And why do you think you’re so special that the same rules don’t apply to you?” I crossed my arms and gave her a challenging stare.

  “Love…that everlasting, lifelong love, like in the movies? It’s just not in the cards for me.”

  “Sarah, I know that Matt—”

  “Don’t say his name. I don’t want to ever hear that name again.”

  “I know that you were hurt before, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find love again. That was freshman year. You can’t keep yourself closed up like this forever. One day that’s not going to be enough.”

  “Okay, I’ll give it some thought, but for now, can we just change the subject, please?”

  “Yeah, sure.” I offered her a sympathetic smile and we went back to packing.

  After four trips to my closet and another box packed, my clothes were ready to go. Once my bedroom was finished, I moved on to my office space while Sarah packed up my bathroom.

  “Hey, Rach, get in here,” Sarah called.

  I left the stack of papers I’d been sifting through and hurried into the bathroom. Sarah was crouched down in front of my favorite painting, which had been hanging above my tub and was now sitting on the floor. Her back was to me and she blocked most of the picture.

  “What’s up?”

  “What the hell is this?” Sarah turned toward me and pointed to a small hole in the canvas. I’d never noticed it when it was hanging up.

  I moved closer to examine the damage. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d come home after a hard day at the office and soaked in the tub while letting the tropical image take my mind to that relaxing spot on the beach.

  I ran my fingertips over the flaw that was hidden within the leaves of a palm tree. There was a perfectly round hole, smaller than a BB.

  “That’s odd. I wonder if it goes all the way through.”

  I turned the painting around to examine the back. Secured to the back of the canvas frame was a thin black box, along with a couple of wires.

  “What the—?”

  “What the hell is that?” Sarah interrupted from over my shoulder.

  I held a finger to my lips to silence her then leaned the art against the counter and called Anthony.

  “Hey, Rach, I just dropped Belle off and I’m on my way now.”

  “Good,” I said as I pulled my friend into the bedroom with me. “Sarah and I are here packing and we found something I think you need to look at.”

  “What is it? I know that tone. What’s wrong?”

  I lowered my voice and said, “We found a little black box with some wires behind a painting in my bathroom.”

  Silence.

  “Anthony?”

  “Stay out of the bathroom and wait for me.” His commanding, all-business tone gave no room for debate. I led Sarah into the living room. Ten minutes later, Anthony was at my door.

  “Where is it?” He barged in the minute I got the door open.

  “It’s this way.” I led him into the bathroom. The way he was acting made me more nervous than I had been before.

  He went into the bathroom while Sarah and I stood at the door, looking over his shoulder. Anthony crouched down and silently studied the box. After what felt like a lifetime, he stepped away, pulled out his phone and made a call.

  “Hey, connect me with Jeffreys from tech. Thanks… Carl, hey, I got a bug at my location. Yeah…thanks.” Anthony turned to look at me and whispered, “Have you had any strangers come into your apartment since it was trashed?”

  “No, uh…not that I can think of. I’ve been staying with you, so the apartment has just been sitting.”

  Anthony nodded and opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but stopped and turned his attention back to the phone call. “I’m here… Yeah. About fifteen minutes ago… That’s what I’m thinking too… We’ll be here. Thanks.” He hung up and pocketed the phone.

  “It’s a bug?”

  “Yeah, but it doesn’t appear to be transmitting anymore.”

  “That’s it? There’s nothing you can do?” It wasn’t like Anthony to give up so easily.

  “If it’s off, it’s off. I can’t make them turn the transmission back on. You didn’t get a whole lot of packing done while I was gone, did you?” Anthony surveyed the room.

  “We got my bedroom pretty much packed—and the bathroom.” Why is he ignoring the more important topic of the bug?

  “Okay, we need to get the kitchen packed. You two come down to the truck and help me carry some o
f the packing supplies back up so we can get this done faster. I’m ready to get you out of here.”

  “What about the bug? Do you think it was Ian?” I was getting more and more frustrated with him for dismissing it so easily. I didn’t have time to ask more questions before he ushered me toward the door.

  He led us in silence down to his truck, and once we were all busy gathering the packing supplies, he spoke quietly. “Where there’s one bug, there’s usually more. They shut off the transmission of one, but there could be others still operating. I didn’t want them to think we suspected anything so they wouldn’t shut them off if they were still listening.”

  “Oh, thank God.” I sighed with relief. “For a minute I thought you’d given up.”

  Anthony gave me an incredulous look. “Carl is sending over a team dressed as movers to scan the apartment for more. It’s a perfect cover in case they’re watching and not just listening.”

  “It’s so creepy to think that someone had a camera in the bathroom.” Sarah shivered.

  My jaw dropped and I looked at Sarah. “I didn’t even think about all they must have seen.”

  “They couldn’t have seen much.” Anthony handed me a bag of packing tape and bubble wrap to carry. “I had the apartment swept for bugs after that break-in when you were taken. They would have had to have put it in there after that, and you haven’t been there much since then.”

  “That’s a relief, at least,” I said before Anthony led us back to the elevator.

  “Don’t mention anything else about the bugs and don’t say anything you wouldn’t want these people to know. But…act natural. We are packing for you to move. Don’t give locations or details. Talk about casual stuff only. Sarah, when we get in there, I want you to decide to turn on some music for us to pack to. Turn it up loud.”

  “Got it.” Sarah nodded and we stepped off the elevator.

  We re-entered the apartment and laid out all the supplies in the living room. Anthony clasped his hands together and surveyed the room. “Okay, let’s get this packing done.”