Chapter Two

Knox

I was never supposed to reveal my presence to my family. It was something I'd agreed to when things went to shit with my last mission and I'd wanted out. Instead of giving me a new identity or some shit like that, I opted to be dead and let my father collect benefits on me. But with all the things that had happened recently, with our vice president keeping in touch with her family and insisting family was everything, I'd realized how much I'd missed mine. I knew it would be hard and that contacting him was a risk, but I had to see my father. Of all the people in my life, I knew he'd understand. And that was where I intended to leave my reunion. Only with my dad. What I wasn't prepared for was my brother's woman.

Sure, I'd seen her from afar as I'd scouted out the apartment where my dad lived. Watched as she took the kids to school. Picked them up. Took them to school functions and sporting activities. My dad usually went with her because Danny was never there. I'd actually thought Crush and Byte had been mistaken and Danny wasn't living in the same apartment. That was how rarely I'd seen him.

My nephew, Luke, was an avid football player, while Aneshya was more into music and dancing. From what I'd been able to piece together over the past six months, Evelyn was doing her level best to be a good mother. She had a job where she worked from home and, from what Crush had told me, she took care of every single bill the small family had. Danny took care of himself. I hadn't been that interested in learning about Danny. The two of us had never really gotten along, despite being raised in the same household. We couldn't be more different. Besides, it was Danny's spending and lavish lifestyle that had forced me into the special forces to begin with.

He'd managed to take out multiple loans on our parents' home and property he either couldn't or wouldn't pay back. Mom and Dad didn't have that kind of money and couldn't even meet the monthly interest payments. I'd tried, but no matter how much money I sent, Danny managed to end up with more than half of it. Which had led to a whole other chain of events which led me to being declared dead. My pension and death benefits were enough to pay off the lien, but I had no idea why Dad was living in the same apartment complex as Danny and Evelyn instead of his home. I knew Dad had moved out shortly after my mother had passed, so I'd made sure the guy he hired to keep up the property did so, and I took over paying him.

Once at the hospital, my dad corralled the kids, making sure they got signed in. Evelyn worried her bottom lip nervously. She didn't have her purse or wallet, so I was sure she didn't have her insurance card with her. If she even had any.

We got everyone checked in and into triage. The kids seemed to be doing far better once they'd gotten into the clear air, but I was worried about Evelyn. Her voice was husky and she still coughed a lot, though she didn't seem to be having as much trouble as before.

"I'm fine," she insisted after the nurse listened to her chest. "I really don't need to be seen. Just see the kids and Mr. -- uh" -- she glanced at my dad -- "that is, Grover and the kids. See to them."

The nurse gave her a look. "Honey, of the four of you, you need to be seen the worst. Your lungs sound awful, your oxygen is low, and your voice is hoarse."

"She'll be seen." There was no way I was letting her sit this one out.

She looked up at me. "I can't afford this," she hissed. "The kids? Yes. Me? I'll be fine."

"Yep," I agreed, nodding my head. "‘Cause you're gonna let the doc check you out."

"We've got several people coming in from the fire, honey. Of all the ones I've seen here in triage so far, you're by far the one hurt the worst. If it's the money you're worried about, don't. We'll see you regardless. You'll still get a bill and stuff, but you can pay it off a few dollars at a time."

"She's good." And she would be. Because I knew I wouldn't let her be anything but.

"I still don't think it's necessary. I'll be fine. I'm already much better."

"It is. Now stop arguing." I gave her a steady look, expecting her to wilt and comply with my orders. Most everyone did.

"You can't tell me what to do." Her eyes flashed and she stuck her chin up. She looked like she was as big a warrior as my vice president… Right up until her lungs spasmed and she started coughing uncontrollably for a full minute.

The nurse waited patiently, rubbing her back after putting an oxygen mask on her. When Evelyn finally stopped coughing, the nurse raised an eyebrow. "Honey, I think he already did. And you just proved his point."

Poor Evelyn looked like she was going to cry. Which made my chest decidedly uncomfortable. Then a thought occurred to me. "Get Dr. Benedict. Tell him Knox is here."

The nurse hesitated a moment before giving me a little frown. Not like she was displeased. More like I was someone who didn't understand how this whole hospital and doctor-in-the-wrong-department thing worked. "I'll shoot him a text, but you know Dr. Benedict doesn't work the ER. Right?"

"Understood. I'll call him."

The nurse shrugged before gathering up everything she needed. "Wait here and I'll get a wheelchair for you. I think everyone else is good to walk?" She looked up at my father with a questioning eye. As I expected, my father snorted.

"Why wouldn't I be fine to walk? Been walkin' for over seventy years."

She smiled. "Figured as much, Mr. Knoxville."

My dad scowled. "If I get mistered one more time…"

The nurse gave my father a smirk. "Feisty. Good. Means you're OK."

"Just take us back," I muttered. "I'll carry her."

"I can walk." Evelyn's voice was still hoarse, and I could hear her wheezing easily.

"Sure, you can. Still ain't gonna." I didn't look at her because I wasn't sure I could keep from making a fool of myself if I did. This was my brother's woman. She'd had his children. If ever there was a woman who was off-limits, it was this one. Even if Danny wasn't there to help her or married to her, she was still his woman.

Either she was tired of arguing or she was starting to feel the effects of smoke inhalation, because she settled passively in my arms as I carried her down the hallway to the room the nurse led us to.

No sooner had I set her on the bed than Bullet walked in. I hadn't had time to call him, so the nurse must have texted him.

"You know, I could have done without you turning up on my last official day at the hospital, Knox." Bullet scowled, but it was directed at me. The second he shifted to look at everyone else in the room, his expression changed to something warm and inviting. "I'm Dr. Benedict. I hear you've all had quite the adventure today."

It was the girl, Aneshya, who spoke up. "The building caught on fire. He saved us." She pointed at me.

"Well, Knox is good for stuff like that. Do you guys care if I look you over?"

Bullet glanced at the monitor that showed Evelyn's vital signs and heart rhythm before turning his attention to the other three. He took his time listening to the kids and Dad. While that was happening, nurses and other technicians came in and started IVs and took blood from Evelyn. She protested, but Dad put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

"For me, Evie," he murmured. "For the kids."

With a sigh, she stilled and let everyone continue to poke and prod her. Luke had her hand as well as Aneshya's, holding on tightly. It was clear the young man was protective of the women in his life. Unlike his father.

"I think you three are fine," Bullet said with a grin at Luke and Aneshya. "I'd like to get a chest X-ray for all three of you, though. Just to be on the safe side. Especially for you, Grover." Bullet gave Dad a smug look. The older man grunted at him. Obviously, Bullet had been clued into the fact Dad didn't like formalities. "You're obviously fit and in great health, but you're still more susceptible to the effects of smoke inhalation than everyone else here. Like it or not, you're still an old fart."

That got a bark of laughter from my dad. "Damned straight. I earned that status a long time ago."

"As for you…" Bullet turned to address Evelyn. "Plan on being here a while."

"I'm fine." Her little croak did nothing to solidify her declaration.

Bullet tapped the tablet he held in his hands. "The first tests coming back say otherwise. I'll hold my final judgment until everything is complete, but you're going to let me do several more tests, give you some medicine, some nebulizer treatments, and all kinds of medical things." He grinned at her, and I wanted to punch my friend. When Bullet raised an eyebrow at me, I realized I'd been growling. "My. Someone's in a snit."

"She's my brother's woman, so she's taken."

"Got my own woman, brother. Two is more than I can handle." He winked at Evelyn before leaving.

"Do we have another uncle we've never met?" Luke scowled at me, then my dad.

"No, Luke," My dad scrubbed a hand over his face. "I'm pretty sure he means ‘brother' in a different way."

"I know… uh… Dr. Benedict from my time in the service." Not a lie. I'd met Bullet when my team had come back shot all to hell. He'd saved my life.

"Oh. So he's like a friend brother." Luke nodded like he got it.

"I suppose you could say that. Yeah. But more."

"‘Cause you've been through stuff together." Maybe the kid did understand.

A woman came to take Evelyn for a test. When they'd left, Luke looked back at me. "Will Dr. Benedict take care of my mom?"

"If your mother is hurt, he'll find out how sick she is and know how to fix it."

Luke looked to his grandfather for reassurance. When my dad nodded his head, I felt more gratitude than I ever thought possible. I was beyond needing my dad's approval for anything. The fact was, I'd left him. And Mom. I'd given him no reason to believe in me, but he did.

We waited mostly in silence while the techs and nurses did tests and gave medicines to Evelyn. Dad and the kids each got nebulizer treatments and some steroids, but Bullet proclaimed them and my dad otherwise unharmed. Evelyn, he wanted to admit, but she refused.

"I'll take medicine or whatever, but I can't stay." She was firm, even though her voice was still hoarse. I could still hear her wheezing, but she did seem a bit stronger. "I've got to take care of my family."

"I can look after Luke and Aneshya," Dad said, speaking gently to Evelyn. "You can't take care of them if you're injured. Let Dr. Benedict keep you to make sure your lungs heal properly."

"No, Mr. Knoxville. I'm going home with my children."

"Home to where?" The question popped out before I could stop myself. "Your place is gone. Burnt to the fuckin' ground along with anything you owned inside that fuckin' building. Where you gonna go?"

"Knox." Dad stood, placing himself between me and Evelyn. I wanted to shove him out of the way, but I had no right. Besides, he was protecting Evelyn. Right now, he was protecting her from me.

Aneshya gasped, reaching for her brother who pulled her into his arms. The young man glared at me. "You're just like your brother," he muttered.

"No, Luke." Dad didn't take his eyes off me as he spoke to the boy. "He's not. He's trying to force the issue because he knows it's what's best for your mother. Knox is used to having any orders he gives obeyed."

"That doesn't mean he can be mean to my mom or upset my sister."

"Fuck," I muttered. "I ain't good at this."

"No." Luke gave me a look few men I knew had ever dared give me. He was angry, and I was the cause of his anger. "You're not."

"We can all stay at my house outside Riviera Beach." Dad squeezed my shoulder before turning to Luke and Aneshya, kneeling down in front of them. "It's been closed up for several years so we'll have to get a few things to make it livable, but I think we can find what we need easily enough."

"I'll help." I needed to make things right. "I'm sorry, Luke. Aneshya. I only want what's best for your mother."

"I can take care of myself." Evelyn spoke so softly I almost didn't hear her. When I turned my gaze to her, she ducked her head, her hands bunched in the blanket draped over her lap.

"You can. But everyone needs help sometimes. Now, it's your turn. I'll get some friends to help open up the house. I'll see what everyone needs and have it delivered. In the meantime, you should strongly consider doing as Dr. Benedict told you. Stay here. Get IV antibiotics and steroids. Maybe you'll be fine, and we can bring you home tomorrow."

"I can't leave my kids. They've been through something horrifying. They need me."

"We'll be fine, Mom." Luke stood and took his mother's hand. "I'll look after Aneshya and Grandpa. If they need help, I'll make sure they get it."

"Honey, this isn't your job."

"I'm not a kid, Mom. Besides, I can do a much better job than Danny."

Evelyn was silent for a long time, holding her son's hand and rubbing the back of it gently. "You know he hates it when you call him by his first name."

"Well, I ain't callin' him Dad."

"I'll tell Bullet you're stayin'," I said, taking out my phone.

"Who's Bullet?" Luke asked, turning his head sharply in my direction.

"Sorry. Dr. Benedict. Bullet is, er, was his call sign. It's how I've always known him."

"And he's a doctor." I had to give Luke credit. The kid didn't back down. He was demanding when it came to the people around his family. Kid was an alpha male in the making. "Named Bullet? Isn't that like an oxymoron or something?"

I shrugged. "I didn't give him the name. You'll have to ask him."

"Ask me what?" Bullet stepped into the room, a grin on his face.

"How'd you get the name Bullet?"

He shrugged. "Lots of reasons a person gets a name. It was the military." He focused on Evelyn. "Now. I get why you don't want to stay. I also happen to know Knox here has some medical supplies at his disposal, including oxygen if you need it. So, if you agree to let him stay with you, I'll let you go home. Otherwise, you'll stay here."

"You can't force me to stay. I'll sign out against advice. Isn't that what people do?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but I have the feeling I can get through to your son, and he'll persuade you to stay."

"You'd use my kids against me." It wasn't a question, and I wasn't sure I liked how she teared up.

"Honey, I'm a doctor. I'll do everything in my power to help someone who needs it. And you need it. So, if you won't let Knox stay with you, I'll have to get Luke here to guilt you into staying." He shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "No one wants that, Evelyn."

"Knox probably has other things to do." She gripped Luke's hand harder, and the young man, bless his heart, gripped her hands in both of his.

"Sure. I've got to spend time with my father. Fortunately, you're staying with my father, too. Win-win." I tried to give her an encouraging smile but wasn't sure I managed it. Mostly because I was way happier about that particular situation than I should be. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.

"Good," my dad said, rubbing his hands together. "We can take our Evie home and be sure she has everything she needs."

Bullet gave a crisp nod. "Good. I'll go get her discharge instructions and scripts ready. Knox, you need anything, you let me know. I'll make sure you have it."

"I'll need another oxygen tank. Used most of what I had in the trailer. Albuterol and Atrovent too. Or anything else you think she needs."

"No problem. I'll text the guys. They helpin' get you relocated?"

"Haven't asked yet, but that's the plan."

"I'll give ‘em a heads-up. Give me the address and someone'll be there soon."

I held out my hand to Bullet. "Thanks, man. I owe you."

Bullet jerked his head toward Evelyn and the kids. "Take care of them. That's payment enough."

A few minutes later and four hours after we first got to the hospital, after the nurse had given me a packet of papers for everyone, we started out of the ER. I carried Evelyn while the kids and my father walked with us.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking," Evelyn protested as we left the room. She didn't struggle to get down, though. Which told me everything I needed to know. She was still weak. Probably exhausted. She smelled like smoke and old burning building, but underneath that was a sweetness I tried hard to ignore. She was my brother's woman. I'd thought it earlier, but I had to keep reminding myself just how the fuck off-limits she was.

Just before we rounded the corner Aneshya sucked in a breath before running ahead. "Daddy!" Sure enough, in the room in front of us Danny sat at the bedside of a very pregnant woman. She scowled as Aneshya threw herself into Danny's arms, hugging him tightly. "We were so worried! Mommy made us leave the building, but she tried to find you. Grandpa and Mr. Knox pulled her out, but the smoke made her sick."

Danny didn't push her away, but he didn't hug the child either. When he looked up and saw me, his eyes widened. He did push his daughter away this time, his gaze taking in the rest of us. His gaze rested on Evelyn before returning to me again.

"Denver. Holy shit."

"Knox," I corrected. "I go by Knox now."

"Where you been, man? We thought you were dead."

"Long story." I nodded to the woman in the bed. "Guessing you've got a long story as well."

"Who are these people, Danny?"

"No one, honey. Don't worry about them. We need to make sure you and the baby are OK." Did he honestly think he was going to get anyone to just ignore this whole thing? His woman would ignore all of us? And that his kids weren't going to understand what was happening? Hell. Did he even care about any of us, especially his kids?

Luke tugged at his sister's hand, pulling her away from my brother. "Come on, Aneshya." He gave Danny a disgusted look. "We're leaving."

I still carried Evelyn. She was trembling in my arms. Danny hadn't even acknowledged her. As she looked from the woman in the bed to Danny and back, her breathing quickened.

"Calm down, Evelyn." I tried to speak calmly when I wanted to set her down and pound the living hell outta my brother. "You want to go home. And you can't do that if you have a panic attack on the way out the door." She nodded. "Put your arms around my neck and put your face against my shoulder," I whispered. "Not a sound until we're out of here. You can do it."

My dad ushered the kids out. "Take them to the truck, Knox. I'll be there in a minute."

"If you're telling Danny to go to hell, I wanna stay." Luke lifted his chin, glaring daggers at my brother. Seems he was good to let his sister go with me so he could stay and see his own father get a dressing down. I understood him completely.

Danny just sat there. I recognized the look on his face from years past. He knew he was in trouble and was going to sit there and take it. Then he'd continue on like nothing happened. The question was, would he want to stay in Evelyn's and his children's lives, or stay with his new woman.

"Why is she calling you Daddy?" The woman gave my brother a look somewhere between anger and anguish.

"Because Danny's her father." My dad might be over seventy, but he was still in top physical condition and he wasn't a small man. He could intimidate better than almost anyone I knew. Well, except possibly Lemon. But in my defense, any woman who refused to clean the blood off herself after she helped beat men to a bloody pulp just so she could get one over on the club girls in Grim Road deserved to be feared. "It's obvious to me you're as innocent as Evelyn in this, so I'm sorry to tell you Danny has two children with Evelyn."

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you he's my husband. We've been married for fifteen years." Her voice shook, and I knew she was on the verge of tears. "I never thought I'd be able to have kids, so this is our first child." She turned accusing eyes to Danny. "What's going on?"

"He's just a crazy old man, honey. Those kids are my brother's."

"Then why did the girl call you Daddy? And why have I never heard about your brother? Or your father? You told me all your family was dead!"

"You were always your mother's favorite, Danny." My father looked angrier than I could ever remember seeing him. "But she'd be ashamed of you if she were still alive."

"So your mother really is dead?" The woman looked like she was simultaneously on the verge of tears and tearing Danny's heart out with her bare hands. "I guess that's one thing you told the truth about."

"Honey, I --"

"Save it," she bit out. "I can't think about this right now." She rubbed her tummy, obviously comforting herself. This woman was as much a victim as Evelyn. Maybe more. Evelyn hadn't moved once she'd tucked her face against my shoulder.

"Knox." Dad lifted an eyebrow at me. "Remove them from this situation. Please." He asked nicely, but it was a clear order from a man who expected to be obeyed.

I nodded my head. "Luke. Aneshya. Let's get your mom in the truck and settled. Then we'll all go… home."

"I want to hear what Grandpa has to say to Danny," Luke said stubbornly.

"I know you do. But your mom needs you right now. Both of you."

"She needs Grandpa too," Aneshya said softly, obviously confused and not sure what to think. If she'd put it together, I couldn't tell, but Luke certainly had. I'd bet my left nut the kid knew his dad had another woman before we'd seen the proof. And it sounded that, though he had two kids by Evelyn, she was the side piece. Not this woman.

No matter what happened next, this wasn't going to end well. "Come on, Dad. It's done. Let it go for now. Evelyn needs us all."

Dad lifted an eyebrow. "Us? So you're part of this family now?" Yeah. Dad was good and pissed. Which meant no one in the wrong was going to get off easy. That included me.

"I have a good reason. Which I'll happily tell you. Later."

"Fine," he grumbled. "You're right." He turned back to Danny. "You need to be prepared to give us all an explanation."

"I don't have to tell you nothin', old man."

My father took two steps toward Danny, then he backhanded him. "You've disrespected me for the last time," he snarled. "Do not come home unless you're prepared to tell me what the fuck is goin' on, son. You do, there'll be more where that came from."

"Everything all right here?"

Shit. Two nurses stood in the doorway. Likely, they'd either seen or heard my dad hit Danny.

"Yeah. Everything's fine." Danny glared at my dad but turned away when Dad stared him down.

"We were just leaving." Dad took Aneshya's hand and gently guided her to the door. Luke lingered behind.

"You're not our father anymore." He lifted his chin. "Don't bother my mom. You do, I'll kill you."

Danny didn't say anything. Hell, he couldn't even look Luke in the eyes. To his credit, Luke never wavered. He stood there until Danny finally looked up, acknowledging his son. Then Luke turned and walked out the door, following his grandfather and sister. I brought up the rear with a trembling Evelyn in my arms. That was the moment I decided they were all mine. I'd take care of them. I'd protect them. And if Danny showed his fuckin' head anywhere near any of them ever again, Luke wouldn't have to kill him. I would.