by Erin Trejo
“No. This is more important. Bella needs this. Besides, we have guys set up all around. He isn’t that stupid,” I remind him. At least I hope he isn’t. Steele nods and pulls me into a hug before turning and heading back to the tree. I turn to find Liz staring at me so intently that it makes me wonder what’s running through that head of hers. Strolling toward her, I reach around and pull her hoodie up over her head, tucking her hair in while she keeps her eyes on me.
“What if he snaps?” she asks softly.
“What if I snap?” I ask in return as I finish tucking her hair back.
“I mean it, Knox.”
“Me too, Liz. I don’t know what else you need from me. I know I’m not the perfect man. I know I fuck things up basically on a daily basis, but I don’t know what else I can give you. You have taken everything, every single part of me is resting in your hands.” Her eyes fill with tears which isn’t what I was going for this time. I just need her to understand that I don’t have anything else to offer her. She has taken it all.
“I want you to have my heart.”
“What?”
“I want you to have my heart, Knox.”
“Then give it to me, Liz.”
24
Liz
I fidget with my hands as we sit in the booth waiting on Jeremy. Knox keeps checking his phone and to be honest, that’s making me nervous. My knee bounces under the table and before I can think, his hand clamps around it. I glance over and see the look in his eyes. It’s ready for a war. I’m not so sure that I am.
“Stop,” he warns me.
“I’m trying.”
“He isn’t touching you,” he growls. I know he won’t. I know Knox won’t let him hurt me but that isn’t the point. Jeremy killed our mother for money. He’s chased me across the country to get what he wants from me and now I’m about to come face-to-face with him. When I first met Knox, I thought he was a monster but nothing compares to Jeremy. I hear the jingle of the bell over the door as someone comes inside. I know it’s him. There’s a bad energy running through the room as Knox keeps his hand tightly wrapped around my knee. Each flex of his fingers has me sucking in another breath.
“I wasn’t aware that this was a group discussion,” Jeremy says, his voice slipping over me like ice. He drops into the seat across from us as I keep my head down.
“I wasn’t aware I needed your goddamn permission to bring someone with me,” Knox says, his tone low and full of hatred. Jeremy chuckles as I slowly raise my head to look at him. His eyes meet mine and the air is sucked from my lungs.
“You brought her along,” he says, a smirk curling his lips.
“There’s been a change in plans.”
“What kind of change? Decided you didn’t want her after all?” Jeremy asks, his voice dripping with controlled rage.
“No. I’m keeping her, that much you can be sure of.” Knox’s fingers flex on my knee almost to the point of pain. I swallow hard as Jeremy shifts in his seat.
“Spit it out, Knox. What the hell is she doing here? Signing the papers?”
“You bring them?” Knox asks. Jeremy smiles and pulls some paperwork out of his jacket pocket, setting it on the table in front of us. Knox’s hand leaves my knee and moves to pick up the papers. He flips through them before pulling a pen from his own pocket. My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I wait to see what’s about to happen.
“Sign it,” Knox says, holding the pen out to me. I raise my shaky hand and reach for the pen as I stare down at the paper. When I don’t move, Knox snaps. “I said sign it!” he roars. I jolt and bring the pen to the paper, signing my name quickly. Jeremy laughs across the table as he reaches up and slides the papers back toward him.
“Wasn’t that easy? This could have ended a long time ago, Liz.” Slowly, I drag my gaze to meet his and appraise him. The evil that I see in him now is a stark contrast to what I used to see. The more I learned about what he had done and why, I realized that evil was in there the whole time. I just wasn’t privy to see it at the time. I was a pawn in his sick game. He was going to use me to his advantage and that almost worked. I raise my arms and rest my elbows on the table in front of me as I lean forward.
“You make me sick. You used me. You used her. She was all I had left and you took that away from me,” I say through a soft sob.
“She was a drug addict.”
“That you forced onto her. That wasn’t her, she wasn’t like that before.”
“What difference does it make now? She’s dead,” he says with a chuckle. I nearly leap over the table, grabbing the front of his shirt on my way to his neck. He doesn’t really respond but Knox does. He grabs me and jerks me back into my spot next to him.
“Enough!” he roars loudly.
“Get your toy under control, Knox.” Jeremy adjusts his shirt then he folds the papers and slides them back into his pocket. Then it’s Knox’s turn. He leans forward, mimicking the way I was sitting with his arms on the table.
“My toy? No, she’s more than that, Jeremy. I’m only going to say this once and hope to God that you get what I’m saying. She. Is. Mine. You come anywhere near her after this and I will kill you. I will take joy in ripping your beating heart out.” Jeremy chuckles but I can tell by the tone in Knox’s voice that he isn’t joking around.
“Are you threatening me over her?” Jeremy leans in just like Knox is.
“Threatening? I don’t threaten anyone and I think you are very well aware of that. If you so much as look her direction after today, I will kill you.” Jeremy leans back in his seat and glances between the two of us as if he’s bored and can’t figure something out.
“What made you give a shit about her?”
“Everything. Liz, let’s go,” he says, ushering me out of my seat. I climb up quickly and he moves behind me. It’s only seconds when Jeremy speaks again.
“Maybe I changed my mind.” Knox’s hands clench at his sides and whatever is about to happen isn’t going to end well. He turns slowly to face Jeremy as he stands from his seat now as well.
“About?”
“Her. Maybe it isn’t in my best interests to let her live.” His words fuel the fear inside of me. I’ve run too much, have run too far for this to be it. He can’t do this. I slowly peer up at Knox to see his nostrils flaring, his eyes narrowed. The muscles in his neck are corded tightly, his jaw tics.
“You want to know what’s in your best interests? To walk out that door and never let me see your face around here again.” His words hold power and authority but judging by the look on Jeremy’s face, he doesn’t give a shit.
“I’ll let you play house for now, but that doesn’t mean this is over,” Jeremy adds. Knox steps toward him but I grab his hand in mine and tug him back.
“He’s not worth it,” I remind him. Knox isn’t hearing it though. He’s pissed.
“I warned you once. I won’t tell you again after this. Come near her and you die. There is no other way around that.” With that, Knox turns and drops my hand, pressing his to my back as he leads me out of the restaurant. He glances around, nodding at the men that linger nearby before ushering me into the truck. I climb in quickly and buckle as soon as I’m in. Knox walks around, keeping his eyes on the restaurant before he climbs in and slams the door. In seconds, his fists are balled up and he slams them into the steering wheel as he roars.
“This is bullshit!”
“I’m not scared of him, Knox.”
“Fuck!”
“Knox?” I reach over and rest my hand on his arm, feeling his heat spiral through me. He slowly turns his head to glare at me, and I’ve never in my life seen this kind of anger in another person.
“You’re mine, Liz.”
“I know that, but if he comes after me, I will not put your family in danger,” I remind him. I won’t do it to them. They all mean too much to me at this point.
“That isn’t your choice.” His eyes are lost, feral.
“It is my choice,” I remind him
. His eyes narrow, nostrils flaring further as he leans across the seat. Each breath he takes is heavier than the last.
“You have no choices now, Liz. I call the goddamn shots. Don’t. Test. Me.”
25
Knox
It’s Christmas Eve. A day that we should all be celebrating and smiling. Except I’m not. I sit in the chair, my legs spread wide with a bottle of whiskey in my hand. Everything is weighing on me. Jeremy. The fact that Liz thinks she has a say in how this all goes down. It makes me sick to think about him going anywhere near her.
“Are you going to be an ass all night?” Whisper asks, dropping onto my knee.
“I’m not.”
“You are. You’re sulking and acting like a baby and honestly, it’s pretty damn annoying,” she says. I raise my head and peer up at her, wondering if she’s joking with me right now. She’s not. There is no smile on her face.
“Acting like a baby? Really? Care to explain that?” She shakes her head, pushing her hair over her shoulder.
“Poor little Knox didn’t get his own way. What’s wrong? You can’t force her to do what you want? You guys didn’t seem to have a problem fighting me so why aren’t you fighting her?” she asks, eyebrows raised.
“You think I’m not fighting her?” She shakes her head. “She knows the deal, Whisper. I fucking dare her to step out of line on this.” Acid eats at my insides as I think about her going against what I say. The meeting with Jeremy was only a week ago but it feels like forever. It feels like I should be out there hunting this little bastard.
“You dare me?” Pulling my gaze to meet Liz’s, I smirk.
“You heard that right. This is my show now, Liz. You have no say in how this goes down,” I remind her smoothly.
“Is that what you think? I never asked you to take over for me, Knox. I can handle this on my own.” Now, I shove Whisper off my lap and stand from my chair. Taking a long pull from the whiskey bottle, I set it on the table and stalk toward her.
“By running?” I ask, cocking my head to the side as I wait for her answer.
“We were supposed to be having a good time tonight,” Steele growls as he comes into the room.
“We’re having a great time, aren’t we Liz?” She narrows her eyes at me and I can’t help but smile. This girl pushes my goddamn buttons and I think I like it a little more than I should.
“Then why is she pissed?” Steele asks, stepping up next to her. His arm comes out, wrapping around her shoulders and pulling her closer. A growl lodges in my throat. I don’t care that he’s my brother, I don’t want him touching her anymore. That was a one and done.
“She isn’t.”
“Like hell I’m not! You don’t run my life, Knox.” Now I step into her space, closing the distance between us.
“If I say you stay back, it’s for your own good, Liz.” My tone has softened but that lump in my chest is still there. She makes it hard to breathe, hard to think.
“He’s not wrong,” Steele says, backing away from her.
“Do I look like some kind of baby to you two?” she squeals and looks between us.
“Not at all, but you also don’t realize what you’re up against. Your brother shot and killed your mom while you watched, Liz. What the hell do you think he’ll do to you?” I watch the fire in her eyes slowly fade as reality hits her. She knows what he can do. She saw it.
“I don’t like the idea of being around here when the time comes,” she admits and I understand. Grabbing her face in my hands, I force her to look at me, in the eye.
“I get it. I do, but guess what? The ones that are going to protect you are all in this room, Liz. The ones that will have your back are standing behind you right now. Me. I’m right here in front of you, Liz.” Her tongue sweeps out over her lips as I watch her, waiting for an answer. I want to see anything, something that resembles understanding in her. So when she slowly begins nodding her head, I smile.
“Okay, but—”
“No. No buts. Just okay. We’re going to go out to Intensity tonight, then tomorrow we are going to watch Bella have an amazing Christmas. After that, we’ll talk about the other shit with Jeremy. I think this family needs a little normalcy for a short time,” I tell her. She nods her head and I lean down and capture her lips with mine. Each brush of our lips sends a sizzle down my spine. Each time I touch this girl, my brain fogs up.
“Mommy?” I pull away when I hear Bella come into the room. We all turn to look at her.
“Yeah?”
“Is Santa coming?” God, I didn’t know having a niece could make me feel so much. I love that little girl.
“He is but you have to be a good girl and go to sleep,” Shane tells her. Bella smiles and hugs her mom before making her way around the room. When she gets to me, I lift her into my arms as she hugs my neck.
“Uncle Knox?”
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever!”
“Why is that?”
“I think Santa is going to bring me a puppy.” I chuckle and press a kiss to her cheek before saying, “Is that what you told him?” She nods her head rapidly before wiggling to free herself of my hold. I set her on her feet once more and watch her take off for the stairs. The babysitter is already here and up there waiting for her.
“We ready?” Steele asks. Whisper heads for the door and we all follow.
“What did she say?”
“She said Santa is bringing her a puppy,” I tell Liz. Her mouth falls open, and she glances around quickly before pulling her gaze back to mine.
“I don’t think they are getting her a puppy,” she says.
“Maybe not but I know a guy,” I say with a wink.
“You aren’t going to ask them?”
“No. I don’t need permission to buy my niece a puppy,” I say. Liz giggles and it’s the best thing I’ve heard in days. Everyone piles into Steele’s truck, but I opt to take my own so that when we’re done, I can make a pit stop. Holding the door for Liz, she climbs in shaking her head.
“What?” I ask.
“You are the best uncle to that little girl.”
“She’s a good kid.”
“It’s not just that.”
“Then what is it?” I ask, leaning closer to her a little more.
“It’s you. You’re amazing.”
26
Liz
The music is perfect, the lighting dancing over the floor in Christmas green and red. There are decorations dangling from the ceiling. Everything is perfect. So why am I so worried? I know Jeremy is out there somewhere, it’s almost as if I can feel it. I can sense him somewhere.
“Stop overthinking and dance with me,” Knox hollers over the music. I smile up at him and wrap my arms around his neck. Ed Sheeran’s remix of Shape of You blasts through the speakers as Knox starts moving. The beat thumps in my chest as we dance. Everyone is having an amazing time. I see Steele and Whisper out of the corner of my eye, she’s laughing, her head thrown back. Shane and Callan are pulled in closely to each other. It makes me happy to see them all like this.
“Come on, Liz,” Knox whispers in my ear before biting the lobe. I moan as he pushes his body closer to mine. His hips move, rolling to the beat of the music as he keeps me close. Grabbing my hand, he spins me out before pulling me back into his hard chest before doing it again. I laugh this time as he smiles at me. My hips sway on their own, his hands landing directly on them. Sweat trickles down my temples as the heat in the room kicks up a notch. The louder the music goes; the closer Knox gets. It’s amazing to see the way this man moves, and it’s even better feeling his muscles shift and move under my palms. I’m lost in his gaze when Leddy comes over the speaker.
“We’re going to slow it down for the couples now! It is Christmas after all. Just this once!” I laugh as Berlin’s Take My Breath Away comes over the speakers. Knox chuckles and pulls me into his body as he moves us around the floor. Even with a slow song, his mo
ves make it sexy as hell. His hands stay around me, keeping me within his warm embrace. I rest my head on his chest listening to the rapid beating of his heart. I know that heart. It’s a heart that doesn’t stop when it wants something. It’s a heart that cares and loves. It’s a heart that I want to hold onto forever.
The night goes on with more dancing and fun. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Christmas Eve like this one. Knox leans down and kisses my neck before moving to my ear.
“You ready to go?”
“Where?” I ask over the music. He winks at me and I know what he’s doing. I smirk and shake my head before grabbing his hand in mine. He laughs as he leads me toward the door, stopping to tell the guys that we were leaving. Once we get outside everything changes. The man that was taking his time and dancing with me now has me pinned against the wall outside. The music still blasts through the walls but it’s him that I feel. His lips are on mine, kissing me like he’s a man starved. His hand knots in my hair, keeping my head where he wants me and I let him. I don’t care. I just want to feel all that Knox has to give. His soft lips dance with mine and everything is perfect. We’re both breathing heavily when he pulls back, resting his forehead against mine.
“You’re perfect. You know that right?” His words seep into my heart making it beat a little faster.
“Not even close,” I laugh.
“For me you are. Don’t ever change who you are, Liz.” My mouth opens and closes but what do I say to that? How do I respond? This man has given me everything that I never knew I needed. He’s made me feel things that I’ve kept locked away for a long time. Everything I wanted to keep hidden, Knox has torn out of me.
“I could say the same to you,” I whisper. He chuckles and presses his lips to mine one more time before grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the truck.
“You like when I’m an asshole?” he asks, smiling over his shoulder at me.
