10. Knox

10

KNOX

My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I lift my head to look at the caller ID. Nico’s name is flashing across the front, and just for an instant guilt flashes inside me, but I push it down. No, this didn’t start like it should have, but I won’t regret being with Kali. She’s mine now, and even though Nico is going to be pissed about it, it won’t change how I feel about her.

Last night was more than sex. Having her in my arms is not anything I will ever forget. I’m not going to be able to let her go. I told her last night, and I meant it. I’m addicted to her. She’s mine, and there’s nothing that is going to come between us. Not Nico, not the Tanner twin... no one.

I take a look at Kali, and she’s asleep, so I tiptoe from the room as I take the call.

“Nico, what’s up?”

“I’m counting on you to keep Kali safe. Her sister is all upset, and I don’t like my wife being upset.”

I don’t get offended. As a matter of fact, I’m glad that Kali has family that is worried about her. “I promise you, Nico. I would die before I let anything happen to her.”

“It’s Nick Tanner that is after her. His brother Miles kidnapped Kali when she was younger...”

“I know. She told me all about it.”

“She did? She never talks about it. Even all the therapists I’ve sent her to, she wouldn’t talk about it.”

“Yeah, she told me everything. That’s why she doesn’t want to be with Anna and Faith. She doesn’t want to bring the trouble to them.”

“Dammit. She’s our family. She can trust me to keep her safe.”

“I can handle this, Nico. I have all the guys here. We’re between jobs, and they’re all going to be here to protect her. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

I can hear Nico take a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll be back in the States and will be there as soon as possible. Carter is supposed to be on his way there now. We’ve pinged Nick’s bank accounts, and he’s only a few hours from your location. There’s more, Knox.”

I don’t even breathe. “What is it?”

“He’s following, but he’s picking up weapons along the way, stopping at tool shops, according to his purchases. Nick is planning on toying with Kali. We can’t let this maniac get a hold of her.”

“He won’t,” I tell him in a lethal tone. Nico must hear it in my voice because for the first time, he seems to struggle with words.

“Knox, I called you because I knew I could trust you. I know you won’t take advantage of her. She’s not like...”

I interrupt him. “I know she’s special, Nico, and when this is over, you and I are going to have to sit down and have a talk.”

He clears his throat. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

“I won’t hurt her. I promise you that.”

“Fuck... Knox, I’m telling you if my sister-in-law moves to Tennessee, I’m going to lose my shit. Anna wants her home, in Arizona.”

“I’m not going to keep her from her family,” I tell him point blank. I’ve thought about it all night in between worrying what I’m going to do about Nick coming. I know that Kali and I are meant to be together. There’s nothing or no one that is going to stop that from happening.

“I’ll see you soon,” Nico says, and I can hear the anger in his voice. He knows without me even telling him that there’s something going on with me and Kali, but I can’t make myself care. At this point, I want everyone to know she’s mine.

As soon as Nico hangs up, I call in the guys.

Kali

I wake up to the sounds of a full house. I get dressed quickly and walk out into the living room. I can see a few of the guys look at me in surprise, and no doubt they’re wondering why I’m coming out of Knox’s bedroom. But most of them are trained on what Knox is saying.

“We need to go over the plan one more time before we break up and go to our assignments.”

“I’d love to hear the plan,” I say, not bothering to hide my frustration.

Knox leaves the center of the room and comes to stand by me. The rest of the men keep talking, and Knox leans in, puts his arm around my shoulder, and kisses my forehead. “You okay? I mean, you feel okay?”

I blush. My body is sore in places I didn’t even know could get sore. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

His smile is intimate as he takes in my low tone and pink cheeks. He squeezes me again and talks soothingly to me. “Nick is due to arrive in town soon. We left a trail that should lead him to the hotel in Jasper, and they are going to set a trap and snatch him up there. All you have to do is stay back and remain safe.”

He’s protective of me, and a tremble goes down my back that he wants to protect me, but I still feel guilty about it. “Knox, that doesn’t seem right. Everyone is putting themselves in danger, and I’m supposed to sit back and what, watch television or something?”

“This is what we do, baby. This is what we’re trained to do. Trust me, compared to some missions we’ve been on, this is a walk in the park.”

I look at him doubtfully. I’m hoping he’s not underestimating Nick. If he’s anything like his brothers, then I know he’s not coming without a plan. But I trust Knox. “Okay.”

He must hear the way my voice wavers. “Kali, you’re headstrong, and I know this is hard for you, but this is what’s best. I can’t let anything happen to you.”

I blink and stare back at him. “Because you promised Nico?”

His eyes widen. He searches my face and must not like what he sees in my eyes because he grabs my hand and pulls me back into the bedroom. As soon as the door is shut, he leans me against it, sliding his knee between my legs and caging me in with his hands planted on the door by my face. “Is that what you think? I’m doing this as a favor to Nico?”

I shrug. I don’t know what to think. I know why he came and got me, as a favor to Nico. “I’m not sure what to think.”

“I’m doing this because I just found you and I can’t lose you. I’m doing this because I don’t ever want you to be scared again, Kali. I’m doing this because I want to be with you.”

I nod. Hope is flaring in my chest because I want to believe there’s a future with Knox, but I’m too scared to believe it’s true. He leans in and kisses me, but it’s not the same kiss as last night. This is a kiss from a man trying to prove something. I arch my back, and the feel of his hard chest pressed against my sensitive nipples brings out a whimper. He pulls back, breathless and dazed looking. “When this is over, you and I are going to have a long talk about the future, Kali.”

I nod, speechless.

“Now get ready. We’re going over it one more time, then the guys are heading out.”