Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

K nox

The minute I step into Perry's flower shop the next morning, the scent of destruction fills the air instead of her usual sweet blooms. Glass crunches under my boots as I take in the damage, the overturned vases, shredded arrangements, and the mess of petals scattered across the floor. The place looks like a tornado ripped through it, but I know damn well it wasn't an accident.

Perry stands frozen in the middle of it all, her face pale, her eyes wide with shock. She looks so fragile, so lost, that something inside me snaps. My blood boils, anger simmering in my gut as I see her like this—so damn vulnerable.

"Perry…" Her name leaves my mouth before I can think, low and rough. I cross the room in a few quick strides, pulling her into my arms before she can protest. She doesn't resist, just melts against me, her body trembling with the weight of what's happened. Her fingers clutch at my shirt, and I feel the dampness of her tears soaking through the fabric.

"I—" Her voice wobbles as she tries to explain, but I don't need her to say anything. I can see the fear in her eyes, the way her hands shake, and I know who's responsible for this.

Her ex.

I feel my fists clench, the muscles in my arms tightening as the anger surges higher, threatening to spill over. No one messes with her. Not on my watch.

"I'll make him pay for this, Petal," I growl, the words coming out like a promise—a dark, deadly one. "I won't let him hurt you ever again."

She pulls back slightly, looking up at me with those big, watery eyes. "Knox, no. I can't ask you to get involved." Her voice is soft, pleading. "He's dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

Her concern hits me square in the chest, but it only fuels my determination. I've seen dangerous before. Hell, I've been dangerous. This guy? He's nothing I can't handle. I tighten my hold on her, cupping her face with one hand, forcing her to look at me.

"This isn't your fault, Perry. And you don't have to ask me for anything." My voice lowers, full of the promise I'm about to make. "This ends now."

Her breath catches in her throat as she stares at me, her lips trembling like she wants to say something more, but I don't give her the chance. I press a quick, hard kiss to her forehead before pulling away, my mind already spinning with thoughts of what I need to do.

"Wait—Knox, please don't—" she starts, but I shake my head.

"Stay here. I'll handle it."

Without another word, I turn and storm out of the shop, the fury burning in my veins like fire. My steps are quick, determined, and the only thing I can focus on is finding the bastard who did this to her.

I track him down easily. Small town like this, people talk, and I know exactly where to find him—slimy piece of shit that he is. He's been hanging around the edge of town, lurking in the shadows at a roadside motel, waiting for a chance to strike.

When I see him, standing outside one of the bars at the edge of town with a smug grin on his face, something inside me snaps. I don't even think, just move. I'm on him before he can react, shoving him hard against the wall, my hand fisting in his shirt.

He barely has time to register what's happening before I slam him again, hard enough that I hear the air leave his lungs in a rush. His eyes widen, but he's still cocky, that same smug look on his face that makes me want to tear him apart.

"You come near her again," I growl, my voice low and dangerous, "and I'll make sure you never walk away."

His lips curl into a sneer, and he has the nerve to laugh. "What's the matter, big guy? Little flower girl got herself a bodyguard now?"

I slam him against the wall again, harder this time, and the sound of his skull hitting the brick makes a satisfying thud. His smirk falters, his eyes narrowing, but I don't back down. I lean in close, my grip tightening, and I let every ounce of my fury seep into my voice.

"You don't know who you're messing with," I hiss. "But you're about to find out."

The sneer slips from his face, replaced by a flicker of fear. He knows. He can feel it in the air between us—the threat that lingers in every word I've said. He tries to laugh it off, but it's weak, hollow.

"Just… just having a little fun, man. No need to get all worked up."

Fun. He thinks tormenting Perry is fun.

I slam him one last time, then let go, stepping back just enough to give him space to scramble away. "Stay the hell away from her, or you'll regret it."

He glares at me, rubbing the back of his head where I'd slammed him against the brick, but he doesn't say anything. He's not stupid enough to test me again—not today. He spits on the ground, mutters something under his breath, and slinks off into the night.

I stand there for a moment, letting the adrenaline pulse through me, trying to shake off the anger that's still burning hot in my chest. My mind flashes back to Perry, to the way she looked when I walked into that shop—so damn fragile and broken. I can't let that happen again. I won't.

With one last glance in the direction the asshole disappeared, I turn on my heel and head back to the cabin. To Perry.

When I get there, she's pacing the living room, her face etched with worry. The second I step inside, she's on me, her arms wrapping around my waist, her face buried in my chest. She doesn't say anything at first, just holds me like she's afraid I might disappear.

"You didn't have to do that," she whispers after a long moment, her voice shaky but soft. "But I'm glad you did. I don't know what I would've done without you."

My throat tightens at her words, but I can't let her see how much they affect me. I need to stay strong, stay in control, for both our sakes. I pull her closer, my hand resting on the small of her back as I murmur into her hair, "You don't have to worry about him anymore. He's done."

She pulls back just enough to look up at me, her eyes searching mine, and I can see the gratitude there, the relief. But there's something else, too—something deeper, something that makes my heart twist in my chest.

And that's the problem. I've fallen too hard, too fast. My feelings for her are raw, intense, and they scare the hell out of me. I don't know how to handle it, how to let myself care this much without risking everything.

I kiss her forehead again, softer this time, and step back. "Get some rest. You've been through enough for one day."

She watches me, her brow furrowing as if she senses the shift in me. I'm pulling back, I know I am, but I can't stop it. I need to protect her, but I also need to protect myself.

As she heads to bed, I stay behind, staring out the window at the dark mountain landscape. The fear creeps in—the fear of losing her, of not being able to protect her, of falling too deep and drowning in it.

I don't know how to do this. But I know one thing for certain: I'm in too deep to turn back now.