Knox Brotherhood

by Knox, Elizabeth

  I wanted more than what he gave me this morning. I craved it. Mind blowing couldn’t even describe the sex we had last night; it was phenomenal, life changing, even.

  “Miss.” The bartender slid my martini to me, I took a sip, then turned around to face Logan, my eyes beginning to cloud with lust.

  Only, it wasn’t Logan. It was Bryce. Why was he here? I know Alfred wouldn’t invite him. He knew about our past together. All the feelings of lust quickly diminished to disgust.

  “What the fuck?” I snapped, “Get off of me.”

  “You didn’t seem to mind it a second ago.”

  “I thought you were someone else, now get the fuck off of me, Bryce,” I growled, pushing at his chest.

  He smiled, a fully evil grin. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a bag of coke. I slapped him, hard, swift, and fast, on his face.

  “Don’t ever come near me again.” I started to walk away when he pulled on my arms, squeezing them so tightly I thought a blood pressure cuff was on.

  “Bryce, stop. You’re hurting me.”

  “You ungrateful little bitch.” His grip on me tightened, causing me to drop my drink, a few people turned, observing what he was doing. Making a scene at such a public event would definitely get people interested, even if they didn’t bother to step in and help me. Assholes.

  “Let me go,” I hissed, wanting others around us to hear it. I took a good look at his face. The purple and blue around his nose was covered really well by makeup.

  “Looks like Logan got you good last night. I wish I could say I’m shocked by your stupidity, but that’s not true. I mean, seriously. Coming to my father’s event, grabbing me?”

  “You’re mine, B. I can take you whenever I want.” The audacity of this man makes my blood boil.

  “I haven’t been yours for over 9 months.” I glanced around, letting that last bit process through his small brain. I was looking, for Alfred, Logan, Seb, anyone. I spotted Seb, standing about two hundred feet away talking to Alfred. I prayed, prayed to God that he would turn and see me like this.

  The movement was so fast I didn’t even see it, I didn’t realize what happened until Bryce was on the floor, gasping for air. Logan had throat punched him, and then went at his face a few times. I saw him get close to Bryce, whispering something in his ear. Bryce rose and walked out of the hotel, much like he had done the night before, with his hands raised in surrender. Logan came to me, taking my arms in his.

  “Are you okay?” I sagged against him, feeling both mentally and physically exhausted.

  “I am now, thank you.” He was my knight in shining armor. I can’t believe I even just thought that. I’m not a girl who clings to men, or even falls for them – but something about the man before me calls to me like a beacon.

  “What is it with that guy?” he hissed, moving my arm, scanning for bruising.

  “He can’t take a hint.” Logan chuckled at my response, still focused on my arms.

  “You’ve saved me two nights in a row now.” Logan nodded, his hand turning my arm around, checking the top. I positioned my hand on his shoulder, my other sliding up his chest, feeling every inch of his perfectly sculpted greatness. I couldn’t help myself, I yanked down on his tie, pulling him closer to me, crushing my lips onto his and interlocking my arms around his neck.

  I really needed this. He nipped at my bottom lip, sucking it in his mouth, sliding his tongue into my mouth, dancing with mine.

  I heard a loud cough close to us and pulled away. Alfred was to my left, staring at both of us. “I caught wind that someone was giving you some trouble.”

  He stared up and down at Logan “Bryce was here, Logan uh, took care of the problem.”

  “Hmmm. Doesn’t look like that’s all he’s taking care of.” Alfred shot me a concerning look. “When did this,” he gestured between the both of us, “happen?”

  “Um, we’ve known each other for a bit.” I didn’t need to give him an amount of time, or to feel super judged by my father that I was kissing a man I haven’t known for a day.

  “You mean for an hour?” he whisper-snapped,

  “No, longer than that, Alfred.”

  I didn’t need him getting angry at me after the altercation I’d just had. “How is it any of your business?” Logan asked, straightening himself. Alfred almost turned red. He was the mix of pink and white.

  “You have your tongue shoved down my daughter’s throat; it is my business.”

  Logan diverted his attention back to me, smirking, shaking his head. “Daughter? You left something out, precious.”

  “It’s not any of your business. I can kiss, sleep with, and date whoever I want.” Alfred directed his gaze from Logan to me. I almost regretted saying it, but at the same time, I didn’t. He didn’t get to play the part of the overprotective father, not when he’d just let the events only a few minutes prior fade into the background.

  “I’m trying to have a solid relationship with you. Don’t give me a reason to stop trying. You don’t get to suddenly become overprotective of me. It doesn’t work that way.” I sucked in a deep breath after I said it. “Why was Bryce here anyway?”

  “I invited his parents; I assume he must have come with them.”

  “Why would you even think to invite them?”

  I really couldn’t even begin to fathom what must’ve been going through his mind when he sent the invitations. “It would be rude not to. I do business with Jackson all the time.”

  I rolled my eyes at his response. “Seriously? I can’t fucking believe you right now.”

  He knew all about what Bryce had pressured on me. Our relationship used to be perfect, or almost perfect, that is. We were young, in love, the annoying kind of love you see in the Nicholas Sparks movies. We were disgustingly in love, and then he was drafted for the Atlanta Falcons, and everything changed. He changed.

  We went to red carpet events, on luxurious vacations, and so much more. But with that type of instant fame comes inner struggle. Bryce coped with his struggles by using cocaine, but it wasn’t enough that he was on it alone. He brought me into it too. Alfred knew all of this. He was my father, and yet he invited Bryce’s family.

  We had an ugly breakup, I didn’t speak about it publicly to anyone. Bryce on the other hand, he told all media outlets that I’d slept around on him, to make sure what should’ve been blamed on him was completely put on my shoulders- to make sure that I looked like the villain. It was horrendous, and to me, my father should be on my side, not thinking about business and what’s best for his pocket.

  CHAPTER 7

  Logan

  I hadn’t seen her in over two weeks, but it wasn’t because I wasn’t interested. I was. That woman made me feel things that I hadn’t felt in years. She did that to me. When I was with her, I was not the prestigious ‘Logan Steele’, I was just Logan, just this normal man. We’d been texting and having phone calls, but it wasn’t enough. I needed to see her in person, to hold her again.

  I had to lie to her. Or maybe I didn’t have to, maybe I chose to, either way it was something that needed to be done. For the last week I’ve been flying around the country making sure that my clientele hasn’t been spooked by the recent run in with the DEA. Some were reluctant to continue our business relationship, but after slowly nurturing and coaxing them – I can honestly say that things are good. After I met with clients I made my way up to Tennessee to make sure that a shipment was hand delivered to a dear friend of mine, Ollie, otherwise known as Seamus, who is the enforcer of the Skulls Renegade MC. It was our first transport since the DEA intercepted our last one, everything went smoothly, and we were undetected.

  I was just happy to be home. I told Brook I wouldn’t be back in until this evening, but I just couldn’t stay away – I’d even told myself I’d stay back from the office and just relax for a bit but when you know the woman you want to see is going to be in your building, walking around, working; the woman you’ve been s
tarved from for the past two weeks – I’d be damned if I didn’t see her.

  The night of the charity event for the Ellis Harper Foundation was great. It was a surprise when I saw her there. Her blonde hair had been bouncing over her shoulders in soft waves, in that sexy pink dress…if that’s what you called it. I took the first opportunity to rip it off her once we got back to my place.

  That night was amazing. It wasn’t just the sex; it was the fact that I’d been doing it all with her. I hadn’t felt that way in years because a woman couldn’t do that to me. Not even my ex-wife had.

  The walk-through Steele Enterprises made me feel sick. It was my birthright, and I’d understood that. If I could have had the choice, I would have been on a beach in the Caribbean, or maybe Hawaii. I wouldn't have been dealing with all these people, having to fix their problems. I didn’t ask for all this responsibility, yet it was mine. When my father died, and his lawyer read out the will regarding his businesses, their stocks, and how he wanted them run, I was furious.

  He knew I didn’t want this. He could’ve split them up between my brothers and I, but he didn’t, he gifted all of the responsibility to me. I didn’t approve of most of his business ventures, but since I took over, I’d been trying to make most of it clean, minimizing the illegal activity.

  Six years of running Steele Enterprises and I was still not even a little bit close.

  My father had dabbled in everything. At a point in his life, he was one of the most notorious crime lords in North America. We had dealings in the sex and drug trade, and of course, in illegal arms. I’d abolished our involvement in the sex and drug trade completely, but there was a way to make the arms trade work for us. I knew who we sold to, that it wasn’t always for aid workers or countries trying to enhance their militia’s armories. I knew we sold to criminals, to the mobs, mafias, cartels, and gangs. But I found a way around it being completely illegal, I found a shortcut, and while I was increasing Steele Enterprises’ involvement in legitimate businesses like Brooklyn’s makeup line, I also had to keep the cash flow from our gunrunning coming in.

  If I completely went out of the business, I’d be a dead man, I’d be a pretty stupid man to not realize that. Change is inevitable, but the mob bosses and crime lords don’t like change. The change of their routine, the change of having to trust someone else, hell, sometimes they don’t even like their wife changing her hair color.

  “Mr. Steele, you have a visitor.” One of my assistants spoke, but I wasn’t sure who. I didn’t really pay attention to them unless it was Esme.

  “Who is it?” I looked to the short brunette who was speaking to me.

  “I’m not sure, Esme knows. She said you wouldn’t be happy…” You would assume with how much I paid them they would at least take down a name, instead of not knowing. Some criminal could be asking to see me, and they’d just let them right on inside.

  “Where’s Esme?” The girl pointed to my office.

  “She’s with your uh, visitor…” I nodded, walking straight past her and into my office. Esme was sitting on the couch, and Tara was walking around my office.

  My ex-wife, Tara.

  “Why are you here?” She turned around, facing me as I asked. Tara was nothing but trouble. I couldn’t even think of a good reason of why I married her. She’d always been completely terrible. Maybe I thought I was in love with her. I was thirty-two, she was my girlfriend of two years, it felt like the right thing to do. It was what I had been taught to do all along. It lasted for only three years, and here she was, standing in my office. We had no children. Our marriage had consisted of our partnership, until the day she decided that she wanted out.

  I didn’t blame her for it, I never did. I would have wanted out too. But that didn’t mean I wanted to see her in my office now. It was over, and there was no need to rehash anything we went through.

  “Tara, why are you here?” Her deep brown eyes met mine as she walked towards me, I clenched my fists together and stood my ground.

  “I’m so sorry. I want you back. I made a huge mistake. I love you, Logan.” Her hands came towards me, and I lowered them back down to her sides. I wanted nothing to do with her. You can’t forgive someone when they betray you, and Tara, she did that. She slept around on me, which had hurt enough, but the worst part was her affecting my business dealings. I could forgive her for one, but not for the other.

  “Get. Out.” I was firm as her hands came back up towards me, and I pressed them against her sides once more.

  “Lo’, Please hear me out.” I knew she was trying to use the nickname in order to get in my head, but I wouldn't let her.

  “No. Get out of my office, and don’t come back.”

  “Logan-”

  “Get the fuck out, Tara. I’ve moved on. I’m in a relationship. I’m happy. Just leave.” Her face went white. I don’t think she thought that I might have moved on. It was the first time I’d admitted to anyone but myself that I was taken.

  Brooklyn and I hadn’t discussed our relationship specifically, but she was mine, and I was hers.

  Esme pressed her hand to Tara’s back, escorting her out of my office. I shut the door as they left, then buried myself in work for the next few hours until Brooklyn came into the office to start out her work for the day.

  My phone beeped, I turned to it, Brooklyn had texted me.

  From: Brooklyn

  Can’t wait for you to come home later. XO. ;)

  I would mess with her a bit; she didn’t know I had caught an earlier flight and was currently in the office.

  To: Brooklyn

  See you later, precious.

  Esme popped into my office, I was so glad to see her face instead of the other nameless woman. “She’s here, security just cleared her.”

  “Thanks Esme, let me know when she’s on the floor.” She nodded, exiting my office. I drowned myself through paperwork until she was on the floor. Her laugh was one of those that would always echo through the whole floor, and Esme opened the door, letting me know that Brook was up there. I instructed her to send Brook back, to distract her.

  I dug through some more paperwork regarding Brooklyn’s beauty line. So far, we’d made a bit of progress. She had a campaign this week where she’d received pre-approval to use her products, which would help us tremendously, especially when it came to boosting sales.

  She laughed as she opened my door talking to Esme, “What are we doing--”

  “Hello, Beautiful.” I smirked at her, her gaze meeting mine. I walked to the doorway as she approached me.

  Esme shut the door, grinning from ear to ear. “You, Mister, you told me you wouldn’t be back until tonight.” She punched me in the shoulder, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  I slid mine down around her waist, “This was a good surprise though, mmm,” her forehead lay against my chest, and I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

  “I can’t believe you let me think you weren’t in town!” Her eyes met mine, her smile causing me to do the same. Brooklyn was infectious, she was the type of woman that would light up the whole room when she stepped inside.

  “I missed you,” she sighed as she said it, almost worried about my response.

  “I missed you too. Next time, you’re coming with me.” It came out of my mouth before I could even think about that statement. I would never bring Brooklyn on a business trip like that with me. Over my dead body would my precious little thing ever be in harm’s way.

  “You’re absolutely crazy,” she giggled. I cupped her jaw with my hand, running my thumb across her skin.

  “Only for you.” My hand slid up her back, holding the back of her neck. I moved closer, wanting her to see what she did to me as I pressed my erection into her thigh.

  “Ugh, two weeks without you was two weeks way too long,” she groaned. I agreed, meeting my lips with hers, tugging on her bottom lip with my teeth. Her hands moved from my neck to the front of my shirt, slowly unbuttoning it, until she slid it off, throwing it o
n the floor.

  My office door swung open. It slammed against the wall, the noise yanking Brooklyn away from our kiss. I craved her lips back on mine as soon as they pulled away. I grabbed my shirt, sliding it back on as Tara approached me. I told the bitch to leave and she didn’t. That pissed me off.

  “Is this bimbo your girlfriend?” she hissed, throwing her hands up in the air, motioning toward Brooklyn. “She looks like a plastic Barbie, I wonder if any of that is even real?!”

  “I told you to leave.” I was firm in my voice. I didn’t want her here. How had she even gotten back into my office? Tara had no reason to be here, I should’ve assumed she would try to get back in. She was a relentless woman. I buttoned my shirt back up as Tara continued to speak.

  “Our conversation wasn’t over.”

  “It was, Tara, now get the fuck out.” After I spoke, I turned to Brooklyn, her pale complexion worsened almost as pale as a sheet.

  “Who is she?” she whispered, trying to not let Tara hear the straining in her voice.

  “I’m his wife.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Brooklyn

  Wife.

  Logan has a wife. Oh my God, what have I done? I’m the other woman…I’m the mistress I never wanted to let myself become…

  “Ex-Wife,” Logan corrected her. His hand met my hip, trying to comfort me. “We’re divorced.” I wondered if he was lying…he could be lying, but why would he try to lie to me?

  “Ex-Wife,” I repeated, losing myself in my thoughts. This woman didn’t seem like much of an ex. I glanced over to her. She embodied everything that I wasn’t. She was the polar opposite of me. Where I was pale and blonde, she was dark haired with bronze skin.

  “What does she have that I don’t?” the woman screeched.

  “My trust.” I felt incredibly awkward being stuck in this situation between the two of them. There weren’t any red flags when we had started this…whatever the hell it currently was two weeks ago, but now, now there were red flags, and many of them.