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Chapter1

Knoxbarelyheardthemshouthisname.Theminutehesteppedintothecage,hewasinthe
zone.Nothingexistedexceptthefighterinfrontofhim.

Andnothingwouldstophimfromwinning.
Aswascustomarybeforebeginningthefight,hebumpedhistattered,battle-scarred

gloveswiththeotherfighter’sasasignofgoodwill.Butitwasallforshow.Maybein
professionalMMAfightingitmeantsomething.However,inthisfilthywarehouse,itmeant
nothing.Youdidwhateverittooktogetthewin.

Thefaintscentofbleachwasintheair,notuncommonintheundergroundfightvenues.

Bleachwashedthebloodaway.Onceuponatime,Knox’sbloodhadstainedthecracked
concrete,butthesedaysthatwasrare.

Knoxstayedlightontheballsofhisfeetandhungback,studyinghisopponent.Size-wise,

theywerenearlyequal.Theguywasnewtothecircuitandyoung—Knoxhadn’tseenhim
fightbefore,sohe’dwaittoseewhattheguybroughttothetablebeforemakinganymoves.

Hedidn’thavetowaitlong.
Hisopponentfakedaleftjab,thenswungawaywithhisright.Knoxeasilyduckedoutof

theway,throwinganuppercutstraighttotheguy’skidneys.Thekidrespondedbywrapping
Knoxinaclinchandattemptingatakedown,butKnoxplantedhisfeetandrefusedtotake
thefighttothemat.

Knoxpreferredtowinbyknockout.
ThekidcameatKnoxwithabullrush,tryingtoforceKnox’sbacktothecage,butKnox

anticipatedthechargeandloopedhisarmaroundtheguy’sneck,settingupaguillotine.

Theycenteredupagain,butbeforetheguycouldcomeatKnoxforathirdtime,heclosed

inwithabarrageofpunches,unleashingthefuryhe’dsavedupforjustthismoment.

Knoxshowednomercy.MMA,likelife,wasnotfortheweak.
Withafinalanddevastatingrighthook,theguy’snecksnappedtotheside,hishands

droppedtohissides,andhisbodycrumpled,fallingtothematwithasatisfyingthump.

Knox’sgazeraisedtosettleonX’ssmugsmile,thedimlightglintingoffhisgoldtooth.

TheshadowsperformedagrotesquedanceoverthescarintheshapeofanXwherehisright
eyehadbeen.AsuitnexttoXhandedhimanenvelopebulgingwithmoney,aprizethatKnox
wouldonlyseeafractionof.Itwasanarrangementthatwasnolongerwelcome,butKnox
hadnowayoutofit.

AstherefraisedKnox’srightarm,Knoxspatouthismouthpiece.Hewasdone.

Nataliesetheremptywineglassonthemarblecounteratthebar.

“Another?”
Sheshookherhead.“No,justwater,please.”Herheadneededtobecleartonight.
Thebartenderplacedtherequestedglassonthecounter,andNataliedroppedabillinto

thetipjar.ShewishedKatweretendingbartonight.Itwouldhavebeennicetoseeafriendly,
familiarface.

Natalieslippedawaytoanemptytableinthecorneroftheroom,whereshecouldsit—

hopefullyunnoticed.Attwenty-sixandthesoleheiresstotheFarringtonfortune,shewas
probablytheyoungestguestattheKidsLiteracyNetworkgala.

Shesippedherwater,watchingtheelderlyguestsschmoozeanddancewhilethefullband

played.Thiseventitselfprobablycosthundredsofthousandsofdollarstoputon.Surelyit
wouldbemoneybetterspenttosimplygiveitdirectlytotheliteracyfund,butwhenshe’d
mentionedthatattheplanningcommitteemeeting,thehorrifiedglaresshereceivedputher
inherplace.Theoldermembersofthegrouphadan“olderiswiser”mentality,andtothem,
shewasstilljustachild.

She’dneverbeenentirelycomfortableatbigeventslikethese,dressedtotheninesin

designersshedidn’tcareaboutandadornedwithfamilyheirloomsworthmorethanthe
serversherelikelymadeinayear.Herfather,ontheotherhand,wasinhiselement.He’d
shakenhandswitheveryonewhowasanyoneintheroom,evenearninghimselfaseatatthe
localcongressman’stable.

GeraldKentwasasnakeunderneathhischarming,smoothexterior.Nataliefeltlikeshe

wastheonlyonewhoknewwhathewasreallylike.

Hewashandsome—noonecoulddenythat.Ashe’daged,hisdarkhairhadgottengrayat

thetemples,makinghimseemmoredistinguished,andaddedanairofsophisticationhe’d
previouslylacked.Herfatherhadcomeupalongwayintheworld,whollyduetohislatewife
andherfortune.AnnaFarringtonhadbeenkind,beautifulinafragileway,alittlenaïve,and
moreimportantlywealthy,makinghereasypreyformenlikeGerald.

Ithadbeenfifteenyearstothedaysinceshedied,andNataliewouldgiveanythingto

havehermotherhere.Natalie’splansfortheeveningwerefittingfortheanniversaryofher
mother’sdeath.Ithadtakenherawhile—toolongiftruthbetold—togetthecouragetomove
forward,buthermotherwouldbeproud.

Shecaughtherfather’seyefromacrosstheroom;hecrookedhisfingeratherandshe

knewthatshewasneeded—orelse.Sighing,shedownedthelastofherwaterandsquaredher
shoulders,preparingtogointothelion’sdenthatwastheuppercrustsocietyatacharity
event.

“Natalie,mydear,”herfathersaidsmoothly.“Haveyoumetourchiefofpolice?Thisis

ChiefFollett.”

Natalieaffixedthesmileonherfacethatsheknewwasexpected.“It’sapleasuretomeet

you,sir.”

“Likewise.”Follettsippedwhatappearedtobescotch,scanningtheroom.Although

Nataliehadnevermetthemanbefore,she’dreadinthepaperabouthimandhowhe’d
workedhiswayupthechainfromabasicbeatcoptothechiefofpolice.Hehadthegrizzled
lookofamanwho’dseenhisfairshareonthestreets.

“Hiswife,Mrs.Follett,”herfathersaid,continuingwiththeintroductions.
“Areyouenjoyingyourself,mydear?”Mrs.Follettaskedwithakindsmile.Shehadthe

lookofagrandmotherwhoregularlybakedchocolate-chipcookiesforhergrandchildren,
causingNatalietoonceagainfeelapangoflossforhermotherandgrandparents,whohad
passedshortlyafterthedeathoftheironlydaughter.

“Everythinghasbeenlovely,”Natalieresponded.

ChiefFollettgesturedtotwomensittingatthetablebehindhim.“Thesearesomeofthe

policedepartment’sfinest—therecentlypromotedLieutenantSchaferandLieutenant
Vasquez.”

Themen,obviouslyuncomfortableintheirdressuniforms,noddedstifflyatNatalie.
Mrs.Follettturnedtoherhusband.“AsmuchasIhatetosayit,weshouldprobablycallit

anight.Thomashasabaseballgamebrightandearlytomorrow.”ShesmiledatNatalie.
“Thomasisourgrandson.He’seight.”

“Don’tletuskeepyou,”Natalie’sfathersaid.“It’sbeenapleasure.”
Whentheyhadgone,thecongeniallookinhiseyeswasreplacedbyhisnormalcalculating

one.“Wherehaveyoubeenallnight?”

“I’vebeenhere,”Nataliereplied.“Theseshoeshurtmyfeet,soI’vebeensittingdown.”
Henarrowedhiseyesatherandsurveyedtheroomonefinaltimeashebuttonedhistux

jacket.“Well,Isuggestweleave.There’snooneworthwhilelefttotalkto.”

Heputhishandonthesmallofherbacktoguideheroutoftheroom.Sheknewhowthey

appeared—theperfectdevotedfather-daughterpair.

Buttheywereanythingbutthat.
Assoonastheyweresettledintheirlimo,herfatherlitacigar.Shescootedasfaraway

fromhimasshecouldandcrackedawindow.Heknewshehatedwhenhesmokedinthecar.
She’dsmelllikecigarsmokeuntilsheshowered,andeventhen,thescentwouldlinger.

“Didyouhaveanicetime?”sheasked.Itwaseasiertoengagehiminidlechitchatthanto

waitforhimtoaccuseherofsomewrongdoing.

“Thesalmonwasdry,”hesaid.“Atathousanddollarsaplate,you’dthinktheycouldcook

thedamnfishproperly.”

“I’msorrytohearthat.Thechickenwasgood.”
“Weren’tyouontheplanningcommittee?”
Shenodded.Hereitcomes.Shedidn’tbothertellinghimthattheboardmembers

wouldn’tletheractuallyhelpwithanything.Theonlyreasonthey’devenallowedheronthe
committeewasbecauseoftheFarringtonnameandthemoneythatcamewithit.

Itseemedsillythatthecharitablecausehadsuchasocialhierarchy,liketheywere

meetinginahighschoollunchroominsteadoffive-starrestaurants.

Strangely,herfatherletthisonego,choosingnottocriticizeher.“Ipledgedseveral

thousandmoretothecause.We’lltakeitoutofyourtrust’smonthlyallowance.”

Thereitwas.LivingintheFarringtonmansion,shewantedfornothing.
Nothingbutfreedom.
Intheory,shewasentitledtoseveralthousandeverymonthfromhertrust,butsomehow

everymonththemoneywasgonebeforeshecouldgetherhandsonit.Herfathercontrolled
theallowance,generouslydecreeingthatshecouldbuywhatevershewantedusingthe
family’sAmericanExpressBlackCardandherinheritancewouldpaythebill.Butifshe
boughtwhatshereallywanted—aone-wayticketoutofthere—herfatherwouldsicthe
guardsonherbeforeshecouldevengetonetoepastthefrontdoor.

Untilnow.
Natalielookeddownatherlapandsmoothedthewrinklesoutofherdress,asmile

threateningtoeruptatthemerethoughtofthelookthatwouldbeonherfather’sfacewhen
hewokeupinthemorningtofindhermissing.

Knoxmadehiswaythroughthecrowdtowardthelockerroom,theotherfightersinX’screw
congratulatinghimandgivinghimpatsontheshoulder.Heglancedbackatthecagewhere
tworookieswerestartingtobattleitoutintheirdebutmatches.Thesmalleronehad
potential,butdamn,hecouldn’tbeolderthanfifteen.Tooyoungforthisshittyexcusefora
life.Yeah,itwaseasytogetsuckedinbytheallureofX’semptypromises.He’dfallenforthe
sameployoveradecadeago.Thosetenyearsinthecagenowfeltliketwenty.

Andhe’dgiveanythingtogobackandmakeadifferentchoice.
Hepushedthroughthedoorofthesorry-assexcuseforalockerroomtofindTony,a

fellowfighter,doinghiswarm-upstretches.

“Didyouwin?”Tonyasked.
Knoxsnortedandsatonthebench.HewasX’stopfighter,butforwhateverreason,X

hadn’tpittedhimupagainstanyoneofhiscaliberforatleastthelastyear.Thisfightwasa
joke.

Tonylaughed.“Stupidquestion.”
Outofalltheguys,Tonywastheonlyoneheconsideredafriend.Hewasafewyears

youngerthanKnoxandhadshowedupaboutthreeyearsagowantingtotrain.Thatwashow
ithappenedmoreoftenthannotthesedays—Xdidn’thavetoactivelyrecruitanymore.The
guyscametohim.

TheotherguysgaveKnoxawideberth,butnotTony.HekepttryingtobringKnoxinto

thefold,likehewasthedamnsocialchairinasorority.Knoxlikedtheyoungerguy,buthe
didn’tgethim.Hewasananomaly—anhonestmanamongthieves.Everyoneelsehadan
elementofassholetotheirpersonalities,butTonywasanall-aroundgoodguy.

KnoxwonderedwhathadpromptedhimtoturntoX,buthefigureditwasn’thisbusiness.

IfTonywantedhimtoknow,hewouldtellhim.

“Youcan’tlose,man,”Tonysaid.“Oneofthesedays,we’regoingtobewatchingyouon

Pay-per-view.”

“Doubtful.”
Morelikeimpossible.Prosweren’tallowedanywhereneartheirmatches,andanyway,X

wouldneverlethimgo.

Thedoorclangedopen,andXenteredtheroomwearinghisusualall-blackensemble—

blacksuit,blackshirt,blacktie,blackshoes.He’dneveralteredhisclothes,notinallthe
yearsKnoxhadknownhim.BackwhenKnoxstillgaveafuck,hewonderedifX’sgoodeye
hadbeendamagedwhenhe’dlosthisotherone.

Xstretchedhisarmswideasaseedysmilestretchedacrosshisface.“Gentlemen.”Hewas

thekingofthisdustydankhellhole,andhebeckonedhissubjectstoworshiphim.

Fuckthat.Knoxhadspentenoughtimesuckinguptothisasshole.
“Sir,”Tonysaid.
“You’redueoutonthefloor,”Xsaid.Tonynoddedandexitedthelockerroom.
XwaiteduntilthedoorhadslammedclosedbeforeapproachingKnox.“Whatdidyou

thinkofyourmatch?”

Knoxwassurprisedbythequestion.SincewhendidXcareabouthisopinion?
“Iwon,”hesaidinaneutraltone.Justlikewhenfighting,itpaidtonotgiveanything

away.Hewoulduseittomanipulateyou,backyouintoashittycorner,andneverletyouout.

“Iknowit’searlytotalkaboutyournextfight,butweneedto,”Xsaid,gettingdownto

business.Thenicetieswereover.“Whatifyoucouldearnfivetimesyournormalcutinjust

onefight?”

Knoxalmostsnorted.Ifhegotthat,hewouldbegettinghisfairshare,whathewas

actuallyworthinthering.

Proseasilymadethatmoney.Asmallkernelofhopesurfaced,butKnoxcrushedit

immediately.Hewasn’tactuallystupidenoughtothinkthatXwouldevergolegit,because
thatwouldmeanhe’dhavetowalktheline.

“What’sthecatch?”
“Thecatchisinconsequential.”
Atleasthedidn’tbotherdenyingtherewasone.
Knoxstayedsilent,waitingforXtoelaborate.Thiswholesituationwasstrange.Knoxwas

stuck—heknewitandXknewit.Hewasahighschooldropoutwithnoskillsbeyondthosehe
gainedusinghisfists.Fightingwastheonlythingheknew.Sohe’dfight,andhe’dwin.What
wassodifferentaboutthisfightthatXfelttheyneededtochat?

“Howlonghasitbeensinceyou’velostafight?”
Knoxshrugged.“Awhile.”Years.
“You’reasurebet.”Hepaused.“There’sanewguycominginnextweek.Ihearhe’spretty

good.’Boutasgoodasyou,I’dsay.”

Knoxclenchedhisfists.Goddammit,Xlikedtohearhimselftalk.Gettothefuckingpoint.
“It’snotastretchtothinkyoumightlose.”
IttookKnoxasecondlongerthanitshouldhavetoputitalltogether.
“Fuckthat.Youwantmetolose?Hell,no.Iwon’ttakeadive.”Hestartedtostand,butX

putbothhandsonhisshouldersandshovedhimbackdownonthebench.

“Youcan’tthinkaboutitthatway.Thisisabusinessarrangement.”
“Again,fuckthat.”
Knoxwasagoodfighter,arguablythebest,andthatwastheonlythinghehadgoingfor

him.He’dtrainedhardtogetthere,andhe’dbedamnedifhewasgoingtocompromisewhat
reputationhehad.Theintegrityofthefightwastheonlythingthatkepthimgoing.His
opponentsmightnotbeasgoodashewas,buthewonhismatchesfairandsquare.

“Knox,myboy,I’vebeenbuildingyouupforjustthismoment.Don’tbeafoolandletall

thispreparationgotowaste.IneedyouonboardsoIcanmakethedealtonight.Justthinkof
themoney.It’stimeyougotyourpayday.”

Itallmadesensenow—whyXhadn’tbeenputtinghimupagainstbetterfighters.He’d

beensettinghimupthiswholetime.

Angerclawedathisgut—ahungrymonsterthatdemandedtobefed.Hehadtogetoutof

therebeforehedidsomethinghecouldn’ttakeback.

Knoxstood.“We’redonehere.”
“We’redonewhenIsaywe’redone,”Xsneered.
Knoxslowlyturned,clenchinghisfistssohardhisarmsshook.
“That’sright,son.YoustaywhenItellyoutostay.YoufightwhenItellyoutofight.And

youlosewhenItellyoutolose.You’renothingwithoutme.Imadeyou.Yougotthat?I...
made...you.”

Fuck.Knoxclosedhiseyesforabriefsecond,hisbloodpoundinginhisears.Hewasdone.

Sofuckingdone.

BeforeXcouldseeitcoming,Knoxswungwithhisrighthand,clockingXinthetemple

andsendinghimsprawlingacrossthebench.

“Whatthe—”Xdidn’thavetimetocompletehissentence.
Knoxpickedhimupandslammedhimintothewalloflockers.Xthrewonearmuptotry

toprotecthisribswhilereachingdownwiththeotheronetopulloutaknifetuckedbehind
hisbelt.Thebladewasn’tlong,onlyaboutfiveinches,butthatmadeiteasiertohandlein
closecombat.TheknifeflashedacrossKnox’sarmbeforeheshovedXaway,causinghimto
crashintothesink.Astunnedexpressiongracedhisfaceasifhecouldn’tbelievehisnumber-
onefighterwasturningonhim.

XhadnoideahowlongKnoxhadbeenwaitingtoshedhisblood.He’dbarelybeenableto

containhisrageinthelastfewmonths,thoughithadbeenbuildingforyears.Nowthathe
wasgivingintoit,anoddsenseoffreedomwashedoverhim.

Itwassomethinghehadn’tfeltinalongtime.
KnoxheldhisarmsoutinanimitationofX’searlierstancewhenhefirstenteredthegym.

“Stillwannatellmewhattodo?”

Inhishand,XrotatedtheknifealreadystreakedwithKnox’sblood.Knoxglanceddownat

thegashinhisarm,buthedidn’tevenfeelit.Allhefeltwasthefuryrunningthroughhis
blood.

X’slipscurledinasnarl,andhechargedatKnoxwiththeknife.Knoxgrabbedhiswrist

andpoundeditagainstthewalluntiltheknifeclatteredtothefloor.HegrabbedX’slegashe
triedtoexecutearoundhouseandyankeditstraightupintheair,takingXcompletelyoffhis
feetandcausinghimtohithisheadonthebenchbeforelandingonhisback.

KnoxstraddledXandgrabbedholdofhisshirtwithonehand,slamminghisfistintoX’s

face.HecontinuedtopummelXwithbothfists,heardacrack,andfelthisteethgive.His
handswerecoveredinblood.

X’soneeyerolledback,andKnox’spunchesslowed.
“Fuck.”KnoxstoodandpacedbesideX’sunconsciousformbeforeslamminghisfistinto

thelocker,leavingadent.

Hegrabbedatoweltowipehishands.Hehadn’tfullyprocessedwhatjustwentdown,but

heknewonething—hehadtogetoutofthere.Now.

HethrewthesoiledtowelontopofX.Washeevenalive?Knoxwatchedashischest

movedupanddown.Hewasfornow,butKnoxdidn’tknowtheextentoftheinjurieshe’d
justinflicted.Andhedidn’tcare.Xcouldrotinfuckinghell.

Butnotwithhismoney.HereachedintoX’sjacketandpulledouttheenvelopefullofthe

cashKnoxsawhimgetafterhisfight.Knoxhadearnedthatdamnmoney.Itwasabout
fuckingtimehegothisdue.

Hequicklychangedintohisstreetclothesandstuffedeverythingintohisduffelbag.At

thelastminute,hekneltnexttoXtopathimdown,comingupwithaGlock.AsearchofX’s
pocketsfoundtwofullclips.Hepocketedbothandtuckedthegunintohiswaistbandatthe
smallofhisback.

Knoxpickeduphisbagandstrodeoutthedoor,notlookingback.

Natalie’sfingershoveredoverthealarmsystembuttons.Wassheactuallyreadyforthis?
Couldshereallyleavebehindeverythingshe’deverknown?

Yes.Itwaspasttimeshefreedherselfofherfather’styranny.Shepunchedinthefive-

digitcodethatturnedofftheexterioralarmsystem.Earliertoday,she’dunscrewedthe

faceplatesoftheunitsinbothherfather’sbedroomandofficetodisabletheminiLEDbulbs
ontheoffchancethathemightnoticethelightswereblinkingredinsteadofgreen.She
figuredtheabsencewouldbelessnoticeablethanthechangeincolor.

Shehoped.Sheonlyhadoneshotatthis.Iftheguardsfoundherbeforesheescaped,she

doubtedshe’devergetanotheropportunity.Herfatherwouldmakesureofthat.

Herstockingedfeetmadelittlenoiseasshepaddedthroughthetiledkitchentothe

pantry.Thereshepulledherblackbackpackoutfromwhereshe’dhiddenit.Insidewas
everythingshewastakingwithher—enoughessentialstogetherbyforafewdays,including
severalthousanddollarsandaselectionofFarringtonjewelsshecouldsellifsheneededto.
She’dbuywhateverelsesheneededonceshewasgone.

Sheslidherfeetintoblackshoes,thenslippedoutthesidedoor.Thecamerasmight

recordherleaving,buttherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutthat.She’dmanagedtopickup
quiteafewskillsfromtrollingtheInternet,butscalingtherooftodisablethecameras
mountedtherewasn’toneofthem.Thedecafcoffeeshe’dsothoughtfullypreppedforthe
controlroomguardwaslacedwithBenadryl.Ifthatdidn’tknockhimout,hopefullyitwould
makehimsleepyenoughthathewouldn’tnoticethefigureinblackexitingthegates.

Intheory,allthesecuritysurroundingherhousewassupposedtokeepintrudersout,to

keeptheheiresstotheFarringtonfortunesafe.Butnonerealizeditwastokeepherprisoner.
Evenshehadn’trealizeditatfirst.Whenhermotherdied,she’dsoughtherfatherinher
grief,believinghefeltasshedid,thathewastheonlyonewhotrulyunderstoodherloss.

Butshe’dlearnedhererror,andnowshefinallyhadthecouragetotakecontrolofherlife.
Shescannedthelawnonefinaltimebeforestartingacrossit.Witheverystepthattook

herfartherfromthehouse,herheartpoundedlouder.Thud,thud.THUD,THUD.God,itwas
allshecouldhear.Itwassoloud.Howcouldshebetheonlyonehearingit?Becausenoone
isouthere.Thelawnisempty—asplanned.Still,herheartcontinuedtobeatlouderand
faster,notoutoffear,butexcitement.Freedomwasjustafewstepsaway.

Ifonlyshecould’vetakenacar,she’dalreadybemilesaway.Butsheknewshe’dmadethe

rightdecision.Itwasslowertogoonfoot,butitwassmarter.

TheshinysilverMercedesparkedinthegaragewouldstandoutandonceherfather

learnedshewasgone,thepolicewouldsurelybeonthelookoutforit.Plus,herfathercould
havehertrackedusingthecar’sGPSfeatures.

Thatwasoneofthereasonsshealsoleftherphonebehind.She’dpurchaseaburnerlater.

Theimportantthingwasstayingundertheradarforthenextfouryears.Thenwhenshe
turnedthirtyandcouldaccesshertrustfund,she’dbeset.She’dbedamnedifshe’dlether
fathergethisgreedyhandsonit.He’dalreadytakenenoughfromherandhermother.

Andifshehadtopretendtobethehappydaughteranylonger,shemightclawhiseyes

out.

Theperfectlymanicuredgroundsthatlookedsobeautifulinthedaylightbecamecreepyin

thedarkness.Whenhadthelawngottensobig?She’dbeenoutofthehouselessthana
minute,butitfeltlikethiswalkwastakingforever.

Brightnessblastedacrossthelawnfromamotionsensorlightmountedinatree,andshe

jumped,herhandgraspingatherthroat.

Stupid.Sheknewthatlightwasthereandcouldhaveeasilyavoidedit.Focus.Nowwas

notthetimetogetcareless.

Thesidegatethegroundskeepersusedwaslocked.Damn.She’dplannedforthis

possibility,butshehadhopeditwouldbeopen.Nomatter.She’dhaveitopensoonenough.

Shereachedundertheedgeoftheironfence,feelingforthewirethatconnectedthelock

onthegatetothemainsecuritysystem.Aquicksnipwithapairofpliersandthenshe’dturn
herattentiontothelockonthegate.Itwasastandardlockandwouldn’ttakelongtopick.

Shepulledherkitoutofherpackandsettowork,tryingoutseveralpicksbeforehitting

paydirt.Thelockgavewithaslightclick,andshepushedthegateopenwithasmile.

Thanks,Dad,forthetools.She’dorderedthemonlinefromagenericsoundingsiteusing

hercreditcard,andthey’darrivedinanunlabeledbox,completewithlockstopracticeon.
Interceptingtheboxbeforetheguardsinspectedithadbeentricky,butworthit.Howironic
thatherfatherhadpaidforthetoolssheusedtoescapehim.

No,thatwasn’texactlytrue.Hepaidthatbillwithhermonthlyallowance,themoneythat

washers.

Sheshovedhertoolsbackintoherbackpackandsteppedoutontothesidewalk,asatisfied

smilestretchedacrossherface.Thehardestpartwasdone,andithadgoneperfectly.

TheAprilairwascool,andthemoonlightshonedownasshequicklywalkedthroughthe

multimillion-dollarneighborhood.Shescannedhersurroundings,lookingforanysignsof
movement,nottomentionsecuritycameras.

Ithitherjusthowaloneshereallywas.Exhilarationshotthroughherasadrenaline

rampedupherheartrate.Shecouldn’trememberthelasttimeshe’dbeenoutinpublic
withoutherbodyguard,Hugo,hersilentshadow.Shewasn’tevensureifHugowashisfirst
orlastname.

Thereinthedistance,shecouldseethelineoftoweringluxuryhotels.Onceshecrossed

throughthem,she’dheadtothebusstationonthesouthsideoftowntohoponafive

A.M.

departure.She’dmanagedtotracehermother’sestrangedanddisownedauntasfaras
Orlando,sothat’swhereshewasheading.

Assheapproachedthefirsthotel,Natalietuckedherlongblondhairintoherballcapand

pulledthebrimdownlowoverhereyes,hopingtheemployeeswouldn’trecognizeherfrom
theeventsshe’dattendedthereovertheyears.

Thehaironherarmsandthebackofherneckcametoattention,andsheinstinctively

lookedoverhershoulder.

No,no,no,no,no!
AblackEscalade,licenseplatereading

KEN T 3,

barreleddownthestreet.

Howhadtheyfoundhersoquickly?
Panic,alongwithasideofanger,floodedher.
Shehadnotgottenthisfaronlytobereturnedrightbacktoherfather.
Shewouldhavetorunforit.Shetightenedthestrapsonherbackpackandduckedinside

therevolvingdoorofthehotel.Therewasanotherexittothehotelthatwouldputherouton
asidestreet.

Shewalkedquicklythroughthelobby,keepinghereyesdown,butalsowatchingfor

figuresinblacksuits.Shehungalefttogodownasidehallway,butitledtoadeadend.

Shit,shit,shit!Shedidn’thavetimetomakestupidmistakeslikethat.
Shebacktrackedandwentdownadifferenthallway,thisoneleadingtowardtherearof

thebuilding.Herheartraced,andshewelcomedtherushofadrenaline.

Sheburstthroughadoormarkedwitharedglowingexitsign,hopingtoGodthiswasn’t

oneofthoseexitsthatsetoffanalarm.Shelookedleftandthenright,tryingtodecidewhich

waytogo.

Thedecisionwaseasy—leftwasthewaythattookherawayfromherfather’sguardinthe

blacksuitattheendofthealley.

Shewalkedquietly,tryingtokeepherstepssoundless.Everyinstincttoldhertorun,but

herfeetpoundingonthepavementwouldsurelydrawattention.

Adoorseveralfeetaheadofherswungopen,andateenagerlaunchedablackbagintothe

Dumpsteracrossthealleybeforelettingthedoorclosebehindhim.Itrattledbeforelanding
withaloudthud.Whatwasinthatbag—cansandrocks?Natalieclosedhereyesforabrief
moment,prayingtheguardhadn’theardtheracket.

“Stop!MissKent!”
Shegrabbedatthedoorhandlethekidwiththegarbagehadjustclosed,tryingtopullit

open,butitwaslocked.No!Shetookoffatasprint,angryatherselfforwastingseveral
preciousseconds.Theguard’sfeetpoundedonthepavementbehindher.Hewasclosingin
onher.

Shecametoasidealleyandbrieflyslowed,whippingherheadbackandforth.Notime!

Notime!Justgo!

Shehungarightandrealizedtoolateitwasadeadend.Shespunonherheelandnearly

collidedwiththeguard,whowasbreathingheavily.Hegrabbedherwrist.

She’dnevermetthisparticularguard,whichsurprisedherbecauseshethoughtsheknew

themall.Shetriedtojerkherarmaway,butheonlysqueezedharder.

“Ow,you’rehurtingme!”shescreamed,hopingtoplayonhissympathies.
Hemerelychuckled.“Youshouldhavethoughtofthatbeforeyouwentrunning.”
Shetriedanothertack.“Myfatherisnotgoingtobehappyifyouhurtme.”
“Yourfathergaveorderstoreturnyouatallcosts.Aslongasyou’realive,hedoesn’tcare

whatittakestobringyouhome.”

Theguardstartedtotwistherarmbehindherback,andshequicklysteppedinand

broughtherkneeup,connectingwithhisgroin.Alookofsurprisecrossedhisfaceandhis
griponherwristloosened,thoughhedidn’tgiveupherarmcompletely.Shebroughther
kneeupagain,thistimetwistingherwristfreeastheguardtriedtododgetheblow.

Shewastednotimeandtookoffrunningagain.Thethoughtflittedthroughhermindthat

hemightnotbealone.Thenwhat?Shehadtogetaway.

“You’regoingtoregretthat!”Theguardmusthaverecoveredenoughtocontinuehis

pursuit.

Shepanted,franticallylookingforawayoutofthealley.Maybeifshegottoamainstreet,

shecoulddartacrosstraffic.Orblendinwiththecrowds.Thatalwaysworkedinthemovies.
Toobaditwasaftermidnightandtherewerenocrowds.

God,thiswasn’tpartoftheplan!Thiswasn’tsupposedtohappen!Sheneededtimeto

think.

Away,away,away.Justgetaway.
Shepumpedherarmsandlegs,willingthemtogofaster.Herlungsburnedandfeltlike

theywouldburst.

Oh,no...Shewascomingtotheendofthealley,andtherewasachain-linkfencethat

blockedherway.Ontheothersideofit,shecouldseethemainroad.Butshewasn’tgoingto
makeit.Nowayshe’dbeabletoclimbitintime.

Shecouldheartheguardclosinginonher.Hisfingersglancedthroughherhairinhis

attempttograbher,andshetriedtogofaster.Shetried,butshedidn’thaveanythingleft.

Theguard’shandclaspedhershoulder.

Knoxcutrightintothealley,settinghispaceatajog.Heneededtogetasfarawayfromthe
ringasfastashecould.

X’swordsechoedinhismind.Imadeyou.You’renothingwithoutme.
Whatifhewasright?
No.Hepushedtherevoltingthoughtdown.Hemightnoteverbecomerich,buthe...
Rich.That’swhereheneededtogo—thenorthsideoftown.Herarelysetfootinthe

swankyneighborhoodsandupscaleplazasjustseveralmilesawayfromtheslumhecalled
home.Hewouldn’tknowhiswayaround,butnoonewouldeverthinktolookforhimthere.
He’dholeupsomewhereforadayortwowhilehefiguredoutaplan.

Therewasnothingkeepinghiminthiscitynow,buthefeltalighttugholdinghimback.It

wasallhe’deverknown.

Itdidn’ttakelongfortheroadstostartlookingbettermaintainedandthebarstobe

absentfrombusinesswindows.Thisareawaswherethecity’srevenuecamefrom,sothe
mayorandthepoliceactuallygaveafuck.

Suddenlyawomanwithlongblondhairflewdownthealleywithahulkingmandressed

inblackinhotpursuit.Shescreamedastheguyroughlygrabbedhershoulderandflungher
around.Sherakedhernailsacrosshisface,andhepushedhertotheground.

“Youfuckingbitch!”Theguytouchedhishandtohisfaceandhisfingerscameaway

bloody.

Thewomanbackedawaywithherhandsouttoprotectherself,lookingupathimwith

determinedwideblueeyes.

Knoxstoppedinhistracksassomethingstirredwithinhim,somethinghe’dneverfelt

before.Hedidn’tknowwhatitwas,butheknewthatnoonewasgoingtohurtherunlessit
wasoverhisdeadbody.Hedroppedhisbagandclosedthedistancebetweenhimandthe
attacker.

Themanraisedhishand,aimingfortheblond,butbeforehecouldbringitdownina

backhandedslap,Knoxtackledhim.

Hepunchedtheguyinthefaceandhisnosestartedbubblingblood.Beforehecouldget

anotherhitin,themanthrewhisforearmuptoblockitandliftedhiships,buckingKnoxoff
totheside.Knoxeasilyjumpedtohisfeet.

“Go.Run!”heyelledtothewoman,whowasnowonherkneesnexttothechain-link

fence.Hewantedtogotoher,makesureshewasallright,buttakingthisguyoutsohe
couldn’tattackheragaintookpriority.

Themanpulledoutagun,andimmediatelyKnoxshiftedsothathewasinfrontofthe

woman,whonowheldafragmentofabrickinherhandtouseasaweapon.

“Go!”heyelledagain,notturningaroundtoseeifshefollowedhisinstructions.She

wouldn’thavetousehermakeshiftweaponifhehadanythingtodowithit.

“Thisdoesn’tinvolveyou,”theattackersaid.“Leavenow,andI’llforgetaboutyou.”
“Ifitinvolvesher,thenitinvolvesme,”Knoxsaid.
“Suityourself,”hesaid,pullingthetrigger.Knoxtwistedoutofthewayasecondtoolate,

andfeltafireigniteinhisshoulder.Hethoughtitonlyfeltlikeagraze,buthewasn’tsure.

Luckily—ormaybenot—ithithisrightarminsteadoftheleftthatwasalreadysportingX’s
knifewound.Butdamn,itfuckinghurt.

Beforetheguycouldtakeanothershot,Knoxchargedhimagain,slamminghimagainst

thebuilding.InamovereminiscentofhisearlierfightwithX,heslammedtheguy’swrist
intothewalluntilhedroppedthegun.

“He’sgotaknife!”thewomanscreamed.
Knoxinstinctivelyslippedundertheswipeoftheblade.Hewouldhavetakenaslash

acrossthethroatifshehadn’twarnedhim,butevenstill,sheneededtogetthefuckoutof
here.

“Igotthis!”Knoxyelledtothewoman.“Go!”
ThefightwithXhadbeeneasy.Thisonewasn’tgoingtobe.Theguywashuge—taller

thanKnoxbyafewinchesandeasilyahundredpoundsheavier.Hewaspudgyanddefinitely
notasmuscularasKnox,butfuck,thiswashisthirdfightinthelasttwohours.Hisbodywas
protestingtheabuse.

Knoxcurledhislipandbenthiskneesslightly,preparingtododgethenextswingofthe

knife.

TheguycameathimandKnoxspunaway,thenquicklykickedoutasthehulkchargedat

himagain,knockinghimonhisback.AsKnoxwentdown,heheardaclatter,andoutofthe
cornerofhiseyehesawX’sgunfalltotheground.

Fuckme.He’dforgottenheevenhadthegunonhim.Hewassousedtofightingwithhis

fistsithadn’toccurredtohimtoreachforthegun.

Heslippedhiskneebetweenhimselfandthebrute,thencenteredhishipsandlockedhis

legsaroundtheguy,assumingaguardedpositionontheground.Seeinganopportunityto
finishit,theguywrappedbothhandsaroundtheknifetodriveitdownintoKnox’sthroat.
Knoxgrabbedhiswristandpushedawaywithhislegs.Hewascompletelyofftheground
exceptforhisshoulderbladesasthepointoftheknifeinchedclosertohiswindpipe.

“Stop!You’llkillhim!Don’tmakemeshoot!”Thewoman’svoicewasfrantic.
“Go,”Knoxgroundoutbetweenclenchedteeth.“Leaveme.”Whywasn’tsherunning?

Therewouldbenoonetoprotectherifhewentdown.

“Stop!OrIswearI’llshoot.I’lldoit.”Shecameincloser,holdingX’sguninher

outstretchedhands.

Theguardsneered.“Toobadforyoushedoesn’thaveitinher,”hegruntedouttoKnox.
Thegunfired.Hedidn’tknowwhatshewasaimingat,buttheshotwenthigh,hittingthe

wallabovethem.

Knoxusedthedistractionofthegunfireasanopeningtopivothishipsandsweeptheguy

offhisknees.Inthesweep,theguy’sarmsflungout,knockingthewomantotheground.
Knoxrolledintheoppositedirectionandscrambledtohisfeetjustastheguywrappedhis
handaroundherneck.

“No!”heyelled.Fuck.Hewastoofar.Hewouldn’tgetthereintime.Theguywasgoingto

crushherwindpipe.

Knoxlungedforwardashereyesbegantoflutter.Herarmsdrewin,andhereyesclosed.
Thenthebackoftheman’sheaderupted.

Chapter2

OhmyGod,ohmyGod,ohmyGod.

Theguard’sbodywasheavyandlimpontopofher,soheavyNatalie’slungshurtfrom

tryingtobreathe.

Ishedead?
Thatwaswhenshefeltthebloodrunningfromhisheadontoherface.Thewetwarm

liquidwasalloverher.

“Gethimoffme!”sheshrieked.“Gethimoff!”Panicsetinandsheputherpalmsflaton

hischest,pushingwithallherstrengthwhileflailingherlegs,buthedidn’tbudge.

HisbodyrolledtothesideandNataliefranticallywipedatherfacewithhersleeves.They

cameawaydarkandwetandwarm.Horrified,sheclosedhereyesandtookadeepbreath.

OhmyGod,Ikilledhim,dead,dead,dead,hisblood’salloverme.
“Areyouokay?”
Whattodo?Whattodo?Think,Natalie,think.OhmyGod,he’sdead.
Herbreathstartedcominginshortpants,andsherealizedshewashyperventilating.
Don’tpanic,don’tpanic,there’snotimetopanic.Buthe’sdead,he’sdead.There’sso

muchblood.

Abruptly,shesatup,gaspingforair.Shelookeddownatherself.Therewasbloodandbits

ofwhiteandgray...

Thebileroseinherthroatandsheclappedahandoverhermouth,crawlingawayonher

handsandkneesonthegrimypavement.

Getaway,justgetaway.WhathaveIdone?Ikilledhim,killedhim,killedhim.
“Areyouokay?”thevoiceaskedagain.
Nataliespun,andhereyesfocusedonherrescuer,gettingagoodlookathimforthefirst

time.Hiseyeswerehardandfierce,andforamomentsheregrettednotlisteningtohis
demandsthatsherun.Sheshouldbescared.Thismanwasdangerous.Helookedit,and
she’dalreadyseenfirsthandwhathewascapableof.Wouldshebeanysaferwithhim?

Yes.Instinctivelysheknewshewas.He’dputhislifeonthelinetosavehers.Shecould

trusthim.

Lookingintohiseyesjustnow,shefeltthepanicslowlybegintoleaveherandher

thoughtsbecamealittlemorecoherent.Lookingathim,inthemiddleofthisblood-soaked
horriblealley,shefoundhercenterinanunlikelyplace—intheabyssofhisdarkeyes.
Somethingclickedwhenshelookedathim.

“Areyouokay?”herepeated.
Shenodded,thenglancedtothesideatthebodynexttoher.Hisbackwastoherand

throughhishairmattedwithblood,shecouldseeintohishead.Shesqueezedhereyesshut
andturnedherfaceaway.Eventhoughsheknewtheanswer,shehadtoask.

“Ishe...didIkillhim?”
Hisexpressionwasgrim,andsheknewshehad.Shewasamurderer.OhGod,ohGod,oh

God.

No,stop.Therewasnotimeforthis.Shelookedattheman’sfaceagainandfoundher

focus.

Hisfacesoftenedatouch,andheheldhishandout.“Comeon.”
Shelookedupathim.“Whatshouldwedo?”
“Weneedtogetoutofhere.”
Shelookedoveratthebodyoncemoreandwrappedherarmsaroundherself.“Ikilled

him.”Herliptrembled,butshesuckeditin.Thiswasnotimefortears.

“Youhadnochoice.”Hepaused.“Whywasheafteryou?”
“Hewassentbymyfather.”Hervoicewasmechanical.Shedidn’tevenknowthisguy’s

name.Shesqueezedhereyesshut.That’snotimportantrightnow.“Myfatherisnotagood
man,”sheadded.

Sirensblaredinthedistance.
“Fuck.”HegrabbedthegunandhastilywipeditdownwithhisT-shirt,thenhesitated

brieflybeforetossingitintotheDumpster.

“Weneedtogetoutofhere,”herepeated,holdingouthishandagain.Thesirensgot

louder,theirurgencysnappingheroutofherfog,andsheputherhandinhis.Hepulledher
toherfeet,andherbodybrushedcloseagainsthim.

“Wherearewegoingtogo?”sheasked.
Hescannedthealleywithacalculatinglookinhiseyes.“Overthefence.Canyouclimb?”
Shelookedoverhershoulderatthechain-linkfencebehindher.Herlegswerestill

wobblybeneathher,butshegrabbedherbackpackfromwhereithadfallenandslungitover
hershoulders.“Yes.”

Eventhoughthewoman—Knoxhadn’teventhoughttoaskhernameyet—claimedshecould
climbthefence,hehadhisdoubts.Assheslidherfeetintothechainlinks,heputhishands
onherwaisttohelpherup.Heclimbedafewfeetbelowher,readytocatchherifsheslipped.
Thewoundsonhisarmsburned,andtheslashfromX’sknifewasreopening,butheignored
thepain,focusingonherinstead.

Hewouldnotletherfall.
Shereachedthetopandthrewonelegover.Hepickedupthepacesohecouldalreadybe

ontheothersidewhenshestartedherdescent.Hejumpedthelastfewfeetandthenputhis
handsonherwaisttobringherdown,herbodyslidingalonghis.

Thatsomethinghe’dfeltwhenhefirstsawherstirredwithinhimagain.Hewantedto

threadhisfingersinherhair,dragherheadback,andravagehermouth.

Hereyeslockedwithhis,andheknewhewasn’ttheonlyoneaffected.
Thesirensblaredlouder,andhesteppedawayfromher.
Priorities,Knox.He’dgethersafe.Thenmaybehe’dtakethetimetoexplorewhatthat

somethingwas.Later.

“Canyourun?”heasked.
Shenodded.Hesetthepaceslowerthanhewouldhaveifheweresoloandincreasedit

whenshemanagedtokeepup.Hetookthemsouth,backthewayhe’dcome.Itputhimat
greaterriskofrunningintoX’smen,butgettingheroutofthenorthside—andawayfrom
anymoremenliketheonethey’djustfaced—seemedwise.Plus,theywerebothcoveredin

bloodandthatwasn’tgoingtobeeasytohide,eveninthedark.Theyneededarestingstop
beforetheycouldcontinue.

They?Knoxquestionedhimself.
Yes,they.
Foryears,it’dbeenhimagainsttheworld.Nowwithinmomentsofmeetingthiswoman,

hewasthrowinghislotinwithhers.Deepinhisgutthough,heknewhewouldn’tbeokay
walkingawayfromher.

Andhestilldidn’tevenknowhergoddamnname.
Christ.
Theclosertheygottowardthesouthsideoftown,thehardknocksoflifebecamemore

evidentbytherun-downbuildingsandunkemptlawns.

Adivehotelwastheirbestbet.Thebloodontheirclothesmightraiseafeweyebrows,but

questionswouldn’tbeasked.Hopefully.Theydidn’thaveanotherviableoption.Iftheywere
fartherouttowardthesuburbs,theycouldholeupinavacanthouse,butvacantapartments
inthecitywerehardtocomebyandtheriskofbeingnoticedtherewasgreater.Besides,they
neededwaterandelectricity,andcleantowelswouldbenice.

Hesloweddowntoabriskwalk.
“Whyareweslowing?”sheasked.“Isitsafe?”
“Safeenough.”Aslongastheykepttothesidestreetsandkeptmoving,they’dbefine.It

wasdoubtfulthepolicewouldcanvassanareathiswidesoquickly.Butshit,theywere
closinginonX’sterritory,theveryplacehe’drunawayfromhoursago.

“Howmanymenwerepursuingyou?”heasked.Hewantedtoknowwhattheycouldbeup

against.

“I’mnotsure,”shesaid.“IthoughtIknewallofthebodyguardsmyfatherused,butI’ve

neverseenhimbefore.”

TheywerenearingthecornerofProsperandMartinStreets.Afewblocksahead,there

wasamotelwithroomdoorsthatopenedtotheoutside.Peoplewerelesslikelytoseethem
thatway.ItwasunlikelyXwasalreadylookingforhim,butitwasonlyamatteroftime.The
lessheshowedhisfacearoundhere,thebetter.

Hestoppedacrossthestreetfromthemotel,andshesidledupnexttohim,lookingtohim

fordirection.Shestillseemedshakenbyeverythingthathadgonedownandhappytolethim
takethelead,notthathecouldblameher.

Thebrandofclothingsheworeandthewaysheheldherselfgaveawaythatshewasn’t

fromhisneckofthewoods,butherlifecouldn’thavebeenallthatgreatsinceshewas
runningfromit.

“We’regoingtocheckintothatmotel,”hesaid.Heputhishandsonhiships,weighingout

theiroptions.Fuck.Hereallydidn’twanttosendherinthere,buthisfacewasfartoo
recognizable.

HeliftedtheedgeofhisT-shirtandgentlywipedherfacewithit,rubbingawaythe

remainingblood.“Doyouhaveajacketorsomethingyoucanthrowoveryourclothes?”

Shenoddedandslungherbackpackaroundtoherside,unzippingitandpullingouta

blackhoodie.“What’stheplan?”

“Canyoucheckusintothathotel?Don’tuseyourrealname.Paywithcash.”Hereached

intohispocketforsomebills.

“I’vegotit,”shesaid,pattingherbackpack.

Hetookadeepbreathandputhishandsonhershoulders,lookingintohereyes.An

uncomfortablefeelingrosewithinhim,somethinghehadn’tfeltinalongtime.Fear.He
didn’twanttosendherintherealone,buttherewasnobetteroption.

“I’llwaitaroundthesideofthebuilding.Ifyourunintoanytrouble,anythingatall,just

screamandI’llbethere.”

Shenodded,hereyeswideandtrusting.Sheletoutalittlebreathylaughandputona

bravesmile.“Itcan’tgetmuchworse,right?”

Sheleanedintohim,takinghimbysurpriseforasecond.Thenhewrappedhisarms

aroundherandpulledherbodyclose.Hedidn’tknowifitwasablessingoracursetohave
metherinthesecircumstances.

Heputhisfaceinherhairandsmelledthefaintscentofstrawberries,whichmomentarily

overrodeallthatsurroundedthem.Blessing,hedecided.Definitelyablessing.

Hiseyesfocusedonherslightlypartedlips,thenshifteduptohereyes.Theywidenedfor

asplitsecondbeforehereyelidsclosedandherbodyshiftedimperceptiblycloser.

Thenhecrushedhismouthtohers.Shestiffenedforjustamoment,beforeyieldingand

lettingherbodyformtohis.

Hehadn’tplannedtodoit,butGod,lookingatherwithherbravesmiletocoverherfear,

howcouldhenot?Shehadtofeelaninklingofwhathedid.

Sheclungtohim,matchinghisurgencywithherown.Theywerebothinthemoment,

aliveinthehereandnow,liketheyweren’tinanimpossiblyfucked-upsituation.

Shepulledaway,andherchestheavedasshebreatheddeeply.Herlipswereslightly

swollenandred,makinghimwanttopullhertohimagain.

Therewillbetimeforthatlater,hepromisedhimself.Thatpromisewastheonlything

thatkepthiminplaceasshecrossedtrafficandintothemotellobby,outofhissight.

Gettingaroomkeywaseasy.TheclerkwasmoreinterestedinwatchingrerunsofMaury
thangettingagoodlookather.Thewomanhadhandedheranactualmetalkeyandnotakey
card.Nataliedidn’tevenknowtherewerehotelsthatstillusedrealkeys,butapparentlythis
onedid.

Sheemergedfromthehoteloffice,andherprotectorwaswaitingforheralongthesideof

thebuildingaspromised.Whenhiseyeslockedwithhers,someofthetensionleftthem.He
wasobviouslyrelievedtoseeheragain.

Hehadtheoppositeeffectonher—shebecametense,butforaverydifferentreason.
Hetookherbreathaway.
Hewouldbegood-lookingunderanycircumstances,butwhatcouldshesay?Thefierce

protectivelookonhisfacemadehimherwarrior.Hehadapresenceabouthimthat
captivatedher.Hewaswild,dangerous,andunlikeanyoneshe’devermet.Sheshouldrun
fromhimassoonassheknewitwassafe.

Butshewouldn’t.Shedidn’twantto,andshedidn’tthinkshecould.
“Whatroom?”heasked.
“One-oh-seven.”
Theywalkedswiftlytothedoor.Themetalsevenhadfallenoffthedoor,butsomeonehad

drawnitonwithaSharpie.Natalieinsertedthekeyintothelockwhilehekeptwatch,
shieldingherbodywithhisown.Whensheopenedthedoor,astrong,mustyscentspilled

fromtheroom.

Shehurriedinsideandheclosedthedoorbehindthem.Theroomwasdingy,with

outdatedwallpaperandscratchypolyesterbedspreads.Thesecuritylockwasbroken,sohe
movedthedresserinfrontofthedoorwhileshedrewthecurtainstightlyclosed.

Shewhirledaroundtofacehim,suddenlyfeelingshy.Shedidn’tevenknowhisname.
Hewalkedtheperimeteroftheroom,watchingher,remindingherofacagedtiger:

stunning,untamed,andthreatening.

“Whoareyou?”sheventuredbravely.
“Knox,”hesaidsimply.
“Knox?Knoxwhat?”
“JustKnox.”Heproppedhimselfagainsttheedgeofthedresserandcrossedhimarms

overhischest,sayingnothing.Watchingher.

“I’mNatalie,”shesaid,herfingerstoyingwiththesimplemoon-shapedpendantonher

necklace.“NatalieFarringtonKent.”

Ifherecognizedhername,hisexpressiondidn’tgiveanyindication.
“Whydon’tyougetcleanedup?”Henoddedtowardthebathroom.
Ofcourse.Thatwaswhytheywerehere,afterall.Shestrippedoffherhoodie,cringingat

thebloodstainedshirtshestillwore.Shecouldn’twaittothrowitaway.

Butwait,wouldthatbesafe?Shehadn’tplannedforthissituation.Damnit!
SheglancedupatKnox,nowshirtlessandrifflingthroughhisduffelbag.Whenhepulled

outasmallfirst-aidkit,shegasped.

“Youwerehurt!”Shecrossedtheroomtohim,andgentlyputherfingersonhisshoulder.

“Youwereshot.”

Heshrugged.“Justagraze.”
Shelookedtotheotherarm,whereagashwasstillseepingblood.“Hegotyouwiththe

knife.”

“No.Thatwasfromearlier.”
Sheraisedhereyebrowsinquestion,buthesaidnothing.
“Letmehelpyouwiththis,”shesaid.
“I’musedtotendingmyownwounds.”
Shebitherlipandstudiedthegash.“Thisone’sdeep.Itmightneedstitches.”
Heshookhishead.“I’vehadworse.It’llbefine.”
Sheputherhandsonherhipsandfrownedathim.Whywashepullingback?Didn’the

realizehe’dsavedherlife?Theleastshecoulddowashelp.Shepickeduphiskitandwalked
towardthebathroom.“Comeinherewherethelight’sbetter.”

Sheflippedonthelightinthebathroomandjumped,herhandclutchingatherchest.He

wasrightbehindherinthemirror.Shelaughednervously,tryingtoplayitoff.“Youmove
fast.”

Thebathroomwastiny,andthetwoofthemcouldbarelyfitinittogetherwithout

brushingupagainstoneanother.Herbodywasalltooawareofhispresence,whichwas
overwhelmingherinthesmallspace.

HeleanedagainstthecounterrightbesideherandtossedhisruinedT-shirtintothetrash

can.

Holywow.Shewaskiddingifshethoughtshewasoverwhelmedbefore.Herheart

hammeredinherribcage.

Hischestandabsweremuscledwithdeepridgesandvalleys.Herfingersitchedtorun

overtheintricaciesofhischestandabdomen.Hisphysiquelookedlikeitbelongedona
chiseledstatueratherthanaflesh-and-bloodman.

OverhisrightpecwasalargetattooofanX.Shetracedherfingersoveritlightly,wanting

toaskwhatitstoodforbutafraidhewouldn’tanswer.Thensherealizedwhatshewasdoing
—feelingupavirtualstranger.Andwhilehewasinjured,noless.They’donlyjustmetan
hourbefore,andshedidn’tevenknowhisnameuntilafewminutesago.

Shelookedup,herhandstillonhischest,tofindherfaceinchesfromhis.Hergaze

flickeddowntohislips,andherinsideswarmedatthememoryofthekissthey’dshared—
hot,deep,perfect.Hisdarkeyesboreintoherswithanintensityshe’dneverexperienced
before.Itrockedher.Ifheweren’thurtandsheweren’t...

Sheclearedherthroatandhastilydroppedherhand.Focus,Nat,focus.Shepulledouta

smallbottleofantiseptic.Shelookedupathimasshetwistedoffthecap.“Thisisgoingto
sting.”

Withanapologeticlook,shepoureditonthegash.Hedidn’tevenwince,keepinghisgaze

steady—unflinching—onher.Shemovedtohisotherarmtoinspectthegrazewound.

“Thisoneisn’tasbad,”shesaid,relieved.Shehatedthathehadbeenhurttryingtohelp

her.Sheowedherlifetothisman,thismysteriouswarrior.Shewantedtounravelallhis
layerstofindoutwhatlaybeneath.

Shetriedtoremaincalmandcollectedasshetreatedhiswounds,buteverytimeher

fingerscameintocontactwithhisskin,ajoltshotthroughherandcontinuedtocirculate.
Theenergyandtensionbetweenthemkeptbuildingandbuilding.Hersystemwasin
overloadjustfrombeinginsuchcloseproximity.

“You’llneedtoshowerbeforeIcancoveritwithgauze.”
“Thankyou,”hesaid.
“You’rewelcome.”Shewrappedherarmsaroundherself,feelingincrediblyexposed.
Heraisedahandtotrailhisfingersdownhercheek,tuckingastraypieceofhairbehind

herear.Helookedlikehewantedtosaysomething,butthenheblinkedanddroppedhis
hand.

Heturnedawayfromher,unbuttoninghisjeansandlettingthemfalltothefloor,leaving

onlyblackboxerbriefs.Shereluctantlyavertedhereyes,exhalingheavilywhenhestepped
intotheshowerandpulledthecurtainclosedbeforestrippingtherestoftheway.

Reliefordisappointment?
Thewaterstartedrunningandsteampouredoverthetopofthecurtain.
Don’tberidiculous.Iftherewaseveraworsetimetohavefeelingslikethese,shecouldn’t

pictureit.

Shelookedinthemirrorandwasgreetedbydarkcirclesunderhereyesandahollowness

shedidn’tremember.Hadtheyalwaysbeenthatway?

Herlifehadsurechangedinthelastfewhours.Miraculously,she’descapedwithonly

minorscrapesandbruises.Noticingthestainsandgrimealloverherskin,sheturnedonthe
waterinthesinkandsplasheditonherarms.Thewatergoingdownthedrainwastinged
withpinkish-red.

“Oh,God.”
Shelookedatherreflectioninthemirroragain,andsherealizedshewasstaringintothe

faceofamurderer.

Knoxtiltedhisfaceuptowardtheshowerhead,lettingthehotwatercascadeoverhim.He
couldn’trememberthelasttimehisbodyhadtakensuchabuse.Hehopedthey’dgetadecent
night’srestbeforethenextdisasterstruck.

Heheardathudfromtheothersideofthecurtainandfrowned.ThenheheardNatalie

gasping.

Quicklypullingasidethecurtainandgrabbingatoweltowraparoundhiswaist,hefound

hersittingontheclosedtoiletwithherheadbetweenherknees,desperatelytryingtosuckin
air.

“Areyouokay?”heasked.
Sheliftedherheadup,panicinhereyes.“Ican’t...I...”
Hepulledhertoherfeetandyankedhershirtoverherhead,thenflickedopenthebutton

onherjeansandslidthosedown.

Shesqueezedhereyesshut,andheliftedheroverthetub’srimandintotheshowerspray

withhim,holdinghertightagainsthischest.

Ofcourseshewasn’tokay.Itdidn’ttakeageniustofigureoutthatshewasn’taccustomed

toviolence,andshe’djustbeenforcedtokillaman.Hell,he’dwitnesseddeadlyviolenceon
theregular,buthe’dneverdoneithimself.

Hewouldhavedoneitforher,though.Hecursedhimselffornotbeingfaster,fornot

anticipatingthatfucker’smoves.Itshould’vebeenhim,nother.

Assheclungtohim,herbreathingstartedtoslow.Heranhishandoverherhairandput

hislipstohertemple.

Hegrabbedthesoapandranitoverherbackinlazycircles,hesitatingwhenhecameto

herbrastrap.Shereachedbacktounclipit,lettingitslidetotheground,andhebitbacka
groanasherbreastspressedupagainsthischest.

“Holdme,”shewhispered.
Asifanyoneoranythingcouldprymeawayfromher.
Herfingersdugintothefleshofhisbackasifshewereclingingtotheedgeofacliff,

holdingonfordearlife.

Andsheprobablywas.She’dcrossedalineearliertonightthattherewasnogoingback

from.

“Let’sgetyouclean,”hesaid.“You’llfeelbetter.”
Hewasn’tabletotakeawaythememorythatwouldhaunther,butatleasthecouldget

ridofthephysicalreminders.

Shenoddedandheknelttowashhercalves,kneadingandmassaginghermusclesashe

coveredhersoftskinwithsuds.Heworkedhiswayupherthighs,andsheputherhandson
hisshouldersforbalance.

Asheranhishandalongherinnerthigh,sheinhaledsharplyandswayedagainsthim.
Allthatseparatedhismouthfromhercorewasthethinfabriclayerofherpanties.How

easywoulditbetoshovethoseasideandtasteher?Tooeasy.She’dprobablylethim,butshe
mightnotforgivehim.Whentheyweretogether—andtheywouldbe—hewantedhertowant
himandnotbeinthethroesofpost-traumatic-stressmeltdown.Thoughshemightwelcome
thedistraction,Knoxwouldn’tdothattoher.

Heinchedhiswayhigher,washinghernavel,butnotbeforegentlysucklingherbelly.He

stood.Hereyeswereclosed,andhermouthwasslightlyparted.

Shewassofuckingsexy.

Heranthesoapoverherbreasts,teasinghernipplestoattentionwithhisfingertips.She

gasped,hermouthformingtheperfectinvitation.Hecuppedherface,capturinghermouth
withhis.Whensherespondedbygrabbinghisshoulders,helethertakethelead,lether
deepenthekiss.

Shewasgoingtodestroyhim,andshehadnofuckingclue.
Hebrokethekiss.“Letmewashyourhair.”
Herbigblueeyespeeredupathim,andshenodded.Hefilledthepalmofhishandwith

shampoo,andsheletoutalittlelaughandsmiled.“That’swaytoomuch.”

Shescoopedoutaportionoftheshampooandworkeditintoherhair.Hewascontentto

watchher,toadmiretheriseandfallofherbreastswhilesheworkedthenowdarkerblond
strandsfromroottotip.Whenshestartedtorinsethesudsoutofherhair,hetangledhis
handswithhers.

Whenherhairwasclean,shefacedhim,eyesopen.“Whydidyoudoit?”sheasked.“Why

didyousaveme?”

“Ihadto.”Itwasthehonest-to-Godtruth.
Thelookinhergazewasalmosttoomuchforhim—whetherhe’dsavedherornot,he

wasn’tworthyofthatlook.Thelookscorchedhissoul—itwasgoodandpureandeverything
hewasn’t.

Sowithonefinalcaressofherlips,hesteppedoutoftheshowertoallowhertofinish

washinginprivate,exchangingthenowsoakedtowelwithanother.Heleft,notlookingback,
knowingifhedid,hewouldn’tleave.

Chapter3

Nataliegingerlypattedherselfdrywiththescratchymoteltowels.Herbodywasgrowingstiff
andachy,thelastfewhourscatchinguptoheronceagain.

Shereplayedthenight’seventsinhermind,viewingeverythingasaspectator,likeit

hadn’treallyhappenedtoher.Twenty-fourhoursago,shewastheshelteredFarrington
heiress,lockedawayinhertower.Andnow?

Shewasfree,butshe’dpaidaheavyprice.Oneshehadn’tpreparedfor—howcouldshe

have?Aman’slifehadbeenexchangedforherown.Evenifhewasherfather’shiredmuscle,
takinghislifewasstillablowshehadn’texpected;sheknewshe’ddoanythingtogainher
freedom,butthis?

Theimageoftheguard’sfallenbodyflashedthroughhermind,andshebrieflyclosedher

eyes,willingtheimagetorecede,butitwasburnedintohermemory.Wouldsheeverstop
seeingit?Itwasallsosurreal.

ExceptforKnox.Hewassolid,real,hers.Thatmuchsheknew.
Beneathhishardexteriorandguardedeyestherewasasoftside.She’dexperiencedit

firsthandjustnowwhenhe’dtenderlycaredforherintheshower.

Butunderneaththesoftnesstherewasawholeslewofheatandhardnessthat

simultaneouslypetrifiedandexcitedher.

Herruinedclothingwasnolongeronthefloor.Knoxmusthavetakencareofitforher.

Oh,yes,therewasdefinitelymoretohimthanmettheeye.

Sheslippedoutofthebathroom,hikingthetowelfartherupherchest.She’djustbeen

almostcompletelynakedwithKnox,butsuddenlyandirrationally,shefeltshy.

Hewasstretchedoutononeofthedoublebeds,scrollingthroughhisphone.Hiseyesmet

hers.

“Feelingbetter?”
“Yes.Thankyou.”ShesearchedthroughherbackpackforacleanpairofpantiesandaT-

shirt.Shehadn’tanticipatedhavingaroommatewhenshe’dpacked,soshehadn’tbrought
pajamas.

Aridiculousthingtobeworriedabout.SheandKnoxwerewaypastworryingabout

pajamas.

Shereturnedtothebathroomtoputherclotheson,thensatonthecornerofthebed.
Knoxscootedtositnexttoher.Heliftedherchintolookatherneck.Bruiseswere

beginningtoemergewheretheguardhadchokedher.“Doesithurt?”heasked.

“Alittle,”Natalieadmitted,notwantingtomakeabigdealoutofit.Knox’sfistswere

alreadyclenchedandhisexpressionmurderous.

Hestoodandpulledanicepackoutofhisfirst-aidkit,crackingittogetthecoldflowing.

CrossingtoNatalie,heheldituptoherneck.

Sheletoutasighofrelief.“Thanks.”
“Anythingelsehurt?”

Sheshookherhead.Hiswashingofherwassothoroughthathewouldknowbetterthan

shewould.Tinglesracedthroughherbloodatthememoryofhistouch.Thetinglesturnedto
firewhenshethoughtofhismouthonherskin.

Sheclosedhereyesbrieflytorevelinthememory,thenshetookadeepbreath.
“Ithinkweshouldcallthepolice.”
“Why?”Knoxfrowned.“Wejustranfromthem.”
Shetracedherfingeralongthefrayingseamofthebedspread.“Ijustkilledsomeone,

Knox.Yes,itwasself-defense,butImurderedsomeone.Ihavetoturnmyselfin.”

Hepacedinfrontofher.“That’snotagoodidea.”
“Iwon’tbeabletohidewhatI’vedoneforever.”Shehadbeenperfectlypreparedtorun

andhidefromherfather,butthesituationhadescalated.Andfast.

“WouldyoubelievemeifItoldyouthereweredirtycopsinthiscity?”Hesatnexttoher

andrestedhiselbowsonhisknees.

Shefrowned.She’dneverevenconsideredthatthepolicemightnotbetrustworthy,but

theywerepeople,justlikeeveryoneelse.Theyweresusceptibletocorruption.

Rightandwrongandgoodandbadwerenolongerblackandwhiteareas.Shewas

swimminginaseaofgraywherehertrustneededtobecloselyguarded.

Sheneverwouldhavethoughtshe’dtrustsomeonelikeKnoxwithherlife,butshedid.

Unequivocally.

Andnowknowingthelengthsherfatherwouldgotogetherhomemadehernervous.He

couldmorethanbuysomeoneoff.Besides,shedidn’tknowexactlywhatwouldhappenifshe
turnedherselfin.Thinkingaboutitmore,sherealizedifsheturnedherselfintothepolice,
thenshemightaswelljustreturntoherfather.

Eitherway,she’dendupseparatedfromKnox,andthatbotheredherwaymorethanit

should.Thoughhe’dplayedtheGoodSamaritanandriskedhislifeforher,hedidn’tmean
anythingtoher.Hecouldn’t.She’djustmettheman.

Still,hergutclenched.
Shesighedandrestedherfaceinherhands.Itwasfourinthemorning,andshewasn’t

thinkingclearly.Inhershelteredisolation,she’dhadalotoftimetoprepareforherescape.
Meticulousplansmadeandremadeandtweakeduntiltheywereperfect.Everycontingency
hadbeenconsidered.Orsoshe’dthought—shedefinitelyhadn’tplannedformurder.And
nowthatshewasontherun,shedidn’thavetimeforthatkindofplanningorsecond-
guessing,andshehatedhowvulnerablethatlefther.Nomatter.Sheliftedherfaceandrolled
hershoulders.She’dmadeitthisfar.She’djusthavetofigureitout.Andnowshehad
something—someone—onhersideshedefinitelyhadn’tplannedon.

“Let’sgetsomesleep,”Knoxsaid.“Wedon’tneedtomakeanydecisionstonight.”
Whathewasn’tsayingwasinthewayhewaslookingather—hewouldn’tlethergotothe

police.Itseemedshewasn’ttheonlyonereluctanttoseparate.

Shenodded,barelyabletokeepherheadup,andcrawleduptowardthepillows.Helifted

theblanketsoverher,andsheheldthemupforhimtoclimbinbesideher.Withno
hesitation,helaynexttoherandpulledherbodyagainsthis.

Thereweretwobedsintheroom,butithadn’toccurredtoeitherofthemtomakeuseof

thesecond.

Wrappedinhismusculararms,forthefirsttimesincehermotherdied,Nataliefeltsafe.

Natalieblinkedasdingycurtainsandcheapparticleboardfurniturecameintofocus.Where
amI?

Shesatupstraight,pullingthesheetuparoundherneck.Mercifully,she’dsleptadeep,

dreamlesssleep,butnowinthestarklightofday,theeventsoflastnightcamecrashingback.
Shelookedaroundfrantically.

Knox.WhereisKnox?
Hewalkedoutofthebathroom,wearingjeansthatwereunbuttonedatthewaistand

hanginglowonhiships.Foramoment,she’dthoughthe’ddecidedshewastoomuch
trouble.

Butsomethingtoldherthismandidn’tgiveupeasily.
Shewaspleasedtoseehisbandageswerestillwhite.Good.Hehadn’tbledthroughthem

overnight.

Hisdarkeyessweptoverher,sendingtinglesdownherspine.“Ididn’tmeantowakeyou.”
“Youdidn’t.Whattimeisit?”
“Ten.”
Hesatontheedgeofthebednexttoher,hispresencereassuring.Shewantedtopullhim

backintobed,torestartthemorningwithhimbesideher.Butthereweremorepressing
issues.

“Areweleaving?”Partofherhopedhe’dsayno,thatit’dbesafetobunkerdownherefor

anotherdaywhiletheyfiguredoutwhattodo.

ShecoulddefinitelyhandlespendingalazydayinamotelroomwithKnox.
“Weshouldmove.”Hetuckedastrandofhairbehindherear.“Thelongerwestayinone

place,theeasierwearetofind.”

Shesighed.“Maybewecanjustmovetoroomone-oh-nine?”sheaskedhopefullywitha

wrysmile.

Knoxchuckled,thefirsttimeshe’dheardhimlaugh.Ithadadeeptimbrethatwarmedher

heart.“Iwish,sweetheart.”

Hestoodandheldhishandouttohelpherup.Shegroanedashermusclestightened

undertheweightofherownbody.Sheachedallover.

Thistimeitwashisturnforawrysmile.“Youwon’tbeassoreonceyourmuscleswarm

up.”

Hedrewhertohischestandkissedherforehead.Sheclosedhereyes,drinkinginthe

warmthofhisbodyandthefeelofhislipsonherskin.Hereleasedhermuchtoosoon.

Shehobbledtothebathroomtobrushherteeth,andbythetimesheemerged,shewas

movingmucheasier.ThesunshonethroughtheclosedblindsandNatalieslippedherfingers
betweenthemtopeekoutside.

“Oh,no,”shewhispered.Apprehensionfilledher.
Knoxlookedup,gettingtohisfeet.“Whatisit?”
Nataliepeekedoutthewindowagain.Shedidn’tthinkhewasoneofherfather’smen.

Maybeitwasjustacoincidencethathewassittingthere,lookingsoominous.Shewantedto
believeit,butaftermeetingKnox,shedidn’tbelieveincoincidences.

“Aguyissittinginacarintheparkinglot,watchingthedoor.”Sheshovedherlegsintoa

pairofjeans.“We’vegottogo.Now.”

Knoxglancedoutthewindowandcursed,recognitionsparkinginhiseyes.
“Doyouknowhim?”sheasked.

“Notexactly.”Hepaused,andshewaitedforhimtoelaborate,buthedidn’t.Notimefor

thatnow,anyway.

Hequicklygatheredhisbelongingsandthrewtheminhisbag.“Idon’tthinkheknows

we’reontohim.Yet.”

Hetuckedhisphoneinhisbackpocket,butsheshookherheadasshepulledandtwisted

herbraaround.“Leaveyourphonebehind.”

Understandingshowedonhisface.“Fuck.”
“I’mprobablyjustbeingparanoid...”
“No,you’reright.Wedon’twantthecopstracingus.”Hiseyessearchedherface.“I’llkeep

yousafe.”

Shepressedagainsthim,herheartbeatingintooverdrive,bothfromfearandthelookin

hiseyes—theonethattoldherhewaswillingtoriskhislifeforher.

Hecrushedhislipstohers,andNataliereturnedthekiss,lettingitexpressthethingsthey

hadnotimetosay.

Shereluctantlylethimgo.Hisexpressionturnedhard.
“WhenIopenthedoor,”Knoxinstructed,“Iwantyoutotakearightandwalkquickly.

Don’trun...yet.Wemightbeabletosneakoutwithouthimseeingus.ButifIsayrun,I
wantyoutorunthistime.Don’tworryaboutme.Thisfightismine,andIwon’thaveyou
hurtbecauseofit.”

Hiswordsmadeitdawnonherthatshewasn’ttheonlyonerunningawayfrom

something.

“Bullshit,”shesaidforcefully,withmuchmorebravadothanshefelt.“Thefightwiththe

guardinthealleywasmyfight,butyoudidn’tstayaway.I’mnotleavingyou.”

Herexpressionmusthaveconvincedhimofherconviction,ormaybethey’drunoutof

time.Eitherway,hedidn’targuewithher.

Hepushedasidethedresserthatwasblockingthedoor,thenquicklypulledoutadrawer.

Hebroketheflimsywoodoverhisknee,anditsplinteredintopieces.Hepickedupthe
longestandstrongestoftheshardsandhandedittoher.“Knowhowtoswingabat?”

“It’sbeenawhile,butIthinkIcanmanage.”
Henodded,thenopenedthedooracrack.Hemotionedforhertogo.
Sheslippedoutthedoor,walkingquicklyalongthesidewalk.Don’tlookback.Shetrusted

Knox,butshewantedtoscopeoutthesituationforherself.Washebehindher?Thatman
movedlikeaninja,soshecouldn’ttell.Surelyshewouldbeabletofeelhispresencethough.

Sheglancedoverhershoulder,justintimetoseeKnoxflyoutthedoorandtackleaman.

Theyhittheground.HewassmallerthanKnox,notnearlythebehemoththey’dfoughtlast
night.Inafairfight,Knoxwouldeasilybeabletotakehim.Hewasalreadyinjured,though.

Andsizedidn’tmatterwhentherewerebulletsinvolved.
Nataliehesitated,watchingthefrayunfold.Knoxpunchedtheguy,anditseemedlikehe

hadtheupperhand.Whenthemanfumbledaroundhiswaistband,though,shesawaflashof
silver.

“Gun!”sheyelled.“He’sgotagun!”
Shewouldn’thaveevenknownifKnoxhadheardherexcepthegrabbedtheman’shand

andbeforeshecouldblink,sheheardadistinctcrack.Themanscreamed,holdinghis
mangledhand.

Knoxgrabbedthegunandstood,pressinghisfootontheguy’swindpipe.“Areyoualone?”

Themanclampedhismouthshut,buthiseyesdartedaroundlikehewaslookingfor

someone.NatalieinstinctivelysteppedclosertoKnox.

Suddenly,themanletoutahigh-pitchedwhistle,andKnoxstompedonhiswindpipe.He

groanedandrolledtohissideinthefetalposition.

KnoxgrabbedNatalie’sarmandpulledherbehindhimjustintimetoconfrontanother

attackerwhohadcomefromtheoppositedirection.Intheskirmish,Nataliestumbledand
fellnexttotheguywiththecrushedwindpipe,whowasreachingoutforKnox’sleg.

Natalierosetoherkneesandswungthemakeshiftbatdownonhisarmashardasshe

could.Hehowledinpainandretractedhisarm.Shetriedtogettoherfeet,buthekickedout,
catchingheraroundtheankles.Shehitthepavementhard,momentarilystunned,butwas
joltedbacktorealitywhenhewrappedthefleshyfingersofhisgoodhandaroundherwrist.

Shejerkedherarm,tryingtobreakfreeofhisholdandfailing.Hisgripwastootight,his

fingersdiggingintothesensitivetendonsontheundersideofherwrist.

Shestretchedoutwithherotherarmtowardherweaponshe’ddroppedasshefell.She

wastooclosetohimtogetaproperswingin,soshejabbedthesplinteredendofthewood
intohischeek.

She’dbeenaimingforhiseye,butsheachievedhergoalofforcinghimtoreleaseher

wrist.Shejumpedtoherfeet,weaponinhand.

Knox?Isheokay?Shehadbeensobusywithherownfightthatshehadn’tseenwhat

happened.Shewhirledaround.Whereishe?

HersuddenmotionmusthavebrokenKnox’sopponent’sconcentrationbecauseassoon

ashiseyeslandedonNatalie,hestoppedmomentarily,surpriseregisteringinhiseyes.

“You’rethatFarringtonKentbitch,”hesaid.Thenhelaughed.Stupidmove.
ThatcosthimthefightasKnoxslammedhisfistintohistempleonefinaltime.Theman

droppedtothepavement.

Knoxwipedastreakofbloodoffhischinwiththebackofhishand.“Areyouokay?”
Natalienodded.
Theguyonthegroundclutchedathiswristandlaughed.“Knox,you’restupiderthanyou

look.OnceXlearnsyou’reshackingupwiththisprincess—”

Knoxkickedhiminthetemple,silencingwhateverinformationhewasabouttoshare

withthem.ThenKnoxfriskedhim,comingupwithaknifeandawadofbillsinadditionto
thesilverrevolver.

“Who’sX?”Natalieasked.
Knoxlookedupather,thenstrodetothesecondguytostriphimaswell.Hecameup

withanothergunandmorecash.

“I’lltellyoulater.Weneedtogo,”hesaid.“Eveninthispartoftown,someonemightcall

thecops.AndXwillstarttowonderwhathappenedtohismen.”

Natalielookedbackandforthbetweenthetwodownedmen.TheyknewKnoxandknew

himbyname.

“Comeon,”hesaid,takingherhand.“IpromiseI’lltellyoueverythingoncewe’resafe.”
Shealmostlaughedatthatword.Safe.Wouldtheyeverbesafeagain?
AfeelingofdreadsettledoverherasshejoggedalongsideKnox.Shehadafeelingthings

weregoingtogetmuchworsebeforetheygotbetter.

Chapter4

Theyranthreeblockssouth,deeperintoX’sterritory,beforecuttingoverandmakingtheir
waybacktothenorthside.

Natalieclutchedherside,butKnoxdidn’tbothertoaskherifshewasokay.She’dmore

thanlikelybruisedsomeribs—apainheknewalltoowell.Healsoknewshewouldn’tadmit
totheinjuryifitmeantslowingdown.

Shewasalottougherthanshelooked.
Hestopped,lookingupatahotelthatwasadefiniteupgradefromthelodgingthey’djust

comefrom.Itwasn’tquitefarenoughnorthtobetooupscale,though.

“Thiswillwork,”hesaid.He’dprefertoholeupinanabandonedapartmentorsomewhere

wheretheydidn’thavetodealwithpeople,butNatalieneededtorest.Plusthelongerthey
stayedoutintheopen,themoresusceptibletheyweretoanotherattack.

Althoughtheyhadn’tbeenintheopenamomentago.
Knoxclenchedhisjaw.Thatwastoocloseofacall.Heshould’vekilledtheguyforlayinga

handonNatalie.

Itwashisfault.ThosewereX’smen,goddammit.Theywereafterhim,nother.
Ifhehadanydamnsense,hewouldhaveskippedtown.He’dbeensoclosetostartinga

newlife,freeofX.Figurestheonetimehestopstodotherightthing,itcauseshimeven
moretrouble.

Buthowcouldhehaveturnedablindeye?Nataliecouldn’thavefoughtoffthatguyon

herown.Onewomanhadalreadylostherlifebecausehehadn’tbeenabletofightoffher
attacker.Hecouldn’thaveanotheronhisconscience.

Itwasmorethanjustthat,though.ThemoretimehespentwithNatalie,themore

bewitchedhebecame.Andthelesshewantedtoleaveher.

Theguy’scommentaboutNatalietroubledhim,though.Howdidtheyknowwhoshe

was?AndwhywouldXcare?Uneasetuggedathisgut.

“Okay,”Nataliesaid,takingadeepbreath.“I’llgetaroom.”
“No,I’lldoit.Nowthatwe’reonthenorthside,Idoubtanyonewillrecognizeme.Come

in,butkeepyourfacehidden.”

Natalienoddedandduckedherchin,lettingherhairswirlaroundherface.Whenthey

enteredthelobby,shewenttothefarsideandpickedupamagazine,leavingKnoxtodeal
withcheckingin.

“Needaroom?”thedeskclerkasked.
“Yeah,”Knoxsaid.“Firstfloor.”
“Fillthisout.”Theclerkshovedaformacrossthedeskandreturnedtoplayingwithhis

smartphone.

Knoxpickedupapen,pausingbrieflyatthefirstlinelabeled

N AME.

Hopefullythis

establishmentwouldtakecashandnotrequireanID.

Natalietuggedathissleeve.Heshiftedtoblocktheclerk’sviewofherandglanceddown

tofindhereyeswideandherfacepale.Shenoddedatthetelevisionmountedbehindthe
desk.

Thesoundwasmuted,butherpictureflashedonthescreenwiththecaption:

R EW AR D:

MI SSI N G SO C I ALI TE.

SothatwashowX’smenhadrecognizedher.AndsoonXwouldknowtheyweretogether.
Fuck.Justwhattheyneeded.Anothercomplication.Hecursedhimselfunderhisbreath

fornotkillingthoseguys.

ThebigquestionnowwaswhethertherewardwasbigenoughtowarrantX’sattention.Of

course,hemightseekoutNataliejusttospiteKnox.Xwasavengefulbastard.

Onceintheirroom,NatalieimmediatelyturnedontheTVwhileKnoxinspectedthe

window.Itwasdouble-panedwithnowaytoopenit.Therewerenocrossbars,though,sohe
couldbreakitiftheyneededaquickescape.Hedidn’twanttobetrappedwiththedooras
theironlyexit.

Nataliesatontheendofthebed,herhandsclaspedbetweenherknees,watchingher

fatherbeinginterviewedonthelocalnews.

“I’mjustdevastated,asanyfatherwouldbe.MyNatalie...she’sallIhaveleftinthis

world.I’dgiveanythingforhersafereturn.”

Natalieshookherheadinanger.“Bullshit.That’sallbullshit,andpeoplewillbuyit

becausehe’sGeraldKent.”Shestoodandpaced.“He’snevercaredaboutme.I’mnothingbut
hisgoldengoose.”

AlthoughKnoxdidn’tknowexactlywhatshewastalkingabout,hecouldidentify.He’d

beenX’sprizedfighterforyearsnow,bringinginatleasttwiceasmuchashisnextbest
fighter.

Andeventhoughhe’dleft,hestillwasn’tfreeofX.Hewonderedifhewouldeverbefree

ofthecorruptmanhe’donceconsideredafather.

“AndNatalie,ifyou’resomehowlistening,Iloveyou,babygirl.Comehome.”Gerald

Kent’sexpressionwaspleadingandfullofanguish.Hewasputtingononehellofa
performanceforamanwho’dsentthugstoretrievehisdaughter.

“Nochanceinhell,Daddy.”Shelaughedbitterlyandwinced,holdingherside.
Knoxfrownedandgrabbedtheemptyicebucketoffthedresser.“I’llberightback.”
Severalminuteslater,heheldabagoficetoherribs,hopingitwasn’ttoolatetoreduce

theswelling.Shesuckedinabreaththroughherteeth.“Geez,that’scold.”

“It’llhelp,”Knoxsaidsimply.Hecould’veletherholdtheice,andmaybeheshouldhave.

Shewouldhavebeenabletoapplyittotheprecisepointofpainbetterthanhe,butheneeded
tofeellikehewasdoingsomething.Heneededtofeellikehewashelpingher.

Runningandhidingwasn’tinhisrepertoire.Hefacedproblemshead-onandfoughtthem.

Butevenhewasbeginningtoseehewouldn’tbeabletofixthisproblemwithhisfists,
especiallynowthatNatalie’spicturewasalloverthenews.

“Sorry,”shesaid.“Idon’tmeantowhine,especiallyaftereverythingyou’vedoneforme.”
“Ithasn’tbeenenough.”
“Knox,you’vedoneeverything.Yousavedme.Twice.”
“IfIweresmarterorfaster,Iwouldn’thavehadtosaveyouthesecondtime.You

shouldn’thavetofight.”

Shewasn’tmeantforthistypeoflife.True,she’dbeenholdingherown,butsheshouldn’t

haveto.

“Neithershouldyou,”shesaidquietly.
Hiseyesmethers—eyesfilledwithgoodnessandinnocence.Everythinghewasn’t.
Holdinghisgaze,shegentlyputherfingerstoascrapeathistemple.“Thiscoulduse

someiceaswell.”

Hetorehisgazefromhersandgrabbedherwrist,planningtopushherawayfromhim.

Hecouldn’tdenyhewasdrawntoher,buthewasgoingtodorightbyherandkeephis
distance,eventhoughitkilledhiminside.SeeingX’smanattackherhadputthingsinto
perspective.Herinvolvementwithhimwouldbringhernothingbutmoretrouble.Hell,it
alreadyhad.

Sohe’dkeephersafeuntiltheyfiguredawayoutofthismess,andthatmeantkeeping

hersafefromhimaswell.Theywerefromtwodifferentworlds.

Whenshetooktheicefromherribsandheldittohistemple,hisnoblethoughts

disintegrated.Whenshepeeredathimwithconcernoverwhelmingherbigblueeyes,he
droppedherwrist.Whenshemovedcloserandherbreastsgrazedhischest,helostit.

Hehauledheragainsthischestandpressedhislipstohers.Shegaspedalittle,andhe

usedtheopportunitytoslidehistonguebetweenherlipsandfullydevourhermouth.

Thetensenessleftherbody,andsheleanedintohim,lettingoutasmallsigh.
Fuck.
Knoxranhishandsunderhershirtandupherback,herskinsoftagainsthisrough,

scarredpalms.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck,pressingupagainsthim,whilehe
continuedtoexplorehermouth.

Buthewantedmore.Heneededtofeelherskinagainsthis.Heyankedhershirtupand

overherhead,findingablacklacebraagainsthersatinskin.

Hernipplesstrainedagainstthelaceandhedippedhisheaddowntosuckletheleftone

throughthesheerfabric.Shemoanedandpressedherhipsagainsthim,knottingherfingers
inhishairashemovedtogiveequalattentiontotheright.Hegaveonefinalsucktohertight
budbeforetrailinghistonguedownhertorso,lingeringatherbelly.

Heslowlyundidthebuttononherpants,pausingtogaugeherreaction,tomakesureshe

wasonboardwithwherethiswasgoing.

Heneededthis.Heneededher.
Sheswayedagainsthim.“Knox,”shesaidbreathily,herthighsquivering.Sheheldonto

himforsupport.

God,hewasdyingtotasteher.Thentofeelherwrappedaroundhim.Heinchedherjeans

lowertothetopofblacklacepantiesthatmatchedthebra.

Inoneswiftmove,heliftedheranddepositedheronthebed.Asheclimbedoverher,she

lookedupathim,herhalf-closedeyesfullofheatandsomethingelse.

Innocence.
Christ.
Hepausedandleanedback,thenhescrubbedahandoverhisface.Nataliewasnothing

likeanyofthewomenhe’dbeeninvolvedwith.They’dusedhimasmuchashe’dusedthem.
ButNataliewasgoodandpure.

Andalittlehesitant.Notunwilling,exactly,justnotexperienced,either.Hehadahunch

aboutthat.

Shenoticedthechangeinhimimmediatelyandputanarmoverherbreasts.“Is

somethingwrong?”

Hehatedtoseethechangeinher,thatshefelttheneedtocoverherselfinfrontofhim.

Whothefuckwashekiddingwhenhevowedtostayawayfromher?Hewasn’tcapable.

Buthewouldn’tshatterherinnocencethisway.
“Areyouavirgin?”

Nataliescootedfartherbackontothebeduntilherbackwasagainsttheheadboard.A
momentago,she’dfeltsensualonlywearinghalfherclothes.

Nowshefeltexposed.
“Areyouavirgin?”Knoxrepeated.
“Yes,”shewhispered,andheretreated,hiseyesclosingoffandhisshoulderssquaring.

Shedidn’twantthedistancebetweenthem.Notwiththeonlypersonshe’deverbeenreal
with.

She’ddatedalittleinhighschool,butallittookwasonemeetingwithherfatherforthose

boystorunawaywiththeirtailsbetweentheirlegs.Duringhersenioryear,she’dkepther
relationshipwithZachMcKutcheonasecret.They’dcutclassandmakeoutinanempty
classroom,bothpetrifiedofgettingcaught.Aftergraduationthough,Zachhadleftherbehind
togoawaytocollegewhileshewasforcedtoattendthelocaluniversity.

Hercollegeyearsweren’tmuchbetter.Howcouldtheybewhenshewasstilllivingat

homeunderherfather’scarefuleye?He’dhadherfollowedregularly,sayingitwasforher
protection.Protectionfromwhat?She’dalwayswantedtoask.Hewastheonesheneeded
protectionfrom.

God,she’dyearnedforaffection.Stilldid.
Shehadn’tfelttrulylovedsincehermotherdied.
SoforgiveherifshewantedtoexperiencephysicallovewithKnox.Hetreatedherso

tenderly,andshewantedmore—asmuchasshecouldget.

True,theirsituationwasn’tideal,butshe’dneverfeltmorealive.Before,nothinginher

lifehadbeenherchoice.NowshewaschoosingKnox.

Shesatupstraightandlookedhimrightintheeyes.“Ilikedwherethatwasheading.My

beingavirginhasnothingtodowithit.”

“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’regettingintowithme,”Knoxsaidgruffly,thetormentevident

inhiseyes.Heputhishandsonthebackofhisneck,whichputhisbulgingbicepsondisplay.

Shedefinitelyknewwhatshewasgettinginto.Knoxmayhavetheappearanceofabrutal

streetfighter,buthewassomuchmorethanthat.Shewishedhecouldseehimselfasshe
did.

ShestoodandwalkedovertoKnox,herjeansslippingloweronherhipswitheverystep.

“Imayneverhavebeenwithamanbefore,butIknowwhatIwant.AndIwantyou.”

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhim,gentlyatfirstandthenwithmore

urgency.Hedidn’tresistbuthisarmshunglimplyathissides,hishandsinfists.

Asmileteasedatherlips.Hecoulddenyitallhewanted,buttheattractionbetweenthem

waspowerful.Theywerebettertogether.

“I’velivedmyentirelifefeelingdeadinside.Butyoumakemefeelalive,”shewhispered.

“Helpmetofeel,Knox.”

Withagrowl,hecrushedhislipstohers,ravaginghermouth.Hesplayedhishandson

herback,thenguidedherbackwarduntilherkneeshittheedgeofthebed.Hegentlylowered

her.

Hehoveredoverherwithhiseyeslockedonhers,andNataliecouldn’thelpbutreachup

andstrokehischeekwhileadmiringthehardedgesofhisfeatures.Thismanhadriskedhis
lifeforher.Andifsheknewanythingabouthim,hewoulddoitagain.

Shecouldloseherselfinhiseyesthatheldsomanysecrets.Howhadthismanlivedhis

lifeforhiseyestobecomesoafflicted?Shewouldfindout,butnotnow.Itwasn’ttimefor
talking.Nowwasforfeeling.

Heleaneddowntonibblebehindherear,suckinggentlyonthesensitiveskin.Shegasped,

clutchingatthesheets,andthenclosedhereyestoenjoythenewsensation.

Shewasmomentarilyfilledwithdisappointmentwhenhemovedawayfromthattender

spot,butitquicklyfadedashisexpertmouthfoundherbreastonceagainandcoaxedher
nippleintoapeak.Hishandstraveledloweralongherskinpasthernaveltotugherjeansthe
restofthewayoffherhips.Ashisfingertipsgrazedherflesh,goosebumpsemerged.

Butwhywasshetheonlyoneunclothed?Shewantedtofeelhisbody,too.Sheyankedon

hisshirt,andhetookherhintandpulleditoverhishead,tossingitonthefloor.Shespread
herpalmsoverthemusclesofhischest,onceagainmarvelingatthehardlinesandcontours,
thescarsandmarks.

Heloweredhismouthtohersandplacedhishandflatonherlowerabdomen,justinside

theedgesofherpanties.Shetensedimmediately.Noonehadevertouchedherthere.Knox
didn’tmovehishand,insteadlettingherbodyacclimatetohistouch.

Heknewjustwhatsheneeded.
Herbodyrelaxedashecontinuedkissingher,andheslowlymovedhishandlowerand

lowerstilluntilhe’dreachedherfolds.Whenhisfingertipcaressedherclit,shearchedher
backasheatbuiltinsideher.

“Oh,God.”
“Yousaidyouwantedtofeel,”Knoxwhisperedinherear.“Justwait.”
Whileonefingercontinuedtoteaseherclit,anotherstrokedheropening.
Natalie’shipsreacted,instinctivelyarching.
Knoxkissedthetopofherbreast,thenherribcage,thenherbelly.Hepulledherpanties

downtoherknees,andshebentthemsohecouldpullthelacyfabricallthewayoff.

“Spreadyourlegsforme,baby.”
Sheinhaleddeeplybeforeobeying.
Heloweredhismouthtohercore,andthesensationsoverwhelmedher,sendingfireto

herextremities.

Shebitherlowerliptokeepfromcryingout.WhatKnoxwasdoingtoherfeltohsogood.

Hetookherhigher,higher,highertothepointwhereshedidn’tknowifshecouldtakeany
more,butshefeltshewoulddieifhestopped.

Everymuscleinherbodytensedandsheturnedherheadtotheside,buryingherfacein

thepillow.Thenthefireinsideherexploded,andsheshattered,hisnameonherlips.

KnoxpulledthecoversoverNatalie’snakedbodyandheldher,pressingakisstohertemple.
He’dthoughttherewasnobetterfeelingthanhavingjustdefeatedanopponentinthecage.

Hewaswrong.
GivingpleasuretoNataliewasthebestfeelingintheworld.Especiallysinceheknewno

oneelsehaddoneitbefore.

Shelaycontent,hereyesclosedandherlipsslightlyparted.Hisdickgrewhardjust

lookingather.Hegroundhisteeth.Hewantednothingmorethantostriphispantsoffand
driveintoher,butnowwasnotthetimeforseveralreasons.

Themostimportantbeingthathedidn’twanttobeherregret.
Herstomachgrowledandasmiletuggedathislips.Thatwasthemoreimmediatereason.

Whenwasthelasttimetheyate?

Sheblushed.“Sorry.IguessI’mhungry.”
Asmuchashehatedtodoit,hedisentangledhimselffromherandretrievedhisshirt

fromthefloor.

Shepulledthecoversuptoherneck,hereyeswide.“Whereareyougoing?”
Hesatontheedgeofthebedandbrushedherhairawayfromherfacewithhisfingers.

“Weneedfood.Andaburnerphone.”

“I’llgowithyou.”
Heshookhishead.“You’llbesaferhere.Keepthedoorlocked.I’llbebackinhalfan

hour.”

Shesnakedherarmaroundhisneck,pullinghislipstohers.“Hurryback.”
Hestoodandputthetwogunsinthenightstanddrawer,makingsureshesawthem.She

paledalittle,butnodded.Hehopeditdidn’tcometothat,butnowayinhellwasheleaving
herwithoutawaytodefendherself.He’dneverreliedonagunforprotectionbefore—his
fistswereusuallyenough—butNataliewouldn’tstandachanceagainstanintruderwithouta
weapon.

Hehustleddownthestreettotheconveniencestoretoloaduponfoodtheycouldcarry

withthem.Havingtoventureoutofhidingforsustenancewouldbeastupidreasontoput
themselvesindanger.Foronceluckwasonhissideasthestorecarriedameagerselectionof
burnerphones.Hegrabbedthecheapestmodel.

“Suchanicedaytoday,isn’tit?”theclerksaidbrightlyassherunguphispurchases.Knox

nodded,notwantingtomakesmalltalk,butshewasrelentless.“Ihopethesunstaysoutlong
enoughformetotakemydogsforawalkthisevening.Thepoorthingshavebeensocooped
upsinceI’vebeenpullingdoubleshifts.Doyouhavedogs?”

“No.”Christ,thewomanwouldn’tshutup.
“They’regreatcompanions.Man’sbestfriend,youknow?Orinthiscase,woman’sbest

friend.”Shechuckledandhandedhimhisbag.Knoxtookitandstrodetowardtheexit.

“Sir!Sir!Yourreceipt!”
“Keepit,”hesaidoverhisshoulderandpushedhiswayoutofthestore.Fuck.Hemissed

thesouthside,wherepeoplekepttheirheadsdownandtheirmouthsshut.

Knoxstoleawayintothealleynexttotheburgerjointthatwasacrossthestreetfromthe

hotel,wherehecouldkeepaneyeonthefrontentrance.Hehadtodialfrommemorysince
allhiscontactswereinhisabandonedphone.Ittookhimthreetriestogetthenumberright.

“Tony,it’sKnox.”
Thebackgroundnoisefaded,signalingTonymusthavewalkedawayfromtheotherguys.
“Knox,whatthefuck,man?Whereareyou?Xhasallhismenlookingforyou.Didyou

reallybeattheshitoutofhim?”

Knoxignoredthequestions.“Doyouhaveanyusefulinformation?”
“Ah,shit.Yeah.SomeofX’sguyswerehangingaroundtalkingaboutXgoinguptownto

meetwithaguynamedKent.Somethingaboutamissingwoman.”

Fuck.KentandXwerebadenoughwhentheywereseparate.Hedidn’tknowwhattheir

meetingwouldmeanforhimandNatalie,butitcouldn’tbegood.

Tonychucklednervously.“Youdidn’tkidnapher,didyou?”
“Isthatall?”
“Youshouldknowthere’sapriceonyourhead.”
“Howmuch?”
“Quartermil.”
Knoxwhistledsoftly.Xmustbereallypissedthathisheirapparenthadturnedonhim.
Fuckhim.KnoxhadtoldhimtimeandtimeagainthathewantednothingtodowithX’s

businessdealings.Onceuponatime,hewouldhavebeenmorethanhappytotakeoverX’s
empire,backwhenhestilllookeduptoXasafatherfigure.

Thosedayswerelonggone.
Damn.Nowhe’dreallyhavetowatchhisback.Everyoneonthesouthsidewouldbe

lookingtocashinonthatreward.

“Don’ttellanyoneyouspoketome.”HetrustedTony,butKnoxdidn’ttakeitforgranted

hewouldkeephismouthshut.Hewasn’tplayinggameswithNatalie’ssafety.

“Ofcoursenot,man.Look,doyouneedmoneyorsomething?Icanhelpyououtwith

that.”

“I’mgoodonmoney.ButIcoulduseacar.”
Hisrequestwasgreetedwithsilence.Notpromising.
“Doyouknowanyone?Ican’texactlywalkintoanautodealershiprightnow.It’sgottobe

unregistered.”Publictransitwasoutofthequestion,buttheycouldn’tkeepgoingonfootlike
this,either.Theywouldn’tgetveryfar.Forthefirsttime,hewishedhe’dgotteninvolvedin
someofX’sotherdealings.Maybethenhe’dknowhowtostealacar.

Hescrubbedahandoverhisface.Itwasjustaswell.Thatwouldcreateitsownsetof

problems.

“Notoffhand,butIcanlookintoit.”
“Dothat.”Knoxpausedforamoment.“Please.”HehatedinvolvingTonyinthismess,but

hehadlimitedoptions.Andifhisinstinctswereright,Tonywouldbeavaluableresource
withthepotentialforinsiderinformation.

“Yougotit.”
“Ioweyou.”

Natalieputherarmsaboveherheadandstretched,wincingatthepaininherribs.Ithadfelt
betterwhenitwasnumbfromtheice,butthenumbnesshadwornoffwhileshewasbusy
withKnox.

Busy.Shealmostlaughedoutloudatherlameeuphemism.Shesnuggleddowninthe

sheets,allowingherselfanothermomenttobaskintheafterglow.

Itwascrazytothinkthatwhenpracticallyeverythinginherlifewassowrongshecould

findsomethingsoright.

Knoxwasanintense,complicatedman,andtheirsituationmadehimevenmoreso.She

lookedforwardtopeelingbackhislayersanddiscoveringthemanunderneath.

Literallyandfiguratively.

Thenexttimetheyhadaninterlude,NataliewantedtotakecareofKnoxlikehe’dtaken

careofher.

Shegotoutofbedtoretrieveherclothingandgetdressed.Asmuchasshewantedtoliein

bedandwaitforKnoxtoreturn,sheknewsheneededtogetdressedandbereadyforaction.

Ifonlyshehadacomputer.Thenshecouldtrytofigureoutthebestwayforthemtoget

outoftown.Publictransportationwasout.Takingthebuswouldhavebeenfinewhennoone
waslookingforher,butnowherfatherwouldsurelybemonitoringthem.

Perhapstheycouldbuyasecondhandcarfromsomeonewhowouldn’taskquestions.But

howwouldtheyfindsomeonetheycouldtrust?Andtherewouldbethetransferoftitleto
dealwith.Well,iftheyboughtitthroughlegalchannelsanyway.Shewasstillthinkinglikea
law-abidingcitizen,whichshecertainlywasn’tanymore.Notafter...

Don’tthinkaboutthat.
Stillthough,sheneededtochangeherwayofthinking.Followingpolitesocietyrules

wouldn’tgetheroutofthismess.

Shejustwishedtherewassomethingshecouldbedoingrightnow,butwithouta

computerorphone,shehadnowaytogetinformation.ShewasstuckwaitingforKnox.

Sheresistedtheurgetopeekoutthewindowtolookforhimandinsteadturnedonthe

televisiontodistractherself.Baddecision.Thenewsstationwasstillcoveringherstory.

Sighing,shesettledintowatch.Itwasbettertoknowwhatwasbeingsaidaboutherso

theywouldn’tmaketheirnextmoveblindly.Thiswasn’tthefirsttimeshewishedshedidn’t
havesuchapubliclife.Ifshewasjustanordinarymiddle-classwoman,herstorywouldn’t
receivethismuchcoverage.

Ofcourse,ifshewereanordinarymiddle-classwoman,shewouldn’thavehadtorun

awayinthefirstplace.

Mostofitwasarecapoftheearlierbroadcast,exceptwithnewsoundbitesfromher

woebegonefather.Herfingerstightenedontheremoteandshenarrowedhereyesatthe
screen.Itwasn’tanymorepleasanttowatchhisactthesecondtimearound.

Shewasabouttoturnitoffwhenaredbannerflashedacrossthescreen.

BR EAKI N G N EW S!

Atoothyreportertooktothescreen.“WehavenewinformationthatNatalieFarrington

Kentwasabductedbythisman,JohnCowley,III.”

NataliesuckedinabreathasKnox’spictureappeared.
“Cowleymayormaynotbearmed,butevenwithoutaweapon,heshouldbeconsidered

verydangerous.Ifyouseethisman,don’tattempttoapprehendhim.Instead,callourcrime
hotline.”

ShejumpedasthedooropenedandKnoxsteppedthrough,carryingseveralbagsand

bringingwithhimthearomaofgreasyfrenchfries.

ClickingofftheTV,shestoodandfacedhim,ignoringhergrowlingstomach.
“YournameisJohn?”

Chapter5

Knoxsetthebagsoffoodonthetableandputthesecuritychainonthedoor,takingthe
momentwhilehisbackwastohertocollecthimself.Noonehadcalledhimthatnamein
overadecade.

“IsyournameJohn?”Natalieaskedagain.
Heturnedandmetherstarewithoneofhisown.“Ihaven’tuseditinalongtime,but

legally,yes.”

Herexpressionsoftenedandsheranherhandsthroughherhair.“Ithinkit’stimeforyou

toexplainafewthings.”

Hedidn’tlikedelvingintohispast.Nooneatthegymevenknewmuchaboutit—justthat

he’dbeenwithXforalongtime.

YethefoundhimselfinexplicablywantingtoconfideinNatalie.
Arichgirlfromthenorthsidewasthelastpersonhe’dexpecttounderstand,but

consideringhowmuchshe’djustgonethroughtoescapeherownpast,shejustmight.
Despitetheirdifferences,theyhadthatincommonatleast.

“Youneedtoeat,”hesaid,handingherabagoffoodfromtheburgerjoint.“Ididn’tknow

whatyou’dlike...”Hetrailedoffassheshovedahandfuloffriesinhermouth.

Sheclosedhereyesandmoaned.“Friesnevertastedsogood.”
Heclosedhiseyesbriefly,thesoundremindinghimofearlierwhenshewaswrithingon

thebed.Hegrewhardjustthinkingaboutit.

“Sorry,”shesaidwhenshenoticedhimstaringather.“IguessIwashungrierthanI

thought.”Sheunwrappedherburgerandtookabite.“Who’sX?”

“Xis...”Hestopped,tryingtofigureouthowtoexplainhim.Corruptmotherfucker

worked,butthatdescriptiondidn’tprovidetheentirepicture.Plus,thatlabelwasapplicable
tohalfthepeopleinthistown.“Herunsanundergroundfightingring,amongotherthings.If
there’ssomethingshadygoingon,chancesareXhasahandinitsomewhere.”

“Areyou...wereyouhisfighter?”
Knoxpaused,notwantingtoanswerthequestion.Hewouldn’tlietoher,buthewas

afraidofwhatshemightthink,ofhowshemightlookathimwhensheknewthetruth.

“Yeah,”hesaidfinally,meetinghereyes.Sheusedanapkintowipehermouth,her

expressioncarefullyneutral.

“Ididn’trealizeexactlywhatIwasgettinginto,”hesaid.He’dneverfelttheneedto

explainhimselftoanyone,buthewantedNatalietounderstand.“IwasfourteenwhenImet
X.I’djustgottenkickedoutofmyfosterhome,andXtookmein.”

Knoxhadbeencoveredincutsandbruisesfromvariousfightswithclassmatesand

neighborhoodkidswho’dalreadydroppedoutofschool.Xcleanedhimupandtoldhimthat
whenhewasthroughwithhim,Knoxwouldbetheoneleavingscars.

Xhadbeentruetohisword.AndKnoxhadadoredhimforit.He’dfeltpowerlesshis

wholelife,andXhadempoweredhim,givenhimpurpose.Afuture.

Orsohe’dthoughtatthetime.
NatalieranherfingertipsdownKnox’schest,tracingtheXpatternoverhisshirt.“IstheX

onyourchestforhim?”Hecouldfeeltheinkonhischestasacutelyasifitwereburning
him.

“IgotitwhenIwasfifteen.”Hedidn’tregretthemarkthatsignifiedhisbondtoX.Once

helearnedthetruthabouthim,itservedasmotivationtoneverforget.Toneverlethisguard
downagain.

“Andyourparents?Whataboutthem?”
Knoxhadn’tthoughtabouthisbastardofafatherforyears.Hismother,though,he

thoughtofherfrequently.She’dstillbealiveifitweren’tforhim.

“They’redead,”hesaidbluntly,withenoughfinalitytosignalthetopicwasn’topento

furtherdiscussion.

“I’msorry,”shesaidsoftly,reachingouttotouchhisarm.“MymotherpassedwhenIwas

young.Caraccident.”

Compassionandunderstandingshowedinhereyes,andhelookedaway,overwhelmedby

feelingsthatwerelongoutofuse,thathethoughtwerebrokeninsidehim.

Heclearedhisthroat,wantingtokeeptheconversationmoving.“X’sstableoffighters

grew,andeventuallyheexpandedhisbusinessintootherareas,butIwasneverinvolvedin
that.Well,mostly.BythetimeIrealizedwhatacocksuckerXwas,Iwasstuck.”

Shelaughedbitterly.“Iknowalltoowellaboutbeingstuck.Whatfinallymadeyou

leave?”

“Hewantedmetothrowafight.SoI...left.”
“Iassumeitwasn’tongoodterms.”
Heshrugged.“Youmightsaythat.”
Thingshadlookedgoodfromwherehehadstood—overX’slimpbody.Hisonlyregretwas

notkickinghisassyearsago.

“Andthat’swhyhismenareafteryou.”
“Isuppose,”Knoxallowed.“Noone’severleftbefore.”Atleast,notagainstX’swishes.

SometimesKnoxthoughtitwouldbeeasiertobeacrappyfighter.ThenXwould’vecuthim
looselongago.

Thenagain,fightingwastheonlythinghe’deverbeengoodat.
Natalienoddedandballedupherburgerwrapper,thentosseditinthetrashcan.

“AnythingelseIshouldknow?”

“There’sapriceonmyhead.”
“Soeverythuginthecityislookingforyou.”Worrywasthreadedthroughhervoice.
Heflexedandreleasedhisfists.“Probably.It’sdefinitelyenoughtotemptsometoseek

meout.”

Hewasworriedthatsomeonewouldtrytotakehimoutandclaimthemoney.Andcertain

individualswouldthinknothingofshootingthroughNatalietogettohim.

Hisgazeshiftedtoherdelicatefeatures,ignitingafieryresolveinsidehim.
Thatwouldnothappen.He’dputthistargetonhimself,andhewouldnotlethertakethe

fallforit.

“Ihatetobethebearerofmorebadnews,but...”Nataliegrimaced,thenfilledhiminon

whatshe’dlearnedfromtherecentbroadcast.Hershouldersslumpedasshespoke,andKnox
wrappedhisarmaroundher,pressinghischeektoherhairandinhalingherscent.

“Thatwasquick,butI’mnotallthatsurprised.Ispoketooneofmycontacts,”Knoxsaid.

“Xhadameetingwithyourfather.”

Shefrowned,turningtolookathim.“Myfathernevermentionedhim,butthatdoesn’t

meantheydidn’tknoweachother.Idon’tknowwhattobelieveaboutmyfatheranymore.I
usedtothinktherewasalinehewouldn’tcross,butafterhesentthosemenafterme...I
justdon’tknow.”

Knoxpressedhislipstoherforehead.“Well,theycertainlyknoweachothernow.”
“Whatarewegoingtodo?”Shelookedupathimwithhertrustingbigblueeyes.
Knoxstaredathergrimly.Itpainedhimthathedidn’thaveananswertoherquestion.

Whenhe’dbeenbeatingtheshitoutofX,he’dbeenlivinginthemoment.Hehadn’tthought
ahead,andtherewasnowayhecouldhaveanticipatedhiscurrentpredicament.

NeverinamillionyearshadhepicturedsomeonelikeNataliewalkingintohislife.
“Lookatus—twofugitivesontherun.”Sheattemptedafeeblesmile.“SoIguesswemight

aswellsticktogether,huh?”

“Thatwasneverinquestion.”Hiseyeslockedonhers.“I’llkeepyousafe.”Hetuckeda

straystrandofhairbehindherear.Hisfingerslingeredonherchinandheranhisthumb
overherlips.

Hereyeswidenedandherbreathhitched.
Damn,shesethimonfire,andshehadnofuckingcluehowsexyshewas.
“Idon’twantyougoinganywherewithoutme,”Knoxsaidfiercely.“You’remineto

protect.IwilldefendyouwitheverythingIhave.”

Hepulledhertohim,feelingtheriseandfallofherbreastsagainsthischest.Hetouched

hislipstohers,tastingher,lettinghistongueexplorehermouth.

Apurringsoundemanatedinherthroat,andhisdickhardened.
Iwillprotecther.
Untilhewassureshewassafe,hewouldn’tbeseparatedfromherunlessitwasoverhis

deadbody.Andevenaftershewassafe...he’ddealwiththatpartlater.Nataliedeserved
morethanafuck-uplikehim.

AsharpknockatthedoorhadKnoxpullingawayandputtinghisbodyinfrontof

Natalie’s.

“It’sprobablyjusthousekeeping,”Nataliewhisperedhopefully.
Anotherknockatthedoorsounded,thisonemoreinsistent.“Police!Openup!”
NatalieclutchedKnox’sarms.“Shit.That’stheonlydoor.”
“Window,”hesaid.Hequicklyrippedthelamp’splugoutofthewallandwrappedatowel

arounditsbase.Thenheusedittosmashtheglasspane.

“Police!We’recomingin!”
Theknockingatthedoorturnedintobangingastheyworkedatbreakingthedoordown.
NataliealreadyhadherbackpackonandheldKnox’sbag.Hegrabbeditfromherand

tosseditoutthewindow.Helacedhisfingerstogethertoboostherup.

“Go.”
Shesteppedintohishandsandshimmiedthroughthewindow,inhalingsharplyasa

shardofglasscaughtherarm.

Thebangingatthedoorrattledthehingesonthedoorframe.Thepolicewerealmost

through.

AssoonasNatalie’sfeetwerethroughthewindow,Knoxpulledhimselfupjustastwo

uniformedpoliceofficersburstintotheroom.Theypointedtheirgunsathim.

“Freeze!”
Withonefinalglanceattheblackmetaloftheguns,Knoxslidoutthewindowtothealley

below.HetookhisbagfromNatalieandgrabbedherhand,cursingatthewetbloodonher
palm.“Run!”

Theytookoffatasprintdownthebackalley,andKnoxtippedoverafewtrashcansalong

thewaytomakeitharderforthecopstofollowthem.Thefirstonehadmadeitthroughthe
window.

“StoporI’llshoot!”Theofficer’svoicewasshakyandaglancebackathimtoldKnoxhe

wasarookie.Luckwasfinallyontheirside.Despitetheofficer’swarning,hewasn’tlikelyto
deployhisweapon.

Theyturnedthecorner,andKnoxtookthemdownanotheralleytoasidestreet,stopping

ataboarded-upbasement-levelstorefront.Theyquicklydescendedthehalf-flightofcracked
concretestairs.Therewasjustenoughroomforhimtofithisfingersundertheboardand
pullitup.Hekickedattherustylockseveraltimes,andwhenitbrokefree,Natalieyankedit
offthehaspandpulledthedooropen.Knoxfollowedherinandreplacedtheboardfromthe
insideasbesthecould.Acloseinspectionwouldrevealithadbeentamperedwith,butthey’d
havetotaketheirchances.

Justsecondsafterthedoorwasclosedbehindthem,thethud-thud-thudoftheofficers’

bootsslappedonthesidewalkjustoutsidethewindowattheirshoulderlevel.

Nataliebreathedheavily,holdingherarmthatwasstreakedwithblood.Knoxtooka

secondtocatchhisbreath,thenunzippedhisbagtoretrievehisfirst-aidkit.Thesightofthe
officers’bootsoutsidethewindowmadehimpause.

Therewasstaticandamuffledvoicefromaradio.
“Yes,sir,”theofficerresponded.“We’llcanvassthearea.Someonehadtohaveseen

them.”

TheofficerstookoffonfootandKnoxbreathedalittleeasier.
UntilheinspectedNatalie’sarm.
Goddammit.Thegashtherewasaboutthreeincheslongandlookeddeep.Heturnedher

handandfoundashardofglassinherpalm.Hepulleditoutandshewinced,tearsfillingher
eyes.Hewrappedhisarmaroundherneckandputhislipstoherforehead,hatinghimselffor
causingherpain.

“Sorry,”shesaid.“Ishouldhavebeenmorecareful.”
“It’snotyourfault.”Hewantedtosayitwashisfault,thatheshouldhavemadeacleaner

breakofthewindow,butthatwasimpossible.Theywereinanimpossiblyfucked-up
situation,barelystayingonestepaheadoftheirassailants.

Allthreegroupsofthem.ItwasbadenoughwhentheyjusthadKent’smenandX’smen

afterthem.Nowthegoddamnpoliceweretheirenemy,too.

“Howdidtheyfindus?”Natalieasked.“We’vebeensocareful.”
Knoxthoughtaboutthechattyclerkattheconveniencestore.Orhell,theemployeesand

otherpatronsattheburgerjoint.Maybeeventhehotelclerk.Nowthattheirpictureswere
plasteredalloverthemedia,neitheroneofthemcouldsafelyshowtheirfaceinanypartof
town.

“Oh,shit.”Nataliepaledandcoveredherfacewithherhand.
“What?”

“Theguns.They’restillinthedraweratthehotel.Ididn’tgetthem.”
Fuck.
Heclenchedhisfistsandclosedhiseyes,tryingtokeephimselffrompunchingaholein

something.Theyneededthoseweapons.They’dbeenonthewrongendofseveralgunslately,
anditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheirluckranout.Shit,italreadyhad.Knox’s
shoulderdullyachedfromwherethebullethadgrazedyesterday.

Itfeltlikealifetimehadpassedsincethem.
Hisphonevibratedinhispocketandheproppeditonhisshoulderwhilehecontinuedto

tendtoNatalie’swounds.

“Knox,man,didyoukillsomeone?”
“No.”
“Everyone’ssayingyoublewsomeguy’sheadoff.Abodyguard.”
Shit.Witheverythingelse,KnoxhadforgottenallabouttheguardNataliehadkilled.But

itwasbetterthattheywerepinningthatonhim.Ifshitwentsouth,hedidn’twanthertaking
therapforthat.

Itshouldhavebeenhimmakingthatkill.
“Ididn’tkillanyone,”hesaid,andNataliepaled,nodoubtalsorememberingtheguard.

“Doyouhaveanythingforme?”

“Ifoundaguywhocangetyouacar,butprobablynotforafewdays.”
“Shit,Tony.Ican’twaitthatlong.”
“Sorry,man.”Tony’sremorsefultonetoldhimthewordsweren’tjustlipservice.“Isthere

anythingelseIcando?”

“Icoulduseagun.”
“Fuck,Knox,that’smoretroublethanadamncar.”Tonysighed.“I’llseewhatIcando.”
Knoxdisconnectedandgroundhisteeth.Hehatedhavingtorelyonsomeoneelseforthis

shit.Helikedtakingcareofthingshimself,butallofhiscontactswereconnectedtoX,
makingthemworthless.

Knoxpocketedthephoneandpacedthelengthoftheroom.Itwasanabandoned

barbershop,withoneremainingchairandgapingholesinthefloorwheretwootherchairs
usedtobe.Itlookedvaguelyfamiliar.Perhapsinanotherlifehehadgottenahaircuthere.

Hecontinuedtopace,tryingtocomeupwithasemi-permanentplacetheycouldhide

whiletheyfiguredoutwhattodo.Hehadnothing.

Thingshadgonefrombadtoworseinafuckinghurry.
“Fuck!”Hepunchedtheagingdrywall,leavingafist-sizedhole.
Natalieapproachedhimapprehensively,wrappingherarmsaroundhisslumped

shoulders.“I’msosorry,Knox.Ididn’tmeantodragyouintothis.”

Heturnedandwrappedhisarmsaroundher,immediatelyfeelingcalmer.“Noneofthisis

yourfault.”Heneededtokeephimselfincheck.Losinghiscoolwouldn’tdothemanyfavors.

“Wecan’tstayhere,”hesaid.“Thecopswillfinduseventually.ButI’moutofideas.”
Thatwasprobablyforthebest.Hispreviousideashadn’tworkedout.They’dbeenrunout

ofthelasttwoplaceshe’dfoundforthem.

Nataliefurrowedherbrow,thenhereyeswidenedandasmileeruptedonherface.“I

mightknowaplace.”

Nataliehadn’tseenAmeliaNorthsincehermother’sfuneral.Herfatherhadneverapproved
ofAmeliaandNatalie’smother’sfriendship,andinturn,Ameliahadn’tapprovedofAnna
FarringtonmarryingGeraldKent.Ameliawasoneofthefewpeoplewhosawthroughher
father’ssmoothveneer,whichwaswhyNataliehopedtheycouldtrusthernow.

IttookthemseveralhoursofweavingthroughthecitytomakeittothegatesofAmelia’s

estateonthefarnorthsideoftown.Astheyhidacrossthestreettoscopeoutthepremises,
guiltsnuckuponNatalie.

TheywerebringingperiltoAmelia’sdoorstep.
Thoughshedidn’tthinkthey’dbeenfollowedorseen,X’smenwouldprobablyconsider

Ameliacollateraldamage.Anacceptableloss.

Shedidn’tknowaboutherfather’smen.Sheknewalotoftheguards,andshe’dhateto

thinkthey’dkillaninnocentwoman...hell,shehatedtothinkthey’dkillanyone,butthat
wasn’tsomethingshecouldrelyonanymore.

“There’sacamera.”Knoxpointedtothecornerofthegate.
Natalienodded.She’dalreadyspottedit.Thesetupherewassimilartotheoneather

house,sosheshouldn’thavemuchtroubledisablingit.Therewereprobablycamerasinthe
treesintheyard,buttherewasn’tanythingshecoulddoaboutthat.Norwouldshebeableto
disableanypossiblemotionsensorsfromoutside.

Natalie’sgazetraveledthelengthofthewrought-ironfence.Shepointedtothefarright

cornerwhereabarelyvisiblewirewentintotheground.“There,”shesaid,pointing.“That’s
whereIcandisablethegatealarm.”

Knoxshookhishead.“That’soutintheopen.You’llbetooexposed.”
“It’stheonlyway.Ifwedon’tdisablethatalarm,thentheminuteweopenthosegates,a

callwillgoouttothepolice.”

“Willsheletusinifweringthebuzzer?”Knoxasked.
“Probably.Butmorethanlikelyaguardoraservantwillanswer.Andifthey’vebeen

watchingthenews...”Natalietrailedoff.

Knoxcursedandcrossedhisarms.“Thiswomanisafriendofthefamily,right?”
“Sortof.Shewasmymother’sbestfriendbeforemyparentsgotmarried.Myfatherhates

her,andthefeelingismutual.”

“Wouldhesuspectthatyouwouldcomehere?”
“Idon’tthinkso.”Natalie’stonewasconfident,buthonestly,shewasn’tsosure.
Whenshewasaveryyounggirl,she’dspentlongafternoonswithhermotherandAmelia

having“girltime.”They’dendwithdinneratafancyrestaurant,wherehermotherwould
alwaysorderheraShirleyTemplewhiletheolderwomendrankcocktails.She’dfeltsogrown
upsippingherfizzypink-tingeddrinkandswingingherfeetthatdidn’teventouchthefloor.
Hermemoriesofthosetimeswerehazy,buttheywerealwaysfilledwithsmilesandlaughter.
Theoldershegot,thefewerandfurtherbetweenthosedinnersbecame.Andthelessher
mothersmiledandlaughed.

Atthetimeshedidn’tunderstandwhytheynolongervisitedwithAuntAmeliawho

alwaysgaveherBlowPops,thekindwiththeguminthemiddlethatshewasn’tnormally
allowedtohave.Itwasn’tuntilshewasanadultthatsherealizedtheholdherfatherhadhad
overhermother.Toappeaseherhusband,hermotherhadforsakenherfriendshipwith
Amelia,oneofthefewpeopleherfathercouldn’tmanipulate.

Ameliahadalwaysbeenanuncannyjudgeofcharacter.Perhapsthat’swhyshe’dbecome

arecluseinrecentyears.

Now,Nataliewascountingonherfather’sprejudiceblindinghimtoAmeliabeingtheir

potentialally.

Knoxscannedtheirsurroundings,andthengaveasatisfiednod.“Okay.Go.”
Nataliegrabbedherwirecuttersoutofherbackpack,thenwalkedswiftlydownthestreet,

keepingherheaddown.Knoxwasrightbehindher.

Whenshegottothecorrectplaceinthefence,shecroucheddown,thencursed.“Idon’t

knowifthisisit.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Ithinkthiswireisold,whichmeanshersystemmightbewireless.Shit.Ididn’teven

thinkofthat.”

Herheartsunk.She’dgottencocky,thinkingshe’dbeabletogetthroughthissecurity

systemaseasilyasshe’descapedherown.Butshe’dneglectedtotakeintoaccountthatnot
allsecuritysystemswerehardwiredliketheonesatherhouse.

“Soyoucan’tturnoffthealarm?”Knoxasked,hishandsonhiships.
Sheshookherhead.“Idon’tthinkso.”
“Whataboutthecameras?”
“NowthoseIcantakecareof,butI’llneedaboostsoIcanreachthem.”
“Don’tyouthinkthatwillbealittlesuspicious?”
Shesighed.“Yes.Idon’tknowwhatelsetodo,though.”
“Let’scontinuearoundthepropertyandseeifwecanfindanotherwayinthatwon’t

automaticallytripanalarm.”

Theycontinuedalongthelengthofthefence.Thewroughtironcontinuedalongthe

street,buteverywhereelsewassolidstonewithnogates.Therewasonewayinandoneway
out.Itwasafortress.

NataliewonderedifAmeliawassimplyoverlyparanoid,orifshehadareasontoneedso

muchsecurity.

Sheshruggedhelplessly.“Shouldwetakeourchancesandringthebuzzer?”
Knoxshookhishead.“Therewasatreearoundtheback.Canyouclimbit?”
Shegulpedandnodded.Herribswerescreamingatherandherarmhadalreadystarted

bleedingagainunderherbandage.Butifthatwastheonlywayin,thenshewouldputona
bravefaceandgetitdone.

Theyreturnedtothetreeinquestion,andKnoxstudiedit.“I’llgofirsttomakesureitcan

holdtheweight.WhenIgettothetop,youfollowmypath,okay?”

Natalienodded,andKnoxstrappedhisbagtohisbackbeforebeginninghisascent.He

scaledthebrancheseasily.Hisclimbcouldalsobeconsideredgraceful,Natalienotedwith
surprise.Shewouldn’thaveexpectedthatfromsomeonewithhisbulk.

AlthoughKnoxhaddonenothingbutsurprisehersincethey’dmet.Ifshehadseenhimin

herformerlife,asshe’dcometothinkofit,shewouldhavethoughthewasnothingbuta
commonstreetthug.

Andshewould’vebeendeadwrong.
Atthetopofthestonewall,hemotionedforhertostartclimbing.Shesaidaquickprayer

andreachedforthefirstbranch.Evenasachild,she’dneverclimbedatree,buttherewasa
firsttimeforeverything.

Shewasexperiencingalotoffirstslately.Herinsidestingledwiththememoryofthis

morninginthehotelroom,andsheclosedhereyes.Focus,Natalie,oryou’llfalloutofthe
damntree.

Shemadeittothetop,thoughittookhertwiceaslong,andKnoxhelpedherontothewall

beforejumpingdown.Hereacheduptohelpher,hishandsaroundherwaisttosteadyher.

“Whew.”Shesmiled.“Wemadeit.”
“Ithoughtyousaidyoucouldclimb.”
“Idid,”shesaidsheepishly,“butthatdoesn’tmeanI’vedoneitbefore.”
Hishandslingeredonherwaist,andsheinstinctivelysteppedcloser,tiltingherfaceup.

Hislipsgrazedhers,andthetinglesinherbodyreturned.

Theywereinthemiddleofbreakingandentering—sortof—andhestillaffectedherthis

way.Andthoughitseemedbackward,forthefirsttimeshefeltlikeshehadherpriorities
straight.Shewantednothingmorethantobeinhisarms.

AlowgrowlingsoundcamefrombehindKnox.Hepulledhismouthawayfromhersand

turnedhishead.

Nataliegaspedandstiffened,fearspreadingthroughoutherbody.
Oh,no.
TwohugeDobermanshadtheirearspinnedbackandtheirteethbared.Andtheywere

staringrightatthem.

Chapter6

KnoxshiftedsothatNataliewasbehindhim,hisadrenalinepumping.He’dfoughtmany
typesofmenbefore,buthe’dneverfoughtanangryDoberman.Timestwo.

Thedogsstoodabouttenfeetaway,crouchedandreadytoattackatanymoment.Hetook

astepback,pushingNatalie,buttherewasnowheretorun.Theirbackswereagainstthewall,
literally.

Hisregretatnothavingagundoubledasthedogstookseveralslow,controlledsteps.
“Canyoureachthetopofthewall?”heasked.
“No.It’stoohigh.”
Fuck.He’dhavetokeepbothofthedogsoccupiedlongenoughforhertorunaway.There

wasnowayhewasgettingoutofthiswithallhisskinintact.

Butshewouldifhehadanythingtodowithit.
“Iftheyattack,yourun.I’llkeepthembusy.”
Heheardtheswishofherhairasshenoddedmutely.
Hestilldidn’ttrustthatshe’dfollowinstructions,though.“I’mseriousthistime,Natalie.

Run.”

Suddenly,thedogs’earsshotstraightup,liketheywerelisteningtosomething.Thenthey

didanabout-faceandranoff.Whatthefuck?Knoxfrowned,keepingNataliesafelybehind
him.

Momentslater,ahandsomewomanwithgray-streakedlightbrownhaircameintoviewas

shewalkedacrossthelawn,thedogstrailingbehindherliketheywereducklingsandshewas
thefuckingmotherduck.

Behindhim,Natalieletoutanaudiblesighofrelief.ThismustbeAmelia.
“Iwaswonderingifyou’dshowuphere,”Ameliasaid,stoppingafewfeetinfrontofthem

andputtingherhandsonherhips.Thedogssattoeithersideofher,theirtongueslollingout
oftheirmouths,asiftheyhadn’tbeeninattackmodejustsecondsearlier.Theylooked
almostfriendly.

Knoxnarrowedhiseyesatthem.
Thewomanchuckled.“BambiandLulawon’thurtyou.”
AmelialookedNatalieupanddown,inspectingher.“Youlooklikeyourmother.Luckily,

youhavemoresensethanshedid.Althoughittookyoulongenoughtoleavethat
godforsakenman.Andyou...”SheturnedhersharpgazetowardKnox.“Youdon’ttrustme,
doyou?”

Thiswomanwasthrowinghimforaloop.Shewasunlikeanyonehe’devermet.
“Idon’tknowyou,”Knoxrepliedevenly.
“Good.You’rerightnottotrustme.Youcan’ttrustanyofthebluebloodsinthistown.

Comeon.”Ameliagesturedforthemtofollowandturnedtowalktowardthehouse.“Let’sgo
inside.”

Thedogsprancedafterher,theirblacklittlenubswagging.

KnoxputhishandonthesmallofNatalie’sback,wantingtokeepherclose.
TheyfollowedAmeliaintoasideentranceofthegrandhouse,whichtookthemthrougha

mudroomandthenintoanenormouskitchenoutfittedinoutdatedindustrialappliances.The
roomwasbiggerthanKnox’swholedamnapartment.

Sothiswashowtheothersidelived.
Withastart,herealizedthatincludedNatalie.Herhousewasprobablyevengranderthan

thisone.

“Idon’tcook,”Ameliasaid,“andIdon’tbelieveinservants,butIcanputapizzainthe

ovenforyou.Iusuallyjusteatfrozenmeals.”

“Thankyou,”Nataliesaid.“That’sverykind.”
“Sothere’snooneelseontheproperty?”Knoxasked.Hefoundthathardtobelieve.
“Justmeandthepooches.”
HemetAmelia’seyes,studyingher.“YousaidIwasrightnottotrustyou.Sowhyshould

westay?”

“Knox...”Nataliestarted,awarninginhertone.
“No,it’sallright.You’vefoundyourselfagoodpartnerhere.He’dtakeabulletforyou,I

cantell.”Ameliagesturedbetweenthetwoofthem.Theyexchangedalook.“Orhaveyou
already?”Ameliaaskedwithraisedbrows.“Letmeputittoyouthisway:Itakecareofmy
ownbusiness.I’mnotabouttocallthecopsonyou.IsaidBambiandLulawon’thurtyou.I
didn’tsaytheycouldn’t.Nowdoyouprefercheeseorpepperoni?”Sheturnedtheknobonthe
oventopreheatit.

Knoxcrossedhisarmsoverhischest,notreadytoletdownhisguard.Butdamnifhe

didn’tlikethiswoman.Shedidn’ttakeanyshit,andshecalledthemlikeshesawthem.He
didn’ttrusteasily,buthisgutsaidtheycouldtrusther.

Though,afterthelasttwenty-fourhours,hewasstartingtodoubthisgut.Itseemedevery

movetheytookwasawrongonethatputtheminmoredanger.

AlthoughNataliewastheonewho’dsuggestedtheycomehere,soperhapsitreallywould

beokay.Atthispoint,theywereoutofoptions.

Theysatatascarredwoodenkitchentable,andAmeliaplacedtallglassesofwaterinfront

ofthem.

“Sotellmewhatyou’vebeenupto,”Ameliasaid.
“I’mnotsurewhatyou’veheardonthenews,”Nataliebegan.
“Oh,quiteabit.Youtwoarethehottopic.Butyoucan’ttrustwhatthemediasaysinthis

town.”

“Whocanyoutrustinthistown?”Knoxasked.
Ameliasmiled.“Nowyou’regettingit.Itdoesn’tlooktomelikethisisanabduction.”
ShelookedbackandforthbetweenhimandNataliewithaknowinglook,leavingKnoxto

wonderiftheheatandelectricityintheairbetweenthemwaspalpable.

HeleanedclosertoNatalieandwrappedhisarmaroundhershoulders,pullinghercloser

tohim.

NatalieleanedintoKnoxandsmiledtightly.“Theonlypersonwho’severkeptmeprisoner

ismyfather.”

“Andnowyou’vebrokenfreeofthatprison,”Ameliacommented.
“Yes,butnothingwentaccordingtoplan.”
“Thingsrarelydo,”Ameliasaid,gettinguptoputthepizzaintheoven.“Thingsrarelydo.”

Itwassucharelieftositaroundthetableeatingdinnerwithafriendlyface,someonethey
didn’thavetoworrywouldturnthemintothecops,herfather,orX.AssoonasAmelia
startedtalking,Natalieknewthey’dmadetherightdecisionincominghere.

Nataliewassostupid.Ifshe’dthoughtofAmeliawhenshewasplanningherescape,she

mighthavebeenabletoavoidallthis.

Butshehadn’tconsideredreachingouttoanyoneforhelp.She’dwantedtodoitonher

ownbecauseshe’dneverdoneanythingonherownbefore.AsshelookedoveratKnox,
though,sherealizedthatdependingonsomeoneelsedidn’thavetobeaweakness.Withthe
rightperson,itcouldbeastrength.

Shereachedforhishandunderthetableandsqueezed.
“Whatwasyourplan?”Ameliaasked.
“Ihaveagreat-auntinFlorida.That’swhereIwasgoing.”
“It’sprobablyagoodthingyoudidn’tmakeit,”Ameliareplied.“Yourfatherwouldhave

lookedthere.”

“Willhelookforushere?”AlarmfilledNatalie,notonlyforherandKnox,butforAmelia.

Thelastthingshewantedtodowasdragtheotherwomanintothis.

“Heknowsbetterthantomesswithme,”Ameliareassuredher.“Besides,what’shegoing

todo?Iknewtheminuteyoutwowereoutsidemygate,andI’llknowifhesendsanyone
here.Aslongasyoustayinside,youshouldbesafe.”

“Thankyou,”Nataliesaid.“I...wecan’tthankyouenough.Assoonaswefigureouta

plan,we’llheadout.Idon’twanttoputyouatrisk.”

“That’snonsense.Youdidn’tdoanythingwrong.Youcanstayaslongasyouneedto.”
GuiltstabbedatNatalie’sgut.Shewasn’ttheinnocentthatAmeliaseemedtothinkshe

was.She’dkilledaman.

Inself-defense,logicscreamedather.Thatwastrue,butshewasstillamurderer.
Don’tthinkaboutthatnow.
“Okay,soFlorida,”Ameliasaid.“Thenwhat?”
“JustlaylowuntilIturnthirtyandcanclaimmyinheritance.”
Amelia’slipspursed.“Thatdamnclause.Yourmothernevershouldhaveletthose

bloodsuckinglawyersputthatinthere.”

“Clause?”Knoxasked,theconfusionevidentonhisface.
“Ican’ttouchtheFarringtonfortuneuntilIturnthirty.Thenitbecomesmine.”
“Whathappenstoitifyoudie?”
Natalieblinked.“Iguessitwouldgotomyfather.”
Thethreeofthemexchangeduneasylooks.Nataliewonderediftheywerethinkingthe

samethingshewas:ifthatweretrue,whyhadn’therfatherhadherkilledbeforenow?

Shecouldn’tbelieveshewasthinkingthisway.Herfatherwasnotthenicestpersoninthe

world,buthewasstillherfather.Yet,ifthepasttwenty-fourhourswereanyindication,he
caredaboutherevenlessthanshe’dthought.

Itwasdisheartening,soul-crushing.She’dalwaysknownherfatherhadverylittlelovefor

her,buttohaveitconfirmedsobrutally...

Shewouldhavetoprocessallofthatlater.Shecouldn’taffordtogetemotionalrightnow.
“Maybe...”Ameliatappedherchin.“Doyouhaveacopyofthatpaperwork?”
Natalieshookherhead.“I’veneverneededtolookatitbefore.ButnowI’mthinkingI

mightwantto.”

“Canyougetit?”Knoxasked.
Nataliefrowned.“Noteasily.Butmaybe.Probably.”
Herfatherhadgrownuppoorwithnocomputerathome,andhe’dneverfullygotten

comfortablewiththetechnologythatcamenaturallytoher.Forawhile,she’dhandledallof
his“electronic”affairs.Sherealizednowthatitwasanotherofhiscontroltactics—itgaveher
somethingtodointheprisonthatwasherhome.Eventually,though,hecutheroffand
handedthejobovertoapaidassistant.Bythatpoint,shedidn’tcare.Thefewerinteractions
shehadwithherfather,thebetter.Buthertechnologicalcuriosityhadalreadybeenpiqued,
andshecontinuedhoningherskills.

Andnowsomethingthatherfatherhadoriginallyusedtoshacklehertothehousewas

goingtohelpwithhisundoing.

“Wehaveallofourimportantdocumentsstoredelectronically.I’dhavetofigureouthow

toroutetheIPaddresssotheywon’tknowwhereI’maccessingitfrom.Otherwise,it’llbe
likepointingaredarrowrightatus.”AtAmelia’sandKnox’sblanksstares,sheexplained,“I
havetofigureouthowtohidethelocationofthecomputerI’musingtoaccessthedocument.
AndI’llneedtocovermytrackssohewon’tknowIhaveit.”

“Youcanusemylaptop,”Ameliaoffered.
“Wecan’tletmyfathergetawaywiththis.”Themoreshethoughtaboutit,theangrier

Nataliebecameuntilthefurylappedatherinsides.“TheFarringtonsweregood,kindpeople,
andtheirlegacyshouldn’tgotothatbloodthirstyman.Weneedtoexposehimforwhathe
trulyis.”ShelookedtoKnoxforconfirmationthathe’dcontinuetohelpher.

“Agreed,”hesaid,hisexpressionintenselyfierce.
“Thankthelord,”Ameliaexclaimed.“Ihatetosayitbecauseyou’rehisdaughter,but

GeraldKentisacurseontheFarringtonfamily.I’llapplaudyouwhenyouputhimbackin
hisrightfulplace.”

Natalienodded,committed.Shejusthopedshe’dfeelthesamewhenitwasdone.

WhenKnoxawoketofindthespacebesidehimempty,panicsqueezedathisheart.He
jumpedoutofbedbeforerememberingwherehewasandthattheyweresafeforthe
moment.

Safe.Whatajoke.Theyhadn’tbeensafesincethisstartedandwouldn’tbeuntilthey

somehowridthemselvesofKentandXforgood.Eventhen,therewasthesmallmatterofthe
policeandthedeadguard.

Andwhoknowshowmuchmorebloodwouldbeshedbeforeitwasallover?
Knoxthrewonhisclothesandwalkeddowntothekitchen,makingawrongturnbefore

findinghisway.Christ,thishousewasfuckingridiculous.Hewascompletelyoutofplacein
theseposhsurroundings.

Natalie,ontheotherhand,seemedrightathome.
AmeliawasstirringhercoffeewhenKnoxwalkedin.
“Where’sNatalie?”
“Goodmorningtoyou,too,”Ameliasaiddryly.
Knoxnarrowedhiseyesather,thenspunonhisheeltofindNatalie.Hewouldn’tbeat

easeuntilhe’dlaideyesonher.

“Relax,hotshot.She’sonthecomputerintheotherroom.”

HewalkeddownthehallwayandpeeredthroughthecrackinthedoortoseeNatalie

stretchedoutonacouchwithalaptopinherlapandafrownonherface.Oneofthedogslay
stretchedoutonthefloorbesideher.Aquickscanoftheroomtoldhimalltheblindswere
drawn,makinghersecurefromanyonelookingin.

Hewatchedherforamomentmore,wishingtherewassomethinghecoulddotohelpher,

butheknewnothingaboutwhatshewastryingtodo.Itlefthimsittingwithhisthumbup
hisass.

Hehatedfeelinguseless.
HereturnedtothekitchentofindAmeliasittingatthetable.“She’sexactlywhereIsaid

shewas,right?”

Knoxgruntedandpouredsomecoffeeintoamugthatwassittingonthecounter.

“Thanks,”hesaidgrudgingly.

“AnythingforAnna’sgirl,”Ameliasaid.“Ionlywishshe’dcometomesooner.Shehad

everyonefooled,though.Forappearance’ssake,shewasGerald’sperfectlittlepet.Gladto
seeitwasallanact.”

“I’dlovetowrapmyhandsaroundthatman’sneck,”Knoxgrowled.
Thedogsittingbesidehercametoattention,eyeinghim,butAmeliaabsentmindedly

patteditonitsheadanditsettleddown.

Ameliashrugged,notintimidatedbyKnox.Hehatedtoadmitit,butthatmadehisrespect

forthewomangoupanotch.

“You’reoneofthefew,”shesaid.“Geraldcanbeverycharmingandhecertainlyknows

howtoworkacrowd.Thoseinthemselvesaren’tbadtraits.It’sthemotivebehindthemthat
matters.”

Knoxsaidnothingandsippedhiscoffee.
“Geraldevenfooledmeatfirst.”Ameliaranherfingeralongthetoprimofhermugasshe

gazedintoit.“Annamethimrightoutofhighschoolwhenshewasgoingthroughher
rebelliousphase.Luckyforme,Iwentthroughmineearly.Smokedacigaretteatagethirteen
andspentthenexthourpukingmygutsout.Myrebellionsbecamealittletamerafterthat.”
Amelialaughed.

WhenKnoxwasthirteen,he’dsmokeordrinkwhateverhecouldgethishandson.Beinga

poorfosterkid,though,meantthatwasn’tmuch.Soonhefoundhimselfgettingintofights
almosteveryday—duringschool,afterschool,itdidn’tmatter.Thechiponhisshoulderwas
thesizeofaboulder.

ItwasthefightingthatattractedXtoKnoxinthefirstplace.Butforhim,fightingwasn’ta

wayofrebelling.Itwasjustlife.

“IsKentfromthenorthside?”Knoxasked.Hewantedtolearnmoreaboutthemanwho

hadbecomehisenemy.

“Heavens,no.”Ameliashookherheademphatically.“Annamethimatabarshe’dstarted

goingtowithherfakeID.Shewasonlynineteenandshemusthavestoodout...well,likea
north-siderinasouth-sidebar.She’daskedmetogowithher,butIwasdatingPeteratthe
time.Godresthissoul.SoIdon’tknowawholelotaboutthebeginningoftheirrelationship.
Bythetimeshebroughthimaroundtomeetme,he’dalreadyensnaredher.Annaadored
thatman,andnothingIsaidcouldchangehermind.Herparentsweren’twildabouthim
initially,simplybecausehewasfromthewrongsideoftown,buthewonthemover
eventually.TheygotengagedaroundthetimemyPeterdied.Ishouldhavetriedtostopher,

butIwastooconsumedbymyowngrief.”

“I’msorryforyourloss.”
Ameliawavedherhanddismissively.“Itwasalongtimeago.Cancerisabitch,though,let

metellyou.Bytheway,helpyourselftowhateveryoucanfindinthepantry.I’mnotmuchof
abreakfastperson,buttheremightbesomething.Youknow,”Ameliapausedtotakeasipof
coffee,“IthinkIlikeyou.Youdon’thavetoreturnthefavor,butIlikeyouallthesame.
You’reabreathoffreshair.”

Knoxblinked.He’dbeencalledmanythings,butneverthat.
“I’msicktodeathofsocietypeople.Istoppedattendingeventsyearsago.Mygrandmother

isprobablyrollingoverinhergravenowthatthere’snolongeraNorthwomanontheboard
oftheGardeningSociety.”

Knoxdidn’tknowwhattosay,sohedidthesensiblethingandstayedsilent.
“Andjustsoyouknow,Ididmyresearch.Iknowwhoyouare,andIknowallaboutyou.

Thisisn’tthefirsttimeyourstory’sbeeninthepapers.”Shetappedherfingeronthelocal
newspapersittinginfrontofher,whichindeedhadpicturesofhimandNatalieonthefront
page.

Heclenchedhisjaw,butstillsaidnothing.Sothiswomanknewabouthispast.Likeshe’d

said,itwaspublicinformation.Andhewasn’tavictimanymore.Neverwouldbeagain.He’d
madesureheknewhowtoprotecthimselfandwhatbelongedtohim.

LikeNatalie.
“Don’tworry,”Ameliasaid.“Iwon’ttellher.ButyouhadtobelieveIwasgoingtodomy

duediligenceonyou.Nowthatthat’soutintheopen,tellmehowIcanhelpyou.”

Knoxdidn’tunderstandthiswoman.Oneminute,shewastellinghimshe’ddugintohis

pastbecauseshedidn’ttrusthim,andthenextminuteshewasaskinghowtohelp.

Hedidn’tunderstandher,butheappreciatedherbrutalhonesty.Shedidn’tplaygames

andmeantwhatshesaid.Maybehe’dlikemorepeopleiftheyweremorelikeher.

“Weneedguns.”
“Ihaveseveral,andyou’remorethanwelcometofileofftheserialnumbers.”She

frowned.“ExceptI’mnotsurethatIhaveatoolthatcandothat.Youcanseewhat’sinthe
shed.”

Heshookhishead.“We’renottakingyours.”
FilingofftheserialnumberswouldprobablybeenoughtokeepAmelia’sassociationwith

themunderwraps,buthewasn’ttakinganychances.Hedidn’twanttocauseheranytrouble.
Also,NataliehadjustreconnectedwithherandKnoxdidn’twanttojeopardizethat.She
hadn’tsaidasmuch,butheknewitmeantalottoNatalietoconnectwiththissmallpieceof
hermother.

“Sadly,Idon’thaveanyconnectionstotheblackmarketguntrade.”Hertonewas

facetious,butKnoxsuspectedtherewassometruthtoherwords.

“Itdoesn’thurttoask,”Knoxsaidwithathinsmile.
Amelia’slipsstretchedupward.“No,itdoesn’t.”Sheclinkedhermugagainsthis.“Cheers.”

NatalieacceptedherthirdcupofcoffeeofthemorningfromKnoxwithagratefulsmile.
“Thanks.YouwerestillsleepingwhenIgotup,andIdidn’twanttowakeyou.”

Knoxhadearnedtheextrarest.

Sheshould’vesleptbetterlastnightthanthepreviousnight,butherthoughtswouldn’t

leaveheralone.Lastnight,she’dmoreorlessvowedtoruinherfather.

Hedeservedit.
Still,hewasherfather,herfleshandblood.Theonlyfamilyshehadleft,unlessshe

countedherestrangedgreat-auntinFloridawhomshehadn’tseeninatleastadecade.

She’dspentallofheradultlifeservingontheboardsofvariouscharitableorganizations.

Hersolepurposehadbeentohelpotherpeople.Goingforrevengewasn’tlikeher.Ofcourse,
maybeifshe’ddevelopedmoreofadeviousstreakearlierinlifeshewouldn’thavespentso
manyyears—wastedyears—underherfather’sthumb.

Andwasitreallyrevengeifitwasjustified?
“Gettinganycloser?”Knoxasked.
Sheturnedbacktothelaptop.“Ithinkso.Iknowalittleabouthacking,butyouknow

whattheysay—alittleknowledgeisadangerousthing.Ofcourse,ithelpsthatIalreadyknow
allthepasswords.IjustwanttomakesureIcangetinundetectedincasehedecidesto
check.”

Knoxsippedhiscoffee.“Ameliahasseveralhandguns,butIdon’twantanythinggetting

tracedbacktoher.”

“Iagree,”Nataliesaid,gratefulthatKnoxwastakingAmelia’ssafetyasseriouslyastheir

own.“She’salreadyriskingsomuchbylettingusstayhere.”

“Yes.Weshouldmovesoon.”
Bambi—orwasitLula?—rubbedhermuzzleagainstKnox’sthigh,andheabsentmindedly

scratchedherbehindtheears.Nataliejustshookherhead.Nothingsurprisedheranymore.

Sheturnedbacktothecomputerandscrolleddown.Afterreadingafewlines,shesatup

straight.“Thisisit.It’ssoeasy.Idon’tknowwhyIdidn’tthinkofthis.”

“Youcangetthedocuments?”
Shenodded.“AllIhavetodoisdeletetheaccessfilelogswhenI’mdone.It’llonlybeon

recordthatI’veaccessedthefilesforthefiveminutesittakesformetodownloadthem.The
oddsofsomeonehappeningtocheckthelogsinthosefiveminutesareslimtonone.”

Shemovedthelaptoptothecoffeetableandleanedoverit,poundingawayatthekeys.

Nowthatthedocumentswerewithinhergrasp,shecouldhardlywaittogethervirtualhands
onthem.

Forassmartasshewas,shefeltreallyfreakingstupid,becauseshehadbeenstupid.Why

hadsheneverreadthesedocuments?Sure,thefamilylawyerhadexplainedeverythingto
her,buthewashiredbyherfather.Couldshereallytrustanythingshehadbeentold?

Shefeltlikeshewasfinallywakingupfromthefogshe’dbeenlivingin.Andshehadso

manyquestions.

“Thereitis.”SheclickedonthefolderthatheldalloftheFarringtontrustandinheritance

documents.Therewerehundredsoffoldersinthedatabase—decades’worthoftitlesand
deedsandtrustsandmiscellanea.Ifshehadn’tknownwheretolook,itwouldhavetakenher
hourstofindit.

“Comeon,comeon,”shemuttered,urgingthefiletodownloadfaster.Thenitwouldonly

beamatterofdeletingtheaccessrecord.

Rightbeforeshesetabouttodothat,anotherfoldercaughtherattention.

SW EETPEA FI LES.

Sweetpea.Thatwasthenameofhermother’sfavoritecat,thecatthatmysteriouslywent

missingshortlyaftershedied.Whywouldhermotherincludepetveterinaryrecordsintheir
databaseofimportantdocuments?

Sheclickedonthefolder,anditpromptedherforapassword.Sheenteredtheusualone

andwasdeniedaccess.

“Huh.”Shebitherlip.
“What?”Knoxsatbesideher.
“There’safolderherethatwasmymother’s.Itshouldn’tbehere,andit’spassword

protected.”

Sheenteredinafewdifferenttries,likeherbirthday,hermother’sfavoritesong,

everythingshecouldthinkof.

Shesatbackonthecouch,thinkingandrunningherpendantalongthesilverchainonher

neck.Shegaspedandtypedquickly.

AC C ESS G R AN TED.

Shelaughed,wipingatthetearsthatfilledhereyesandbringinghermoon-shaped

pendanttoherlips.“Iloveyoutothemoonandback,”shewhispered.“Thanks,Mom.”

Thefoldercontainedseveralfiles,butmostimportantly,anewerversionoftheFarrington

trustpapers.Itwasdatedaweekbeforehermotherdied.

Natalie’sbloodchilled.Whatelsewasinthisdatabase?
Shescrolledthroughthefolders,lookingforanythingunusualoroutofplace.Ofcourse,a

smartpersonhidesthingsinplainsight,likehermotherdidwiththeSweetpeafolder.Evenif
herfatherventuredintothedatabase,hewasn’timaginativeenoughtothinkthefolder
wouldcontainanythingotherthanpetrecords.

Shedidasearchforhiddenfoldersandcameupempty.Anaggingfeelinginherguttold

hershewasmissingsomething,butitwaseludingher.Withasigh,shewipedtheaccesslog
filesandclosedtheInternetbrowser.

HerhandshookasshedirectedthemousetotheSweetpeafilefolder.Whateverwasin

thosefilescouldchangeeverything.

Knoxputhisarmaroundherandkissedhertemple,andsheleanedintohimfora

moment,closinghereyesandsoakingupthestrengththathisnearnessbroughther.

Whensheopenedthem,herhandnolongershook.Sheclickedonthefirstdocument.

Chapter7

NataliescrolledthroughthedocumentwhileKnoxpeeredoverhershoulder.

“Whatisit?”heasked.
“Thetermsofthetrust.Mostofitislegaljargon.”Nataliequicklyscannedit,runningher

fingeralongthescreen.“Here.Thisistheimportantpart.”

Shereadoverit,workingthroughtheconfusinglegallanguage.Sheblinked,thenre-read,

makingsureshe’dgottenthatlastpartright.

ThenshesatbackandlookedatKnox.“Itlookslikemytrustismanagedbyaboardof

trustees.”

She’dneverheardanythingaboutaboardbefore,notinallthoseboringmeetingswiththe

familylawyerthatshe’dattendedwithherfather.Wouldn’tithavecomeupatsomepoint?

Thenagain,she’dneverbeenavaluedmemberatthosemeetings,herfatherandthe

lawyertalkingoverher.

“Whatdoesthatmean?”Knoxasked.
Natalieshrugged.“Ineedtokeepreading.”
Asshecontinuedtoread,Ameliacameinandsatinthearmchairacrossfromher.Oneof

thedogstrailedbehindherandlayatherfeet.

“Itdoesn’tsaywhoisontheboard,though.”Nataliesighed.Alistofboardmembersright

thereinthedocumentwouldbetooeasy.Whatgoodwasitknowingabouttheboardifthey
didn’tknowwhowasonit?

“Whatboard?”Ameliaasked.
“TheboardthatmanagestheFarringtontrust.Whywouldmymothersetthisup?Why

wouldn’tshejustmanageitherself?”

Itmadenosense.Hermotherwasn’talazywoman,someonewhowouldpassher

responsibilitiesofftosomeoneelse.She’dalwaysbeenveryactiveinthefamily’sbusiness
affairs.Infact,itwasn’tuntilshediedthatherfatherstartedplayingalargerole.

Andthisdocumentwassignedaweekbeforeherdeath.
Shecouldn’thaveknown...orcouldshe?
Nataliepaled.“It’slikemymotherknewshewasgoingtodie.”
“Yousaidshediedinacaraccident,right?”Knoxasked.
Natalienoddedandscrolledalittlefartherinthedocument.“Theboardonlytakeseffect

intheeventofherdeath...”Shetrailedoffaswavesofnauseahit.“There’snowayshecould
haveknown.Itwasanaccident.”

SheroseandpacedwhileKnoxandAmelialookedon.“Itwassignedaweekbeforeshe

died.Thathastobeacoincidence,right?Right?”

Sheknewshewasgettingalittlehysterical,butshelookedatKnoxandAmelia,silently

pleadingforthemtoagreewithher.Whenneitherdid,shesankontothecouchbesideKnox
andputherheadinherhands.

Howcouldshehaveknown?Wasitsomehowsuicide?No,hermotherneverwouldhave

abandonedherlikethat.AnnaFarringtondidn’thaveaselfishboneinherbody.

Andshehadn’tbeendepressed.Lookingback,Natalierealizedshewasunhappy,but

surelyshewouldhavenoticedifhermotherwasonthebrinkofsuicide.

Thatjustwasn’tpossible.
Whichleftonlyoneotheroption.
Shefeltthebileriseinherthroatjustthinkingaboutit.Itwastoohorribletobetrue.
“Didyouknowabouttheboard?”Ameliaasked.
Nataliepickedherheadupandshookit.“Thelawyerdidn’tsayanythingaboutit,soeither

hedidn’tknowaboutit,orheliedtome.Idon’tknowwhich.”

“Whatarethetermsoftheoriginaltrust?Theonethelawyertoldyouabout.”
“Ihaveithere,”Nataliesaid,“butfromwhatIrecall,thebasicsarethatIgetanallowance

everymonth,whichismanagedbymyfather.WhenIturnthirty,Iinheritthefulltrust.”

“Isthatall?”Knoxasked.
Nataliepulledthecomputercloser.Shewonderedwhatelseshehadn’tbeentold.“Ithink

Ibetterreadtheoriginaldocument.”

Withtheexceptionofthegrandfatherclocktickingawayinthecorner,theroomwas

silentwhilesheread.

“Okay,originally,mymotherhadsolecontroloftheFarringtonfortune.WhenIturned

thirty,Iwouldcontrolhalfofit.Intheeventofherdeath,thefortunewouldbefrozen,with
theexceptionofthemonthlyallowance,untilIturnthirty.ThenIwouldgetallofit.”

“Wherewouldthemoneyhavegoneintheeventofyourdeath?”
“Myfather.”
Knoxlookedathergrimly.
“Accordingtothenewdocument,”Nataliecontinued,“ifIdiebeforeIturnthirty,thenthe

moneyisdistributedtoseveralcharitableorganizations.Besidestheboard,that’sthemajor
change.”Natalietookashakybreath.“ThemoneydisappearsifI’mdead.Somyfatherneeds
mealive.”

Itfeltlikeaknifehadstabbedherinthebackandlodgeditselfinherheart.Whenthat

guardhadsaidherfatherjustneededheraliveanddidn’tcareabouthercondition,shehadn’t
takenitseriously.

Butnowsheknewherfatherwouldn’tcareifshewerebraindead,aslongasherheart

wasstillbeatingandherlungswerestillbreathing.Herstomachchurnedassherealizedhe
mightevenpreferitthatway.

“Whatpowerdoestheboardhave?”Ameliaasked.
“Itsaystheycanchangethetermsofthetrustwithamajorityvote.”
Natalie’smindwaswhirling.Allthistime,anameless,facelessgroupofpeoplehadhad

thepowertochangeherfate,andshehadn’tevenknownaboutitbecauseshe’dbeentoo
complacent.

Neveragain.Neveragainwouldshebesonaïve,sotakenadvantageof.
“Whatdoesthatmeanforus?”Knoxasked.
Nataliepressedherlipsintoathinline.“Itmeanswe’llbestayingonthenorthsidefora

while.”

Nataliesatonthebedintheguestroom,herkneesdrawntoherchest.Thelasttwodayshad

beenthebestandtheworstofherlife.

YesterdaymorninginthehotelroomwithKnoxwas...wordsjustcouldn’tdescribeit.

Justthinkingaboutthesensationshe’dgivenhermadehertoesstarttocurl.She’dneverfelt
sosensual,sodesired,soalive.

Andtothink—thatwasjustthebeginning.
Despitebeingtwenty-six,shehadalmostnoexperiencewithmen.Lifewithherfather

hadn’texactlyallowedforromanticinterludes.Sosheknewshewasmorethanalittle
shelteredandnaïve.ButthisthingbetweenherandKnoxwasreal.Sheknewthatassurelyas
sheknewtheexactshadeofhiseyes—umber,likedarkchocolate.

Asifherthoughtsofhimwereamagnet,heopenedthedoorslowlyandenteredtheroom,

closingthedoorwithasoftthud.Hesatnexttoher,thebedshiftingunderhisweightsothat
shenaturallyleanedintohim.Shewentwithit,restingherheadonhisshoulder.

ThankGodshewasn’tinthisalone.
Theysatquietlyforamomentbeforehebrokethesilence.“Areyouokay?”
“I...”Shewasabouttogivethestandardresponse,I’mfine,butshewasn’t.Andshe

didn’twanttolietohim.“Idon’tknow.”

Knoxshiftedsothathewasproppedupontheheadboardandpulledheragainsthischest.

SheclosedhereyesandconcentratedonthesoftfeelofhiscottonT-shirtagainsthercheek
andhisscent—allmalewithahintofthecucumbersoapthathadbeenintheshower.Hewas
allhardlinesandedges.Shelovedhisbody,achedtorunherfingersovertheridgesand
valleys,toloseherselfinhim,ifonlyforalittlewhile.

Heputhishandoverherhairandgentlystroked,kissingherforehead.
“Ikeepthinkingaboutmymother’sdeath,”shesaid.“Iwasyoung,butIremembermost

ofthedetails.Itwaslateatnight,andshewasdrivinghomefromacharitycommittee
meetingorsomething.Shewasinamidsizesedan,andaU-Haultruckranaredlight,
slammingrightintothedriver’sside.She...”Herbreathhitched.“Shediedonimpact.”

God,shecouldonlyhopethatlastpartwastrue.
Shesqueezedhereyesshutaspainfulimagesplayedthroughhermind.Shehadn’tgone

tothesceneandhadn’tbeenallowedtoseehermother’sbodyuntilthefuneral,whenshe
hadlookedexactlyandnothinglikeherself.Butshe’dseenapictureofthewrecked,twisted
pileofmetalthatwasthecar,andthatwasenoughforhertoimaginehowmangledher
mother’sbodymusthavebeen.

Knoxsaidnothing,justcontinuedtostrokeherhairuntilshewasreadytospeakagain.
“Theyneverfoundthedriver.Thetruckwasabandonedamileaway.Ithadbeenstolen

fromthelot.Thepolicesuspectedteenagershadtakenitforajoyride,thenfledafterthe
accident.Idon’tknow,though.Ifthatwerethecase,wouldn’ttherebefingerprints?”

“Probably,”Knoxagreed.“Idoubtagroupofteenagerswouldknowenoughtowipedown

thevehicle.AndaU-Haulisn’texactlyatopchoiceforajoyride.”

“IneverreallythoughtaboutitbeforebecauseIwastoocaughtupinthefactthatmy

motherwasdead,butnow...somethingjustdoesn’tseemright.”Nataliesatupandlooked
Knoxintheeye.Shewantedtoseehisreactiontoherquestion.“Doyouthinkmyfather
couldhavearrangedtohavemymotherkilled?”

Knox’sgazeremainedcool.Hiseyesdidn’twiden,hispupilsdidn’tdilate.Hewasn’t

surprisedbyherquestionatall,andthatwasheranswer.

Shefeltliketheairhadbeensuckedoutofherlungs.

“Why?Whywouldhedothat?She’dalreadychangedthetermsofthetrustbythen.”
“Heclearlydidn’tknowaboutit.”
Natalie’schintrembled,thethoughtthathermotherwasmurderedformoneytoomuch

tobear.Coulditbetrue?Thecircumstantialevidencewasallthere,andshehadno
compellingreasontoleaptoherfather’sdefense,especiallyafterrecentevents.

Shehadn’tlookedattheaccidentclearlyatthetime,butshe’donlybeeneleven.Now,she

couldeasilyseehowsuspiciousthecircumstanceswere.Whydidn’tthecopstakenoticeand
investigate?

MaybeKnoxandAmeliawereright.Maybeyoucouldn’ttrustanyoneinthistown.
Shehatedtobelievethat.Thereweregood,kindpeopleoutthere.Hermotherhadbeen

oneofthem.Ameliawasoneofthem.

Shewantedtothinkshewasoneofthem.
Butitseemedtheywereoutnumbered.Oroverpowered,atleast.
ThebedshiftedasKnoxmovedtothefootandpulledherlegawayfromherbody.She

openedhereyesandwatchedashebegankneadinghercalf.Hermusclespracticallysighed
withpleasure.Shewasinshape,butherbodyhadtakenabeatingthesepastfewdays.

“It’llfeelbetterifyoutakeyourpantsoff.”Knox’sgazewasintense,andshecrackeda

smallsmile.

Heletoutalittlelaugh—araresoundthatwasmusictoherears.“Thatsoundedlikea

lamepickupline.”

Hersmilebroadened.“Itdid.”
SheshimmiedoutofherjeansandtossedthemasidewhileKnoxsteppedintothe

adjoiningbathroomforaminute.Heemergedwithabottleoflotion,whichhesqueezedinto
hishands.

Herubbedthelotionintohercalvesandfeet,hermusclesgraduallyrelaxingandgivingup

thetensionthey’dbeenholding.Andalthoughthemassagecouldn’tcompletelyrelievethe
tensioninhermind,itdefinitelyhelped.

Knoxkneadedaparticularlytightspotonherfoot,andsheclosedhereyes.
“That...feels...so...good.”Shepracticallypurredthewords.“Howdoyouknowhow

todothis?”

“Afterafight,itwaseitherlivewiththecrampingmusclesorlearntomassagethem.”He

gaveawrysmile.“SoI’monlygoodforlegsandfeet.That’sallIcouldreachonmyself.”

“Womenwouldpaygoodmoneytogetyourhandsonthem.”
Hiseyesdarkened,andhebroughthislipstotheinsideofherankle.Heworkedhisway

upherleg,thestubbleonhischeekspricklingherskin.Hespentafewextratorturous
secondsatherinnerthigh,leavingitquivering.Heskippedoverherclothedbellyandwent
straighttoherneck,trailinglazykissesinthesensitivespotbehindherear.

“Idon’twantmyhandsonotherwomen,”hewhispered.“Ionlywantyou.”
“Thentakeme.”
Hepulledbackandlookedintohereyes.Shecouldtellbythetornlookinhiseyesthathe

wasatwarwithhimself.

Soshewouldjusthavetohelpdecidethevictory.
Shereacheddowntohisbeltbuckleandundiditandthebuttonbeneath.Slowly,keeping

hereyesonhis,sheloweredthezipperandreachedherhandinside.Whenherhandmade
contactwithhishardflesh,hispupilsdilated.Heclosedhiseyes,thentriedtoshiftaway.She

didn’tletgoofhimandgrabbedhisarmwithherotherhand.

“Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay,”shesaid.“I’mnotgoingtoregretthis.IknowwhatI’m

gettinginto.Iwantyou,Knox.Iwantallofyou.”

Shestartedtomoveherhandonhim,swallowingtheembarrassmentofherinexperience.

She’dneverpleasuredamanandhadnoclueifshewasdoingitright.

Butsheknewthatshewasenjoyingexploringhisbody.Afirestartedtoburninsideher,

andshehopedhefeltit,too.

Whenhisbreathhitched,shesmiled.
Withagrowl,hepulledherhandoutofhispantsandquicklyyankedhershirtoverher

head.Hedraggeddownthefabricofherbraandputhiswarmmouthonhernipple.She
gaspedandarchedherback,reachingdowntoputherhandsonhimagain.

Hismouthfoundhers,andhisfingersfoundherclit.Itwasalreadythrobbingandshe

moanedathistouch.

Thiswaswhatshewanted—no,needed.
Suddenly,shewasnolongerembarrassedbyherinexperience.Shewasgladherfirsts

wouldbewithKnox.

Abruptly,hepulledaway,andhereyessprangopeninshock.Sherelaxedwhenhe

strippedhisshirtandjeansoff,leavingonlyhisboxerbriefs.Forthebriefmomentbeforehe
returnedtoher,sheadmiredhisbody—thetightnessofhispecs,thebulgeofhisbiceps,the
sleekmusclesthatrandownintohisbriefs.Hisskinwasmarredwithscarsandthe
overbearingXtattoo,buttheyjustmadehimevenmorebeautiful.

Thiswasawarrior’sbody.
Tenderly,hebrushedherhairbackfromherforeheadandkissedhersoftly.“Areyousure

aboutthis?”heasked.

Shelaidherhandonhischeek.“Knox,I’msure.”
Hepulledhiswalletoutofhisabandonedjeansandretrievedafoil-wrappedcondom.She

eyeditwithtrepidation,nervesandbutterfliesforminginherstomach.Whenshereturned
hergazetohis,though,thebutterfliesflewaway.

Withsomuchuncertaintyinherworld,thiswasonethingshewascertainof.
Heleaneddowntokissherasheloweredherpanties,slippingthemoff.Theirrecent

urgencywasreplacedbyatenderslowness.

Buttheheatremained.
Hisfingertipsranthelengthofherbody,lingeringatherhip,thenlightlypressingonher

innerkneeuntilsheopenedthemforhim.Hesettledbetweenherlegs,stillcontenttotake
thingsslow.

Andshelovedhimforit.Sincethemomenthe’dfirstlaideyesonher,he’ddonenothing

butputherfirst.

Hepressedagainsthercenter,andshebreatheddeeplyandtensed.Hewentnofurther,

justcontinuedkissinghertoallowhertimetogetusedtothesensationofhisbodybetween
herlegs,againstthemostintimatepartofher.

Hereachedhishanddownbetweentheirbodiestorubherclit.
Sogood.Itfeltsogood.Howcouldanythingfeelbetterthanthis?
Herhipsinstinctivelybegantorockagainsthimastheheatcontinuedtobuildinsideher.
Hebroughthishandupandcradledherheadasshecontinuedtomoveagainsthim.Each

arcofherhipsmadethepressureofhimagainsthermoregloriouslyintenseuntilshetook

himin.

Shegaspedandhereyesopenedwide,meetinghis.Therewasrawtendernessinhisgaze,

butalsoaquestion.Sheraisedherlipstohisandranherhandsdownhisback,heranswerto
hisquestion.

Sheshiftedherhipstoopenfullyforhim,andheacceptedtheinvitation,slowlypushing

intoher.Whenhewasallthewayinside,hepaused.

Shekissedhim,suckinglightlyonhislowerlip,beforerestingherforeheadonhisand

nodding.Shewasready.She’dbeenwaitingforhimherwholelife.

Hesetthepaceslowlyatfirst,andsheclosedhereyes,concentratingonthefeeloftheir

bodiesworkingtogether.Sheshiftedalittle,bringingherkneesclosertoherchest,andhe
groaned,immediatelyincreasingthepace.

Shetookthatasagoodsignandshiftedmore.Hisbreathingbecameshallowandthepace

increasedyetagain.

Shepressedherfaceintohisshoulder,ridingthewaveofpulsesshootingthroughher,

releasingamuffledcryintohisskin.

Ashisbodywentrigid,hebroughthislipstohers.

Afterdealingwiththecondom,KnoxreturnedtobedandwrappedNatalieinhisarms.There
wasanunusualfeelinginhisstomach.Ittookhimaminutetorealizeitwasnerves.

Aw,hell.HewasnervousaboutNatalie’sreactiontotheirhavingsex.
Exceptthatwasn’twhatitwas.Therealizationslammedintohimashardasanyhithe’d

takeninthecage.

He’dbeenwithhisfairshareofwomen,buthe’dnevermadelovebefore.
Becausethat’swhatitwas—notfucking,nothavingsex.Makinglove.
Itwasafirstforhim.
Shesnuggledherfaceintohischestandletoutabreaththatsoundedsuspiciouslylikea

purr.Asmileplayedattheedgesofhislipsashekissedherforehead.

Thatwasexactlythereactionhe’dbeenhopingfor.
He’dbeenNatalie’sfirst,andhe’dwantedittobeagoodexperienceforher.Nomatter

howmanymenshewaswithafterhim,shewouldalwaysremember.

Apangshotthroughhisgut,replacingthenerves,andhetightenedhisarmsaroundher.

Hedidn’twanttheretobeanyothermenforher.

Butthatwasridiculous.Shewashighsocietyandhewasnothingmorethanacommon

streetthug.Sure,theywereinthisthingtogether,butitwouldendeventually.Andwhenit
did,whatthen?Wouldshetakehimtohergardenparties?

Theimageofhimselfrubbingelbowswiththeeliteofthecityranthroughhismindand

healmostsnorted.Yeah,right.Thatwouldneverhappen.Nataliemightaccepthim,butthey
neverwould.

Heranhisfingersalongherspineanddowntoherasscheeks,andshearchedherback,

pressingherwarmbodyclosertohis.

Shewashis.Thatwasallheknew.Hedidn’tknowwhattomorrowwouldbring,orthe

nextday,butheknewthatshebelongedwithhim.Someway,somehow,shedid.

Andhebelongedwithher.
“Areyouokay?”heasked.

Shetiltedherheadbacksoshecouldlookinhiseyes.“I’mmorethanokay.Areyou

okay?”

“Oh,yeah.I’mokay.”Hesuddenlyturnedshy.“Iwasjustaskingbecause...youknow..

.”

“BecauseIwasavirgin?”
Ifhedidn’tknowbetter,hethoughthefeltablushcreepingontohischeeks.God,she

undidhim.

Heclearedhisthroat.“Well,yeah.”
“Iappreciateyourconcern.”Shepausedtokisshim.“AndI’mfine.I’malsogladthatI’m

notavirginanymore.”

Hiseyebrowsshotup.“Really?”
“Yes.Nowthenexttimewedothis,youdon’thavetoworry.”
Hewastotallyfuckingundone.

Chapter8

Natalieselectedadonutoutoftheboxsittingonthekitchencounter.“Thanks,Amelia.You
reallydidn’thavetogotothetrouble.”

“Don’tthankme.I’mjustusingyouasanexcusetobreakmydiet.”Amelialickedher

fingers.

“Eitherway,thankyou.”
Natalieopenedthelaptopatthekitchentable,wantingtotakeanotherlookatthe

documentsthey’dfoundyesterday.Thoughshe’dreadthemthoroughlynotonce,nottwice,
butthreetimesalready,itdidn’thurttoquadruplecheck.

Arustleatthekitchendoorcaughtherattention.
Knoxleanedagainstthedoorframe,histhumbshookedinjeanspocketsthatrodelowon

hiships.HisfadednavyT-shirtstretchedtightacrosshisbiceps.

Heyawned.NeverbeforehadNatalieconsideredayawnsexy,butKnoxcouldprobably

pulloffsexyduringarootcanal.Therewassomethinginnatelymaleabouthim,something
primalthatdrewherin.

Herpastboyfriends—iftheycouldevenbecalledthat—wererich,prettyboys.Theywere

nice,sure,buttheydidn’tpossesstherawnessthatKnoxdid.

Lookingathimmadeherbodytingle.
Knoxwanderedovertothecoffeemakerandpouredhimselfacup.Nataliefocusedonthe

computerscreenagain.

“Anythingnew?”Ameliaasked.
Natalieshookherhead.“No.Itwouldhavebeenniceiftheyhadusedanactualname

insteadofjust‘BoardDirector.’OrifIcouldtalktothelawyerwhodraftedthedocument.”

Unfortunately,thelawfirmwasnowdefunct,andthatparticularlawyerhadmovedoutof

statefromwhatNataliecouldtell.Butwhereexactly,shehadnoclue.Andwithanamelike
JohnSmith,itwouldtakeweekstofigureoutwhichlawyerwastheoneshewaslookingfor.

Knoxtookaseatnexttoher,placingapileofdonutsonthetableinfrontofhim.“Doyou

haveanyideawhoyourmothermighthaveappointed?”

“No.”Nataliesighed.“TheonlypersonIcanthinkofisAmelia.”
“Andit’snotme,honey.”Ameliapattedherhand.“Iwishitwere.”
“Itsaysherethattheonlypersonwhocancallameetingoftheboardisthedirector.

Thoughtherearefourotherboardmemberswhosevotesholdequalweight,noneofthem
canputanythingtoavote.Onlythedirectorhasthatpower.”

Ameliarestedherchininonehandanddrummedherfingersonthetable.“Ithastobe

someonesheknew.Annawouldn’tappointjustanyone.”

“Ormaybeshewould,”Nataliesaidslowly.“Ifmyfatherwantedtofindthedirector,he

wouldlookforsomeonesheknew,justlikeus.Somaybeshechosesomeoneshedidn’tknow
well.”

Ameliapursedherlips.“Idon’tseeherdoingthat.Butthenagain,Ihadn’tseenherfor

yearsbeforeshedied.”Shepoundedherfistonthetable.“FuckingGeraldKent.Icouldkill
thatman.”

“Getinline,”Knoxmuttered.
Ameliashookherhead,herlipsdrawninathinline.“Sorry,dear,Iknowhe’syourfather.

..”

“Don’tapologize,”Nataliesaidfirmly.“Hehasn’tbeenafathertomeinalongtime.If

ever.”

Thesilencestretchedonasthethreeofthemlookedatoneanother.Oneofthedogs

whined,breakingthequiet.

“Theywanttheirmorningwalk.”Ameliadrainedhercoffeemug,thenrose.
“Thisissofrustrating,”Nataliesaidaftershehadleft.“Noneofthisinformationwilldous

anygoodifwecan’tfindthedirector.”

“Maybeyouwereontosomethingbefore,”Knoxsaid.“MaybebothyouandAmeliaare

rightandshechosesomeonesheknew,butnotsomeonesoclosetoherthatyourfather
wouldknowthem.”

“Ifmyfatherdoesn’tknowthem,thenchancesareneitherdoI.”
Knoxreachedoverandranhisfingersdownhercheek.“You’llfigureitout.”
Herheartpalpitatedatthefeelofhisfingersonherskin.“You’resosweet,”she

whispered.

Hedroppedhishandinstantlyandpushedhischairbackwithascreech,thenstoodand

crossedtothesink.“I’mreallynot.”

Heputhishandsonthecounterandleanedforward,staringoutthewindow.Natalie

walkedoverandwrappedherarmsaroundhim,restinghercheekonhisback.

“You’reagoodperson,”shesaidsimply.
“I’vespentmylifefightinginanundergroundringforX.I’mnot—”
“Thatdoesn’tmakeyouabadperson.Ifourpastsdefineus,thenwhatdoesthatmake

me?Ameeksocietygirlunderherfather’sthumb.”

Heturnedsohecouldwraphisarmsaroundher.“That’snotyou.”
Shecuppedhisfaceinherhands,lookingintohiseyes.“Andyourpastdoesn’tdefineyou,

either.”Shetouchedhislipstohers,willinghimtostopbeingsohardonhimself.Hewasso
muchmorethanhelethimselfbelieve.

Ameliahadsaidtomakethemselvesathome,butKnoxstillfeltlikesomesortoftrespasser
asheandNatalieexploredthehouse.

Whatdidonepersonneedwithsevenbedrooms?Granted,Ameliahadn’talwayslived

herebyherself,butstill.Evenforafamily,itwasexcessive.Asafosterkid,he’doftenshared
abedroomwithtwoorthreeotherboys.Awholefootballteam’sworthoffosterkidscouldfit
inthishouse.

Thoughmostoftheroomsdidn’tseemtobeinuse,eachonewaslavishlydecorated.

Fromwhathe’dgottentoknowaboutAmelia,hedoubtedthatwasherdoing.Itwasmost
likelyleftoverfromwhenherparentsranthehouse.

Natalieopenedthedoortowhatappearedtobeanothersittingroomandflippedonthe

lights.Shestoodinthedoorwaywithherhandonherchest,likeshewastryingtokeepher
heartfromleapingoutofit.“Thisroomseemssofamiliar.”

“Yourmotherprobablybroughtyouhere,”Knoxsaid.
Shesteppedthroughthedoorwayandslowlyturnedinacircletotakeitallin.“Myhouse

isarchitecturallysimilartothisone,soIthoughtthat’swhysomeoftheotherroomsseemed
familiar,butthisroom...IfeellikeI’vebeenherebefore.IknowIhave.”

Knoxwatchedasshekneltnexttoanoldwoodenchestandopenedthelid.Shepulledout

severalBarbiedollsallinvariousstagesofundress.

“Susannah,”shewhispered.“Thisone’snameisSusannah.AndtheredheadisLucy.”She

reachedintothechestagainandbroughtoutaplasticgamewithfourhippos.Hungry
Hippos?Somethinglikethat.Oneofhisfosterhomeshadhadone,butthemarbleswereall
missing,renderingituseless.Inherhand,though,sheheldafabricpouchthatlookedlikeit
heldthemarblesforthegame.

ShelookedupatKnox.“Iusedtoplaythis.Righthere,withbothofthem.Andmyfather

tookthataway.Fromallofus.”

Knoxkneltnexttoher,hisfistsclenched.Hewantedtohandherfathertoherona

platter.He’dlovetogutthemanhimself,butheknewfirsthandthattotrulybefreeofhim,
Nataliewouldhavetodealwithhimherself.

Theghostofhisownfatherfollowedhimeverywhere.
“Tellmemoreaboutyourmother,”Knoxsaid.
“IusedtolovetheDisneyprincesses.Sodidshe.OneyearforHalloween,webothdressed

up.IwasAriel,andshewasCinderella.”Natalielaughed,tearsglisteninginhereyes.“Ithink
shegotmorecandythanme.Shewassobeautiful.Shewasaromanticatheart,always
readingromancenovels.Sheusedtoreadtomebeforebedeverynight.Fairytales.Lifewasa
fairytaleforher.Untilitwasn’t.Lookingback,Iseenowthatmymomchanged.Sheusedto
besolightheartedandcarefree,buttheolderIgot,themoreseriousandwithdrawnshe
became.Notwithme.Neverwithme,butIcouldseeitwithotherpeople.Ithinkmyfather
musthavecutherofffromeveryonejustlikehedidtome.”Herfingerstightenedaroundthe
legsofoneoftheBarbiedolls.“God,he’ssuchabastard.”

“Hecan’thurtyouanymore,”Knoxsaid.
Natalieblinked,tryingtoclearthetearsoutofhereyes,butonefellanyway.“He’salready

donesomuch.NowthatI’mawayfromhim,Iseethingssoclearly.Hekilledher.Iknowitin
mygut.AndunlessIcanfigureoutthisthingwithmytrust,he’sgoingtowalkawaywith
everything.”

WhenNataliewalkedintothekitchenwithastackofchildren’sbooksinherarms,Amelia
stoodatthestovestirringsomethinginahugepot.

Nataliedidadoubletake.“Ithoughtyoudidn’tcook.”
“Idon’t,”Ameliasaidbriskly.“Thisisforthepooches.Chickenandrice.”
NatalieandKnoxexchangedaglance,andNatalieputahandoverhermouthtomuffle

herlaughter.ThiswasexactlywhyhermothermusthavelovedAmelia.Natalieonlywished
shecouldhavehadtheotherwomaninherlifelonger.Itmayhavemadeallthedifference.

Shecursedherfathersilently,losingcountofhowmanytimesshe’ddonethatinthepast

fewdays.

Ameliawipedherhandsonherapron.“There.Thatjustneedstocookabit.”
“Amelia,IwaswonderingifIcouldhavethese,”Nataliesaid,holdingoutthebooksshe’d

foundmixedinwiththetoys.“Notnow,obviously,butifyoucouldsetthemasideforme.”

Ameliatookalookatthem.“Ah,yes.Thefairytalebooks.Yourmotherreadthosetoyou

everytimeyoutwovisited.TheywereminewhenIwasagirl.”

“ThenIcan’ttakethem.I’msorryforasking.”
“Don’tbesilly.WhatamIgoingtodowiththem?”Ameliacameclosersoshecouldlook

atthetitles.“Ooh.Cinderella.Thatwasyourmother’sfavorite.”

“Wehadacopyathome,too,butIdon’tknowwhathappenedtoit.Shereadittomeat

leastonceaweek.Thefairygodmotherpartwasherfavorite.Shealwaysusedtotellmemy
fairygodmotherwouldhelpmewhenIwasintrouble.”Nataliechuckled.“WhatIwouldn’t
givefor...”

Afairygodmother.Shedidn’thaveoneofthose,butshedidhavearegulargodmother.

HernamewasEleanorSimmons,andshe’dbeenafriendofhergrandparents.Hermother
hadnotbeenclosewithheratall,andtheyonlysawherontherareoccasionswhentheir
visitscoincidedathergrandparents’house.

“DoyouknowEleanorSimmons?”sheaskedAmelia.
“ThatwomanismoreofahermitthanIam.It’sbeenatleastadecadesinceIsawher.

WhyinGod’snameare—ah.”Amelianoddedknowingly.“Smartgirl.”

“What?”Knoxasked.
“Ithinkshecouldbetheboarddirector,”Natalieexplained.“Shewasafriendofmy

grandparentsandmygodmother.Mymomwasn’toverlyreligious,butshehadmebaptized
attheirchurch.I’veseenthepictures.”

“Howdowefindoutforsure?”
“Idon’tknow.Askher,Iguess.Butitmakessenseforittobeher.”Nataliestartedticking

offthereasonsonherfingers.“Shewasmygrandmother’sclosestfriend,butmymomwasn’t
closetoher.Soshewouldn’tcometomyfather’sattention.It’slikeyousaid,Knox.”

“Doyouknowhowtogetintouchwithher?”Knoxasked.Avibrationsoundedandhe

pulledhisphoneoutofhispocket.

Nataliesnortedandopenedthelaptopthatwasstillsittingonthekitchentable.

“EverythingisontheInternetthesedays.”

Twentyminuteslater,shepusheditaway.“Okay,maybenot.TheonlymentionsofherI

couldfindonlinearerandomsocietypagesnippetsandanobituaryforherhusband.No
phonenumber,butIdidfindastreetaddress.”

Knoxcheckedhisphoneagain.“Tonycamethrough.Ineedtogo.”
Natalieclosedthelidonthelaptopandstood.“I’mgoingwithyou.”
“It’ssaferforyoutostayhere.”
Sheputahandonhisarm.“We’reinthistogether,remember?Andbesides,whilewe’re

out,wecanswingbyEleanor’shouse.”

Chapter9

KnoxparkedthecarAmeliahadlentthem.Itwasalate-modelluxurysedan,thenicestcar
he’deverdriven.

Though,thecarhe’dlearnedtodriveonwasaclosesecond.Whenhewasfifteen,Xtook

himtoanabandonedparkinglottoteachhimtodrive,lettinghimbehindthewheelofX’s
ownexpensivecar.Knoxhadthoughthewastheshit,expertlyparallelparkingonthefirst
try.X’slookofpridehadmeanteverythingtohim.

Then,whenhe’dturnedsixteen,Xhadgiftedhimwithacarofhisown.Nothingfancy—a

fifteen-year-oldbeater—butitwasmorethanhe’deverhadbeforeandwaymorethenhe’d
everexpected.

“Ready?”Knoxasked.
Natalietookadeepbreathandpastedonabravesmile.They’dspentalmostforty-eight

hoursinrelativesafety,andnowtheywereventuringout.

Tonyhadfinallycomethroughandfoundsomeonewhowaswillingtosellthemagun

andkeephismouthshut.Thesecondpartwasthemostimportantandtheleastguaranteed.
Knox—well,actuallyNatalie—waspayinghandsomelyforhissilence,butsomeonewillingto
sellgunsillegallyprobablywouldn’tthinktwiceaboutgoingbackonhisword,paidornot.It
wasanecessaryrisk,though,andaminimalone.TheguycouldreportbacktoX,butbythen
they’dbelonggone,andthemeet-uplocationwasnowhereclosetoAmelia’shouse.

TheymetTony’scontactinaparkthatstraddledthenorthandsouthsides.Itwasas

neutralalocationasanyinthistown.Nataliehungbackalittle,bothtokeepalookoutandto
stayoutofarm’sreachfromtheguyKnoxhadnoreasontotrust.

“Damn,man,it’salltrue,”theguysaidwhenhenoticedNatalie.“Ishouldchargeyou

doubleforgettingmeinvolvedinthiscrazyshit.”

Knox’snostrilsflared.HewantedtoslugtheguyforevenmentioningNatalie.Toobad

theyneededhimorhe’dbeontheground.

Knoxinspectedthegun,a.44Sig.Heknewalittleaboutguns,enoughtoknowthiswasn’t

theoneTonydescribed.

“ItwassupposedtobeaGlock.”
Theguyshrugged.“ThisiswhatIgot.Takeitorleaveit.”
Knoxdidn’thavemuchofachoice.Hepoppedtheclipouttofindithalffull.“Where’sthe

restofthebullets?”

“That’sall,man.”
“Yougotmore?”
“No,Iain’tnofriggin’Walmart.”
Knoxnarrowedhiseyesattheguy,whowasseveralinchesshorterandpudgy.Inthecage,

hewouldhavepulverizedthispunk.WherethehellhadTonyfoundhim?

Didn’tmatter.Hewaswillingtopartwiththeguntheyneeded.Still,Knoxleanedcloseto

hisearwhenhehandedoverthecash.

“IfIhearyoucrossedme,Iwon’tneedaguntoendyou.”
Theguypocketedthemoneyandtookafewstepsback,stumbling.Knoxheldhisground

andwatchedtheothermanscurryaway.ThenKnoxtuckedthegunintothewaistbandofhis
jeansandjoinedNatalie.

“Let’sgo,”hesaid.
Oncebackinthecar,Nataliedirectedhimtotheaddressshe’dfoundforEleanor

Simmons.Itwasonthefarnortheastpartoftown.AstheyturnedontoKennedyStreet,
Nataliestilled,turningherfacetowardthewindowandawayfromhim.

“Thisismystreet,”shesaidquietly.
Knoxglancedoverather.Whyhadshebroughtthemthisway?Itmightbethemost

directroute,butsurelytherewasanotherwaytheycouldhavegone.

“Whichoneisyours?”heasked.
Afteraboutthirtyseconds,shepointedtoamassivebrickmansionwithtallwhite

columnsinfrontoftheentryway.Itwaseasilythebiggesthouseontheblock.Hell,itwasthe
biggesthousehe’deverseen.

ThatwaswhereNataliehadgrownupandlivedherentirelife.Ifhedidn’talreadyknow

shewasoutofhisleague,hesureashellknewitnow.

Theytookafewmoreturns,windinguponastreetwithhousesthatwerealmostas

impressiveasthoseonKennedyStreet.

“There,”Nataliesaid,pointingtoahouseinthecenteroftheblock.Knoxdidn’tgetagood

lookatit.Hekeptdrivingandparkedonasidestreet.

Heturnedofftheignition.“What’syourplan?”
“Ringthedoorbell?”sheaskedwithawrysmile.
“Natalie...”
“No,hearmeout,”shesaid.“WecouldhavedonethatatAmelia’sright?Itwouldhave

savedusalotoftrouble.Eleanorisafriendofmymother’sfamily,sothere’snoreasonto
thinkshewouldturnusin.”

Inhisexperience,Knoxhadfoundthatmostpeoplecouldn’tbetrusted.Hedidn’twantto

takeanyrisksnow.

Hepulledoutthegunandcheckedtheclipagain.Damn.He’dfeelalotbetteraboutthisif

hehadafullmagazineinsteadofninemeaslyrounds.

Heletoutabreath.“Okay.Let’sgocheckitout.Wecandecidehowtoproceedoncewe

getthere.”

Onthesidewalk,Nataliereachedforhishandandlacedherfingersthroughhis.She

leanedhercheekagainsthisshoulder.

Justanaveragecoupleoutforastroll.
Yeah,right.He’dneverfitininthisneighborhood.
Thehouseandyardwereenclosedbyawrought-ironfence,asweremostofthehouses

aroundhere.Therewerenovisiblecamerasnearthegateorthedriveway.

Thelandscapingwasn’timmaculate,either.Infact,thegrasswasseveralinchestootall

andtheflowerbedswereovergrown.

Nataliewrappedherfingersaroundthebarsofthefence.“It’svacant,”shesaid,hervoice

soundingvacantaswell.“Thatwouldhavebeentooeasy.”

“Didyoufindanyotheraddresses?”
Sheshookherhead.“Thiswastheonlyonelisted.It’sthefamilyestate.”Shegazed

forlornlyatthehouse.

Ayoungcouplepushingastrollerandwalkingadogwasnearingthemonthesidewalk.
“Weshouldgo,”Knoxsaid,wrappinganarmaroundNatalie.
Beforehecouldleadherbacktothecar,shespottedthecouple.“Excuseme!”shecalled

out,walkingtomeetthem.

“Fuck,”Knoxsaidunderhisbreath.Hedoubtedthisyuppiepairwasadirectthreat,but

thelongertheystayedoutintheopen,thehighertherisk.Plus,theirpictureshadbeenall
overthemedia.Theycouldberecognized.

Knoxhungback,keepinganeyeonthesituationanddevisinganexitstrategy.
“Whatalovelybaby!”Nataliesaid,leaningdowntolookattheinfant.“Shecan’tbemore

thanamonthold.”

“FourweekslastTuesday,”themothersaidwithasmile.
“Congratulations.She’sbeautiful.”Nataliebeamedatbothofthenewparentsandreached

downtoscratchthedogbehindtheears.“Listen,Iwaswonderingifyouknowanythingabout
thewomanwhousedtolivehere.She’sanoldfriendofthefamily,butwe’velosttouch.AllI
hadwasanaddress,butitappearsshemovedaway.”

Thefatherfurrowedhisbrow.“Thathousehasbeenemptyforafewyearsnow,right,

honey?”Hiswifenodded.“Totellyouthetruth,it’sbecomealittlebitofaneyesore.
Whoeverownsitisnotkeepingupwithitthewaytheyshould.”

“That’sashame,”Nataliesaid.“It’sagorgeousneighborhood.Onlytakesonebadappleto

ruinthebunchthough,right?”

Thefathersnappedhisfingers.“Exactly!I’vebeenmeaningtocontactcityhallaboutitto

findoutwhatcanbedone,butwiththepregnancyandbabyandall...”

Nataliechuckled.“Notmuchtimewithanewborn,isthere?I’llletyoutwocontinueon.

Congratulationsagain.”

Thecouplethankedherandcontinuedontheirway.Knoxturnedhisbackastheypassed,

maskinghisface.

“Whatwasthat?”heaskedNatalieassheapproached.
“Justgatheringinformation.”
“Theycouldhaverecognizedyou.”
Sheshrugged.“They’renewparents.Didyouseethedarkcirclesundertheireyes?And

theman’sshirtwasbuttonedinthewrongholes.Theyprobablydon’tevenknowwhatdayit
is.”

Knoxnarrowedhiseyesather.Hehadn’tnoticedthataboutthem,butthenagainwhat

didheknowaboutbabiesandparenthood?

“Let’sgetoutofhere,”hesaid.
“Okay.”Shesighed.“Thisturnedouttobeawasteoftime.”

Onthewalkbacktothecar,thehaironthebackofNatalie’sneckstoodonend.Therewasno
reasonforit.Everythinghadgonesmoothly,andtheyhadonemoreblocktogountilthey’d
besafelyontheirwaybacktoAmelia’shouse.Sowhywasshenervousallofasudden?

Knoxextendedhisarmtostopherinmidstep.Hiseyesmetherswithagrimexpression

beforeheusheredherintoacrouchedpositionbehindaparkedcar.Hepeeredaroundthe
bumperandcursed.

Dreadfilledherstomach.Damn.Sheknewithadbeentooeasy.
ShepeekedouttoseewhathadraisedKnox’salarm.Amandressedinblackwasstudying

thelicenseplateonAmelia’scarandtalkingintohiscellphone.

“Oh,shit.Doyourecognizethatguy?”sheasked.Hewasn’twearingasuit,soheprobably

wasn’toneofherfather’s.

Knoxshookhishead.“HelookslikehemightbeoneofX’s,though.”
“Shit,shit,shit!Ibetthey’retracingthelicenseplate.”TheireyesmetandNatalieknew

Knoxwasthinkingthesamethingshewas:itwouldleadthemstraighttoAmelia.

Knoxpulledouthiscellphoneanddialed,buthungupafterafewmoments.“Straightto

voicemail.”

“We’vegottogettoher.Wehavetowarnher.”ThiswasexactlywhatNataliehadbeen

afraidof—puttingAmeliainharm’sway.

“There’snowaywecangettherebeforetheydo.Notwithoutacar.”
“Wehavetotry.Wecan’tjustabandonher.”
Knoxscrubbedahandoverhisface.“Okay,let’sgo.”
TheybacktrackedandcutoverablocktomaketheirwaybacktoAmelia’shouse.Natalie

wouldhavepreferredtorun,buteventhoughthestreetsweren’tcrowdedwithpeople,
sprintingdownthesidewalkwoulddefinitelydrawtoomuchattention.Sotheysetasfasta
paceastheycouldwithoutstandingout.

Pleasebeokay,pleasebeokay.Ifshewilledithardenough,maybeitwouldhappen.How

couldshelivewithherselfifAmeliagothurt?

Orkilled.
Natalie’skneeswentsoft.
No,thatwon’thappen.Shehadtobelievetheyhadachancetosaveher.SheandKnox

weretheonestheywanted.Ameliawasonlygoodforinformation,andshecouldn’tprovide
thatiftheykilledher.

Natalietriedtoletlogicprevailinhermind,butitdidnothingtostemtheflowofworry

thatwastakingover.Witheveryminutethattickedby,Ameliawasmoreatrisk.

“Howcouldtheyhavefoundus?”shewonderedaloud.
“Whoknows?”Knoxsaid.“Ourpicturesareeverywhere.Someonecouldhaveseenusget

outofthecar.”

“Wenevershouldhaveagreedtotakeit.”
ThemusclesinKnox’sjawtightened.
WhentheygotwithinablockofAmelia’shouse,theycouldalreadyseetheyweretoolate.

Herfrontgatehadbeenleftopen.GivenhowvigilantAmeliahadbeenaboutsecurity,itwas
unlikelyshe’dsimplyleavethegateopen.

“No,no,no!”NatalietookoffatarunforthegatebutKnoxgrabbedherandheldherback.
“No,Natalie.Let’stakeaminutetocomeupwithaplan.”
Nataliestrainedagainsthim,desperatetogettoAmelia,beforesherealizedhewasright.
“You’reright.I’msorry.”Natalietookadeepbreath.“I’mnotthinkingstraight.Ofallthe

stupidthingsI’vedonelately,thisoneistheworst.Inevershouldhavegonetoher.”

“Thisisnotyourfault,”Knoxsaid.“You’vedonenothingwrong.Ameliaknewtherisks

whenshetookusin.”

“I...”Natalietookonelastbreathandsquaredhershoulders.Thiswasn’tabouther.This

wasabouthelpingAmelia.Shecoulddealwithallherguiltyfeelingslater,butnow,she

neededtofocus.

“Whatshouldwedo?”
Knoxtookthegunoutofhiswaistband.“Wefigureoutawayin.”

Chapter10

Knoxtookpreciousminutestosurveythearea.Asmuchashewantedtochargeinthereand
rescueAmelia,itwouldn’tbesmarttogoinblind,especiallywithonlynineroundsinhis
gun.Justlikehestudiedanopponentbeforeafight,hewantedtoknowwhoandwhatthey
weredealingwith.Hedoubtedthecopswereinvolved,whichmeantiftheyapproachedand
gunsweredrawnonthem,theywouldn’tbegiventhechancetosurrender.

X’smenwouldshoottokill.
Well,killhim,anyway.WhatNataliehadlearnedabouthertrustgavehimatwisted

reassurancethattheywouldn’tkillher.Butalotofdamagecouldbedonetoapersonwhile
theystilllived.

Natalie’snervousfinger-tappingagainstthebuildingturnedtohandwringing,thento

pacing.KnoxwasabouttosuggesttheymoveinwhenablackSUVpulledintothedrive.

Fuck.Xwasinthepassengerseat.Hedidn’tshowupforjustanything,andwhenhedid,it

wasonlyforthemainevent.Whatevershitwasabouttohappenwasgonnabebad.Andsoon.

AnditwasjusthimandNataliewiththeironegunagainstaslewofX’smen,allofwhom

wereprobablyheavilyarmed.

“Knox,we’vegottogetinthere,now.”Natalie’sfiercelooktoldhimshewasn’ttakingno

forananswer.“MaybeIshouldjustturnmyselfin.”

“No—”
“Theywon’thurtme.Myfatherneedsmealive.Theonlyreasonthey’reafterAmeliaisto

gettome.Oncetheyhaveme,theyhavenoreasontobotherher,right?”

Herlogicmadesense,excepttheyweredealingwithX,whodidn’tnecessarilydealin

logic.Xdidwhateverthehellhewanted,logicbedamned.

AlltheyknewwasthatKentandXkneweachotherinsomeway,sinceTonyhadtoldhim

they’dhadameeting.Butthatmeetingcouldhavebeenaonetimething,andtheydidn’t
knowwhythey’dmetinthefirstplace.Therewerestilltoomanyunknowns.

KentneededNataliealive,butwhywouldXcareaboutthat?
Andbesides,shecouldbeavegetableinthehospitalwithmachinesbreathingforherand

stillbelegallyalive.

“That’snotanoption,”hesaidfirmly,dragginghertohischestandpressinghislipsto

hersinakissthatwasurgentandall-consuming.“Melosingyouisnotanoption,”he
repeated.

Hereyeslockedontohis.“Okay,”shewhispered.
“We’llgointhesamewaywedidbefore.Maybewecangetinundetected.”Hedoubtedit,

butitmightbuythemanextraminuteortwo.Inanyevent,itwasbetterthangoingthrough
thefrontgate.

Theysnuckaroundtothetreeandeasilyclimbedit,thenscaledthewall.Noonerushed

forwardtocapturethem,andnoshotswerefired.Itwaseerilysilent.

Knoxdidn’tlikeit.Forthefirsttimesincetheysawthemanexaminingtheirlicenseplate,

hethoughtofthedogs.Wherethefuckwerethey?Itwassillywhenhumanlifewasatstake,
buthehopedtheywereokay.

Theycreptacrossthelawn,makingitfartherthantheyhadthefirsttimetheycrossedthe

wall.Ironicconsideringitwasjustonewomanwithhertwodogsthen,andnowtherewere
probablyatleasthalfadozenofX’smen.NottomentionXhimself.

Nataliepointed.Justahead,oneofX’smenwasstandingaround,puffingonacigarette.

Hisbackwastothem.

KnoxhandedNataliethegun,wishinghe’dtakenthetimetoshowherhowtotakeoffthe

safetyandracktheslide.Buthe’dhadnowayofknowingthey’dneedthegunthissoon.

Knoxquietlyapproachedtheman,andbythetimeherealizedsomeonewasbehindhim,

Knoxhadhishandoverhismouthandhisneckinachokehold.Itonlytooksecondsforthe
mantogolimp.KnoxslidhisunconsciousbodytothegroundandmotionedNatalieforward.
Fornow,he’dletherkeepthegun.Hecoulddefendhimselfwithhisfistsifnecessary.

Theywentaroundthebackoftheproperty,wherethedrivewaycurledaroundtoan

ancientfour-cargarage.Suddenly,alargecarcrashedthroughthegaragedoor,splinteringthe
oldwood.

Ameliawasatthewheel.
Thecommotioncaughttheattentionofthemeninsidethehouse,andtheycame

streamingoutthebackdoorwiththeirgunsdrawn.KnoxpushedNataliedowntotheground
andcoveredherwithhisbody.Hetookthegunfromherandpointed.

Thecarscreechedtoastopinfrontofthem.
“Getin!”Ameliayelledthroughtheopenpassengerwindow.
KnoxhelpedNatalieupandintothepassengerside.Sheimmediatelythrewherlegover

theseattoclimbinthebacksoKnoxcouldsitinthefront.

Thebackwindowshattered,sendingpiecesofglassalloverherandthedogswhowere

coweringonthefloorboards.

BeforeKnoxevenhadthedoorclosed,Ameliasloucheddownlowandstompedonthegas

pedal.

“Keepyourheaddown!”Knoxsaid.Hewasonthewrongdamnsidetogetanyshotsoff.

Goddammit!Allhecoulddowastakecoverandhopenoneofthemwerehit.

“Closethegates!”onemanyelled.“Don’tshootthewoman!”
Theblackmetalgatewasslidingclosedastheyapproached.
“We’renotgoingtomakeit!”Natalieyelled,hervoicefullofpanic.
“Bullshit.”Ameliapushedthepedaltothefloor,sendingtheoldCadillaccareeningtoward

thegate.Therewasthethud-thud-thudofbulletshittingthebackofthecar.Moreglass
shatteredandraineddownonthebackseatpassengers.

Therewasaloudclangasthemetalofthecar’sgrillemetthemetalgate.Thegategave

waytothecar’sforce,butnotbeforethehoodbuckled.

Theyskiddedintotraffic.Hornsblared,andtheynarrowlymissedbeingT-bonedbya

pickuptruck.

Ameliarightedthecarinthecorrectlaneandweavedinandoutoftraffic.“Arethey

behindus?”sheasked.

“Idon’tseeanyone...wait!”Nataliesaid.“Twoblocksback.There’sablackSUV,andit’s

gainingonus.”

Ameliagroundherteethandsethermouthinadeterminedline.Shetookahardright

downasidestreet.

“They’restillthere.”
Atrashtruckwasblockingtherightlaneoftheirtwo-laneroad.Insteadofslowingdown,

Ameliagunnedthecarandzoomedaroundit,barelymakingitbackintotherightlaneas
oncomingtrafficlaidontheirhorns.

“Iseeyou,Iseeyou,”shemuttered.Shetookanotherrightandthenasharpleft.“That

oughtadoit.Thosetrashtrucksaretheworst.Theygumuptrafficforhours.”

“OhmyGod,Amelia.Areyouokay?”Natalieasked.
“I’mfine.Buthowarethepooches?”

NataliewassurprisedwhenAmeliatookthemtothelocalcountryclub,parkingintheback
reservedlot,whichwasmostlyempty.

“It’sharderthanThor’sabstogetinhereunlessyou’reagoldmember,”Ameliaexplained.

“Theywon’tfindus.”

Ameliahadalsosaidthatnoonewouldgetontoherpropertywithoutherknowing.That

hadn’tworkedoutsowell.Plus,Nataliewouldn’tputitpasttheirpursuerstobreakdownthe
gate—similartohowtheyjustdid—togainentry.Buttheyneededtotakeabreather,andthis
wasasgoodaspotasany.

Nowherewassafe.
Nowthattheywereoutofimmediatedanger,theseverityofthesituationcamecrashing

downonher.They’djustbeenshotatinbroaddaylightandchaseddownaroadwithmany
witnesses.ItseemedtherewerenolimitstothelengthsXandherfatherwouldgotocatch
them.

NataliewasjustgladAmelia—andherpets—weresafe.Shealreadyhadonedeathtoo

manyonherconscience.

KnoxopenedthebackdoorandthedogsleapedouttowhereAmeliawaskneelingand

lickedherface.Sheranherhandsovertheirsleekblackcoatslookingforsignsofinjury.

KnoxcarefullyhelpedNatalieoutofthebackseatandbrushedthebrokenglassoffher

clothes,inspectingherexposedskinforcuts.Thenhepulledhertohim.“Thatwastooclose,”
hesaidquietly.

NatalieheldontoKnoxandclosedhereyes,allowingherselfamomenttofindhercenter.

ThecontactwithKnoxcalmedher.

“Weneedtoendthis,”Nataliesaid.“NowAmeliaisatrisk,andtheywereshootingnear

bystanders.Ifitkeepsgoinglikethis,it’sonlyamatteroftimebeforesomeonegetskilled.”

“Agreed,”Knoxsaid.
“Goddammit!”
TheyturnedtheirheadstofindAmeliainspectingoneofthedog’slegs,whichwas

streakedwithblood.

“Reachinthegloveboxandgetmesometissues,”Ameliacommanded.“Bambihasacut.

Thosebastardshurtmybaby.”

Nataliedidasinstructed,handingoverawadofnapkins.
“Whathappened?”Knoxasked.
“TheycamewhenIwasoutwiththedogs.Theymusthavedisabledthepowergridtothe

house,becauseeverythingwasdarkinsideandthedamnalarmwasout.SinceIwasoutsideI

hadnoidea.Brokeintothedamnhouseandmadeamessofeverything.”

KnoxandNatalieexchangedalook.Theirbagswerethereandtuckedinsideherswereher

mother’sjewels.Plus,thebooksshe’dfoundjustthatmorningwerestillsittingonthe
kitchentablewhenshe’dleft.Sheclosedhereyestostanchtheflowoftears.

They’rejustmaterialthings.
True,buttheyweresomeofthefewmaterialconnectionsshehadtohermother.
Shesuckedinabreath,herhandgoingtoherneck.ThankGod.She’drememberedtoput

onhermoonnecklacetodaybeforeleavingthehouse.Thatwasonesmallmiracle.

NatalieopenedhereyesandwatchedAmeliamakingsoothingtonesinBambi’searasshe

cleanedthewound.Thiswasthemiracle.Thingscouldhaveendedupalotworsetoday,and
shewasgettingupsetoversomemetalandrocksandpaper?

Herprioritiesrealignedimmediately.
“Howdidyoumanagetogetaway?”Natalieasked,kneelingtorubLulabehindtheears.
“Luckily,IsawthembeforeIapproachedthehouse,soIwasabletosendthedogstotheir

kennels.IknewIwouldn’tbeabletojustwalkoutofthere,soIwentintofacethemusic.”

“Youshouldhaverun,”Knoxsaid,shakinghishead.“Calledforhelp.”
“Iwouldhave,butmydamnphonewasinthehouse.Anyway,”Ameliasaid,tenderly

blottingatBambi’sleg,“Iwasprepared.Givenyoursituation,IarmedmyselfbeforeIwent
out.IfonlyI’drememberedmydamnphone.Theyquestionedmeaboutyoutwo—don’t
worry,Iplayedlittle-old-lady-stupid—andeventuallytheygaveupandleftmeinthe
mudroomwithoneguard.Didn’tevenbothertotiemeuporanything.IguessIdon’tlook
threatening.Andthat’swhenIshothim.”

“Shotwho?Theguard?”Natalie’sjawdropped.“Youshottheguard?”
“Notwitharealgun.Atranquilizergun.IkeeponeforwhenIgoonhikesinthe

mountains.They’reforbears.He’llrecover.Probably.Tobehonest,Idon’treallycare.So
anyway,whenhedropped,Igotthedogsandwentaroundtothegarage.Iwaitedtherefor
abouttenminutesandthenyoutwoshowedup.You’reluckyyoushowedupwhenyoudid.I
couldn’tstaymuchlongerorthey’dnoticeIwasn’twheretheyputme.”

“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Knoxasked.
“Notgohome.That’sforsure.”
Nataliehadn’teventhoughtofthat.Ameliacouldn’tgohome,notuntilallofthiswas

over.Andeventhen,whoknewwhenshewouldtrulybesafe?Thisknowledgefueledthe
rageinsideher.

“IhavesomecousinsI’vebeenmeaningtovisit,”Ameliasaid.“Now’sasgoodatimeas

any,Isuppose.”Shelookedatthewreckedstateofhercarandsighed.“I’llhavetogeta
differentcar.”

“Whenallthisisover,I’llpayforallthedamage,”Nataliesaid.
Ameliawavedherhand.“I’vegotmoremoneythanIknowwhattodowith.Ididoverhear

themtalkingaboutsomethingthatmightinterestyou.Apparentlyadetectivenamed
Carmichaeldownatthethirdprecinctisreopeningsomecoldcasefiles.GotX’spantiesallin
atwist.”

NatalielookedatKnox.“Doyouknowwhatthat’sabout?”
“Notexactly,”hereplied.“ButXhasafewcopsinhispocket.Itwouldn’tsurprisemeif

they’dfixedsomeevidenceforhim.”

“Hotdamn,”Ameliasaid.“Iknewyoucouldn’ttrustthecopsinthistown.”

“Notallofthem,”Nataliesaid,thinkingbacktoChiefFollett,whoshe’dmetjustdaysago

atthecharityevent.Haditonlybeenamatterofdays?Itseemedlikealifetimeago.

“Isupposeyou’reright,”Ameliasaid.“Mysecondcousinisacop.Hemaybeaprick,butat

leasthe’shonest.Well,listen,whenyoufinallycatchupwiththatscumbagfatherofyours,
makesuretogivehimanextraone-fingeredsaluteandtellhimit’sfromme.”

Natalielaughedandhuggedher.“Countonit.”

Chapter11

“Whatisityouwantagain?”Knoxasked.Iftheirsituationwasn’tsodire,Nataliewouldhave
laughed.ThebigbadKnoxwhocouldchokesomeoneoutinsecondswithhisbarehandswas
breakingasweatoverpurchasingaboxofhairdye.

“Anykindwilldo.Youwon’thavemuchtochoosefrom.”
“Whatcolor?”
“Anythingbutblond.Don’tforgetscissors.”
Knoxdisappearedaroundthecornerintothetruck-stopconveniencestore.
Althoughthey’drefusedAmelia’soffertogooutoftownwithherforawhile,theydid

acceptasizableamountofmoney.Theirbagswereatherhouse,soalltheyhadleftwerethe
clothesontheirbacksandwhatevercashwasintheirpockets.

Sonotmuch.
ButNataliewouldfindawaytomakeituptoAmelia.Thatwomanhadbeenagodsend,

andnowshewasrunningawayfromherownhome.Itwasn’tright.

ButNataliewouldmakeitright.
Shesmiledatamomwhohadthreeyoungchildrenintow,theyoungestofwhichwas

doinganimpressivepee-peedance.Travelerspassingthrough.Ameliahaddroppedthemoff
atatruckstopontheoutskirtsoftown,rightneartheinterstate.Asfarassheknew,their
storyhadn’tmadethenationalnews,sonoonehereshouldrecognizethem.

Shouldbeingthekeyword.
Noneoftheeventsfromthelastfewdaysshouldhavehappened.
Sheshouldn’tberunningforherlifefromherfather.
Knoxshouldn’thavetoriskhimselfforher.
Sheshouldn’tbefallinginlovewithKnox.
Itwascrazy.Thetimingwasterribleandhewasastreetfighter,comingfromalifeshe

knewnothingabout.Itshouldn’tmakeanysense.

Andyet,itwastheonlythinginherlifethatdidmakesenserightnow.Herthoughts

abouteverythingelseweresoscrambled,butherthoughtsabouthimwereclear.Whenshe
lookedatKnox,sheknewshewaswhereshebelonged—byhisside,whereverthatmaybe.

Andrightnow,thatjusthappenedtobeontherunfromsomeofthemostpowerful

peopleinthecity.Peopleshehadn’tevenknownexistedaweekago.

Well,she’dwantedtobroadenherhorizons,shethoughtbitterly.
Knoxreappearedwithacheapbackpackandtwoplasticbags,onefulloffoodandthe

otherfullofrandomclothingandtoiletries.Atruckercappeekedoutfromthetopofthebag.
Nicetouch.

Insidethetruckstoptherewerefacilitiesyoucouldrentbythehour.Natalieputinthe

necessarycashandtheyslippedintoatinybathroomwithastand-upshowerstall.She’dhave
todyeherhairinthesink.

ThecolorKnoxhadfoundwaslabeledburntsienna,butitlookedmoreliketreebarkto

her.Itwasawful.

“That’salltheyhad,”hesaidapologetically.“Itwaseitherthatorred.”
“Thisisfine,”Nataliereassuredhim.“Itdoesn’tmatter.Ijustneedtobeless

recognizable.”

Sheopenedtheboxandlaidoutallthesuppliesonthesink.Standingbehindher,Knox

ranalockofherhairthroughhisfingers.Shemethisgazeinthemirror,andaballofheat
formedinherstomach.

Hespunheraround,andshewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.
“Ihatethatyouhavetochange,”hesaidquietly,restinghisforeheadagainsthers.
“It’sjusthair.Somewomenchangetheirhaircoloreveryotherweek.”
Hetracedthefeaturesofherfacewithhisfingertip,startingwithherforeheadand

workinghiswaydowntoherlips.Shekissedhisfinger.

“You’reperfectthewayyouare,”hesaidsimply.
Shebroughtherlipstohis,andthewarmthofhismouthincreasedtheheatinherbody

untilitwasall-consuming.

Herhandsslippedunderhisshirt,andhepulledaway.
“You’dbetterdyeyourhair.”
Shetookaminutetocatchherbreathandregainhercomposure.Knox’stouchdidthatto

her—madeherforgetshewasinafilthytruckstoprestroom.Madeherforgethertroubles,if
onlymomentarily.

“Yeah.”Shesighedandturnedbacktowardthemirror.Thenshegatheredherhairina

ponytailandpickedupthescissors.Afteronelastlonglookatherreflection,sheclosedher
eyesandhackedatherhairwiththecheapshears.Whensheopenedhereyes,shesawlong
locksofblondhairalloverthefloorandinthesink.

ShegaveahalfheartedsmiletoKnoxinthemirror,whowaswatchingoverhershoulder.

“It’sjusthair,right?”

Hegaveherarmonelastsqueezeandslippedoutoftheroom.
Itdidn’tmatter.Itshouldn’tmatter.Butdamnitiftearsdidn’twellupinhereyes,making

itdifficulttoreadtheinstructionsonthedyekit.She’dalwayshadlongblondhair.Nowshe’d
beabobbedbrunette.

Withonefinallookinthemirror,sheleanedoverthesinktoapplythefirstchemical.

Knoxalmostdidn’trecognizeNataliewhensheemergedhalfanhourlater,towelingher
damp,dark,shorthair.Whenhelookedintohereyes,though,hesawher—thewomanwho
meanteverything.

Thedarkauburncolormadeherskinlookevencreamierandtheblueofhereyeseven

morestriking.Itwasadifferentlook,butshewasstillgorgeous.Mostimportantly,though,
thecasualobserverwouldn’trecognizeher.

“That’sprettygood,”hesaid.
“Ifonlywecouldchangeyourappearancethateasily.”
Herubbedatthestubbleonhisjaw.“SoonI’llhaveafullbeard.”
Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.“That’strue.Buthopefullyyou’llbeabletoshave

inpeacebeforeyougoallDuckDynastyonus.”

“Don’tworryaboutthat.Ititcheslikecrazy.ThefirstchanceIget,it’scomingoff.”

Theyleftthetruckstop,alreadyhavinglingeredtoolong.Knoxhadkeptwatchthewhole

timeshewasinthebathroom,sizingupeveryonewholaideyesonhim.Couldtheybeoneof
X’smen?OrKent’s?Atleastpolicewereeasytospotintheiruniforms.

HehadalsokepthiseyeontheTVbehindthecashier.ThebigstorywasanEcstasydrug

bustatalocalclubthatwasfullofminors.Thebreak-inandsubsequentshoot-outat
Amelia’shadn’tmadethenewsyet,butitwasonlyamatteroftime.Thereweretoomany
witnessesforittobesweptundertherug.

KnoxusedtheGPSonhisphonetotakethemtoaplacehehadfoundontheInternet

whilewaitingforNatalie.Thehousehadbeenlistedforsaleforoverayear,andbythelooks
ofthepictures,thedamnthingshouldprobablybecondemned.Fortheirpurposes,itwas
perfect.Noonewaslikelytovisititanytimesoon.

Herlock-pickingkitwasinherbagthathadbeenleftatAmelia’s,soshe’dhadtopickup

somenewtoolsatthelocalhardwarestoreontheirwalktothehouse.Shehadn’tbeen
pleasedbytheselection,though.Hopefullyshe’dstillbeabletogetthejobdone.She’dsaid
shecould,andthatwasgoodenoughforhim.Helocatedthemainwatervalveinthe
backyardandturnedthewateron,buttherewasnopower.Goodthingthespringweather
wasinfullforce.

Theinsidehadbeengutted.Wallswererippedout,leavingexposedwireseverywhere,the

linoleumfloorshadbeentornaway,showingcrackedconcrete,andtheapplianceswereall
missing,notthatthelastpartmatteredsincetheyhadnoelectricityanyway.

Itwaslessthanideal,butitwasashelterawayfrompryingeyes.Andthetoiletworked.

Thatwasimportant.

Natalielookedaroundthedilapidatedhouse,herarmswrappedaroundherself.Thishad

tobeafarcryfromwhatshewasusedto.

Butshedidn’tsayaword,justunrolledthecheapsleepingbagsthey’dpickedupatthe

hardwarestoretosetupasleepingareainoneofthebedrooms.

Knoxpulledtherazorhe’dboughtatthetruckstopoutofthebag.“I’mgoingtoshave.”
“DoyoumindifIusethephone?IwanttoresearchEleanorSimmonssomemore.

Someonehastoknowwheresheis.”

“Sure,”hesaid,handingherthephone.Hepausedformomentbeforegoingintothe

bathroom.“I’msorryaboutthehouse.It’s—”

“Perfect,”shesaid.Shewalkedovertohimandwrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.

“Perfect.Noonewillknowwe’restayinghereandmoreimportantly,we’renotputting
anyoneelseatrisk.”

Heslippedhishandsunderhershirt,wantingtofeelthesoftnessofherskin.
“WhathappenedatAmelia’swasn’tyourfault.”EventhoughAmeliahadsaidthesame

thing,heknewitstillweighedonher.

Sheletoutabreath.“Yeah.”Itwasobviousshedidn’tbelieveit,though.
Heloweredhismouthtohers.Herarmswrappedtighteraroundhisneckandherbreasts

pressedagainsthischest.Hegrippedherass,pullingheragainsthim.

Minutesorhourscouldhavepassedandhewouldn’tknowthedifference.Hewaslostin

thefeelofher,thetasteofher,thesmellofher.He’dneverfeltsuchapulltowardanother
humanbeingbefore.

Hebrokeawaytofindherlipsswollenandherskinredfromwherehiswhiskershad

rubbedagainsthercheeks.

“Ouch,”hesaid,runningafingeroverit.
“What?”shesaidbreathlessly.
“I’mgoingtoshave.Youdoyourresearch.”
Tenminuteslater,heemergedfromthebathroomfeelingmorelikehimself.Nataliewas

engrossedinthephone,jottingdownnotesonascrapsheetofpaper.

“Findanything?”heasked.
“Kindof.”Shefrowned,obviouslyfrustrated.“TheonlyfamilyEleanorhasaroundhereis

astepson.VictorHarding.I’vemettheguyafewtimes.Completeasshole.Buthemightknow
wheresheis.”

“That’sgood.”
“Yeah.Thetroubleisthatnoone’sphonenumberislistedanywhere.ButIlearnedon

socialmediathathehasdinneronceaweekatO’Henry’s.He’llbetheretomorrow.”

Knoxmetherdeterminedstarewithhisown.“Thensowillwe.”

Chapter12

Nataliebouncedonherfeet,throwingafewshortjabsandfeelingverymuchlikeRocky.
Knoxstoodacrossfromherwithhishandsonhiships,anamusedexpressiononhisface.

Somaybeshewasn’tsomuchlikeRocky.Rocky’sopponentsdidn’tlaughathim.
Orsoshethought,anyway.Rockyhadneverbeenherthing.
Theywereinthelargestroomintheirrun-downtemporaryhome,andalltheblindswere

opentoallowthesunlighttostreaminthroughthegrimywindows.

SheandKnoxwereatanimpasse.Withnonewinformation,theyhadtimetokillbefore

theycouldtrytointerceptVictorHardingatdinner.SoKnoxdecidedNatalieneededtolearn
somebasicself-defensemoves.

“Rulenumberone—fightdirty.”
Shefrownedandstoppedmoving,droppingherhandstohersides.“Seriously?”That

didn’tseemlikeitshouldberulenumberone.

“Sorry,you’reright,”Knoxsaid.“Rulenumberoneistoavoidthefight.Runaway.You’ve

triedtodothatalready,butsometimesthefightcan’tbeavoided.Thatbringsustofight
dirty.”

ThiswasnotwhatshethoughtKnoxhadinmindwhenhesaidhewantedtotrainher.

Shewasthinkingmorealongthelinesoflearninghowtochokesomeoneoutlikehedidto
theguyatAmelia’shouse.Orhecouldteachherhowtopunch.Eitheroneofthosewouldbe
fine.Butfightingdirty?

“Doyoufightdirty?”
“Idon’tneedto.”
Shecockedherheadathim.“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”
“ItmeansI’matrainedfighter.I’malsoacomparablesizetomostofmyopponents.You,

ontheotherhand”—hetookamomenttosurveyherfigure—“aregoingtobeoutsized.You
needalltheadvantagesyoucanget.Sofightdirty.”

She’dprotest,excepthewasright.Shedidn’thavethetimeneededtobecomethe

formidablefighterwhocouldinflictalotofdamage.Avoidinginjurywasprobablyherbest
tactic.

“Gotit.Fightdirty.Inotherwords,kicktheminthenuts.”Shewasgoingforalaugh,

tryingtokeepitlight,butKnoxnoddedseriously.

“That’sexactlywhatI’mtalkingabout.Youkickamanhardenough,thatwilltakehim

downoratleastslowhimdownlongenoughforyoutogetaway.”

“Evenyou?”
“Youkickmehardenoughinthejunk,thensure.I’llgodown.”
Ashespoke,hergazeshiftedsouthandlingered.Thenrealizingshewasoglinghimwhile

hewatched,shesnappedherneckup,ablushspreadingoverhercheeks.

TheamusedsmilereturnedtoKnox’sface.Hisseriousdemeanorgavewaytosofew

smiles,buthisfacepositivelyglowedwhentheyappeared,makinghishardgoodlookssofter

andmoreapproachable.

Mosttimes,Knoxwasdownrightintimidating,fromtheexpressiononhisfacetotheway

heposturedhisbody.Helookedlikeapanther,musclestenseandreadytoattackata
moment’snotice.Shewonderedifhedidthisonpurposeorifheevenrealizedhewasdoing
it.

Knoxsteppedtowardher,hiscoolgazesizingherup.
Onsecondthought,hetotallyknew.TherewasnothingKnoxdidthatwasn’tdeliberate.
Hestoppedafewfeetinfrontofherandcrossedhisarms,themusclesflexinginhis

forearms.“IfIcomeatyoufromthefront,whatwouldyoudo?”

Shelickedherlips.Jumpyourbones.Thatprobablywasn’ttheanswerhewasgoingfor.
Heapproachedslowly,andshewatchedthestrongmusclesofhisthighsflexwithevery

smallstephetook.Heatpooledbetweenherlegsinresponse.

“Keepyoureyesonyourattacker’sface,”hecommanded.“Hiseyeswillgiveawayhisnext

move.”

Shedidasinstructed,lookingintohisintenseumbereyes.Herkneesturnedtojelly.So

nothelpfulforself-defense.

“Uh...”Sheflungherfootup,andheeasilygrabbeditbeforemakingcontact,causingher

tobalanceononefoot.

“Wrong.Yourun.IfI’mthereandnotoccupied,youletmefight.Let’spretendneitherof

thoseareoptions.Whatdoyoudo?”

Hegrabbedherwrist,hisgraspfirm,butnottightenoughtohurther.
Shebroughtherkneeup,stoppingrightbeforeitmadecontact.Muchtoher

disappointment,hedidn’tevenflinch.Hopefullyinarealfight,she’dgetmoreofareaction,
especiallyifsheactuallyfollowedthrough.

“Good,”hesaidsmoothly.“Nowlet’ssaythat’snotenough.Yourattackerdoesn’tletgo.”
“Well...um...”Shecouldn’tthinkwithhimthisclosetoher,withhisfingerswrapped

aroundherwrist.Thosefingersthatworkedmagiconherbody.

“Kneehimagainifyoucan,”heinstructed.“Thenspin.”Heshowedherhowtoturnher

bodysothatherbackwasagainsthischest.“Thenuseyourelbows.Repeatedly.They’reone
ofthehardestpartsofyourbody.Also,stompdownonhisfeetashardasyoucan.”

Sheclosedhereyes,concentratingonthefeelofhishardstomachagainstherback.
“Thatdoesn’tseemveryeffective.”
“You’resmallandyou’renotatrainedfighter,”hesaidpragmatically.“Thosearethefacts.

Youwillmorethanlikelynotbeabletobeatyourattackerwithoutsomekindofweapon.
Yourgoalistoinflictenoughdamagethatyoucanrunaway.”

“Okay.Useelbowsandfeet.Gotit.”
Hisfingerstraileddownherarm,sendingshiversshootingthroughher.
“Andscream.Iknowwe’vebeentryinghardnottoattractattention,butifitcomesdown

toit,scream.Bystandersmaybeabletohelpyou.”

“Icanscream.”Sherotatedherhipssothatherassgroundintohiscrotch.Hestilled

instantly,butshecouldfeelthatshehadhisattention.

Hisfullattention.
Hishandssnakedaroundherstomach,spreadwide,andheranthemuptocoverher

breasts.Hismouthloweredtoherthroat,andshetiltedhernecktogivehimbetteraccess.

Hequicklyspunheraroundsotheywerechesttochest,andtheirmouthsmetinan

explosionofheatandneed.Hisfingerstangledinhernowshort,darkhair.

Shetuggedathisshirt,pullingitupandoverhishead,needingtoputherhandsonhis

skin.Forafewbriefsecondswhiletheywereseparated,theystaredatoneanother,each
pantingslightly.

“Knox,”Nataliesaid.“HowhaveInotknownyouuntilnow?”
Hemadeherfeelalive,vibrant,wanted,needed.
Desired.
Hisanswerwastocrushhismouthtohers,partingherlipsandtanglinghistonguewith

hers.

God,shewantedhistongueonotherplaces.Shewanteditonherneck,hernipples,her

clit.

Shetorehermouthawayfromhisandtrailedhertongueonhisthroatuptothesensitive

spacebehindhisear.Hisbreathhitchedinhisthroat,andheputhishandsonherassand
pulledherclosertohim.

Itwasexhilarating.Shehadthepowertoaffecthimthesamewayheaffectedher.
Shetrailedkissesdownhischestandovertheridgesofhishardabdomen.Whenshemet

withthebarrierofhisjeans,sheundidthetopbutton,thenslowlysliddownthezipperwith
shakinghands.

Hiserectionwascontainedbythecottonofhisboxerbriefs,andshepulledthosedown,

too.Atfirstsheusedherhandstoexplorehim,thispartofhimthatdroveherwild.Theskin
wasmuchsofterthanshe’dexpected.

Tentatively,sheflickedhertongueonthesoftskinthatcoveredhishardlength,andhe

groaned.

Shelookedupathim.Hiseyeswereclosedandhisfistswereclenchedathissides.He

wasobviouslystrugglingtomaintaincontrol.

Takinghisfistinherhand,shelooseneditandlacedherfingersthroughhis.Thenshe

tookhiminhermouth.

Shedidn’tknowwhatshewasdoing,butitdidn’tseemtomatter.Sheexperimentedwith

differentpressureuntilhegaspedout.

“Stop.”
Shepulledawayfromhimimmediately.“Don’tyou...”Shetookadeepbreathandlooked

upathim.“Don’tyoulikeit?”

Heusedherarmstoyankheruptoastandingposition.Hiseyeswerewild.
“Yes.Yes,Ilikeit.ButIlikebeinginsideyoumore.”Heusedhishandtoliftherchinup

sothatshewasforcedtolookinhiseyes.“Ilovewhatyoudidtome.Fuck,Ilovewhatyoudo
tome.IthinkI...”Hedidn’tfinishhissentence,andinsteadpulledhershirtoverherhead.
Thenhedroppedtohiskneesandyankedherjeansdown.

Hepushedasidethecottonofherpanties,andshegotherwish.Histonguewasallover

her.Sheputherhandsonhisshoulders,neededthesupportasherkneesweakened.

Hetookherupandup,untilshethoughtshewouldexplode.
“Knox...”Shebitherlipasatremorshotthroughherbody.“Iwanttobewithyou.”
Hestoodandpickedherup,thencarriedhertotheroomthey’dbeenusingasabedroom.

Helaidherdownonthesleepingbagandpulledherjeansofftherestoftheway.Thenhe
droppedhisown.

Shestretchedout,suddenlyfeelingshyintheraysofsunlightstreamingthroughthe

crackedblinds.Hedidn’tseemtonotice,layingdownbesideherandrunninghishandalong
herhip.Hismouthfoundhers,anditwasgentle,someoftheearlierneedhavinglostits
urgency.

Shecouldstillfeelhisneedforherpressedintoherbelly,though.
Herolledontohisback,takingherwithhimsothatshewasontopofhim.Hegrippedher

ass,pullingheragainsthim.

“Grabthecondomoutofthebagthere.”Henoddedtowardoneofthebagshe’dpickedup

atthetruckstopthedaybefore,whichwaswithinreach.

Shehandedhimthefoil-wrappedcondomandscooteddownhislegssohecouldtakecare

ofit.Whenhewasready,heliftedherhipsandpositionedherabovehim.Shesuckedina
sharpbreathatthefeelofhimenteringher.

“Takeitasslowasyouneed,”hesaid.
Shenoddedandslowlyloweredherself,anagonizinginchatatimeuntilhewasfully

envelopedwithinher.

Helacedhisfingersthroughhers,waitingwhileshetookseveraldeepbreathsand

allowedherselftoacclimatetothenewsensation.

She’dthoughthefilledherbefore.Thatwasnothingcomparedtothis.
Heputhisotherhandonherhip,guidinghermovement.Sheclosedhereyesandtookit

slow,herbreathcatchingasthetensionwithinherbegantobuild.

Onceshehadarhythmgoing,heremovedhishandfromherhipandbroughtittoherclit.
Pleasureshotthroughher.Shemoaned,stoppinghermotion.
“Keepgoing,baby,”Knoxurgedandsheslowlystartedmovingherhipsagain.Fasterand

fastershewent.Sheshiftedherlegsslightlywiderandhiscockhitaspotinsideherthatsent
smallspasmsthroughher.

Shebitherlipandgroundherhipsharder,workingforthatsweetrelease.Everymusclein

herbodytensedastheorgasmvibratedthroughher.Shecriedout,squeezingKnox’shand
anddiggingherfingernailsintohischestwithherotherhand.

Asshewascomingdown,shefeltKnoxjerkhishipsonelasttimeandshudder,enjoying

hisownrelease.

Shecollapsedontopofhim,breathingheavilywhilehestrokedherhair.Whenshe’d

caughtherbreath,sheshiftedtoliebesidehim,throwingherlegoverhis.

“Thatwas...wordscan’t...Ijust...”
Hekissedhertemple.“Iknow,baby,Iknow.”
Andsomehow,sheknewhedid.

“That’shim.”Natalienoddedtowardtheblacksedanwithtintedwindowssittingatthered
light.Knoxcouldn’tseeanyonebuttheuniformeddriver.

“Areyousure?”
“Oh,yeah.”Natalielaughed.“Checkoutthelicenseplate.”
Asthecarturnedintotherestaurantparkinglot,Knoxcaughtaglimpse.

MN Y TLKS.

“Moneytalks?”
Natalieshrugged.“He’skindofadouchebag.”
Knoxjustshookhishead.“Comeon.”
Theywaitedforabreakinthetraffic,thencameoutofthealleythey’dbeenlurkinginto

crossintotheparkinglot.They’dbecomeexpertalleylurkers,blendingintotheshadows.

Nataliehadwantedtogodirectlyintotherestauranttotalktohim,butKnoxvetoedthat

idea.Shemightbeabletoblendin—iftheyhadsuitableclothes—buttherewasnowayhewas
gettinginthereunnoticed.Andtherewasnowayinhellhewaslettinghergoalone.

Soinstead,theywerespendingtheeveningwaitinginaparkinglot.
Thefirstorderofbusinesswastakingoutthecamerasmonitoringthelot.Nataliefigured

iftheydisabledthem,analarmmightsound.Sotheyweretakingitoldschool—spraypaint.It
tookKnoxbacktohisearlydaysoflivingwithXwhenhewasapunkteenagerwithtoomuch
timeonhishands.AslongashestucktohisMMAtraininganddidn’tgetpickedupbythe
cops,Xdidn’tcarewhathedid.Atthetime,Knoxthoughtthefreereinwasthebestthingin
theworld.Yearslater,herealizeditwasbecauseXdidn’tgivetwoshitsabouthim.Notreally.
Hewasnothingmorethanapieceoflivestock.

HeandNataliesettledbehindalargepottedbushtowait.Theywereoutofsightfrom

mostofthelot,butHarding’scarwasstillvisible.Luckily,hisdriverwasnowheretobe
found.

ThesoundoffootstepshadKnoxtensingwithhishandonthegun.Nataliesuckedina

breathandstayedabsolutelystill.

Awomandressedinallblackexceptforasilvervestwalkedby,toocaughtupinhercell

phonetoevennoticetheywerethere.

Thesilvervest...therewassomethingaboutit.
SuddenlyKnoxshuddered,closinghiseyes.
Splattersofbloodonasilvervest.
“Knox,whatisit?Areyouokay?”
Knoxexhaled,takingasecondtocalmhimself.Whenheopenedhiseyes,Nataliehadher

handonhisarmandaconcernedlookonherface.

He’dseenthatsilvervestalmosteverydayofhisearlychildhood.Hismothermusthave

workedatthisrestaurant.Heknewshewasawaitress,buthehadn’tknownwhere.Itwasn’t
likehisfamilycouldactuallyaffordtoeatsomewherelikethis.

Henevertalkedaboutit.Hadn’tsincehe’dgivenhisstatementtothepolicefromhis

hospitalbed.ButlookingbackatNatalie’ssweeteyes,hesuddenlywantedto.

Nataliewasthefirstpersonhe’dlovedsincehismotherdied.
“Mymotherwasmurdered,”hesaid.“Infrontofme.”
“OhmyGod.”ThewordsescapedjustbeforeNatalieputahanduptocoverhermouth,

theotheronegoingtoKnox’sarm.Hereyeswidenedasabevyofemotionscrossedherface.
Firsthorror,thensadness,andfinallyunderstanding.“Howoldwereyou?”

“Eight.Myfather...hewasadrunk.Likedtosmackmymomaround.Idon’tknowwhy

shestayed.Hecouldn’tholddownajob,soshesupportedthefamily.Shecouldhaveleft.She
shouldhavelefthisdrunkass.”

“Sometimesit’snotthateasy,”Nataliesaidquietly.Shetookhishandinhers,rubbingher

thumboverthebackofhishandinasoothingcircularmotion.

“Iusuallystayedoutoftheway,andforthemostpart,heleftmealone.SometimesI

thinkheevenforgothehadakid.Onenight,hegotreallyloaded.Mymomwaslatecoming
homefromwork.Assoonasshewalkedinthedoor,helaidintoher.Shedidn’tevenseeit
coming.Atfirst,heonlyusedhisfists,butthenhepickeduptheoldrotarytelephonewehad
inthehallway.Atthatpoint,Ijumpedonhim,tryingtogethimoffher.Icouldn’tcallfor

help.Ourphoneservicehadbeencutoffdaysbefore.Hethrewmeintothewall,andI
blackedout.WhenIwokeup,bloodwaseverywhere.Shewasdead.Herheadhadbeen
completelybashedinbythatbastard.Andherface...”

Natalierestedherheadonhisshoulder,keepinghishandinherlap.“Knox,youcouldn’t

havedoneanything.Youweresoyoung.You’reluckyhedidn’tkillyou,too.”

Knoxturnedhishead,lookingaway.Heknewthat.Now.Buttryexplainingthattoan

eight-year-oldboywho’dwadedthroughhismother’sbloodandbrainmatteronlytoseethat
herfacewasnolongerrecognizable.He’dspenttherestofhischildhoodcloakedinacloudof
guilt.AndassoonasXgavehimtheopportunity,hestartedtraining.

Sohe’dneverbedefenselessagain.

Chapter13

ThedriverreturnedtothecaraheadofHarding.WhenhesawKnoxandNatalielingering,he
slowedhiswalk,lookingatthemsuspiciously.

“Whatareyou—hey!Getawayfromthedamncar.”Hepulledouthiscellphone,andKnox

closedthedistancebetweenthemandstrippeditoutofhishandsbeforeNataliecouldblink.

“We’renotheretohurtanyone,”Knoxsaid.“WejustwanttotalktoMr.Harding.”
Nataliesteppedforward.“IneedtotalktoMr.Hardingaboutsomefamilybusiness.That’s

all.”

“Thenwhydon’tyoucallandsetupanappointment?”Thedriver’scommentmadeperfect

senseunderordinarycircumstances,butthesewerenotordinarycircumstances.“Andgive
mebackmyphone.That’stheft,youknow.I’llcallthecops.”

NatalieandKnoxexchangedalook.
“Charlie,what’sgoingon?Whyisn’tthecarstarted?”Hardingapproached.SeeingKnox

andNatalie,hefrowned.“Whoarethesepeople?”

Thedrivercrossedhisarms.“Theysaytheyneedtotalktoyouaboutfamilybusiness.”
“Ohyeah?Theycancallmysecretaryjustlikeeveryoneelse.Let’sgo,Charlie.Startthe

car.”

Nataliesteppedforward.“Mr.Harding,youmightknowme.I’mNatalieFarringtonKent.I

metyouonceortwicebefore.”

Helookedheroverforamomentbeforerecognitionflashedinhiseyes.“WhatcanIdo

foryou,MissKent?”Histonewaspatronizing,thewaysomanyofthoseinherfather’scircle
hadspokentoher.

“I’mtryingtolocateyourstepmother.”
“Ex-stepmother.”Harding’stonewaspetulant,likethatofaspoiledchildratherthana

manoldenoughtobeagrandfather.

“I’msorry.Ex-stepmother,”Nataliecorrected,tryingtoappeasetheman,eventhoughher

heartsankasshestaredatthemanstandingbeforethemwithhischestpuffedoutand
thinkinghewasbetterthantheywere.Hardingwasn’tgoingtohelpthem.

“Icouldn’tcarelesswherethatcrazyoldbitchis.”
Nataliesmiledtightly.“Sosorrytohavebotheredyou.”SheturnedtoKnox.“Let’sgo.”
Hardingpulledasmallsilverhandgunfrominsidehissuitcoatandpointeditintheir

generaldirection.ItwasthekindthatNataliewouldhaveexpectedawomantopulloutofher
garterbelt.Still,itwasagun,soshefroze,instinctivelyputtingherhandsup.

“Idon’tthinkso,”Hardingsneered.“Alotofpeoplearelookingforyoutwo,including

yourdearfather.He’sworriedsick.WhatkindoffriendwouldIbeifIdidn’tcall?Givemy
driverhisphone.”

Knoxtookafewstepsforward,nodoubttoputtheattentiononhiminsteadofNatalie.

Hardingswungtheguninhisdirection.No!Nataliewantedtoscream.Hewouldn’tshoot
her,butKnoxdidn’thavethatsameguarantee.

KnoxlookedatNataliebrieflybeforeholdingupthephoneandshakingit.“Thisphone?”

Thenhethrewitasfarashecould,overthecarsandthelineofbushesintotheneighboring
lot.

CharlielookedbackandforthbetweenHardingandKnox,lookinglikehe’dratherchase

downthephonethanstandbetweenhisarmedemployerandKnox.

Hardingletoutanirritatedsigh.“Whydoyouhavetobedifficult?Doyouwantmeto

shootyou?Everyonewouldbelieveitwasself-defense.Andnoonewouldmissyou.”

Nottrue.Natalie’snostrilsflared,butKnoxremainedunaffected.
HardingreachedintohispocketwhilestillkeepingtheguntrainedonKnox.However,

thatlittlelossofconcentrationwasenoughofanopeningforKnoxtolungeathim,hitting
himinthemidsectionandtakinghimdown.

“Sir!”Charliesteppedtowardthefray,butNatalierushedtostophim,tryingtoremember

whatKnoxhadtoldher.Shebroughtherkneeuptowardhisgroinandfeltsatisfactionasher
blowhithome.Hedoubledoverforasecond,thenhishandflungout,catchingNatalieonthe
face.

Shereeledback,hercheekfeelinglikeitwasgoingtoexplode.Sheblinked,thenprepared

forhernextstrike.

Besideher,Knoxroared.HehandedherHarding’ssilvergun.“Useitifyouhaveto.”Then

headvancedonCharliewithslowmeasuredsteps.

NataliekepttheguntrainedonHarding,whoseeyeswerewide.Hislowerlipquivered.He

lookedlikeamanwhowasabouttopeehispants,afarcryfromthearrogancehe’ddisplayed
momentsago.

“Oh,shit.”CharlietookonelookatthemurderouslookonKnox’sfaceandturnedtorun.

Knoxgrabbedhimfrombehindandthrewhimontheground.Hestartedwhalingonhim
untilthemanpassedoutandhisfacewasabloodymess.

Buthekeptgoing.
“Knox!”Nataliecried.“He’sdone!He’sfinished!”
Herwordsdidn’tregister.Itwaslikehewasinanotherplace.
“Stop,Knox!”Natalieputherhandonhisshoulder,andheturned,hisfistsraisedand

bloody.Hiseyesfinallyfocusedonherandheloweredhisarms.

“Weneedtogo.”
Henoddedandstood,butbeforeleavinghewalkedtostandoverHardingonelasttime.

“Ifyouever—andImeanever—threatenNatalieagain,IswearIwillfindyouandripyour
tongueoutthroughyourasshole.”

KnoxinspectedtheteethmarksonhisshoulderinthebathroomofthehousewhileNatalie
illuminatedthewoundwithaflashlight.Inoveradecadeoffighting,Knoxhadneverhad
anothermanbitehimlikeHardinghaddone.

“Hedidn’tevenbreaktheskin.”Heshookhisheadandpulledhisshirtbackon.“Whata

fuckingpansy.”

Natalieclickedoffthelightastheyreturnedtothelivingroom.“That’sgood.Otherwiseit

could’vegotteninfected.”

“Itbetternotleaveascar.”NowaywasKnoxwearingsomedouchebag’sdentalrecords

onhisshoulder.Hehadplentyofscarsonhisbody,butthosewereacquiredrespectably,in

properfights.

Nataliejustlaughed.“Ihatetosayit,butseeingthefearinhisfacewasalmostenoughto

makethisnightworthwhile.Almost.”

“Arealloftherichfuckersinthiscitylikehim?”IfDarwin’stheoryofsurvivalappliedin

today’sworld,punkslikeHardingwouldhavekickeditlongago.Toobadtodayitwasall
aboutwhoyouknewandhowmuchmoneywasinyourbankaccount.

“No.”Nataliemadeaface.“Somearelikemyfather.Othersaregoodpeople,though.Most

areinvolvedincharityworkinsomeway,andthoughsomedoitforthesocialaspectsand
therecognition,afairamountofthemgenuinelycareforthecauses.”Shepausedandher
facebrightened.“Thegreenhouse!That’sit!Eleanorstartedalocalgreenhousetogrowfresh
producefortheneedy.It’sevennamedafterher.Idoubtsheworksinitanymore,but
someonetheremightknowsomethingabouther.”

“Where’sthegreenhouse?”
Bythelookonherface,Knoxknewitwasn’tanywhereclose.Hesighed.Tomorrow.

They’ddealwiththattomorrow.

NataliedisappearedintothebathroomandKnoxsettledonhisownsleepingbag,lyingon

hisbackwithhiscellphoneinhishand.Heabsentlyscrolledthroughthelocalnews
channelsandsnortedwhenhecametoanewsclipfeaturinganinterviewwithHarding.The
backdropwastheparkinglotoftherestaurant,whichwasnowcordonedoffwithyellow
policetape.

“Lookatthis,”hesaidtoNatalie,andtiltedthephonesoshecouldseebeforehehitplay.
“SoMr.Harding,JohnCowley,morecommonlyknownasKnox,attackedyou?”
“Yes.Iwasbrutallyandviciouslyattacked.Thiswasafterheheldmeupatgunpointand

assaultedmydriver.”

“Thankgoodnessyougotaway.”
“Yes,well,myconcernisforpoorNatalieFarringtonKent.Ifearforthatgirl.Thatman

isferalanddoesn’tbelongincivilization.Icanonlyimaginewhathe’sinflictedonher.”

Nataliegasped.“Thatsonofabitch.”Sheshookherheadandfumed.
PicturesofKnoxandNatalieflashedacrossthescreenasthereporterremindedthe

viewersoftheongoingstory.Therewasn’tanythingthattheydidn’talreadyknow,soKnox
hitpause.

“ItpissesmeoffthattheykeepdraggingyournamethroughthemudwhenI’mtheone

who’sactuallyatfault.”

Knoxshrugged.“You’renotatfault.Anyway,itdoesn’tmatter.”
“Itdoesmatter,”Nataliesaidfirmly.“Allwe’vedoneisworryaboutmyproblems,but

whataboutyours?WhatareyougoingtodoaboutX?”

Knoxgroundhisteeth.Eventhoughthesamequestionhadbeenrunningthroughhis

mindfordays,hedidn’thaveananswer.Heshouldhavekilledhimwhenhehadthechance.
Ifhehadbeenthinkingclearly,hewouldhave.IfX’smenevercaughthim,therepercussions
wouldbethesamewhetherXwasaliveordead.Mightaswellhavethepersonalsatisfaction.

Hisoriginalplanofskippingtownwastheonlyonethatmadesense.Butnowthatwasn’t

anoption.

Becausenow,hehadNatalie.
Onceshegothertrustsituationstraightenedout—andhehadnodoubtshewould—then

what?Herfamilyestatewashere.Evenifshewantedto,shecouldn’tjustleave.

AndaslongasXwasaround,shewouldn’tbesafe.Xwasagoddamnsnake,andhehad

hisbeadylittleeyesetonNatalie,too.Untilhehadherinhisfangs,hewasn’tgoingtoforget.

“Andthenthere’sthepolice.”Nataliewasgettingmoreandmoreworkedup.“Knox,they

thinkyou’vecommittedalltheseterriblecrimes.I’mtheonewho’samurderer.”Herchin
quiveredandhereyeswelledup.

“Comehere,”hesaid,openinghisarms.Nataliecrawledintothemandrestedherfaceon

hischest.“Youkilledthatmaninself-defense.Itwasyourlifeorhis.”

Hedidn’tsaywhatwasrunningthroughhishead:hestillintendedtotakeresponsibility

forthat.Itshouldhavebeenhim.Natalieshouldn’tbetheonetopayforthecrime.

Althoughinthelongrun,itmightbesmartertoletherclaimthekill.Nooneinthistown

wouldconvicttheFarringtonheiressofmurder.

“IkeepputtingitoutofmymindbecauseIhavetogoon,buteventually,I’mgoingto

havetofacetheconsequences.”Natalieletoutashakybreathandranherfingersalonghis
chest.

“Onethingatatime,”hesaid.Hepulledthesleepingbagaroundherandstrokedherhair

untilherbreathingbecameeven.

Eventhoughitwaswellpastmidnightandithadbeenalongday,sleepdidnotcomefor

Knox.Hismindwastoofull.

Hementallyranthroughhisoptions.
Xwasinvolvedinalotofshadyshit.Ifheplayedinformanttothepolice,he’dhavea

bargainingtoolforanychargestheywantedtobringagainsthim.Thepolicewouldsurely
tradehisfreedomforthechancetoputXbehindbars.ButrattingoutXwouldcreateripples
thatwouldtouchalotofotherpeoplewhowereequallyaspowerfulasX.

AndtherewasalsothematterofX’scops.They’dalreadymanagedtocoverupsomany

thingsforXovertheyears.Soevenifhewenttothepolice,therewerenoguarantees.

Fuck.
HerememberedwhatAmeliahadsaidaboutthatcopwhowasdiggingintooldfiles.What

hadshesaid?X’spantieswereinatwist.Hesmiledwrylyintothedarknessatthemental
image.Hesurewouldliketoknowwhatthatcophaduncovered,butit’snotlikehecould
waltzintothepolicestationandask.

Ifheweresmart,he’dleavetownnowandnotlookback.
Natalieshifted,movingherlegontopofKnox’sandsnugglingcloserintohim.
Herestedhischinagainstherforeheadandclosedhiseyes,concentratingonthefeelof

herbodyagainsthis.

Hewasonedumbassmotherfucker.
Becauseheknewwhatheneededtodo.
Oncewayoranother,hehadtotakecareofX.Permanently.

Chapter14

NataliestaredatthecontraptionKnoxheldouttoher.“Youwantmetodowhat?”

“Getonandride.”
Shewaswell-acquaintedwithridingabike—theoneinthegymthatyoudidn’thaveto

balanceonanddidn’tactuallymove.Therusted-outpieceofjunkthatKnoxwantedhertosit
onwasanotherstory.

Shehadnocluewherethetworustybeachcruisershadcomefrom.Knoxhaddisappeared

forhalfanhourthismorningandcomebackwiththese.Theywereprobablystolen,which
didn’tbotherherasmuchasitshouldhave—asmuchasitwouldhaveafewweeksago.

Ifshe’dlearnednothingelsefromthisexperience,she’ddiscoveredthatsometimeswrong

isjustplainwrong,butmosttimes,wrongfellintoahugegrayarea.Andthat’swhereshe’d
beenspendingmostofhertimelately.

Sheswungherlegoverthebikeandrestedherbuttontheseat,themetaldiggingintoher

leftasscheek.Theseat’spaddinghadseenbetterdays.

Theysetofftowardthecenterofthecity.They’ddebatedwhetheritwasbettertotravel

duringrushhourwhentheycouldblendinorbefore,whentherewerefewerpeopleonthe
road,butthey’dstandoutmore.Intheend,they’ddecidedtosetoutwaybeforerushhour,
whichwaswhyNataliefoundherselfpedalingonthisdeathcontraptionatsix

A.M.

Knoxglancedoverather,flashingoneofhiselusivesmiles.“It’sjustlike—”
“Don’tevenfinishthatsentence,”Nataliesaid,narrowinghereyesathim.Soshewas

wobblingabitonthebike.Shehadn’tfallenover—yet—soshe’dconsiderthatavictory.Knox
couldjustshutit.

Thegreenhousethatwastheirdestinationwasonthecompleteoppositeendoftown,so

honestly,thebikeswereagodsend.Otherwise,itwouldhavetakenthemhourstogetthere.

Nataliehaddonesomeresearchbeforethey’dsetoutsothey’dknowwhattoexpect.She’d

beenpleasedtoseethatTabathaDimitriranthegreenhouse.She’dmetthewomanbefore
andhadlikedher.ShewasmuchmorelikelythanHardingtohelpthem.Hopefully,sheknew
whereEleanorSimmonshadendedup.

ShealsohopedTabathahadn’tchangedherroutine.Thenewsarticleshe’dfoundonline

statedshespenthermorningsatthecommunitygreenhouse,butthearticlewasseveral
monthsold.

Thegreenhousewasdesertedwhentheyarrived,sotheystowedthebikesaroundback

andoutofsight,andNataliequicklypickedthelock.Theysettledtowaitbehindarowof
plants.Tomatoes?Zucchini?Shehadnoidea.Ifshereallywantedtoknow,shecouldlookit
uponlinelater.

Nataliesighed,runningaleafthroughherfingers.“Ifeellikewe’vebeendoingalotof

waitingaround.”

Knoxshrugged.“That’snotabadthingifit’sstrategy.”
“Ijustfeellikewecouldbedoingmore.”

“There’snoreasontoexpendenergyforthesakeofdoingsomethingifitwon’tbe

effective.Likeinthecage—sometimesyouhavetowaitfortherightopening.Wastingenergy
doesn’thelpinthelongrun.”

NataliesmiledatKnox.“Howcomeyou’resosmart?”
Knoxsnorted.“Imightknowaboutfightingstrategy,butI’mnotsmart.”
“Yes,youare.Youdon’tgiveyourselfenoughcredit.”
“Idon’tevenhaveahighschooldiploma.”Knoxstaredstraightaheadashesaidthis,not

meetingNatalie’seyes.She’dwonderedaboutthat.

“IguessXdidn’tcaretoomuchabouteducation.”ShetriedtoimagineKnoxasa

desperateadolescent,sodesperatethathelookeduptoXasafatherfigure.Shecouldn’t
pictureit.Knoxwasalwayssoincontrol,andhealwaysseemedtoknowwhathewasdoing.

Knoxshrugged.“Notthatkindofeducation.Hetaughtmetofight.”
Nataliewatchedhimandthefaçadeofnonchalancehedisplayed.Hemightactlikehe

didn’tcare,butsheknewbetter.She’dseenthepaininhisfeaturesandheardthedesperation
inhisvoicewhenhetalkedabouthispast.

“Adiploma’sjustapieceofpaper,youknow.”
“Money’sjustpaper,too,butitsureashellmatters.”
Hemadeavalidpoint.Butshewassure,nowmorethanever,thatthereweremuchmore

importantthingsinlifethanwhatcouldbeprintedonpaper,moneyincluded.

Howironic,consideringtheywerehidinginagreenhouse,stalkingawomanwhocould

possiblyhelpNataliegaincontroloftheFarringtonmoney.

Butitwasn’taboutthemoneyexactly.Itwasaboutcontrollingherdestinyandmaking

suretheFarringtonlegacydidn’tfalltoherbloodthirstyfather.

Andshehadtobehonesthere—evenifitwasn’tthemostimportantthing,moneyhelped.

Ithelpedalot.

ShereachedoverandputahandonKnox’sarm.“I’mnotgoingtolie.Moneyhelps.But

thatdoesn’tmakeitthemostimportantthing.”

Helookeddownatherhand,thenhiseyesmethers.Hisgazewascoolbeforehereturned

tostaringstraightahead.“Someonelikemedoesn’tfitintoyourworld.Youdeserveadoctor
oralawyerorsomeonewhoissomebody.”

Shewastakenabackforamoment.Aftereverythingthey’dbeenthrough,howcouldhe

stillthinkthatway?

“Youaresomebody,Knox.”
“Youdeservebetterthanme.”
“Idon’tknowwhatIdeserve,”shesaidslowly,“butIknowIneedyou.”
Heslowlyturnedhisheadtolookather,hisexpressionpained.Heopenedhismouthto

speak,butsheswallowedhiswordswithhermouth,wantingtoshowhim.

Sheranherhanduphischesttorestonhischeekandsoftlyworkedherlipsonhis.His

resistancegaveway,andshestraddledhislap.

Heranhishandsunderhershirtandupherback,pullinghercloseagainsthim.His

tonguepartedherlips,andshewelcomedthedizzysensationthatalwaysaccompaniedhis
touch.

Howcouldhepossiblybelievehewasn’tenoughforher?Upuntilnow,she’dbeenlivinga

lie,andKnoxwashertruth.

She’djusthavetomakehimbelieveit.

KnoxwassolostinthefeelofNataliestraddlinghimthathealmostmissedthesoundofthe
doorbeingunlocked.

Hepulledawayfromherandputafingertohislips.Shenodded,hercheeksflushedand

herlipsswollen.

Talkaboutshittytiming.
Althoughmakinglovetoherontheconcretefloorofadirtygreenhousewouldonlyprove

hispointthathewasn’tgoodenoughforher.Shedeservedfive-starhotelsandsilksheets,
notsleepingbagsindecrepithouseswithnopower.

Shesilentlyremovedherselffromhislap,andhescrubbedahandoverhisface.Thenhe

shiftedtoacrouchingposition,readytomoveifneedbe.Nataliedidthesame.

ThankGoditwasonlytheDimitriwoman.WhenNatalie’sbodywaspressedupagainst

him,helostallsenseofreason.Shewashisfuckingdrug.

Hehopeditdidn’tgetthemkilledoneofthesedays.
Tabathaflippedonthelightswitchandthelowbuzzingofthefluorescentlightingfilled

thesilence.Natalielookedathimwiththesilentquestioninhereyes.Now?Heshookhis
head.Tabathawastheonlyonewho’denteredthebuilding,butitwastoosoontotellifshe
wasalone.They’dgiveitanothercoupleminutes.

TheywatchedasTabathaflippedontheradioandtinnyclassicalmusicfilledthelarge

space.Whatafuckingcliché.

Nataliebouncedalittleinhercrouchingposition,herfingersfidgeting.Sheshothima

distressedlook,butheshookhisaheadagain.Shedidn’tlikewaiting.

Fiveminutespassedby,andTabathawasstillalone.Itwasasafeenoughbetthatnoone

wasgoingtojoinher.Still,theywouldfollowtheplan—oncetheyweresureTabathawasn’ta
dangertoNatalie,Knoxwouldslipoutofthegreenhousetosecurethearea.Withanyluck,
themosthe’dhavetodealwithwouldbeanotherspinelessdriver.

Whatthehellwaswiththesepeopleandtheirdrivers?Theyshelledoutsixfiguresfor

thesefancy-asscarsthattheydidn’tevendrivethemselves.

HemotionedNatalieforwardandshestood,leaningoverfarenoughthatshecouldn’tbe

seenthroughtherowsofplants.ShecontinuedforwardwithKnoxclosebehind.Whenshe
wasafewrowsawayfromTabatha,sheshowedherself.

Tabathaletoutalittleyelp,herhandclutchingatherchest.
“Tabatha,don’tworry,”Nataliesaid,puttingherpalmsouttoshowherharmless

intentions.“Ijustwanttotalktoyou.”

Tabathacockedherheadtotheside,recognitionshowinginhereyesafterafew

moments.“Natalie,Ididn’trecognizeyouatfirstwiththatshortdarkhair.”Hergazeshifted
toKnox.“Andthismustbeyourabductor.”

Natalierolledhereyes.“Hedidn’tabductme.”
TabatharaisedhereyebrowsasshesurveyedKnox.“Imightnotmindbeingabductedby

him.”

Natalielaughed,butitwasforced.
Tabathadidn’tseemtheleastbitalarmedbytheirpresence,whichsetKnoxonedge.

Wouldn’talonewomannormallybeafraidwhenapproachedbytwofugitives?Ameliahadn’t
been,butshe’dhadtwobig-assdogs.Plus,shejustwasn’tafraidofanything.

Knoxjerkedhisheadtowardthedoor,andNatalienodded.Timetosecurethearea.
Knoxopenedthedoor,butbeforehesteppedout,Tabathacalledoverhershoulder,“It’s

justme.”

WhileKnoxappreciatedhercandor,hewasn’tgoingtotakeherwordforit.Hestepped

outandtheparkinglotwasempty,saveforawhitetwo-seaterconvertiblesportscar.Shewas
mostlikelytellingthetruthaboutbeingalone,butAmelia’swordsranginhisears:Youcan’t
trustthebluebloodsinthistown.

NotthatheneededAmelia’swarning.Asageneralrule,hedidn’ttrustmany.
Hecircledaroundthebuilding,butthemostnoteworthythinghefoundwasastraycat

whomewedandrubbedalonghisankles.

Christ.FirstTabathaandnowthedamncat.Didheintimidatenooneanymore?
Inafewweeks,thatwouldn’tmattermuchanymore.Intimidationwasn’tpartofmostjob

descriptions.Thenagain,itwasjustabouthisonlyskill.

Fuck.He’dhavetogetajoborsomethingwhenthiswasallover.Hewasstrong.Maybe

hecouldworkinawarehouseorsomething.Butwhatashittyexistence.

He’dbebettersuitedtoworkasabodyguard.
MaybeNataliewouldhirehim.
Ifhemanagedtokeephersafe.Maybethiswashisgoddamnfuckinginterview.
HishandsfistedatthethoughtofseeingNatalieeveryday,butnotbeingabletotouch

her,tokissher,toloveher.Heneverwouldhavedaredtodreamofhavingawomanlike
Natalieinhislife,butnowthatshewasthere,hedidn’twanttolivewithouther.

Toobadhewasbarelyqualifiedtoevenbeheremployee,muchlessherlover.Wherethe

helldidheexpecttheirrelationshiptogo?Wherecoulditgo?

Nowhere.Nomatterhowdeeplyhefeltforher,hewasn’tgoodenoughforher.Henever

wouldbe.Hewasnothingbutastreetfighterthugwithnoprospectsforafuture.

Evenstill,hewasn’tgivingherupwithoutafight.
Theclangofthedoorhadhimroundingthecornerinrecordtime.Healmostranheadfirst

intoNatalie.

“Shedoesn’tknowwhereEleanoris,”shesaid,thedisappointmentevidentonherface.“I

reallythoughtshecouldhelpus.”

Knoxputhishandsonhiships.Anotherdeadend.Noreasontohangaroundanylonger

thannecessary,though.

“Let’sgo.”HeusheredNatalietothebackofthebuildingtopickuptheirbikes.
Sherodeaheadofhimonthewayback,hershouldersslumped.Ifonlyhecouldhelp

locatethiswoman.Hisskillsdidn’textendtofindingmissingpersons,though.Hefelt
useless.Again.Fuck.He’dgiveanythingtobeabletohelpherbeyondusinghisfists.

Theridebackwasslowerthantherideoutbecausethesidewalkswereriddledwith

pedestrians,andtheyhadtostopforredlightsatalmosteveryotherblock.Knoxgroundhis
teethastheyhittheirsixthredlightinarow.

Nataliemadeitthrough,butKnoxwasforcedtostoportakeoutawomanwithababyina

stroller.Therewerefewlineshewouldn’tcrosstokeepNataliesafe,butneedlesslyplowing
intoaninfantwasoneofthem.

Heconsidereddartingthroughtraffic,buthisgettingflattenedbyadumptruckwouldn’t

doeitherofthemanygood.Hecrossedhisarms,waitingforthenextlightcyclewhileNatalie
lingeredontheotherside.Hedidn’tlikethis.

Suddenly,ablackSUVpulledtoastopinfrontofhim,blockinghisviewofher.
Whatthehell?

Shit,no.Thiswasn’tgood.
Heswunghislegoverhisbike,stretchingtoseearoundtheSUV.
Thedoorsonbothsidesswungopenandtwomengotoutonhisside.Throughtheback

window,hecouldseeamanapproachingNatalie.Thebloodinhisveinschilled,turningto
solidicewhenhesawthelookofterroronherface.

Fuck.ThatDimitribitchmusthavesoldthemout.
Hethrewhisbiketothegroundandnearbypedestriansjumpedoutoftheway,someof

themcursingathim.OncetheysawthetwomenapproachingKnox,theyscattered.

Takethemoutquickly.ThengettoNatalie.
Hehadtotrustthatshecouldtakecareofherselflongenoughforhimtohandlethese

twothugs.Hewasoutnumbered,anditwouldn’thelpeitherofthemifhelethimselfbe
distractednow.

Butthedreadinhisstomachdidn’tlessen.
ThefirstguycameatKnox,notwastinganytimeinthrowingthefirstpunch.Knoxeasily

dodgedbyducking,cominguptouppercuttheguyseveraltimesinhiskidneys.Thesecond
guychargedKnoxfromtheside,wrappinghisarmsaroundKnox’smidsection.Knox’sfeet
skiddeduntilhewasslammedintothesideofthestonebuilding.

Thesecondguywasalotstrongerandalotbettertrained.HishandwenttoKnox’sthroat

butKnoxswunghislegout,hisfootmakingcontactwithhisside.Thatmadetheguyloosen
hisgrip,buthedidn’tletgo.

Knoxhead-buttedhimhardenoughtomakehimbreakcontact,butalsohardenoughfor

Knox’svisiontoblurforafewpreciousseconds.

Thesecondguystaggeredbackandthefirstguychargedhim.Knoxsidesteppedandput

hishandbehindtheguy’shead,usinghisownmomentumtoslamhisforeheadintothe
building.Heslunktotheground,leavingasmearofbloodonthestonewall.

Knoxquicklypivoted,searchingforthesecondguywhilealsotryingtocatchaglimpseof

Natalie.Thatlittlelossofconcentrationwasenoughtogivethesecondguytheupperhand.
HispalmslammedintoKnox’sthroatagain,andKnoxtwistedbeforehecouldgetastrong
grip.

Histhroatscreamedathimwitheverybreathhesuckedin.
Sirenswailedinthedistance,andtheguylookedatKnoxonelasttimebeforeturningand

sprintingtothewaitingSUV.

Oh,fuckno.
Knoxtackledhimfrombehindandrepeatedlypunchedhiminthetemple.Yeah,itwasa

littledirtytohithimwhilehewasonhisstomachontheground,buthehadn’tthoughttwice
aboutoutnumberingKnox,soKnoxfigureditwasfair.

Besides,hewoulddowhateverittooktogettoNatalie.
Theguywasn’tunconscious,buthewashurtenoughthathewasn’tgettingup.Knox

leapedup,franticallysearchingforNatalie.

There.Acrossthestreet.Afewmalebystandersstoodbetweentheguyandher,creatinga

humanbarrier.ThankGodtherewereafewGoodSamaritansleftinthistown.

Thesirensgrewlouder,andthesecondguydraggedhimselfoffthegroundandjumped

intothebackseatoftheSUV.Itpeeledawaywithasquealoftires.

ThesoundcaughtNatalie’sattacker’sattentionandwhenheswunghisheadinthat

direction,hiseyesmetwithKnox’s.

Knoxdidn’thesitate.Hesprintedintotraffic.Hornsblared,andhenarrowlymissedbeing

hitbyayellowcab.

Natalieusedthedistractiontoslipintothecoffeeshopbehindher,buttheguynoticed,

andpushedthebystandersoutofthewaytopursueher.

Knoxflewintothecoffeeshop,hurtlingoverthetabletheguyhadknockedoveronhis

waythrough.Patronsallaroundhimshrieked.

Heburstintothekitchenjustintimetoseetheguyflyoutthebackdoor.Damn,he’sfast.
Knoxwouldhavetobefaster.Natalie’slifewasatstake.

Chapter15

Natalie’slegspumped,thepoundingoftheassailant’sfeetbehindherurginghertogofaster.
Itsoundedlikehewasgainingonher.

No,no,no!
Shewasinanalley,similartothefirstoneshe’dfoundherselfin.Theonewhereshe’d

killedtheguard.

Please,God,don’tletitgettothat.
AsifGodwaslistening,shefeltthegunstarttoslipoutofherpantspocket,themotionof

herrunningcausingittorideup.Withaclatter,itfelltotheground.

Shit,shit,shit.
Eventhoughshedidn’twanttobeforcedtousethegun,shedidn’twanttobewithoutit,

either.

Maybehewouldstoptopickitup.Shedoubtedit.Hewasprobablyalreadyarmed.
Knoxwouldbeproudofher—shewasactuallyfollowinghisfirstrule—runaway.Butit

wasn’tworking.Herlegsweretiring,andherlungswereburning.Yet,hewasstillgainingon
her.

Shehungasharpleft,andseeingaDumpster,shemadeasplitdecision.Shescurriedto

thetopofit,poisedtojump.Ifshewasforcedtograpplewiththeguy,shewantedtheupper
hand,literally.Shejusthopedthatherweightandtheforceofherlandingonhimwouldbe
enoughtotakehimdown.

Assoonasheturnedthecorner,shelunged.Hisheadslammedintoherstomach,

knockingthewindoutofher.Still,hedidn’tgodown.

Fuck,fuck,fuck.Whathadshedone?Whatastupidfreakingmove.
Sheclawedathisface,tryingtostickherfingersinhiseyes.Theclosestshegotwashis

eyebrows.

Hereachedupandgrabbedhershoulders,flingingheroverhisheadlikeshewasarag

doll.Shehitthepavementhardonhershoulder,thenrolleduntilherheadstruckthe
Dumpster.Hervisionblackened,andwhenitstartedtoreturn,blurryatfirst,bloodwas
drippingintoherrighteye.Shecradledhershoulderandwipedthebloodfromhereyewith
herforearm,tryingtofigureoutwhereherattackerwas.

HeonlygotonesteptowardherbeforeKnoxflewintohim,takinghimtotheground.Her

attackerwasmomentarilystunnedbythehitanddidn’thavetimetoreactbeforeKnoxwas
onhim,layingintohim.Punchafterpunchafterpunch.Hisbatteredfaceshiftedfromsideto
sidewitheachblow,butstillKnoxcontinued.

NataliegrabbedholdofaledgeontheDumpstertohaulherselftoherfeet.“Knox!”
Hedidn’thearher.
Shesteppedclosertohimandsaidhisnameagain.Whenhestilldidn’tstop,sheputa

handonhisshoulder.

Hewhippedaround,bloodiedfistsraised,hiseyesferal.He’dneverscaredherbefore,but

shewasalittlefrightenednow.

“He’sunconscious,Knox.”
Knoxtookseveraldeepbreathsandthemadlookinhiseyesreceded.Hestoodand

wrappedhisarmaroundNatalie.

Thenheguidedheroutofthealley.

NataliesleptwhileKnoxwatchedon.They’diceddownhershoulderbeforeshe’dfallen
asleep,butshewasalreadysportingapurplebruise.Therewasamatchingoneonherhip.
Nottomentiontheabrasiononherforehead.

Xwasgoingtopayforthis.
Knoxdidn’tblametheguyswho’dattackedthem.Theywerefollowingorders.Hegotthat.

Itwasaroughlifeonthesouthside,andpeopledidwhattheyneededtosurvive.Forsome
thatmeantworkingasX’shiredmuscles.

Forothers,itwasbeingoneofX’sfighters.
Heworkedthemusclesinhisjaw.Yearsofhislifewasted.Hiseffortshadlinedthe

pocketsofthatmotherfucker.Thathadbeenhisownchoice,though.Hisgoddamnstupid
choice.Hecouldhavefacedtheconsequencesofwalkingawayyearsago,buthe’dstayed.
Thatwasonhim.

ButNatalie?Shedidn’taskforanyofthis.Shewasborntothecocksuckershecalleda

father,andnowhe’dsentXafterher.Shedidn’tdeserveanyofit.

ButKnoxofallpeopleknewlifedidn’tplayfair.
Knoxslippedoutofthehouse,lockingitbehindhim.He’dleftagunwithNataliesoif

anyonetriedtobreakin,she’dbeabletodefendherself.Hestilldidn’tlikeleavingher,buthe
sureashellwasn’tbringingherintotheheartofX’sterritory.

Thegymshouldbeemptytonight,arareoccurrencethatonlyhappenedonfightnights.

Soitwasnowornever.HehopedtoGodthey’dbefreeofallthisbythetimeanotherfight
nightrolledaround.

Knoxtookthelessertraveledroutetothegym,anditdidn’ttakehimlongtogettothe

placethathadoncebeenhishome.

Knox’skeystillworked,whichdidn’tsurprisehim.X’sarrogancewouldn’tallowhimto

evenconsiderthatKnoxwouldcomeback.X’sofficedoorwasalsounlocked,anothersignof
hisarrogance.Andupuntilnow,ithadbeenjustified.NooneeverenteredX’sofficeunless
theywereinvited.

Knoxturnedonthesmalldesklamp,notwantingtheoverheadlighttoshinethroughthe

windows.Hefeltsafeenoughcomingheretonight,butevenstill,itwasacalculatedrisk.The
morehecoulddotomaskhispresence,thebetter.

Hejusthopedhecouldfindwhathewaslookingfor.Heneededsomethingincriminating.

Somekindofevidencehecoulduseasabargainingchipwiththecopsorsomethinghecould
usetotakeXdown.LordknewXwasinvolvedinenoughshadyshit,andarrogantenoughto
leaveshitlayingaround.

Inthebeginning,X’sfightersusedtopulldoubledutyandworkasenforcersforhim.

EvenKnoxhaddoneitatimeortwo,butasX’sempiregrew,heseparatedthefightingfrom
therestofthebusiness.Managingthefightersbecamemoreofahobby—Xhadbiggerirons
inthefiretoworryabout.

Knoxhadpreferreditthatway,butnowhewishedhe’dpaidmoreattention.
Xwasoldschoolandkepthisfightrecordsinledgerbooks.Knox’soriginalthoughtwasto

takethebooksandturnthemovertothecops,butthatwouldimplicatetheotherfighters,
nottomentionhim.Thatprobablywouldn’tbeenoughtobringhimdown.Atleast,not
permanently.

Heflippedthroughthefirstbook,onlymildlysurprisedtoseethatX’scutoftheother

fighters’winswasevenlargerthanthemoneyhetookfromKnox.Andhewasrightaboutnot
beingabletousethese—allofthefighters’nameswerethereinblackandwhite.

Still,hetookoutthemostrecentbook.Somefiguresonthesecondpagecaughthiseye.

Mostofthefightsinthepastyearsblendedtogether,andhesureashelldidn’trememberthe
detailsfromtheotherguys’fights.Butherememberedthisone.ItwasMike’sfirstbigwin,
anddrinksafterthefighthadbeenonhim.Thefigurewrittenheredidnotmatchthenumber
Mikebraggedaboutthatnight.

Xwasskimmingfromtheguys.Ontopoftakinganabsurdpercentage,Xwaslyingto

them.Somuchforallhispeptalksaboutthefightersbeinghisfamily.Knox’shandsballed
intofistsandheresistedtheurgetolookthroughtherecordstoseehowmuchXhadcheated
him.Therewasnopointinlettingitangerhimmorethanitalreadydid.Thepastwasdone.

Knoxleftthebooklayingopenonthedeskandpulledopenthetopdrawerofthefile

cabinet.AllofitlookedtobedeedsandtitlestothevariouspropertiesXowned.Andmaybe
sometaxrecords.WasXcurrentonhistaxes?ThatwashowthefedsgotAlCapone,right?
Taxevasion.Wouldn’titbesomeshitifthesamethinghappenedtoX?

ButKnoxdidn’tknowenoughaboutittopursuethatangle.Soheclosedthedrawer.
Thenextdrawerhadmoreofthesame,sohedidn’tbothertosearchit.
Thethirddrawerwasalittlemoreinteresting.
Itwasfullofcocaine.Butthatwasnothingnew.Xhadbeendealinginthewhitepowder

foralmostadecade.

Fartherbackinthedrawer,hefoundashoeboxfilledwithpacketsofpills.Eachpillwas

stampedwithasuninsignia.Ecstasy.

Nowthatwassomethingnew.Knoxhadn’tbeenawarethatXhadgotteninvolvedinthat.

Therewasn’tmuchofamarketfortherich-kidpartydrugonthesouthside.

Thebottomdrawerofthecabinetwasfilledwiththestandardsteroidsofferedtoallthe

fighters.WhenKnoxfirststarted,Xdidn’thavethose.Otherwise,hemighthavestartedusing
themifXhadencouragedit.BythetimeXmadethemreadilyavailable,Knoxhadalready
madeanameforhimselfinthecage.Hedidn’tneedenhancement.

Plus,itjustwasn’thisthing.Knoxtookprideinwinninghisfightsonhisown.Probablyat

leasthalftheguysused,though.Knoxlookedtheotherway—hedidn’twanttoknow.

Noneofthisdidhimanygood,though.Therewasnothingherehecoulduse.Damnit.
Helookedaroundtheoffice,hopinghehadmissedsomethingthatwouldnowstandout

tohim.Xrarelyusedthisofficeanymore,justlikeherarelycameintothegym.ButKnox
wasn’tdesperate—orcrazy—enoughtobreakintoX’smainoffice.Thatwassuicide.

HisgazesettledontheloneframedpictureonX’sdesk.Itwasofhimatagesixteen,with

X,andX’smother.Forawhile,he’dcalledthewomanGrandmaFran.She’devenbakedhim
cookies.Asmileplayedattheedgesofhislips.Thosehadactuallybeengoodtimes,back
whenthedementiawasbarelylappingattheedgesofhermind.Thesedays,Frandidn’teven
rememberherownname,muchlesshis.Stilltothisday,Xvisitedheratthenursinghome

everyotherSunday,likeanygoodItaliansonwould.

Knoxhadhadafamilyforawhile.Xhadgiventhattohim,untilhe’dbrutallyshattered

theillusion.

Knoxwasnineteenwhenhe’dhadhisfirstbigfight.ThatwasbackwhenXwasstill

completelyinvestedinhisfighters,beforehisotherbusinessintereststookpriority.

Knoxhadlost,buthe’dlostmorethanjustthefightthatnight.He’dlosthisdignity.
Xhadtakenhimbacktothegymandwhippedhiminfrontofalltheotherfighters.

Whereashe’spreviouslycalledKnoxhisson,he’dmadeitclearthatnosonofhiswould
disgracehimbylosing.

Thenextday,XtreatedKnoxlikenothinghadhappened.ReferredtoKnoxashisson

again.

ThatwasthebeginningofKnoxlearningX’struenature.
Knoxtookthepictureoutoftheframeandcarefullyrippedhimselfoutofitbefore

tossingtheframeandthetornpicturebackonthedesk.HenolongergaveafuckifXknew
hehadbeenthere.

Thenhetookapictureoftheledgerpagehe’dleftout.Onsecondthought,hetoreitout

andtuckeditinhisbackpocket.

Heturnedonthedesklamp,andafewsecondslaterthelightflickeredoninthegym.
Fuck.
Hepartedtheblindswithonehandtoseewhoitwas,whiletakingholdofhisgunwith

theotherhand.

Tonycameintoview,followedbyMike.Whatthehellweretheydoinghereinthemiddle

ofthenight?

Mikewasoneofthenewerguys,andKnoxhadn’thadmuchinteractionwithhimother

thanafterhisfightthatonenight.SoKnoxcouldn’tsayhowloyalhewastoX.SinceXdidn’t
comearoundasmuchasheusedto,thenewerguysdidn’talwayshavethesameallegiance
he’dhadinhisearlydays.

Butyouknowwhat?Fuckit.Hewasn’tcoweringinX’soffice.
Knoxsteppedout.
Tonystoppedinhistracks.“Youshouldn’tbehere.”
Mike’sjawdroppedalittleatthesightofKnox.“Whatthefuckareyoudoinghere?”
“Leaving.”Knoxstartedtowardtheexit,butMikesteppedintohispath.
“No,man,youcan’tleave.Xhasbeenlookingforyou.”AlthoughMikesaidthewords,his

expressionwasconflicted.

Knoxgavehimahardstare,andMike’sconfidencefaltered.Hesteppedaside.
AsKnoxwaswalkingpast,Mikesaidquietly,“Why’dyoudoit?”
Knoxturned.“Xhaditcoming.”
“Butyouhadeverything,man,”Mikesaid.“Youwerethetopfighter.You’llnevergetback

inthecage.”

Knoxrockedbackonhisheels.Thoughhe’dknownhisdaysfightinginthecagealongside

theseguyswereover,hehadn’thadtimetodwellonitorprocessit.

He’dneverwatchhisopponentcowerbeforehim.He’dneverexperiencetheeuphoriaof

standingoverafighterafterhe’dknockedhimout.He’dneverfeelthereflifthisarm,
signifyingthewin.

He’dnevergetinthecageagain.

Whathappenedinthecagehadbeenhiswholelife.He’dtrainedforitallday,everyday.

Hewasafighter—thatwashisidentity.Butmaybethat’swherehe’dgonewrong.

“There’smoretolifethanthefight.”Nataliecametomindashespoke.
MikelookedbackandforthbetweenTonyandKnox.Tony’sexpressionwasneutral,and

Knoxwonderedonceagainwhatthefuckhewasdoinginalifelikethis.Hewasdifferent
thantheotherguys,andwhileMikedidn’tseemconvincedbyhiswords,heknewTony
understood.

Mike’seyesdarkened.“Xhasbeengoodtome.Ishouldkickyourassforwhatyoudidto

him.”

Knoxdidn’tbotherpointingoutwhattheybothknew—Mikewasarookieandhiswords

werejustthat—words.KnoxwouldhaveMikeonhisbackbeforeMikecouldtakehisfirst
swing.

KnoxtooktheledgeroutofhispocketandpresseditagainstMike’schest.Theotherman

tookit.“IusedtothinkXwasgoodtome,too.”

Thenheleftthegymforgood.

Chapter16

Withhereyesstillclosed,NataliesleepilyreachedoverforKnox’shand.Instead,shefound
anemptysleepingbag.Shesatupandpeeredintothedarkness,buthereyescouldn’tmake
himoutinthedarkness.

Hemusthavegottenuptogotothebathroom.
Sheranherhandoverhisemptyplaceagain.
Exceptifthat’strue,thenwhyarehisblanketscold?
Natalie’sheartjumpedintoherthroat,andshescrambledtoherfeet.Nowthatshewas

fullyawake,sheknewinstinctivelythathewasn’tthere.Sheknewhewouldn’thavelefther
therebyherselfwithoutadamngoodreason.

Whatshecouldn’tbelievewasthathe’dleftwithouttellingher.
Sheclickedonasmallflashlightandshoneitovertheirthings,andthenshewentintothe

bathroomtolookinthere.Nonote.Noindicationofwherehe’dgone.

Nothing.
Shit,shit,shit.
Thebackdoorswungopen,andNataliestilled.Reliefandapprehensionfloodedher.It

wasprobablyKnox,butsheknewbetterthantoassume.

He’dleftagunlyingbetweentheirsleepingbags,butthethoughtoffiringabulletinto

anotherhumanbeingmadebileriseinherthroat.Shecouldn’tdothatagain.

Withshakinghands,shesilentlypickedupasparepieceoflumberfromthepileinthe

corneroftheroomandpositionedherselfbehindthedoorwhereshe’dbeabletoswingatan
intruderbeforeshewasseen.

Sheraisedthewoodandherbodyscreamed,protestingthemotionaftertheabuseshe

hadtakeninthefightinthealley.

Ashadowyfigureenteredtheroom,andshedroppedtheboard,thebreathshe’dbeen

holdingleavingherlungsinawhoosh.She’dknowKnoxanywhere.

Sheleapedathim,curlingherarmsaroundhisneck.Heliftedherbyherass,andshe

wrappedherlegsaroundhim.Herbruisedhipthrobbed,butshedidn’tcare.

“Knox,”shegotoutbeforeshecrushedhermouthtohis,revelinginthetasteofhim.She

ranherfingersthroughhishairandalonghischeeks,reassuringherselfthathewashereand
safe.

Whenshe’dwokentofindhimgone,herlogichadtakenover.Butnowthathewasback

andsafeinherarms,heremotionsshiftedintooverdrive.

IfXhadgottentohimwhilehe’dbeenout,she’dneverevenknowwhathappenedtohim.

Hewouldjustbegone.

AndNataliewouldbedestroyed.
Shepulledbackandshimmiedoutofhisholdandontoherfeet.Shegavehimahard

stare.“Don’teverdothattomeagain.”

Hereachedoutforherhandandshelethimhaveit,butshedidn’tclosethedistance

betweenthem.

“Iwokeupandyouweregone,”shewhispered,rawfearinhervoice.“Ididn’tknowwhere

youwere.”

Hepulledherroughlyagainsthischest,thentenderlybrushedherhairawayfromher

faceashiseyesfoundhers.“I’llalwayscomebacktoyou.”

Hismouthdraggedacrosshershungrily,givingandtakingashistonguecaressedhers.

Nataliemethispassionwithaneedofherown.

Theyweresafeandtheyhadeachother,butwhoknewhowlongthatwouldlast?The

thoughtoflosinghimtoreatherheartassheentwinedherbodywithhis.

Knoxlaidherdownonhissleepingbag,thenreachedundertheoversizedT-shirtshe

woretobedtohookafingerontheedgeofherpanties,pullingthemdown.Hebroughthis
mouthtohercore,sucklingandapplyingjusttherightamountofpressuretomakeher
clenchherhandsinhishairandmoanhisname.

Sogood.
Hismouthtraveledupherbody,coveringeveryinchofherskinwithkisses,takingextra

carewithherbruises.Hepulledhernippleintohismouth,andittightenedintoahardbud.

Sheneverfeltmorealivethanwhenhismouthwasonher.
Sherakedherfingersdownhisabdomenandthenbackuptohischest,bringinghisshirt

upandoverhishead.Hequicklyshedhispants,pressinghiserectionagainstheropening.

Sheshiftedherbodytowardhim,wantingtopullhiminsideher,wantingtofeelallofhim

andrevelintheclosenessoftheirjoinedbodies.

“Holdon,baby,”hemurmuredagainstherear,thenturnedawaytohandlethecondom.
Whenhesettledbackbetweenherthighs,shedrewherkneesup.Ashebegantoenter

her,shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist.

Hegroaned,fillinghercompletely.
Hiseyeslockedonhers,andsheknewhereallysawher.Withhim,shewasstrippedbare

—physicallyandemotionally.

Heslidhisarmunderhernecktoholdherwhiletheymovedtogether,thepleasure

coilingandbuildinginsideher.Shedugherfingernailsintohisshoulderblades,wantingto
delaytheinevitableandprolongtheexperience.

Soon,shecouldn’tholdbackanymore,andherworldexploded.Knoxfollowedshortly

afterher,hisbodygivingafinalshudder.
KnoxtrailedafingertipalongNatalie’sshoulder,hiseyesstrayingtothebandageonher
temple.Hereyeswereclosedandshewasbreathingdeeply,butshewasn’tasleep.Herbody
wastuckedinclosetohis.

Evenbeatenupandcoveredinbruises,shewasstillthemostbeautifulcreaturehe’dever

seen.

Butitwasn’tjustherphysicalbeauty.Shewasgood.Everythingaboutherwasjustso

damngoodandpure.Hehatedthattheirfucked-upsituationputherinapositiontoact
againstthatgoodness.

Hedidn’tdeserveher.
“I’msorry,”hesaid.
Hereyesopened,butshedidn’trespond.
“I’m...”hestoppedandtookadeepbreath.“I’mnotusedtohavingsomeonecare.”
Sheturnedtofacehimandranherhandalonghischeek,sayingnothing.Butshedidn’t

haveto.

“Wheredidyougo?”sheasked.
“Tothegym.”
Hereyeswidened,thennarrowedathim.“Thatwasn’tsafe.”
“Itwasacalculatedrisk.IwantedtofindsomethingonX.”
“Didyoufindanything?”
“No.”
Infact,goingintohisofficehaddonenothingbutdredgeupmemories.Andhehatedto

admitit,butnotallofthemwerebad.

Forawhile,Xhaddonerightbyhim.Andthat’swhatpissedhimoffthemost—hedidn’t

knowifXhadactuallycaredatonepointorifXhadbeenmanipulatinghimthewholetime.

They’dbeenfrequentvisitorsatGrandmaFran’shouseinthefirstfewyearsthathewas

withX,backbeforeherdementiagotbad.AtThanksgiving,she’dsetaplateforhimright
betweenX’sandhers.Nobeingrelegatedtoatoo-small,ricketycardtableinthelivingroom
thatservedasthekids’tableforallthefosterkids.No,hewasavaluedmemberoftheirlittle
group.Xeventaughthimtocarvetheturkey,andthenextyear,hehadthatresponsibilityall
tohimself.

AtChristmas,GrandmaFranboughthimloadsofpresents,labelingthemall“from

Santa.”Hedidn’thavethehearttotellherhehadn’tbelievedsincehewasfiveandthathe
wastoooldformostofthecrapshe’dgivenhim.Despitethat,itwasthebestChristmashe’d
everhad.Noworryingthathisfatherwouldgetdrunkandbeathismom.Nofightingwith
otherfosterkidsovercheaptoysthatwereusuallybrokenbytheendoftheday.

IfXhadoneredeemingquality,itwashisdevotiontohismother.Xkeptherinthedark

aboutandawayfromhisbusinessdealings.Infact,ithadtakennearlyhalfayearforXto
trustKnoxenoughtointroducehimeventhoughbythattimehewasalreadyreferringto
Knoxashisson.

GrandmaFranwasagoodwoman.KnoxregrettedthatcuttinghimselfofffromXalso

includedher.Butshedidn’tseemtohaveacluewhatacocksuckerheronlysonhadturned
into,andKnoxcouldn’tpretendanymore.Hehadn’tseenherinfiveyears.

“Hey,”Nataliesaid.“Whereareyou?”
Hiseyesfocusedonher.“Sorry.Justlostinthought.”
“Iwanttogotothelibrarytomorrow.”
Hefrowned.“Why?”
“Ineedtodomoreresearch.FindmoreinfoonEleanor.Digintomyfamily’sfilesagain.I

justknowI’mmissingsomething.”

“Likewhat?”
“Idon’tknow.Andit’sdrivingmecrazy.”
HeknewthefeelingsincehistriptoX’sofficeturnedupnothing.
Hecouldtellshewasdiscouragedbythelackofinformationthey’dgottenontheirtripto

thegreenhouse.Theywerezero-for-twowhenitcametogettinginformationfrompeople
whomightknowherelusivegodmother’swhereabouts.Hell,withthewaythingshadbeen
going,they’dbesaferinthelibrarythantryingtotalktosomeoneelsedirectly.Andofallthe
placesXwouldthinktolookforhim,thelibrarydidn’tevenmakeitonthelist.Hehadto
imagineit’dbethesamewithKent.

“Okay,”hesaid.

Hereyebrowsshotup.“Okay?That’sit?Noargument?”
Theedgesofhislipstiltedupandhepressedhislipstoherforehead.“Nope.”
IfNataliethoughtthiswasthebestcourseofaction,thenhe’dsupportit.Andifitcame

downtoit,he’dbetheretoprotecther.
Onthewaytothelibrarythenextmorning,Knoxpoppedintoaconveniencestoreforanew
burnerphoneandmorefood.Hedidn’twasteanytimegettingwhatheneededandrejoining
Natalie,whowaitedoutside.UntilXandKentwereoutoftheequation,hedidn’tlikeleaving
herunattendedforanylongerthannecessary.

Hehandedherabanana,andshetookitgratefullywithalookofpurelongingonherface.
“Oh,thankGod,”shesaid,tearingintoit.“Freshfruit.”
Hebitintoanapple,andasthejuicesfloodedhismouth,hehadtoadmitthathewas

gettingtiredofallthejunkthey’dbeenforcedtoeat.Beforehe’dkeptastrictdietoflean
proteinstokeephisbodyintopfightingshape,andhewasdefinitelyfeelingtheeffectsof
thisnewtemporarylifestyle.

AsNataliehadpredicted,thelibrarywasnearlyempty.Theysecludedthemselvesatapair

ofcomputersdeepinthereferencesection.Knoxdidn’tthinkhe’deverevensteppedfootin
thislibrary,muchlessbeenthisdeepintoit.Fromthelooksofthedustthathadsettledon
thethickvolumesontheshelves,itdidn’tseemlikemanyothershad,either.

Nataliecrackedherknucklesandrolledherneckbeforeattackingthekeyboard.Knox

smiled,butturnedhisfaceaway,lestshethinkhewaslaughingather.Hesupposedthere
wasmorethanonewaytofight.Heusedhisfists,whilesheusedherbrain.Theymadea
prettygoodteam.

Knoxscrolledthroughvariousnewssites,lookingforanynewarticlesthatmentioned

them.OtherthanasmallblurbthatstatedtheinvestigationintoNatalie’sdisappearancewas
ongoing,therewasnothing.Rightthereonthefrontofthelocalnewspaper’ssite,though,
wasanarticleaboutthegrowingdrugprobleminthecityandthepolice’seffortstocrack
down.Knoxalmostsnorted.Everyoneonthesouthsideknewwherethedrugscamefrom.
Hell,thecopsprobablyknewit,too.Buthe’dalwaysmanagedtoslipthroughthepolice’s
fingers.Xhadlaughedaboutit,callinghimselfuntouchable.

Butmaybenotanymore.IfAmeliawasright,thenDetectiveCarmichaelwasfinally

makingXnervous.

KnoxwouldlovetomeetwiththemanandfigureoutwhathehadonX.
“I’malmostdone,”Nataliewhisperedinalibrary-appropriatevoice.“Ijustwanttoprint

outacopyofthetrustandsomeotherdocuments.”

Afewminuteslater,sheloggedoffofthecomputerandKnoxdidthesame.Thentheyset

offforhome.

Home.Itwasastrangethought,butKnoxhadcometothinkofthatlittleabandoned

houseastheirhome.Hewonderedaboutthestateofhisapartment.Thoughhe’dlivedthere
forthelastsevenyears,hehadnoattachmenttotheplaceoranyofthebelongingsinit.No
doubtithadbeenransackedbyX,andsincehenolongerhadhisphone,therewasnowayfor
hislandlordtogetintouchwithhim.Ofcourse,givenrecentevents,hislandlordmightbe
happyhewasgone.

Evenwhentheygotthiswholemesssortedout,peoplewouldn’tforget.The“innocent

untilprovenguilty”ruledidnotapplytoreputationsorpublicopinion.Allanyonewould
knowabouthimwasthathe’dbeensuspectedofabductinganheiressandaccusedof

attackingthatrichcocksucker,Harding.

Whichtechnically,hehad.Butnotbeforethebastardpulledagunonthem.He—andhis

driver—haddeservedwhatthey’dgotten.

Butgettinghislifebackwasn’tenoughanymore,becausethingshadbeentakenfromhim

thathecouldneverreclaim.AndXwouldhavetopayforthat.Hejustneededtofigureout
how.Itwasthere,rightunderhisnose.Hecouldfeelit,buthejustwasn’tseeingit.

“Didyoufindanythinguseful?”heaskedNatalieoncetheywereoutofearshotofother

pedestrians.

Hereyesbrightened.“Yes,actually.SoIfiguredoutthatEleanorstoppedattendingevents

roughlytenyearsago,shortlyafterherhusbanddied.Andyou’llneverguesswhichdateis
cominguplaterthisweek.”

Helookedatherblankly.
“Theanniversaryofherhusband’sdeath!”Thesmilefadedfromherfaceandwasreplaced

byapainedexpression.“Ugh.ItsoundsterriblethatI’mexcitedaboutthat.Butanyway,I’m
ninetypercentsureshe’llvisithisgravethatday.”

“Andwe’llfindherthere.”
Nataliegrimaced.“Yes.Ifeelawfuldisturbingherthere,butI’vegotnootherideas.That

womanisaghost.”

Oncebackinthehouse,Nataliesatcross-leggedonhersleepingbagwithherprinted

papersinfrontofher,andKnoxlayonhisbackonhis,buthewastoorestless.He’dnever
gonethislongwithoutworkingout.Hemissedthemonotonyofhismorningruns,wherethe
onlythinghehadtoworryaboutwasnotgettingrundownbycyclists.Andhecravedthe
calmnessthatovertookhimwhenheliftedweights.Soheflippedtohisstomachandstarted
aseriesofpush-ups.

Hismindimmediatelyfeltmorepeacefulashismuscleseasilyhandledtheexertion.He

closedhiseyes,welcomingthefeeling.Ifonlythehousewerebigger,he’drunlapsinside.

HewashalfwaythroughhissecondsetwhenhefeltNataliestaringathim.Hecuthis

eyesovertofindherchewingontheendofherpen,hereyestrackinghiseverymovement.

Theheatinhereyessenthisbloodrushingsouth.Helostcountofhisreps,notableto

holdanythoughtinhismindotherthanthememoryofhowherbodyfeltunderhis.Howshe
tastedandhowherbodyseizedwhenshecame.

Fuck.
Nowomanhadeverhadthiseffectonhimbefore.Andsomehowhedoubtedanyoneelse

everwould.

“Areyoutryingtodistractme?”

Nataliehadbeenitchingtogetherfingersontheseprintoutsthewholewalkhomefrom

thelibrary,butnowwatchingKnoxdopush-ups,shehadanitchtogetherfingerson
somethingelse.

Hisbackwasstraightandrigid,andthemusclesinhisarmsweretaut,flexingwithevery

move.Biceps,triceps—hehadallthecepscovered.Andthatass...itwastight,solidmuscle.

Hewastotallyfocusedonthemovement,andhiseyeshadthatutterconcentrationthat

she’dwitnessedwhenthey’dbeentogether.Onlythen,thatintensitywasfocusedsolelyon
herpleasure.

Heatbuiltwithinheratthememory.
“Isitworking?”Knoxasked.
Sheblushedandlookedaway,astonishedthathestillhadthiseffectonher.Theywere

lovers,buthestillcouldmakeherblushwithjustalookorahandfulofwords.

Heck,hedidn’tevenhavetodoanything.Shecouldjustlookathimandfeelhercheeks

flush.Ofcourse,thatmighthavemoretodowiththethoughtsrunningthroughhermind.

Shemethiseyes.Hewassittingwithhisarmsrestingonhiskneesandlookingather

withthatintensegazeofhis.

Everythingabouthimwasintense.
Andshelovedthatabouthim.
“Iwasn’ttryingtodistractyou,”hesaid.“Iknowhowimportantthisis.Icangointhe

otherroomifyouwant.”

Shehesitated.She’dlikenothingmorethantospendtheafternoonnakedwithhim,but

sheneededtobeprepared.

“No,that’sokay.”
Shetorehergazeawayfromhimandforcedherselftofocusonthepapersinfrontofher.

Shewasamatureadult.ShecouldtotallyhandlebeinginthesameroomwithKnoxandall
hissexinessandstillbeproductive.

Maybe.Shehoped.
Shereturnedherattentiontothetrustdocumentsandunderlinedpartsthatwerethe

mostrelevanttohersituation.Injustafewdays’time,shewouldbeface-to-facewiththe
womanwhocouldchangeherfuture.

Eleanorwouldbetherelaterintheweek.Shehadtobe.Natalierefusedtobelieve

otherwise.Shewasreadytotakecontrolofherfuture.

Twoweeksago,shehadbeenfinewithhiding.Fouryearshadseemedlikeareasonable

pricetopayforherfreedom.ButnowshehadKnox.Thislifestyledidn’tsuithim.Evennow,
helookedlikeacagedanimal,allpennedin.Shecouldn’taskhimtoputhislifeonholdthat
long,notwhenhe’dalreadygivenupsomuchtoprotecther.Hecould’veskippedtownand
startedanewlife.Nowthathe’dbrokentieswithX,therewasnothingkeepinghimhere.

Instead,hestayed.Andhewaswantedbythepoliceforquestioning,attheveryleast.

Theremightevenbeawarrantoutforhisarrest.

NottomentionXhaditoutforhim.IfKnoxhadn’tpairedupwithher,hewouldhave

beenfreeofallthis.

Somuchdependedonthismeeting.She’dbetternotscrewitup.
Whenshefoundshewasgleaningnomoreusefulinformationfromthetrustdocuments,

shetookabreakandstretchedherarmstowardtheceiling,twistingtoworkoutthekinksin
herback.

Shewishedshecould’vestayedandworkedatthelibraryatapropertablewithachair,

butKnoxhadbeenantsyasitwas.Andhewasprobablyright.Theyneededtokeeptheir
profilesaslowaspossible,whichmeantstayingoutofsight.

Shestoodandcontinuedstretching.Knoxwatchedhercarefully,soshedidherbestnotto

favorhershoulderorherhip,butbothwerethrobbing.Andneitheronewasprettytolookat.
She’dneverknownsomanyshadesofpurplecouldexist.

Sheturnedherattentiontotheotherdocumentsshe’dprintedout,therecordsforthe

AnnaFarringtonFoundation,whichbenefitedlocalwomenandchildreninneed.Ithadbeen

formedafterhermother’sdeath.She’dplannedtolookattheseatAmelia’s,buthertime
therehadbeencutshort.Shewasn’tusuallyinvolvedinthefoundation,butallherrecent
thoughtsofhermothermadehercuriousaboutit.

Fromwhatshecouldtell,thefoundationwasthriving.Ifherfatherwasgoodatonething,

itwasconvincingotherstopartwiththeirmoney.

Afaintfeelingflurriedinherheart.Hope.Maybeherfatherwasn’tthecompletemonster

she’dcometofindoutaboutthesepastfewdays.Maybehermother’saccidentaldeathwas
justthat—anaccident.True,herfatherwasaprick.Therewasnothingthatcouldtakethat
awayfromhim,butuntilshe’ddugintotheserecords,shehadn’trealizedthatasmallpartof
herstillhopedthatthemanwhohadfatheredherwasadecenthumanbeing.

Shedidn’twanttobetheoffspringofamonster.
Sheflippedtothenextpageandfrowned.Thedateswerethesame.Itlookedlikeshe’d

accidentallyprintedtwocopiesofthesamereport.Justbeforesheballedthepaperupinher
fist,awordatthetopofthecolumncaughthereye—transfer.

Theflurryofhopeturnedintoastabbinginhergut.
Sheexaminedthetwopapersside-by-side.Samedates,differentmonetaryamounts.
“He’sembezzling,”shewhispered.
“Didyousaysomething?”Knoxasked.
Shepushedthepapersawayfromherindisgust.“Myfatherhassolicitedtensof

thousandsofdollarsforthefoundation,andhe’sstealingit.He’sbeenembezzlingfromthe
foundationthatbearsmymother’sname.Goddammit.”

Knoxdidn’tlooksurprised,butwhatdidsheexpect?Shewasafoolforbeingdisheartened

everytimeshelearnedaboutanotherhorribledeedherfatherhadcommitted.This
foundationwastheonlygoodthingthatresultedfromhermother’sdeath,andithurtthat
herfatherhadsulliedit.Itsomehowseemedworsethanhistryingtotakeoverthefamily’s
money.Hewasdisrespectinghermemoryandeverythingshestoodfor.

“Howlonghasitbeengoingon?”Knoxasked.
“Idon’tknow.I’dhavetolookdeeperintothefiles,butIneedacomputerforthat.Fuck!I

couldbewrong,butsomehowIdon’tthinkso.There’snoreasonfortheretobetwosetsof
recordsforthesamedate.”Itmadehersicktoherstomachthatthishadbeengoingonright
underhernose,andshe’dbeentoopowerless—andclueless—tostopit.

“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
Sherubbedhertemples.“Fornow?Nothing.Eventually,I’llturnthisinformationoverto

theauthorities,butforrightnow,itcanwait.Anotherweekwon’tmakemuchofadifference
ifthishasalreadybeengoingonforyears.”

“Maybeitwillhelpyourcasewiththeboard.”
“That’sagoodpoint.IfIcanprovehe’sembezzlingfromacharitablefoundation,then

surelythey’llbelieveI’mbettersuitedtohandlingmyowninheritance.Ifnothingelse,they
cangivethemonthlyallowancedirectlytomeinsteadofitgoingthroughhim.”Shesighed.
“God,Ijusthatethis.Ijusthatethatmyfatherissuchascumbag.”

Knoxnodded,hisexpressiontired,andshesuddenlyrememberedwhathe’dtoldher

abouthisfather.Guiltslammedintoher.Hereshewascomplainingabouthersituationwhen
hisupbringinghadbeenmuch,muchworse.Despiteeverything,she’dhadaprivileged
childhood.

“Whatwasitlike?”sheasked.“Livinginfostercare?”

Hiseyesimmediatelyhardened,andheshrugged.
Shehatedthathewasshuttingherout.Ofcourse,hedidconfideinherabouthismother,

andshecouldtellbythepaininhiseyesthatithadcosthim.Butshedidn’twantanywalls
betweenthem.

Sometimesshefeltsheknewhimbetterthananyoneelse.Othertimes,shefeltlikeshe

didn’tknowhimatall.

Thiswasoneofthosetimes,andshehatedit.
“Iunderstandifyoudon’twanttotalkaboutit.”
“No...”Knox’smouthdrewintoahardline.“Ijustdon’thavemuchtosayaboutit.Igot

clothes,food,andaplacetosleep.”

“Thatmusthavebeenatoughwaytogrowup.”
“Notmuchdifferentfromyou,”hesaid,andshepaused.Inawayitwastrue.Theloveshe

thoughtshe’dhadfromherfatherwasalie,butatthetime,shedidn’tknowit.Shejust
thoughthewasbeinghardonher.

Shehadn’trealizedtheextentofhisruthlessness.Shewonderedhowdifferenther

childhoodwouldhavebeenifshe’dknownthenwhatsheknewnow.Itwasprobablybetter
thatshe’dbeenblindtohiswaysuntilshewasreadytoactuallydosomethingaboutit.

Shejustwishedshe’dgottentothispointsooner.
“Iwasn’tthebestkid.Iwasangry,”Knoxsaidquietly.“Iwasjustsoangry.Iwantedtokill

myfather.Turnsoutsomeoneelsedid,too.Hewaskilledinprison.Ihadavendettaagainst
theworld,andIdidn’tcarewhoknewit.Igotinalotoffights.Eventually,myfosterparents
kickedmeout.That’swhenIhookedupwithX.He’dseenmefight.ApparentlyI’ma
natural.”Helaughedbitterly.

“Youare,”Nataliesaid.“That’snotabadthing.”
“Xtrainedmehimself.Inhisday,hewasquitethefighter.Ilivedwithhimatfirst.The

scarythingishewasmoreofafathertomethanmyownhadeverbeen.Ittookmeawhileto
realizewhatI’dgottenmyselfinto.Bythen,Iwasstuck.Iwasahighschooldropoutwithno
skills.”Hegroundhisteethandlookedaway.“Stillam.”

“Butyoudon’thavetobe.It’snottoolatetochange.”
“Isn’tit?”
Nataliecrawledovertohimandlaidherheadonhisshoulder.“No.It’snevertoolate.”
“I’vespentmywholelifefighting.First,myfather.Then,anyoneandeveryone.Andnow.

..well,upuntilaweekago,IfoughtanyoneIgotpaidto.Itsuitedme.Lookingdownatan
opponentafterIknockedhimout...itwasthebestfeeling.Icravedit.ItwastheonlytimeI
feltalive.”Heletoutashakybreath.“Untilnow.”

Chapter17

NatalietracedthefeaturesofKnox’sfacewithherfingertip,smilingwhenherfingerscaught
overhisstubble.

Hewassexyashell.
Heleaneddowntokissher,hislipsgentlymovingoverhers.Hishandskimmedher

cheek,andthatlighttouchsentshiversdownherspineandlitafireinherbelly.Sheopened
hermouthtoallowhistonguetominglewithhers.Therewasusuallyurgencyintheirkisses,
butthisonewasslowandsavoring.

Hishanddriftedupherback,hisfingersrunningalongherspine,onlypausingatherbra

tounhookit.Hisfingertipsdancedacrossherskinwhilehismouthlazilytraileddownher
throat.

Sheleanedherneckbacktosoakitallin,concentratingonthefeelofhislipsandhands

onherbody.Herhandsslidunderhisshirttofeelthewarmthofhisskinandthetautnessof
hismuscles.

Shelovedhisbody—everyangle,everystrength,everyscar.Whenheusedittoprotect

her,itwasstrongandunyielding.Butnow,whenheusedittoloveher,itwasgiving.

Hepulledhershirtoverherhead,theneasedthembothdowntolieonthesleepingbag.

Hetrailedkissesalonghercollarbone,thensuckedgentlyateachnippleuntiltheywere
hardenedbuds.Shebitherlowerlipandtossedherheadtotheside.

She’dexperienceditbefore,buteverytimewithKnoxfeltsonew,likethefirsttime.Every

feelingwasunlikeanyshe’dfeltbefore.

Whenhegotdowntoherbelly,heunbuttonedandunzippedherpantssohecould

continuehispath.Hetuggedherpantsdownandranhistonguealongtheinsideofher
quiveringthighs.

Shebreathedouthisnameashepulledherpantsallthewayoff,thenquicklyshedhis

ownshirtandpants.

“I—”Hismouthswallowedherwords.Iloveyouwaswhathadbeenontheedgesofher

lips.Butmaybenowwasn’tthetimeforwords.

Shewouldjusthavetoshowhim.
Shetuggedattheelasticofhisboxers,pushingthemdown.Hetookherleadandstripped

themoff.Thenhequicklyslippedonthecondom.

Hesettledbetweenherthighs,andsherockedherhipsuptomeethim.Heheldback,

though,andenteredherslowly,soagonizinglyslowly.Shegrippedhiships,buthe
maintainedcontrolofthepace.Withhisslow,carefulthrusts,shecouldfeeleveryinchof
himtouchingeveryinchofher.

Beingwithhimwasalwaysintoxicating,butthiswasasensualityshehadneverimagined.
Theheatwithinherbuiltslowlyandpowerfully.Shebitherlowerliptokeepfromcrying

out,andthenwhenshecouldn’ttakeitanymore,shecriedouthisname.

“Baby,you’reeverything,”hewhispered.

Iloveyou.Thethoughtranthroughherhead,butshecouldn’tspeakifshetried.
Shegrippedhishipsagain,andthistimeheadheredtoherrequest,histhrustsgaining

speed.

Upandupandupshewentuntilsheexploded.
Hisbodytensedforamoment,thenheshudderedandgroaned,crushinghismouthto

hers.

KnoxlayawakewithNataliecurledupnexttohim,fastasleep.Everyonceinawhile,she’d
letoutalittlesnore.

Heneverthoughthe’deverconsidersnoringcute.
God,hewassogoneforthiswoman.Insuchashortamountoftime,she’dbecomehis

everything.

Howwasthatevenpossible?Hedidn’tknow,nordidhecare.Allhecaredaboutwas

keepingherbyhisside.

Hepressedhislipstoherforehead,andsheletoutanothercontentedlittlesound.Ifthey

weren’tonthefloorofafalling-aparthouseinsleepingbags,he’dthinkthiswastoogoodto
betrue.Butthiswasjustaquietmomentbeforetheshitstormoftheirlivesstartedupagain.

Nataliewasonestepawayfromtakingcontrolofherfuture.Allsheneededwasfive

minuteswiththatboardandshe’dhavethemdrawinguppaperstogiveherfullcontrolofthe
Farringtonfortune.Shewasstressedaboutit,butheknewbetter.Shewasgoingtogetthe
jobdone.

YethewasnowhereclosetobreakingfreeofX.Yeah,hewasphysicallygone,butaslong

asXwasaround,he’dneverbefreeofhim.Heneededmoreleverage.HisvisittoX’soffice
hadyieldednothing.

AndthatgoddamnfightthatXhadtoldhimtothrow,therequestthatsetthiswholething

intomotion,wastomorrownight.Partofhimdidn’tgiveashit,butalargerpartofhimwas
curiousaboutwhohewassupposedtoloseto.AllXhadtoldhimwasthatitwasanewguy.

Xdidn’tliketoloseanymorethanKnoxdid.AlthoughXdidn’tpayasmuchattentionto

thefightersasheusedto,hesurepuffeduphischestlikeadamnroosterateveryfight,
sittinginthefrontrow.Healwaysgaveaninspirationalspeechinthelockerroom.Which
alwayshappenedrightafterhe...

Knoxsatupstraight,jostlingNatalieawake.“Thebag.”
Natalierubbedhereyesandcrackedoneopen.“Whatbag?”
“X’sbag.Hebringsittoeveryfight,andhedoesn’teveropenit.Justlocksitinthesame

lockereverytime.”

“Okay.”Nataliepulledherselftoasittingposition,buthershoulderswereslumpedand

hereyeswereonlyhalfopen.Normally,he’dfeelbadforwakingher,butnotthistime.Not
whenhe’dfiguredoutthesolutionforX.

HeknewhowtogetXoutoftheirlives.
“That’swhenthedrophappens.Heleavesmoneyandhisdealersreplaceitwithcocaine.

It’squick,it’seasy,anditkeepsthedealonneutralterritory.”

“Okay.”Sheyawned.“SoXisdealingcoke.Doweturnhimintothecops?”
“No.”Hepaused,takinganextrasecondtofullyprocesstheidea.“I’mgoingtostealit.”

Natalie’seyespoppedopen.DidKnoxjustsayhewasgoingtostealX’sshipmentofcocaine?
Didhehaveafreakingdeathwish?

“Caretorunthatbymeagain?”Surelyshe’dmisheardhim.
“It’sperfect.”Knoxhoppedtohisfeetandstartedpacing.“Wecan’tkillXourselves.It

createstoomanycomplications.ButifIstealhisstashandflushit,he’sfucked.Hedoesn’t
havethemoneytoreplaceit.”

Natalieranahandoverherfaceanduneasinesssettledinherstomach.“Soletmegetthis

straight—youwanttogotothefightwhereeveryshadypersoninthistownwillbein
attendanceandstealabuttloadofcoke.”

Hefrowned.“It’snotascrazyasitsounds.”
“Idon’tthinkthat’sagoodidea.”Shewouldhavelaughedattheironyofsayingtheexact

samethinghe’dsaidtohertimeandagainifthesituationweren’tsoserious.They’dbeen
tryingtoavoidthesepeople,andhewantedtomarchrightintotheirterritory.

“Noonewillexpectmetoshowmyfacethere,andIknowthebuildingwell.Icangetin

andgetoutandnoonewillknowI’mthere.”

Natalietookaminutetothink.Hewasrightthatnoonewouldbelookingforhimthere.

Heknewthelayoftheland,andthefightswouldprovideadistraction.

Thentherewasthematterofthecoke.Shedidn’tliketheideaofhavingitintheir

possessionatall,butitwouldonlybetemporary.Therightthingtodowouldbetoturnthe
evidencethatXwasdealingovertothepolice.Butthiswasanotheroneofthosegrayareas
she’dbeenwadinginlately.Withalltheirrulesandregulationsandredtape,thepolicemight
letXslipthroughtheirfingers.Andhell,they’dbeinpossessionofthecoke,sothatcould
implicatethem.Shedidn’tknowenoughaboutpoliceproceduretounderstandthe
ramificationsofturningintheevidence.Stolenevidence.Plus,theywerealreadyfugitives,
notthemosttrustworthystatustohaveintheeyesofthelaw.

No,iftheyweregoingtotaketherisktostealthecoke,thentheyneededtomakesureX

wouldfacetheconsequences,eveniftheyweren’tlegalones.

Itwasfarfromperfect,buttheyweregraspingatstrawswhereXwasconcerned.Atleast

asfarasherinheritancewent,theyhadaplan.They’dmadenoprogressinfreeingKnoxfrom
X,sothiswasasgoodaplanasany.Asleastitwastakingsomesortofaction.

Shehatedtoadmitit,buthisplanmadesense.Crazysense,butsense.“Willthelocker

roombeempty?”

“Duringthefightsitwillbe.”
“Whatkindoflockisonthelocker?”
“Idon’tknow.Ineverpaidattentiontothat.It’snotbuilt-inoranything.”
“Iguessthatdoesn’treallymatter.Itwouldbebetterifitwereakeylock.Icouldpickthat

innotime.Buttherearetrickstocrackingacombinationlockaswell.”

“Wait.”Knoxfrownedandcrossedhisarms.“Youwon’tbepickingthelock.You’renot

comingwithme.Doyouknowhowmanydangerouspeoplewillbethere?”

Nataliestoodandcrossedherarms,mirroringhisstance.Shenarrowedhereyesathim.

“That’sexactlywhyyouneedme.Lockpickingisn’thard,butittakespractice.Ifthefightis
tomorrow,youdon’thaveenoughtimetolearnthat.”

“I’llgetintoitanotherway.”
“How?”
“I’llcutthedamnlockoff.”Knoxwasgettingexasperated.

Sheresistedtheurgetorollhereyes,whichwouldonlymakehimdighisheelsindeeper.

Knoxwasoneofthemoststubbornpeopleshe’devermet,especiallywherehersafetywas
concerned.Thewayhereactedmadeitseemlikeshewantedtogetherselfintotrouble.

“Therearetwothingswrongwiththat.”Natalieheldupafingertocount.“Thefirstis:

howareyougoingtodothat?Wedon’thaveanyheavy-gradeboltcutters.Andsecond,it’s
betternottocutthelockoff.Thatwouldalertsomeonethatthelocker’sbeentamperedwith.
Themoretimewehavetogetfartherawayfromthearena—andX—thebetter.”

Heshookhishead.“Idon’twantyougettinghurtagain.”
HisfingersrosetotouchthebruisebelowhereyewhereHarding’sdriverhadhither.She

knewtherewasanastylookingabrasiononherforeheadfromherskirmishinthealley,not
tomentionthebruisesonherbody.“I’llheal.It’snotabigdeal.”

“Itisabigdeal.Nooneshouldeverlayahandonyou.I’mgoingtodowhateverittakesto

keepyousafe.”

“Evenkeepingmelockedaway?I’vebeenlockedawayforoveradecade.”
Hiseyeshardenedandhetookastepback.
Shesighed.Comparinghimtoherfatherwasalowblow.Butdamnit,thoughhis

intentionswerehonorable,noonewasgoingtotellherwhattodo.Otherwise,whatwasthe
pointofallthis?

Sheclosedthedistancebetweenthemandwrappedherarmsaroundhim.Hedidn’t

returnthegesture.

“Don’tshutmeout,”shesaidquietly.
Otherthanherbartenderfriend,Kat,whosheonlysawwhenKatwasworkingatanevent

shewasattending,Knoxwastheonlypersoninherlifewhotreatedherasanequal.She
couldn’tbearforhimtopullawayfromhernow.

Sheunderstoodhisprotectivenature.Oratleastshethoughtshedid.Itranmuchdeeper

thanshehadrealized.Foreveryexternalwoundsheendured,hereceivedaninternalone.

Finallyhewrappedhisarmsaroundher,tighteningtheembraceandburyinghisfacein

herhair.

“Ican’tloseyou.”
“Youwon’t.”Shebroughtherlipstohis,hopingthephysicalcomfortwouldsoothehim

whereheneededitmost:hissoul.

Hismouthwashotagainsthers,thekissall-consuming.Hisfingersrakeddownherback

toherassandhepulledherclose.Shegroundherhipsagainsthim.Hegroanedand
deepenedthekiss,histonguetanglingwithhers.

Knoxnippedatherlowerlipwithhisteeth,sendingdesireshootingthroughher.
Whenthekissended,Nataliewasleftbreathlessandwantingmore.
Butmostofall,shewasleftwiththeknowledgethatshewasn’taloneanymore.Whatever

happened,sheandKnoxwereinthistogether.

Chapter18

Knoxpulledthetruckercapdownonhisforehead,feelingmorethanalittleridiculous.But
hedefinitelydidn’tlooklikehimself,whichwasthepoint.Although,sinceitwasafight
night,itwasprobablysaferforhimandNatalietobemovingaboutthecitybecauseXandall
hismenwereoccupied.TheyonlyhadtoworryaboutpoliceandKent’sguards.

Theyhadn’tseenanyofKent’sguardsindays.Thatdidn’tmeantheywereoutofthe

picture,though.Morethanlikely,itjustmeantthatKentdidn’thavethesameresourcesas
X,whosemenseemedtobeeverywhere.

Therewerenolightsontheoutsideofthebuildingandnoindicationthatanythingwas

happeninginside.Evenstill,itwasamazingthatthefightshadbeenhappeninginthesame
placeforthelastdecadeandneveroncebeenraidedbythepolice.Maybetheyknewandjust
didn’tgiveafuck.Whywouldtheycareifsomesouthsideguyspoundedtheshitoutofeach
otheracoupletimesamonth?Aslongasitdidn’tbleedovertotheswankynorthside,the
copsprobablyhadmoreimportantthingstoworryabout.

Itfeltstrangetobypassthedoorhenormallyused—theonetheotherfightershadgone

intoaboutanhourearlier.Hisgazelingeredonthemetaldoorwithitsredpaintchippingoff.
Hisdaysofusingthefightingentrancewereover.HepulledhiseyesawayandledNatalie
aroundtothemaintenancegate,theonethatwasrarely,ifever,used.

Thevenuewasactuallyanoldwarehousethathadbeenconvertedintoanarena.Thecage

hadbeentherethewholetimehe’dbeenfighting,butthebleachersandthelockerroom
areashadbeenaddedovertheyears.Inthebeginning,thefightswereX’ssolebusiness,and
heworkedhardbuildinganameforhimselfandhisarena.Whathadstartedoutasback-alley
brawlshadturnedintoavirtualundergroundempire.

Eventuallythough,itwasn’tenoughforX.Hemovedontobiggerthings.
Thechain-linkgateletoutahigh-pitchedsquealwhenKnoxopenedit,andhetensed,

lookingoverhisshoulderandhalfexpectingsomeonetocomerunning.Theywereonthe
oppositesideofthebuilding,soitwasdoubtfulanyoneheardit,buthisnerveswereonedge.

Natalieshouldn’tbehere.
Notonlywassheputtingherselftoomuchatrisk,buthewasalsoexposinghertohisold

lifestyle.Hewasn’tsureifthatwassomethinghewantedhertoseefirsthand.

Thedoorwaslocked,sohegesturedNatalieforward,andshekneltinfrontofit.After

inspectingtheknob,shepulledsometoolsoutofherbackpackandsettowork.

Shehadthedooropeninunderaminute.
Hehadtoadmitherskillswereimpressive,especiallyconsideringshe’dlostheroriginal

lock-pickingkitandwasmakingdowithahodgepodgeset.

Theycreptinside,closingthedoorbehindthemwithasoftclick.Darknessenveloped

them,andtheywaitedafewmomentsfortheireyestoadjust.ThenKnoxmotionedher
forwardwithaflickofhisfingers.

Thehallwaythatranalongthewestsideofthebuildingwasrarelyused.Itledtothe

accessroomforthecatwalkareahighabovethemainfloor.Oncethefightsbegan,spotlights
wouldilluminatethecage,leavingtheupperareaneartheroofdark.

Andthat’swheretheywouldbe—fiftyfeetabovethecageintheshadows.
Attheotherendofthecatwalkwasaladderthatwouldtakethemtothehallwayjust

outsidethelockerroom.Itwasperfect.Theycouldgetinandoutundetected.

Theaccessroomwasunlocked.Knoxclosedthedoorbehindthemandflippedonthe

lights.Therewasnolockonthedoor,sohewedgedametalfoldingchairundertheknobto
secureit.Thatwouldn’tkeepanyoneoutforlong,butitmightbuythemsomeextratimeif
theyneededit.

HehopedtoGodtheywouldn’t.
Theonlyproblemwiththisplanwasthepossibilityofgettingtrappedonthecatwalk.

Theywereputtingthemselvesinapositionwheretheycouldbecorneredwithnowayout
besidesasuicidalfall,butthelikelihoodofthathappeningwasslim.Theyweremuchmore
likelytobediscoverediftheystayedontheground.

Theladderwascoveredindustandgrime.Knoxwrappedhisfingersaroundthehighest

runghecouldreachandshookit.Thougholdandrusty,itseemedsecureenough.

KnoxhelpedNatalieupontothefirstrungoftheladder,whichwasseveralfeetoffthe

ground.Shelookedoverhershoulderathimwithwideeyesbeforedisappearingintothehole
intheceilingandthedarknessabove.

Hisnervesgnawedathisguttheminuteshewasoutofhissight.
Thatwastheothersmallproblemwiththeplan—therewasasmallsectiontheyhadto

climbthatwouldbeincompletedarkness.Thelightsfrombelowdidn’treachthisfar,butthe
useofaflashlightwastoorisky.

Knoxhadbeenuponthecatwalkbefore,butitwasyearsagoandhehadn’tbeenforcedto

navigateinthedark.

HeclimbedupbehindNatalie,stayingafewstepsbelowherincasesheslipped.Shewas

takingitslowandsteady.Good.Therewasnoreasontorush.Oncetheygottothetopofthe
catwalk,they’dlikelyhavetowaitafewminutesuntiltheycouldcrossthearena.

Nataliereachedthetopandcroucheddownonthemetalgratedwalkway.Knoxjoinedher,

keepingonehandonthewallandanotheronthefloor.Itwasdarkasfuck.Afterafew
minuteshiseyesadjustedandhecouldmakeoutshapesintheblackness.Therewaslightup
aheadandKnoxcrepttowardittostaredownatthearenafloor.

Itlookedalotsmallerfromuphere.Funny.Forsolongithadbeenhisentireworld.But

now,lookingdownonthegraymetalchain-link,hesawitforwhatitreallywas.

Acage.Xhadusedthatcagetokeephimaprisoner.AndKnoxhadallowedit.Butthat

wasokay.Xwasabouttogetwhathedeserved.

Thefighterstrickledintothearenaandspectatorsdriftedtowardtheirseats.Bigcrowd

tonight.Fromthisvantage,itwaseasytoseethemoneythatexchangedhands.Thelights
blinked,signalinglastcallforplacingbets.

Besidehim,Nataliepeereddown.Hewishedhecouldseeherfaceandherreaction.What

didshethinkofthisundergroundarenathatusedtorulehislife?Whetherhelikeditornot,
itwasalargepartofhispast,andithadshapedhimintothemanhewastoday.

Theannouncer’svoicecameoverthespeakertogiveanoverviewoftheevening.Knox

hadhearditallbefore.Whenhestartedtogothroughtheorderofthefights,Knoxlistened
intently.

Thefighthewassupposedtothrowwastheheadliner.Hectorwasreplacinghim,which

wasn’tabigsurprise.Hectorwasthenextbestfighterinhisclass,andmoreimportantly,he
bowedtoX’severycommand.Xmightnothaveevenhadtobribehimtothrowthefight.

Hector’sopponentwasnew—someonenamedAntonKrupin.
Hesquinted,staringdownattheguy.Hadhefoughthim,itwouldhavebeenagood

match.Hecouldtellbythewaytheguymovedandheldhimselfthathewasanaccomplished
fighter.Forthefirsttimeinyears,hemighthaveactuallystoodtheriskoflosing.

ButwhywouldXwanthimtothrowthefight?Mostlikelyitwassomesortofsickpower

play.Xhadalwaysbeengoodformindgames.Itwasallaboutcontrolforhim.

Thefirstfightwasabouttostart,sohegrabbedNatalie’shandandsqueezedtolether

knowitwastimetomove.Assoonasthelightsinthearenadimmed,theymadetheirway
acrossthecatwalk.

Theirmovementcastshadowsontheceiling,buttherewasnothingtheycoulddoabout

thatexcepthopethatnoonelookedup.

Theymadeittotheothersidewithoutincidentandwaited.SinceKnoxwasalwaysonthe

floorduringfights,hewasn’tsurewhenthedrophappened,sotheirplanwastogiveitthirty
minutesbeforemakingtheirwaydown.

Insteadofwatchingthefirstfight,hewatchedNatalie—watchedherwincewhenX’s

fighterthrewhisopponentagainstthechain-link.Watchedhergulpasbloodcoveredthe
floorofthematfromtheguy’sbrokennose.Watchedherturnherheadasthedowned
fighterwascarriedoutofthecage,unconscious.

Heshouldn’thavebroughther.Itwasonethingtotellheraboutthislife,butanotherfor

hertowitnessitfirsthand.Andthiswasn’tthehalfofit.

Itwastime,soKnoxgotNatalie’sattentionandclimbeddownfirst.Thehallwaywasclear,

sohegavealowwhistleandNatalieappearedmomentslater.Hegrippedherwaisttohelp
herjumpdownthelastfewfeet.Sheturnedandlookedupathimwithatightadrenaline-
filledsmile.

Heusheredherintotheemptylockerroom,allowinghimselfasmallsighofreliefwhen

hesawthelockerthatXnormallyusedwasoccupied.Itwaslockedwithacombinationlock.

Natalietookitinherhandsandturnedthedialslowly,watchingitintently.Whenitgot

pastnumberfourteen,shestoppedandpulledapieceofpaperandapenoutofherpocket.
Thenshestarteddoingmathonit.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Knoxasked.
Sheheldherhanduptosilencehimandkeptgoing,writingdowndifferentnumbersuntil

shewasleftwithtwocolumnsofnumbersandonefinalnumber.Thenshestartedspinning
thelock.Knoxhadfaithinher,butaftersevenwrongtries,hestartedtoworry.Ifthey
couldn’tgetthatlockeropen,thenthiswasallfornothing.Hesurveyedtheroom,lookingfor
somethinghecouldusetobashthelockeropen,andhisgazesettledonthefireextinguisher.

Hetookonesteptowarditwhenheheardthesoftclick.HeturnedtoseeNatalietaking

thelockoffthelockerwithasmugsmileonherface.

Henevershouldhavedoubtedher.
Knoxquicklyopenedthelockerandpulledoutthegraygymbaghe’dseenXcarry.
Heclosedhiseyesbrieflyandblewoutabreath.Thenheslowlyunzippedthebag.
“Holyfuck.”

Chapter19

Nataliepeekedinsidethebag.She’dneverseensomuchcokeinherlife.

Well,tobefair,she’dneverseenanycokebefore.Wasthisalotforadealer?Given

Knox’sexpression,itcertainlywas.

“Jackpot,”hesaid,slingingthebagoverhisshoulder.“Let’sgo.”
Butatthedoor,Knoxfroze,puttinghishanduptohaltNatalie.Shestrainedtohearwhat

hadmadehimstop.

Voices.Inthehall.Rightoutsidethedoor.
Herstomachjumpeduptoherthroat.
“Bathroomstall,”Knoxhissed.“Go,go,go.”
Natalieturnedonherheelandscurriedaroundthecornerfromthelockerareatothree

bathroomstalls,goingintothefarthestone.Shehoppedontothetoiletseat,flatteningher
handsagainstthestallwallstosteadyherself.Shehadtoduckdowntokeepherheadbelow
thewall.

Knoxslidthelockonthestallandjoinedheronthetoiletseat,buttherewasbarely

enoughroom.Iftheyweren’tcareful,oneofthemwasgoingtoendupwiththeirfootinthe
water.Thatwouldbedisgustingenough,butworse—itwouldattracttheattentionofwhoever
wasoutthere.

Thelockerroomdoorclangedopen,anditsoundedliketwomenentered.Theywere

speakinganotherlanguagethatNatalieguessedwasRussian.

NatalieclosedhereyesandburiedherfaceinKnox’sT-shirt,concentratingonhisscent

andhopingthemenwouldn’thearthehammeringofherheartthatseemeddeafening.

Gettingcaughtherewasjustabouttheworstthingthatcouldhappentothem.Natalie

wasn’tworriedforherselfasmuchasshewasworriedforKnox.She’dsimplybehandedover
toherfather,butKnox...shedidn’tevenwanttothinkaboutwhatfatewouldawaithim.

Witheveryslamofthelocker,Natalie’sheartlurched.Themenkeptupasteadystreamof

conversationthatwaspunctuatedwithlaughter.Finally,thedoorswooshedclosedbehind
themandtheirvoicesdriftedaway.

KnoxquicklyjumpeddownandhelpedNataliedownaswell.
“We’vegottomove.”Knoxstrodeoutofthestallandtowardthedoorthemenhadjust

exitedthrough.“Thefightsmustbealmostover.Itmustbeashortnight.Damnit.”

Knoxpeeredoutintothehall,andthoughvoicescouldbeheard,hemotionedher

forward.ShescurriedtotheladderandtooktheboostthatKnoxoffered,climbingtwiceas
fastasshehaddescended.Knoxhadbarelymadeitthroughtheholeintheceilingwhen
thereweremorevoicesdirectlybelowthem.

Natalietookitslower,tryingtokeephertennisshoesfromsqueakingonthemetalladder.

Shewipedherslickpalmsonherjeanseveryfewrungs.Whenshemadeittothetop,she
crawledafewfeetbeforecollapsing,closinghereyes,andtakingseveraldeepbreaths.Her
handswereshakingasfastasherheartwasbeating.

Knoxcuppedherchininhishand,andsheopenedhereyestostareintothedarkintensity

ofhis.Afewmoredeepbreaths,andherhandsstoppedshaking.Herheartslowed,butitwas
stillpulsingwithadrenaline.

Knoxtooktheleadandshefollowed,squeezingtightlyagainsttheguardrailasthey

crossedoverthearena.Handoverhand.Onefootinfrontoftheother.Don’tlookdown.

Shegasped,seeingthebagcatchonajaggededgeoftherail,rippingaholeintheside.She

lurchedforwardtocatchthecontentsastheyfell.Allofthebaggiesexceptonelandedinher
hands.Shewentdownhardonherkneewithaloudclang,butkepthereyesopentowatch
thebaggiefullofcokeplummetdownintothearena.

Itfellintothemiddleofthecrowd.Noonenoticedyet.
“Shit,”shewhispered.Knoxpickedherupandshovedthebaggiesfromherhandsback

intothegymbag,holdingthegapingholeclosedwithhishand.

“Let’sgo.”Knox’svoicewasquiet,buturgent.
Shelookeddownonelasttime,partlyexpectinghalftheaudiencetohavegunspointedin

theirdirection.

Whatshedidn’texpecttoseewasherfathersittingnexttoX.
Hereyesbulgedandshestumbled,knockingintoKnox.Heturned,andshepointed,still

gaping.Whywasherfatherhere?

Helookedperfectlycomfortableandatease,likehewassurroundedbythesocialitesata

charitydinnerratherthanrubbingelbowswiththelocalmobatanillegal,underground
fightingring.

“We’vegottogo.”Knoxgrabbedherhand.
SheandKnoxhurriedalongthecatwalk,theirfootstepsmakingahollowdingingsound

thatmatchedtheracingofherheart.Hewentdowntheladderfirst,andshedidn’twaitfor
himtogetveryfarbeforeshestartedherdescent.

Oncebackontheground,Knoxremovedthechairfromunderthedoorknobandlistened

foramoment.Heslowlyopenedthedoor,checkingthehallwaybeforemotioningher
forward.Twentyfeetandthey’dbeout.

Knoxtookthetimetolocktheouterdoorbehindthem,andtheyescapedintothe

shadowsofthecity.

KnoxandNataliestoppedatatwenty-four-hourdinerandlockedthemselvesintheunisex
bathroomstall.AsKnoxwatchedthecokeswirlaroundinthetoiletonitswaydowntothe
sewer,hecouldn’thelpbutthink:whatawaste.Hundredsofthousands—maybeeven
millions—ofdollarsjustgone.

He’dneverbeentemptedtojointhedrugtrade,butforthefirsttimehewasbeginningto

understandtheappealofit.Andwhoknows?IfXhadbeendealingbackwhenKnoxfirst
joinedhim,Knoxmighthaveendedupinvolvedinit,too.Hisdumbadolescentselfhad
thoughtthatXwalkedonwater,theresultofXbeingthefirstfatherlikefiguretopayhima
decentamountofattention.

Knoxdumpedthelastofthecokeintothetoilet.Assoonasthewaterinthebowlstilled

andhecouldtellithadallbeenwashedaway,heopenedthedoorforNatalieandtheyquickly
exitedtherestaurant.

Butnotbeforethesmellofgreasybaconandmaplesyrupfilledhisnostrils.Hisstomach

growledinprotest,andhecaughtNatalielookingwistfullyatthespreadonapatron’stableas
theypassed.

Hewishedtheywereanormalcouple,maybevisitingthedinerforasnackafteralate

movie.Thenasquicklyasthethoughtenteredhismind,hedismissedit.

HeandNataliewouldneverbeanormalcouple.Ifthingswerenormalforthem,they

wouldneverhavemet.Theywouldneverbetogether.

Andhewantedthatforher.Itwasbadenoughhe’dhadtotakehertothefight.Hedidn’t

wantherinvolvedinorknowingabouttheseedierpartsoflife.

Butforhim?Hecouldn’timaginelifewithouther.
HetossedtherippedandemptygymbagintoaDumpsterandthentookherhandinthe

darkness.Hetoldhimselfitwastokeepherclose,forhersafety,buthewasadamnliar.

Hejustwantedherclose.Period.
Heguidedherdownthefamiliarstreets,steppingoverapotholeinthesidewalkthathe’d

dodgedwithouteventhinkingnearlyeverydayonhismorningrun.Thisroutewouldlead
thempastthebackdoorofthegym,butthatdidn’tmatter.Noonewouldbethere.

Still,hisbodytensedastheyapproachedandhepulledNataliecloser.
Twomenappearedfromasidestreetjustseveralyardsinfrontofthem.Theywere

dressedcasually,injeansandT-shirts,butsomethingaboutthemputKnoxonedge.

Theystoppedatthebackdoortothegym.
“Shit.”KnoxpulledNatalietoacrouchingpositionbehindaparkedcar.Shepeeredaround

thebumperandhetuggedherbackintohiding.

“Doyourecognizethem?”sheasked.
Knoxshookhishead.Therewasnoreasonforanyonetobeatthegymatthistimeof

night.AnyonewithanyallegiancetoXwasrequiredtoattendthefightinashowofsolidarity.

ItwasoneofthethingsKnoxhadlikedbackinthebeginningofhistimewithX.They

werelikeonebigfuckingfamily.

Thetallerofthetwomenlitacigarette,theflamepiercingthedarkness,whileheeyedthe

streets.Thesecondmancrouchedatthedrainpipenexttothegymdoor,stickinghishandup
init.

Whatthefuck?
Themanstood,acrumpledenvelopeinhishand.Hereachedintoitandremovedastack

ofbills,thenhandedthemtohisfriend.

“That’sit?”thetallmanasked,hisvoicelacedwithdisgust.
“Xisgettingstingyonus.”
“Fuck.He’dbettergiveussomethingsoon.Thecaptainisridingmyass.”
AsthemenwalkedtowardthecarKnoxandNataliewerehidingbehind,theycreptaround

thecartostayoutofsight.Rightbeforetheyroundedthebackbumper,Nataliegasped
loudly.

ThemenstoppedandKnoxpulledNatalieclosetohim,comingupwithaplanforthebest

waytotakethemenout.

Thetallmandroppedhiscigaretteontheground,notbotheringtostampoutthestill-lit

ashes.Hescannedthearea.

“Itwasnothing,”thesecondmansaid.“Let’sgetthefuckoutofhere.”
Theyturnedandcontinueddowntheroadandinthedistance,acarenginestarted.Knox

didn’trelaxuntilhecouldnolongerhearit.

Hepulledthemintoastandingpositionandtheydoubledtheirspeedastheytraversed

theremainderofthesouthside.

“Sorry,”Nataliesaid.“ButIrecognizedthoseguys.ImetthematthelastgalaIattended.”
Knoxfrowneddownather.“Whoarethey?”
“Cops.”

Chapter20

Assoonastheygotbacktothehouse,KnoxturnedtoNatalie.

“Cops?Areyousure?”
Natalienodded.“Positive.TheywerewiththechiefofpoliceattheKidsLiteracyNetwork

galathenightIlefthome.Heintroducedthemtome.They’djustbeenpromoted.”

“Doyouknowtheirnames?”
“Ican’trememberoffhand,butifyougivemeyourphoneI’msureIcanfindtheir

names.”

Knoxhandedoverthephoneandpacedwhileherfingersflewoverthetinyscreen.
“SchaferandVasquez.They’rebothlieutenants.”
Knoxputhishandsonhishipsandstaredather,lettinghisthoughtsplayoutinhismind.
Onceuponatime,XhadsharedalmosteverythingwithKnox.Eventoday,Knoxknew

moreaboutX’sbusinessthanhe’deverwantedtoknow.ButtheonethingXhadnever
sharedwastheidentityofthecopsonhispayroll.Xsimplyreferredtothemas“mycops.”

AndnowKnoxhadthatinformation.ItmightnotbeenoughtobringXdown,butitsure

ashellwasenoughtofuckuphisempire.

NatalieclutchedatKnox’shandastheytraipsedthroughthegraveyard.Thoughhermother
wasburiedhere,shehadn’tvisitedinyears.Visitinglovedones’gravesmightbringcomfort
tosome,butNatalieknewhermother’sessencewasnotlingeringsixfeetbeneaththe
ground.

Shewasn’tparticularlyreligious,butshelikedtothinkhermotherwatchedoverher,

wherevershewas.

Evenstill,shegrippedabouquetofpartiallywitheredflowers,thebesttheycouldfindat

thelocalconveniencestore.

“It’srightoverthere,”shesaid,gesturingtowardanareanearacollectionofdogwood

trees.

Luckilyforthem,hermother’sgravewaswithinsightofEleanorSimmons’slate

husband’s.

Shefeltlikeacreeper,comingtoencroachonawidow’stimeatagrave,butthey’drunout

ofoptions.

Natalieleanedtheflowersupagainsthermother’sheadstonewhileKnoxstoodafewfeet

away.Sheranherfingersoverthesmoothmarblethatspelledouthermother’snameandthe
dateshowingthatshe’dbeentakentoosoonfromthisworld.

She’dtoldherselfshewouldn’tcry,butshewaspowerlesstostemthetearsthatfilledher

eyes.ShefeltKnox’shandonhershoulderandsheputherhandontopofhis.

Shemighthavebeenalonebefore,butshedefinitelywasn’talonenow.
Sheroseandtheysettledonabenchnearbytowait.

ItwasonlywhensheblinkedhertearsawaythatshewonderedifKnox’sparentswere

buriedhere.

Heshookhisheadwhensheasked.“Theywerebothcremated.”
Ablackcarpulledtoastopontheroadthatmeanderedthroughthecemetery.Nataliesat

upstraight,watchingintently.Minuteswentby.Five,ten.Finallyafterfifteenminutes,the
driveropenedhisdoor,thencircledaroundtothereardoortohelpthepassengeroutofthe
car.

ItwasEleanorSimmonsintheflesh.
Thefactthatshe’darrivedsosoongaveNatalieaglimmerofhope.She’dbeenpreparedto

stakeoutthecemeteryallday.Butshewastakingthistobeagoodomen.

ThedriverheldontoEleanor’selbowassheclimbedtheslighthilltothegrave.Natalie

wasstruckbyhowelderlyshewas.Hadhergrandparentsbeenalive,theywouldberoughly
thesameage.She’dpicturedEleanorasbeingyounger—probablybecausethat’showshe
picturedhergrandparentssincethey’ddiedyearsago.

Thoughshehadhaddifficultywalking,Eleanorstoodstraightatthegravewhileherdriver

retreatedtothecartogiveherprivacy.Shepulledoutarosaryandclosedhereyes,her
fingersrunningoverthebeads.

“Wecan’tinterrupthernow,”Nataliemurmured.
Knoxshiftednexttoher.He’dbeentensesincethey’darrived,nodoubtbecausetheywere

outintheopen.Withoutcrouchingbehindagravestone,therewasnowhereforthemto
concealthemselves.

Butdespitetheurgencyofneedingtotalktoher,Nataliewouldnotdisturbherlikethis.

She’dgivethewidowtimetofinishherprayer.

Arustlebehindthemandofftotheleftcaughtherattention.Shewasjustglancingover

hershoulderwhenKnoxsaid,“Oh,shit.”

Oh,shitwasright.AblackSUVhadhaltedonthedriveontheothersideofthecemetery

andtwomendressedintheblackuniformsherfatherpreferredwererunningacrossthe
groundstowardthem.

Butthemen’sgazesweren’tfocusedonthem.No,theywerelookingatEleanor,whostill

hadhereyesclosedwhilehermouthmovedinsilentprayer.

“They’regoingforher,notus,”Nataliesaidfrantically.“We’vegottohelpher.”
Knox’smouthwaspressedintoagrimline.“YougetEleanor.I’lltakecareofthem.”
Natalieshotoffthebenchatarun.ThecommotioncausedEleanortoopenhereyesand

theywidenedatthesightofNataliechargingather.

“Mrs.Simmons,”Nataliesaid,outofbreath.“There’snotimetoexplain,butwe’vegotto

getyououtofhere.”

NatalielookedoverhershouldertowhereEleanor’seyesweretrained.Knoxhadoneof

themenpressedupagainstaheadstone.Theotherwasontheground,butnotforlong.He
wasclimbingtohisfeet.

Oh,God.Keephimsafe.
ShetrustedthatKnoxwasabletohandlehimself—he’dproventhattohertimeandtime

again—butherheartstilllurchedinherchest.

Natalieputherhandunderthewoman’selbowtoguideherdownthehilltohercar.

Eleanorcouldnotmovequicklyandshuffledalonginawaythatindicatedsheprobably
shoulduseawalkeroracane.

Herdriveremergedfromthecarandtookthewoman’sarm,shovingNatalieaside.“Mrs.

Simmons,what’sgoingon?”

“Takeusawayfromhere,”Eleanorcommandedasherdriverhelpedherintothecar.The

drivershotasuspiciouslookatNatalie,butleftthedooropenforherwhilehegotintothe
driver’sseat.

NataliehoppedinbesideEleanorandpulledthedoorclosed.Shepeeredoutthewindow,

hopingtocatchsightofKnox.Instead,shesawoneofthemenrunningtowardthecarwith
hisgundrawn.

“Hurry,”shetoldthedriver.
“Thespeedlimit’stwenty-five.”
“Forfuck’ssake,he’sgotagun!”Natalieyelled.“Steponit.”
OneglanceintherearviewmirrorhadthedriverobeyingNatalie.Heskiddedoutontothe

mainstreet,takingoutafewazaleabushesintheprocess.

Natalieleanedbackagainsttheupholsteryandletoutabreath.
Ifthatmanwasabletocomeafterthem,thenwherewasKnox?Herhandsshookandshe

forcedherselftocalmdown.

“Canyoupleaseexplainwhat’sgoingon?”Eleanorasked.“Whowerethosemen?And

whoareyou?”

“I’msorry,Mrs.Simmons.”Natalieturnedtowardtheolderwoman.“I’mNatalie

FarringtonKent,andI’mafraidthosemenaremyfather’semployees.”

Eleanor’sexpressionsoftenedjustatouch.“Natalie.Ihaven’tseenyousinceyouwerea

littlegirl.Butwhyweretheychasingus?”Eleanor’stonegavenothingaway.Shemighthave
beendiscussinghorsd’oeuvresatacocktailparty.

Natalie’sheartsank.Maybeshewaswrong.IfEleanorwasthedirectorofthetrust,then

surelyshe’dhavesomeideawhatwasgoingon.HadsheandKnoxbeenputtingthemselves
atriskandsearchingallthistimeforthewrongperson?

“Irecentlylearnedmymothersetupaboardtomanagemyfamily’strust,butthe

documentsdon’ttellmewhoisontheboard.”

Eleanordidn’tsayanythingandmerelycontinuedtolookatNatalie.
“I’mhopingyou’retheboarddirector.”Natalieswallowed.“Areyou?”
Eleanor’slipsstretchedintoathinsmile.“Yes.”

AssoonasoneofthementookoffafterEleanor’scar,Knoxusedtheopportunitytosmash
theotherman’sheadintoagravestone,knockinghimoutcold.

Thenheturnedandran,followingtherulehe’dimpartedtoNatalie.
Heheadedtowardthestreetandhecouldjustmakeoutthecarbeforeitturnedacorner.
Good.NataliehadgottenEleanoroutofthere.Theywerebothsafe.
Hejoggeddownthestreet,notcaringifhebroughtattentiontohimself.Hewantedtoget

homesohe’dbewaitingwhenNataliereturned.

Half-hopingthatshe’dalreadybethere,helethimselfin,butitwasobviousfromthe

silencethatshewasn’tbackyet.

Fuck,fuck,fuck.
WiththeexceptionofthenighthewenttoX’sgym,hehadn’tletNatalieoutofhissight.

Thatnight,he’dknownwhereshewas—knewthatshewassafe.Butnow,hedidn’tknow

wherethefuckshewas.

Hepaced,curlinghishandsintofists.Minutespassedandhehadahardtimenot

watchingthetimetickbyonhisphone.

Whythefuckhadn’ttheygottentwoburnerphones?Thenshecould’vecalledhim.It

hadn’tseemednecessarysincetheyhadn’tplannedonseparating.Nowhecouldkickhisown
assforhisshortsightedness.

Shouldhegooutandlookforher?Wherewouldheevenstart?No,thatwasastupididea.

ShewassafewithEleanor.

Thesoundofthedooropeningmadehisstomachleapintohisthroat.Hestrodeovertoit.

Nataliedidn’tevenmakeitallthewayinsidebeforehehauledhertohischest.

Hecrushedhismouthtohers,tastingherandreassuringhimselfthatshewashere.Her

breastspressedagainsthischestandheranhishandsupthebackofhershirt,wantingto
feelthewarmthofherskin.

Hepressedheragainstthewallandshematchedhisheatwithherown.Herarms

wrappedaroundhisneckandsheliftedonelegtowrapitaroundhiships.Hegrabbedherass
andhoistedherup.Shewrappedbothlegsaroundhim.

Histonguelappedatherthroatandshemoaned,diggingherfingersintohisshoulders.
“Knox,”shewhisperedandthatonewordbrokehim.Madehimlosecontrol.
Hecarriedherintothebedroomandlaidhergentlyonthesleepingbag.

NataliestaredupatKnoxashestrippedoutofhisclothes.Afireinsideherignited.Shenever
grewtiredoflookingathisbody—hisstrongchestthattapereddowntoridgedabs,bulging
armsthatkepthersafe,tightassthatgavewaytomuscledlegs.

TheXtattooedonhischestandthescarsonlymadehimthatmuchmorebeautiful

becausetheyrepresentedeverythinghe’denduredtobecomethemanhewastoday.

Hekneltbesideherandshepulledhershirtoverherheadandshedherbra,notwanting

anythingseparatingthem.

Hecuppedherfaceinhishands,hisdarkeyesboringintohers.Heletoutashakybreath.

“IwasscaredI’dlostyou.”

Herbreathhitchedathisconfession.Thefearandanguishwasevidentinhiseyes.She

neverwantedtomakehimfeelthatway.

Shekissedhimgently,runningherfingersuphisarmandoverthetattooonhischest.

Herhandfinallystilledoverhisheart.

“Knox,I’llalwayscomebacktoyou.”
Heburiedhisfaceinherneck,trailingkisses,andhisformerurgencywasreplacedwith

sweetness.Hisfingersrandownherspineandsheshivered.Tinglesfloodedeveryextremity.

Heloweredhertoherbackandundidthebuttonofherjeanswithonehandwhilethe

otherfinessedhernippletoatautpoint.Sheshimmiedherhipsoutofthejeansandhishand
dippedunderneaththesoftcottonofherpanties.

Herbackarchedashisfingerfoundherclit.Hestrokedandcoaxeduntilafirewas

burninginsideherandherhipswrithedagainsthishand.Justwhenshethoughtshewould
explode,hestoppedanddraggedherpantiesdownherlegs.

Hesliddownherbody,hishandsgrazinghersidesuntilhismouthfoundhercore.The

firethathadonlyslightlycooledburnedhotteruntilshecriedouthisname.

“Youaresofuckingbeautiful.”Hisvoicewashoarseandhegazedather,hiseyesshowing

amixtureofadorationandvulnerability.

Sheputahandtohischeek.“Makelovetome,Knox.”
Herolledonthecondomandsettledbetweenherlegs.Sherotatedherhipstowardhim

andheenteredherslowly.Theireyeslockedastheirbodiesmeshedtogether,slowlyfindinga
rhythmthatsatisfiedthismostbasicofneeds.

TheconnectionshehadwithKnoxwasmorethanjustphysical.Shegaveherselftohim—

everythingshewas—andshegotallofhiminreturn.

Asthepressurebuiltinsideher,shestruggledtokeephereyesopen.Herfingersclawedat

hisbackandshewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist.Finally,thepressurebrokeandshecried
out.

Hecrushedhislipstohersandthrustinsideheronelasttimebeforehebroketopieces.

NatalielaywithherfaceonKnox’schest.Sheplantedatinylineofkissesfromhisleftnipple
tohisright.Thenshedrewhisnippleintohermouth.

Hegaspedandhiswholebodytensed.Shereleasedhimandasmallsmileplayedatthe

edgesofherlips.

“Iwaswonderingifthatwouldhavethesameeffectonyouasitdoesonme,”shesaid.
“Baby,everythingyoudoaffectsme.”
Nataliesettlednexttohim,tuckedunderhisarm.Itshouldfeelstrangetobenakedinthe

middleofthedaylikethis,butithadneverfeltmoreright.

“HowdidthingsgowithEleanor?”heasked.
Shesatupexcitedly.Shecouldn’tbelieveshe’dforgottentotellhim.Thenagain,Knox

hadthateffectonher.Shewasliabletoforgetherownname.

“Iwasright.Sheisthedirector.Andshe’ssettingupameetingintwodays.Twodays!”
Hesmiled.“That’sgreat.”
“Canyoubelieveit?Knox,it’sreallyhappening.”Shepaused.“Well,Ishouldn’tgetahead

ofmyself.Eleanorcalledthemeetingandachangetothetermsofthetrustwillmostlikely
beputtoavote,butthatdoesn’tguaranteethey’llvoteinmyfavor.”

“Ofcoursetheywill.They’dbeidiotsnotto.”
“Ihopeso,butyoujustneverknow.”
Hekissedhertempleandsmoothedthehairawayfromherface.“Ihavefaithinyou,but

ifsomethinggoeswrong,thenwe’lljustfigureitout.”

Nataliesnuggledclosertohim,feelingcontentdespitetheuncertaintiesandchallenges

thatstilllaybeforethem.“True.We’vemadeitthisfar,right?”

Chapter21

Natalieinsistedsheneedednewclothesforhermeetingwiththeboard,andtherewasnoway
shecouldgoshoppingherself.Soshe’dcalledherfriendKatforhelpgettingwhatshecalled
“appropriatebusinessattire.”

InKnox’sworld,appropriatebusinessattirehadbeenathleticshorts,sowhatthefuckdid

heknow?He’dtakeNatalie’swordthatitwasimportantshelookthepart,eventhoughhe
didn’tthinkitmattered.

Ofcourse,hepreferredNataliewearingnoclothes.
Kat’sapartmentwasjustonthenorthsideoftown,aboutablockawayfromtheborder.

Natalietoldhimherfatherdidn’tknowaboutherfriendshipwithKat,abartenderwho
workedatsomeofthecharityfunctionstheFarringtonsattended.Theyweren’tclosefriends,
butKathadbeenwillingtohelp.Nataliesaidshewastrustworthy,soKnoxwastakingher
wordforit.She’dbeenrightaboutAmelia.

Natalieknockedonthesecond-storyapartmentdoorandKatansweredafteramoment.

Katwasdressedinablackandwhitebartender’suniformwithalittleblackaprontiedaround
herwaist.Althoughherlookwaspolished—suitableforworkinginaswankyhotel—Knox
sensedanedginessabouther.

ShepulledNatalieintoahug.“You’vebeenalloverthenews.I’vebeenworriedaboutyou.

Areyouokay?”

“I’vebeenbetter,tobehonest,”Nataliesaid,“butconsideringthecircumstancesI’m

okay.”

Katreleasedherandusheredthembothinside.
“ThisisKnox,”Nataliesaid.
HenoddedatKatwhileshegavehimtheonce-over,narrowinghereyesathim.Asa

bartender,shewasprobablyusedtosizingpeopleupprettyquickly.Hewonderedifhe’dpass
muster.

Afteramoment,shenoddedathim,thenturnedtoNatalie.“ComeseewhatIhavethat

mightfityou.”

Knoxwaitedinthelivingroomwhilethewomendisappearedintothebedroom.Hemade

himselfathome.Theapartmentwasnotallthatunlikehisown.Thebuildingwasprobably
aboutthesameage,althoughthisonewasbettermaintained.Thefurnishingsintheliving
roomwereworn,butclean.

Hesettledonthecouchandpulledouthisphonetomakeacall.
“Hello?”saidthesternvoiceontheotherend,althoughitsoundedmorelike“yellow.”
“Amelia,it’sKnox.”
“Well,I’llbedamned.I’vebeenwonderingwhatyou’vebeenupto.Stillalive,Isee.”
Knoxcouldn’thelpit—agringracedhisface.Fuckifhedidn’tliketheolderwoman.“For

thetimebeing.”

“AndNatalie?How’ssheholdingup?”

Knoxglancedinthedirectionoftheclosedbedroomdoor.Ithadn’tevenbeentwoweeks,

butshewasalreadythinner,andtherewerecirclesunderhereyes.Hedidn’tlikeit.

“She’shanginginthere.”
“I’dexpectnothingless.”Ameliapausedforaminute.“Nowwhatdoyouwant?Iknow

youdidn’tcalljusttoshoottheshit.”

Knoxchuckled.“No,Ididn’t.Youmentionedyoursecondcousinwasacop.Doyouknow

howtogetintouchwithhim?”

“Yes.”Ameliasoundedsuspicious.Hedidn’tblameher.
Herubbedhisjaw.“Youtrusthim,right?”
“He’sagoodcop.Abitofanass,buthonest.”
Herattledoffhise-mailaddressandaskedhertosendalonghisinformation.“So,uh,

howarethedogs?”Knoxwassurprisedbyhowmuchhelikedandthoughtaboutthosestupid
mutts.

Excepttheydefinitelyweren’tmutts.Probablymorelikesomedesignerdogbreedthat

costmorethanhiscar.

“They’regood.Readytocomehome.Theywreakedhavoconmycousin’sflowerbed.She

wasnottoopleasedaboutthat.”

Knoxexchangedafewmorewordsbeforedisconnectingthecall.
DespitehisobservationaboutNatalie’sweightlossanddarkcircles,shehadseemedmore

upbeatsinceshe’dmetEleanor,likethelightattheendofthetunnelwasshiningonher.
Andmaybeitwas.Butoptimismjustwasn’thisthing.

NeitherhenorNataliehadaddressedtheissueof“after.”Oncethismesswasallcleared

up,whatthen?Knoxdidn’tfitintoherworld.Ifhewashonestwithhimself,hehadtoadmit
hedidn’twantto.Sure,themoneywouldbenice,buttheideaofrubbingelbowswithelite
assholesatsocialgatheringsmadebileriseinhisthroat.

Theyweresoclosetofinishingthis.WhenNataliemetwiththeboardtomorrow,itwould

bethebeginningoftheend.Hehadnodoubtthey’dvoteinherfavor.

Butwheredidthatleavehim?

KatheldagraysuituptoNatalie.“Thisshouldfityou.Itmightbealittlelooseinthehips.”
Katgrinned.“Ihavealittlemorejunkinmytrunkthanyoudo.”

Natalielaughed.“AreyouinsinuatingthatIhaveapancakeass?”
“Pancakeass?”Katlaughed.“I’veneverheardthatbefore.Funny.SoIdon’twanttopry,

butareyoureallyokay?”

“Yes.OrIwillbesoon.I’mfinallywakingupandtakingcareofthingsthatshouldhave

beendealtwithalongtimeago.”

“Iknowthefeeling,”Katmuttered.“Ifyouneedsomewheretogo,somewheresafe,Ihave

thenamesofpeoplewhohelpwomenwhoarestuckinbadsituations.”

“Thanks.Iappreciatethatmorethanyouknow.Ihopethattomorrow’smeetingwill

resolvethings.”

Katnodded,notaskingquestions.Natalieappreciatedthatabouther.Shegotthedefinite

feelingthatKat’swordsweren’tjustlipservice—Katwouldhelpher,morethanjustby
lendingclothes.Andtheotherwomanhaddefinitelybeenthroughherowntoughtimes.
Understandingwaswrittenalloverherface.

“Here’sablousethatmightwork.Itmightbealittlebiginthetop,butthebluematches

youreyes.”

Natalieheldtheblouseuptoherchestandlookedinthemirror,startingalittlebitatthe

sightofherdarkhair.Shecouldn’twaittogetitbacktohernormalblond.Thedarkhairjust
wasn’ther.

“Thanks.I’lltakegoodcareoftheclothes.I’llhavethemcleanedbeforeIreturnthem.”
Katsnorted.“That’snotnecessary.It’snotlikeit’sChaneloranything.”
Natalieduckedherchintohideherblush.Someoftheclothingsheownedprobablycost

morethanKatpaidforrenteverymonth.Itwassoexcessive,butherfatherplacedhigh
importanceonkeepingupappearances.

“Andhere”—Katrummagedinabinonherdresser—“takesomemakeup.Notthatyou

needit,butyou’llfeelbetterwearingittoyourimportantmeeting.”Shezippedupsome
cosmeticsinalittlecase.

“Ican’tthankyouenough.”Natalie’slowerlipquiveredalittleandshesuckeditin.This

wasjustanotherthingherfatherhadtakenfromher—girlfriends.She’dhadafewcasual
friendsthatshe’dseenatschool,butshewasneverallowedtohaveslumberpartiesoreven
spendanafternoonwithagirlfriendatthemall.“Weshouldprobablygetgoing.IknowKnox
isprobablyanxious.”

“What’sthedealwithhim?”Katasked.“Ifyoudon’twanttotalkaboutit,that’sfine,but

heseems...dangerous,forlackofabetterterm.”

Nataliechuckled.“Oh,he’sdefinitelythat.”AtKat’sconcernedstare,sherushedon,“Not

tome,though.Withme,he’saperfectgentleman.”

Thatwaspartiallytrue.Whentheywerenakedinbedtogetherthough,shedidn’twanta

gentleman.Shewantedsomeonewildandpassionate.

“He’sdefinitelyhot.Justdifferentthanyourusualcrowd.That’sall.”
“AndthankGodforthat.”Natalietookthebagcontainingtheclothesandcosmeticsthat

Katheldouttoher.“Thanksagain.”

“Waitasecond.”Katopenedtheclosetdoorandpulledoutablackpurse.“Thiswill

completethelook.”

Knoxrosewhentheyenteredthelivingroom.
KatpulledNatalieintoapartinghug.“Letmeknowhowyouareifyoucan.Andtakecare

ofyourself.You’reoneofthefewrichiesIcanstand.”

“Didyougeteverythingyouneeded?”Knoxasked,holdingopenthefrontdoorofthe
apartmentbuildingforNatalie.

Shenodded,slinginghernewlyacquiredbagofitemsoverhershoulder.“Katissonice.”
Knoxnodded,choosingnottosayanything.InKat,he’dseenalittleofhimself—someone

fromtheschoolofhardknocksjustfightingtomakesomethingofthemselves.

Andhewouldn’texactlydescribehimselfas“nice.”
Astheynearedthehoteldistrict,Knoxsawafamiliarfigurestepoutofalimo.Hestopped

inhistracksandusheredNataliebackintothealley.Hepeeredaroundthecornertogeta
betterlook.

Knoxwatchedasthemanheldhishandouttowardtheopenlimodoor.Anelderly

woman’shandadornedwithjewelsthatwereworthmorethanKnox’slifegraspedit.Once

shewasoutofthelimo,themanputhishandonthesmallofherbacktoescortherintothe
hotel.

“Whatisit?”Natalieasked.
“Doyouknowwhothatis?”heasked,wantingNatalietolookbeforetheydisappeared

intothebuilding.

Shepeekedaroundthecornerandthenfurrowedherbrow.“Yes.That’s...that’s...it’s

rightthere.”Shepausedforamoment.“Adamo.That’sit.HerfirstnamestartswithaG.If
yougivemeaminute—”

“Whatabouttheguy?Haveyouseenhimbefore?”
Natalietookanotherlookastheydisappearedthroughtherevolvingdoor.“Helooks

vaguelyfamiliar,butIdon’tknow.Ican’tplacehim.”SheputahandonKnox’sarm.“Is
everythingokay?”

“Yeah.”Hedidn’tbotherhidingthescowlfromhisface,though.“Let’sgo.”
Nataliepursedherlips,butdidn’taskanymorequestions.Knoxwasgrateful,becausehe

wasn’treadytotalkaboutityet,notwhenonequestionkeptrunningthroughhismind.

WhatthefuckwasTonydoingwearingasuitandgettingoutofalimo?

Chapter22

Nataliesmootheddownhershortdarkhair,tryingtomakeitlookpresentable.Shestill
wasn’tusedtoit.Thefirstthingshewasdoingwhenthiswasalloverwasdyeingherhair
blondagain.

No,scratchthat.Shewasn’tdyeingit.Shewouldlettheprofessionalstrytorestoreher

hairtoasclosetoitsnormalcoloraspossible.Butjustlikeitwouldtakeyearsforherhairto
trulyreturntonormal,she’dalsobefeelingtheaftereffectsofthelastcoupleweeksfora
longtime.Itwouldtakeawhileforthingstoreturntonormal.

Exceptshewasn’tsurewhatnormalwasanymore.
SheglancedoverhershoulderatKnox,whowaspacing.He’dbeenonedgeeversincethey

sawtheAdamosyesterday,buthehadn’ttoldherwhy.Andhewouldn’tuntilhewasready.
Thatmuchsheknewabouthim.

Butshecouldn’tworryaboutitnow.Shehadtogetreadytomeettheboard.
Shepulledthemakeupoutofthebag,surveyingwhatKathadchosenforher.Whenshe’d

lefthome,makeuphadn’tseemedimportantenoughtotakeupspaceinherbackpack.

Home.Itwasn’thome,anymore,wasit?ThehousehadbeenintheFarringtonfamilyfor

generations,butnowherfatherlivedthere.God,shewishedshe’dthoughtaboutthatearlier
soshecouldhavepulledupthepropertyrecordsatthelibrary.Washeonthedeed?Hemust
be,right?Whenhermotherdied,she’dbeenunderage,soitcouldn’thavegoneintoher
name,andtherewasnooneelse.Herstomachrolledatthethoughtofherfatherlivingout
hisdaysinhermother’sfamily’shome.

Bastard.
Shetookadeepbreath,lettingtheragerolloverherandthenrecede.Gettingcontrolof

herinheritancewouldn’tbetheendofherstruggleswithherfather.Babysteps,though.She
hadtogetthatenormoustaskcheckedoffthelistbeforeshecouldeventhinkaboutanything
else.

Shemadequickworkofapplyingthemakeupandstudiedherreflectioninthemirror

withasatisfiednod.Kathaddoneasurprisinglygoodjobchoosingtherightshades.She
hopedthey’dbeabletocontinuetheirfriendshiponcethisordealwasover.Thesmalltasteof
spendingtimewithheryesterdaymadeNatalierealizehowmuchshe’dbeenmissingouton.

Yetanotherreasontohateherfather.Shecouldn’twaittoputthatmanoutofherlifefor

good.

Herlifewasabouttochange,onewayoranother.
AswasKnox’s.
Howfittingthatthey’dfoundoneanotherrightwhenthey’deachjuststartedajourney

towardabetterfuture.Nowthey’dbeabletoreachthedestinationtogether.

Shehungupthebusinessclothesandreturnedtothebedroom.“Anhouruntilshowtime,

right?”

Knoxstoppedpacingforamomenttofocusonher.Hiseyesroamedoverherface,and

sheduckedherchin,feelingalittleself-conscious.Hehadn’tseenherinmakeupsincethe
firstnighthemether.

“You’regorgeous.”
Shelookedupathim,andjudgingfromtheheatinhiseyes,itwasn’tanempty

compliment.

Onsecondthought,shetookbackherideaofdyeingherhairbeingthefirstthingshedid

whenthiswasover.Thefirstthingwouldbespendingseveralhours—maybedays—ina
properbedwithKnox.

Sheflippedopenthespiralnotebookshe’daskedKnoxtopurchaseonhislatestsupply

run.Allofhernoteswerethere,neatlyorganizedintobulletpoints.Sheprobablycouldgive
hertalkstraightfrommemory,butshewasn’ttakingthatgamblewithsomethingthis
important.

Shereadoverhernotesagain,justtogiveherselfsomethingtodountilshehadtodress.

Therewasnosuchthingasbeingtooprepared.Shehadn’tdecidedwhatapproachshewould
takeyet.Shouldsheplaytotheboard’ssympathies?Orappealtologic?Shedidn’tknowany
oftheotherboardmembers,soitwouldhavetobealastminutedecisiononceshe’dgotten
animpressionofthem.

Youcandothis.Youcandothis.
Sherepeatedthemantrainherheadoverandover.
“Youhavenothingtoworryabout.”
ShelookedupsharplyatKnox,whowaslookingatherintensely.Hadshebeentalking

outloud?

“Thiscouldchangeeverything,”shesaid.“Itallridesonthismeeting.”
Hecrossedtoherandwrappedhisarmsaroundher.Hisexpression—shecouldn’treadit.

Washemoreworriedthanheleton?

Heloweredhismouthtohers,andshekissedhimbackwithvigor.Whilehewouldn’t

physicallybeintheboardroomwithher,he’dstillbewithher.Hewasherstrength.

“Youshouldchange.Weneedtogetgoing,”hesaid.
Shetookashakybreathandnodded,thenslippedintothebathroomtochangeintoher

battlearmorofacheappolyestersuit.

Knoxchangedintohislastcleanshirt,decidingthatifNataliewasgoingtospruceupforthis
meeting,thenhemightaswell,too.

“Ready?”heasked.
Shenodded,tuggingatherskirtonelasttimeandsteppingintoherheels.Hestudiedthe

unsteady-lookingthingsandfrowned.They’dbetternothavetooutrunanyofX’smentoday.
Nataliewouldn’tmakeitveryfarinthose.

Hedidn’tcommentthough,becausenerveswerealreadyeatingawayather.Heheldouta

smallguntoher,butsheshookherhead.

“Itdoesn’tgowiththeoutfit.”
Helookeddownatthegun,thenupather.“Areyoukiddingme?”
“No.Ican’tgointherewithagunhangingoutofmywaistband.Thatdoesn’tfitwiththe

imageI’mtryingtopresent.”

Herimagewouldn’tmeanshitifsheweredead.

EventhoughNatalie’smotherhadselectedthesepeopletositontheboard,hedidn’ttrust

them.Forallheknew,oneofthemmightpullaVictorHardingonNatalie.Andwithouther
gun,she’dhavenowaytodefendherself.

Hewasn’tsupposedtogoinwithher,butthey’dseeaboutthatwhentheygotthere,

especiallynow.

He’dbringtheextragun,justincaseshechangedhermind.
Sheletoutabreathandshookherhandsalittle,tryingtoridherselfofexcessenergy.She

seemedmorenervousnowthanbeforethey’dsetouttostealX’sdrugs.

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherandpulledherclose.“You’regoingtobegreat.”
Herbrowfurrowed.“Ihopeso.Ijustdon’tknowwhattoexpect.”
Heunderstoodthat.Heusedtogetnervousbeforefightswhenhehadn’tseenhis

opponentfightbefore.

Shebroughtherfaceuptohisandkissedhim,thenrestedherforeheadagainsthis.“This

isit,”shesaid.“Everything’sgoingtobedifferentafterthis.”

Dreadhollowedouthisstomach.Everythingwouldbedifferent,andhewasn’tconvinced

itwouldbebetter.HowlongwouldittakeforNatalietorealizethatsheneededmorethan
whathecouldoffer?

Butstaringintoherhopefuleyes,hereturnedhersmile.Heknewinhisgutthatshe

belongedwithhim.Ifnecessary,hewouldjusthavetoconvinceherofthat.

Theystartedthetrektowardthelawofficewherethemeetingwasbeingheld.Itwas

severalblockspastthehotelwherehe’dseenTony.

Thatmotherfucker.
Atbest,Tonyhadliedtohim.Atworst,Tonywassellinghimout.Knoxhadtrustedthat

bastard.Hewasn’tagenius,butitdidn’ttakeahugeleaptofigureoutthatTonyAdamswas
actuallyTonyAdamo.

Butwhy?
Knoxdidn’thaveafuckingclue.Logictoldhimthatheshouldn’thavetrustedTony.But

inhisgut,hestillbelievedthatTonywasagoodguy.

Itjustdidn’tmakeanyfuckingsense.
KnoxglancedoveratNatalie,whowaslookingstraightahead,althoughitwasobviousher

mindwassomewhereelse.Shewastheonlypersonhetrustedentirely.Hereachedforher
handandlacedhisfingerswithhers.

Shelookedoverandsmiledathimandsqueezedhishand.Themusclesinherfacevisibly

relaxed.

That.That’swhytheybelongedtogether.Theyweregoodforeachother.
Theystoppedataredlight,andKnoxpulledouthisphonetochecktheGPSdirections.

Theofficeshouldbejustanotherthreeblocks.

Thelightsignaleditwastheirtimetowalk,andKnoxtookastep,thenfeltasharp

pinchingonthebackofhisrightarmandtheleftsideofhisback.

Hestumbled,andNatalie’shandslippedfromhis.
“Knox?”Shestopped,butwassoonflankedbytwomenandforcedtokeepmoving.
Knoxslippedtohisknees,thebuildingsandpedestriansswirlingaroundhim.
“Mister?Sir?Areyouokay?”
Natalie’sterrifiedfaceasshewasusheredtowardablackSUVwasthelastthinghesaw

beforehisworldwentblack.

Chapter23

Nataliejerkedherarmawayfromthemanandstartedtospinonherheel.Shesuckedina
breath,preparingtoscream.

Themantightenedhisgripandsomethinghardpokedintoherribcage.“Feelthisgun?

ScreamandI’lluseit,firstonyouandthenonyourboyfriend.Sokeepwalking,sweetheart.”

Hermindwhirled.Wouldtheyactuallyshoottheminfrontofallthesewitnesses?She

couldn’triskit,especiallynotwhenKnoxwasinnopositiontodefendhimself.

OnceshewasinsidetheSUV,Nataliepeeredthroughthetintedwindows,tryingtosee

Knox.Thelastshe’dseen,he’dfallentohisknees.Nowshecouldonlyseeacrowdofpeople
gatheredaroundwherehehadbeen.

ThankGod.Someonewillhelphim.
Shewhirledonherabductor.“Whatdidyougivehim?”
Themantoherlefthadascarreachingfromthecornerofhismouthtohisear,andhe

didn’tbothertoacknowledgeherquestion,staringstraightahead.Themantoherrightwas
theonewhohaddugagunintoherribcageandtoldhertokeepwalking.Hechuckled.

Shewantedtoslaphimacrosstheface.
“You’reluckyyourboyfriendisn’tdeadalready.Xhasplansforhim.”
TheblooddrainedfromNatalie’sface,andsheforcedherselftobreathe.Shestillstupidly

clutchedherspiralnotebooktoherchest,asifitcouldprotecther.

Theywouldn’thaveshothim.She’dfallenfortheirbluff.
Don’tpanic.Don’tpanic.
Itwouldbeokay.Whenshedidn’tshowupfortheboardmeeting,Eleanorwouldknow

somethingwaswrong,andshe’dcallthepolice.Natalietriedtoconvinceherselfofthis
uncertainty.

AndKnoxwasn’tdead.Hewasjustknockedoutorsomething.Itwasbetterthatway,

betterthattheybothhadn’tbeentaken.He’dwakeupandthen...

Oh,shit.He’dcomeafterher.Thatwasn’tgood.XmightnotbewillingtohaveKnoxkilled

inbroaddaylightonacrowdedstreet,buthewouldn’thesitatetokillhiminprivate.

“Whereareyoutakingme?”
Thedrivergrunted,andtherewasstillnoreactionfromScarFace.
“Tellmewherewe’regoing,”shedemanded,soundingmuchmoreconfidentthanshefelt.
“It’llbebetterforyouifyoushutyourtrap,”GunMansaid.Heturnedtowardherslightly

andranafingertipupherthigh,pushingherskirtup.“ButImightbepersuadedtogiveyou
someinformation.”

Natalieslappedhishandawayandlookedforward.Helaughedather.
“Sweetheart,wherewe’regoing,that’sthebestofferyou’regoingtoget.Youmightwant

tothinktwiceaboutturningitdown.”

TheedgesofScarFace’slipsstretchedintoasadisticsmile,andNataliefoughthard

againsthyperventilating.

Sheclosedhereyes.Remembertherules.
Firstrule—fightdirty.
No,thatwasn’tit.Therewasanotheronebeforethat.
That’sright—runaway.
Thatwasn’tpossiblewhenshewasstuckbetweentwomuscle-boundmeninthebackof

anSUVthatwascruisingthroughthecity.Buteventually,itwouldhavetostopataredlight.
Theywereboundtogetcaughtbyatleastone.

Thenshe’d...what?Shehadnoweapon,andhermeaslylittlefistswerenomatch

againsttheseguys.Shelookedaroundthecar,tryingtofindsomethingshecouldeasilyreach
thatcouldbeusedasaweapon,butthishadtobethecleanestdamncarshe’deverbeenin.
Therewasn’tsomuchasastraygumwrapper.

Herknucklestightenedonhernotebook.Shewasdoomed.Shesqueezedhereyesshut.

No,no,notsmart.Keepyoureyesopensoyouknowwhereyouare.Shedidn’tknowwhat
goodthatinformationwoulddoheronceshewasalreadythere,butitgavehersomethingto
focusonbesidesthemetalcoilofthenotebookthatwascuttingintoherpalm.

Andthenithither.That’sit.
Sheslidherhanddownthenotebook,feelingforthesharpedgeofthemetal.Thenslowly,

shebegantotwistthemetalsothatseveralinchesofitwerehangingbelowthepaper.She
straightenedtheendofitthebestshecould,nearlygaspingoncewhenitpiercedherfinger.

Good.Itwassupposedtohurt.
Shekepthereyeonthetrafficlightsinfrontofthem,waitingforanopportunity.She’d

havetobefast.Bothmenhadbuckledtheirseatbelts—althoughnothers—soshewashoping
thefewextrasecondsitwouldtakeforthemtofreethemselveswouldgiveherenoughofa
headstart.

Assoonasthedriverappliedthebrakes,Nataliesprangintoaction.Usingalltheforceshe

had,sheshovedthewireintothefleshypartofGunMan’scheek.Itpiercedtheskinandshe
wasmomentarilystunned,staringatthenotebookthatwashangingfromtheman’sface.

ShelaunchedherselfoverScarFace’slap,shovingherleftelbowupintohiswindpipeand

reachingforthedoorhandlewiththeotherhand.

Fuck!Locked!
Shefumbledwiththedoor’slock,butbythetimeshegotitundoneandreachedforthe

doorhandle,GunManhadgrabbedheraroundtheneckandpulledherback.

ShegaspedforairandwasthrownforcefullyintoScarFace’slap.GunManroughly

turnedhersothatshewasfaceup,thensmackedheracrossthefacewiththebackofhis
hand.

Thepainreverberatedthroughhereyesocket,andherfacefeltlikeitwasgoingto

explode.Herarmflewuptoprotectherface,andshefeltmoistureonit.Wasshebleeding?

Sheopenedheruninjuredeye.GunManwasleeringoverher.Themoisturewashis

blood,drippingontoherfromthewoundinhisface.He’drippedthewireoutofhischeek,
leavingagapinghole.

Shegaggedandturnedherfaceaway.
“Bitch,”GunMansaid,spittingbloodonher.
ScarFacestillsaidnothing,justroughlyshovedheroffhislapandintoasittingposition.
“Bindherhands,”GunMansaid.Hetookahandkerchiefoutofhispocketandpressedit

tohischeek.“Youfuckingbitch,”hesaidtoher.“Thatonewasfree.Butifyoutryanything

likethatagain,Iwillshootyou.There’slotofplacesyoucangetshotandstilllive.Xwants
youalive.Hedidn’tsayanythingaboutwhole.”

TheSUVpulledawayfromthelight,zoomingaheadoftheothercars.Nataliewatchedthe

pedestrians,noneofwhomhadanyideathatbehindthetintedwindowsoftheSUVthat
passedthemwasawomanfightingforherlife.

Nataliesqueezedhereyesshutasthetearswelledupinthem,bothfrompainandfrom

theknowledgethatshe’dfailed.She’dtriedtorunandfightdirty,andneitherhadworked.

Shegroundherteethandopenedhereyes.No.Shewouldnotbeadamselindistress.Her

fearturnedtofury.Thesemenweremessingwithherlifeandthey’dhurtKnox.Theywould
notgetawaywiththis.Onewayoranother,shewouldmakethempay.

Knox’seyelidsfeltliketheyweresealedshutwithcement.Hehadnoideawherethefuckhe
was.Bytheslightjostlingofhisbodyandthefeelofleatherunderhim,hefiguredhewasina
car—aluxurycar.Buthishandsweren’tbound.Notthatitmattered.Hefeltparalyzed.

Ittookallhisstrengthjusttoopenhiseyes.ThefirstthinghesawwasTonydriving.
“What...”hecroakedout,thenlickedhislipsandswallowedtotrytoreturnmoistureto

hismouth.“Whatthefuck?”

TonyglancedoverhisshouldertothebackseatwhereKnoxwassplayedout,then

returnedhiseyestotheroad.“Don’tworry.”

“Whatthefuck?”Knoxrepeated.“Where’sNatalie?”
“Youweredrugged.”
“Where...is...Natalie?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Tony,IsweartofuckingGod—”
“Look,Knox,allIknowisthatIwasdrivingbyandyouwerepassedoutonthestreet.

Someonewasabouttocallnine-one-onewhenIsawyou.SoIloadedyouintomycar.”

Knoxdidn’tsayanythingforamoment,justclosedhiseyesandconcentratedon

breathing.Fuck,hewassofucked.

“Howcouldyoudoit,Tony?”
Tonysighed.“Dude,noteveryoneisouttogetyou.”
“Oh,yeah,TonyAdams?Orisn’titAdamo?”
Tonygrippedthesteeringwheeltighter,butstayedsilent.Yeah,Knoxknewhislittle

secret.ButaslongasTonywasn’tinvolvedintakingNatalie,thenhecouldhaveit.Knox
didn’tcareanymore.

Knoxlethisheadfallbackagainsttheseat.Whatthefuckhadtheygivenhim?Andwhen

thefuckwoulditwearoff?Hehadtofindher.

Nataliesatonthericketycotandrubbedherwristswhereangryredweltsburnedfromthe
ziptiesthathadboundthem.Hereyethrobbedfromthehitshe’dtakenintheSUV,andshe
putherfingersuptoitgingerly.Shewincedimmediately.Ithurtsomethingawful.

Theroomwassmallwithasinglewindow.Otherthanthestainedandrankcotshewas

sittingon,therewasnootherfurniture.Theroomwasfilthy,likenoonehadbeeninitfor
years.

AfterherescapeattemptintheSUV,they’dboundherwrists,andgaggedandblindfolded

her.Shehadnoideawhereshewas,otherthanonthesecondfloorofsomebuilding.They’d
carriedherupthestairsanddepositedheronthebed.

Thewindowwashigherthannormal,likeshewasinsomesortofwarehouse.Shepushed

thecotunderthewindowandstoodonit,inspectingthewindow.Thoughitwascoveredina
filmofdirtandgrime,shecouldseeenoughtoconfirmthatshewasonthesecondfloorlike
she’dthought.Judgingbythebuilding’ssurroundings,shewasdefinitelyonthesouthside.

Shepushedonthewindow,butitwouldn’tbudge.Evenifshebroketheglass,she’dhave

ahardtimefittingthrough,andthentherewasthetwo-storydroptocontendwith.No,
escapingoutofthewindowwasn’tanoption.Shemightbeabletosignalforhelp,though.

Shepulledhershoeoffherfootandusedtheheeltohitthewindow.Afterthreehard

smacks,theheelbrokeoffofthecheapshoe.Damn.Shetosseditaside.

Shelookedaroundtheroomforanythingshemightbeabletouse.Perhapsshecould

breakalegoffthecot.Butthenshewouldn’tbeabletoreachthewindow.

Wait!Thereinthecornerwasthesmallbagshe’dhadwithher.Itscontentshadbeen

dumpedout—nodoubttheywerelookingforacellphoneoranythingelseshecoulduseto
callforhelp.Shekneltnexttoit,sortingthroughtheitems.Acompact,lipstick,afewpens,
andthemini-recordershe’dplannedtousetorecordhermeetingwiththeboard.She
clutchedthatinherhand.Itwasmadeofhardplastic,soitmightwork.

Sheshookherheadindisgustatherownwishfulthinking.Allshe’ddoifshebangedthe

cheaprecorderagainstthewindowwasbreakit.Shestuffeditinherpocket.

Nowwhat?
Shecrossedtothedoorandbangedonit.“Hey!Isanyoneoutthere?”Shepaused,waiting

foraresponse.“Ihavetousethebathroom!”

Itwasn’tjustaruse—shereallydidhavetogo,andshefigureditwasagoodexcuseto

temptwhoeverwasoutthere—ifanyone—toopenthedoor.

Howlongweretheygoingtokeepherlockedup,anyway?
Therewasnoresponse,soshebangedandyelledagain.Stillnothing.
Well,fuck.Whatwasshesupposedtodo?
Sheturnedslowly,andleanedherslumpedshouldersagainstthedoor.Abigindustrial

bucketinthecorneroftheroomcaughtherattention,andshegrimacedassherealizedwhat
itwasfor.

Shesquattedoverthebuckettorelieveherself,feelingtotallyandutterlydegraded.But

insteadoffeelingsorryforherself,therewasfireinherveinsandangerinhergut.

ThoughX’smenhadtakenher,sheknewherfatherhadtobeinvolvedinthis.Andhewas

goingtopayforthis—forkidnappingher,fordruggingKnox,forkillinghermother.

Nataliewouldn’tstopuntilshe’dbrokenhim.

Chapter24

“Wait,whereareyoutakingme?”Knoxasked.Heshookhishead,tryingtoclearthefog
away.Whatevertheyhaddruggedhimwithwaswearingoff.

Tonyglancedintherearviewmirror.“Myplace,soyoucansleepthisoff.Youlooklike

shit.”

“Fuckthat,”Knoxsaid.
Tonysighed.“Wheredoyouwanttogo?”
“Givemeaminutetothink.”
HehadnofuckingcluewheretheywouldhavetakenNatalie.He’dbetitwasonthesouth

side,though,whereshadypracticeswenteitherunnoticedorignored.

Histhoughtswanderedtothetimehe’dspentinX’soffice,tryingtofindsomething

incriminating.Thatventurehadnotproventobeasfruitfulashewouldhaveliked,buthe
didfindonethingthere:deedstothemanypropertiesthatXowned.

Andoneofthosewasprobablywherethey’dtakenNatalie.
“Takemetothegym.”
Tonyputonhisblinkerandcutthroughthetraffic.Hornsblared.
Knoxputhisfingerstohistemples.Itfeltlikeasledgehammerwastryingtopoundits

waythroughhisskull.

HewouldhavebeentotallyfuckedifTonyhadn’tpickedhimup.Whatevertheygavehim

didanumberonhisbody,renderinghimhelplessforashorttime.IfTonyhadn’tcomeby
andthepedestrianshadcalledanambulanceforhim,he’dbeinpolicecustody.

AndNataliewouldbeasgoodasdead.
Fuck.They’dtakenherrightunderhisdamnnose.Adangerouscocktailoffear,dread,and

panicracedthroughhismind,andheforcedhimselftoblockitout.Thatwouldonlycloudhis
judgmentandmakeitharderforhimtogetherback.

Andhewouldgetherback.
Theygotcaughtataredlighttwoblocksawayfromthegym.Knoxconsideredjumping

outofthecarandhoofingit,butthedizzinessandnauseafromthedrugweren’tcompletely
outofhissystem.Hewasbetteroffsavinghisstrength.Hehadafeelinghewasgoingtoneed
it.

“Listen,Knox,”Tonysaiduneasily.“Ifyoudon’tmind,don’tsayanything—
“You’veobviouslybeenkeepingalotofsecrets,butthissecret”—Knoxgesturedtotheir

luxuriousride—“issafewithme.Quitefrankly,Idon’tgivetwoshitsaboutwhatyourname
reallyisorthatyouobviouslyhavemoney.AllIcareaboutisgettingNatalieback.”

Knoxwalkedintothegym,notgivingafuckwhosawhim.Xwasn’tgoingtobethere,not
whenshitwasgoingdownsomewhereelse.

Healmostwishedtheone-eyedfuckerwouldshow,though.Knoxwouldn’thesitatetoput

abulletthroughhisothereye.

ButXwasn’thispriority.NothingmatteredbutNatalie.
Thefewguyswhowereinthegymdidadouble-takewhentheysawKnox.Theywereall

youngerguys,oneshedidn’tknowwell.Oneswhowerestupidenoughtostickaroundafter
thediscoverythatXwasskimmingfromthefighters.

Murmuringsof“Whatthehell?”and“Whyishehere?”followedhimintoX’soffice,but

hesimplyslammedthedoor.Hepulledopenthedrawerthatcontainedthelegaldocuments
andpulledoutalltheonesthatlookedliketheyinvolvedrealestate.

Hestartedresearchingtheaddressesonebyone,eliminatingresidentialpropertiesand

onesthatwereinheavilypopulatedareas.

SomethingtoldhimXwouldn’twantanyonearoundforwhateverhehadplanned.
RageboiledinKnox’sblood,andheballedhishandsintofists.Heforcedhimselftorelax.

Therewouldbeatimeandplaceforhisrage,butthiswasn’tit.Heneededtostaycalmand
focused.

ButonceNataliewassafe,bloodwouldbeshed.
Knoxtypedanotheraddressintohisphone,takingacloserlookwhenGoogleMaps

showedthepropertywasinthewarehousedistrict.Hezoomedinonthemap.

Hewasvaguelyfamiliarwiththearea.Itwasaboutfiveorsixblocksawayfromthearena.

Withtheeconomyinadownswing,mostofthebuildingssurroundingthewarehousethat
housedthearenawerevacant.Thishadtobewherethey’dtakenher.

Helookedatthestackofpapershe’dyettowadethrough.Shouldhetakethetimeto

researcheveryone?EveryminutethatpassedwasanotherminuteNataliewasatX’smercy.

No.Hisguttoldhimthiswastheplace.
Hedouble-checkedtheaddressjusttobesure,thenswepthisarmacrossthedesktopush

allthedocumentsintothetrashcan.

Heexitedtheofficeandstrodebackthroughthegymastheguysgapedathim.Right

beforeheleft,heturnedtoaddresstheroom.Hewidenedhisstanceandballedhishands
intofists.

“IfanyonetipsXoffthatI’vebeenhere,I’llputyouinsomuchpainyou’llwishyouwere

dead.”

Hisgazetraveledaroundtheroom,andhelookedeachoneofthemintheeyeuntil

everybodyhadaffirmedhisstatementwithanod.Theywouldn’tcrosshim.Tonyhadonce
jokinglysaidthatKnoxwaslikeagodtotheyoungerguys.Seeingthelooksofadorationon
theirfacesaftereverythingthathadhappenedmadehimfinallybelieveit.

Heturnedtoleave.
“Wait,”oneofthemsaid,andKnoxstopped,thoughhedidn’tturn.
“Areyoucomingback?”
“No,”hesaidoverhisshoulder.“Andifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou,you’llgetthehell

outofherewhileyoustillcan.”

Thenheleftthegymforthelasttime.

Nataliepacedinthesmallroom.Shedidn’tgetveryfar—tenstepsandshehadtodoan
about-face.Therehadbeennosignofanyoneontheothersideofthedoor.Wasthispartof
theirplan?Driveherstir-crazybyleavingherinthisroom?Ifso,itwasstartingtowork.

Whatdidtheywantfromher?That’sthepartthatwasdrivingherinsane.Obviously,it

hadsomethingtodowithherfatherclaimingcontrolofthefamilymoney.Buthowdidthey
plantoaccomplishthat?Keepherlockedawayuntilsheturnedthirtyandgotthemoney,
thenkillhersoherfatherwouldinherititashernextofkin?Itjustdidn’tmakesense.

Herfatherhadtoknowaboutthetermsofthenewtrust,orelsehewouldhavehadher

killedbynow.Whichbroughtherbacktoheroriginalquestion:whatdidtheywantfromher?

Unlessthiswasn’taboutthemoney.Butwhatelsecoulditbeabout?
Sheranherhandsthroughherhair,frustrationrunningthroughheruntilshewantedto

kickthewall.

Shehadbeenonlyanhourawayfromchangingherfuture.Anhour.Thatwasallshe

neededwiththeboard.

Shetappedherfistagainstherforehead.Beinglockedinthisroomhadherthinkingin

circles.Shehadnoideahowlongshe’dbeenhere,either.Therewerenoclocks,andshe
wasn’twearingawatch.

AndGod,shewasthirsty.Andhungry.Thoseweretheleastofherconcerns,though.
She’davoidedthinkingaboutherbiggestconcernbecauseitwoulddrivehertoinsanity,

andtherewasnothingshecoulddoaboutitrightnow.

Knox.
Wherewashe?Washeokay?Didtheycirclebackaroundforhim?
Washegoingtocomeforher?
Shehadmixedfeelingsaboutthat.Shedidn’twanthimindanger,butifhewereherethey

couldworkthroughthismesstogether,justlikethey’dbeenworkingtogethersincethey’d
met.Shehadnodoubttheycouldfigureitout.

Moreimportantly,though,shewantedtoseethathewasokay.He’dcrumpledtothe

groundbesideherandhadtowatchwhiletheytookher.Thatworriedhermostofall.He
neverwouldhaveletthemtakeheriftherehadbeenanywayhecouldhavestoppedit.

Whatthehellhadtheygivenhim?
Hispainedexpressionashe’dfallentohiskneesflashedinhermind.
Worryswelledwithinher,causingherthroattotighten.Shesuckedinair,tryingto

breathe.

Shecouldn’tdothis.Itwouldn’tdoanyofthemanygoodforhertomakeherself

paralyzedwithworry,sosheforcedherselftoturnitoff.Rightnow,sheneededtofocuson
gettingout.That’swhatKnoxwouldwanthertodo.

Hewouldbeokay.Hehadtobe.
Andifhewasn’t?Shewouldn’trestuntilshemadethoseresponsiblepay,andpaydearly.
Shesankdownonthecot.Mightaswellnotwasteenergy.
Thencamethesoundshe’dbeensimultaneouslylookingforwardtoanddreading:

someonewasattheothersideofthedoor.

“Thisiscloseenough.”ThewarehousewhereKnoxsuspectedXhadtakenNataliewasthree
blocksahead.

TonyglancedoveratKnox.“Areyousure?”
Knoxnodded.“JustrememberwhatItoldyou—ifyoudon’thearfrommeorNatalieinan

hour,callthecops.”

Tonyshookhishead.“Idon’tlikethis.Xisprobablywaitingforyou.”
Knoxworkedhisjaw.Tonywasright.Bynow,XhadtohavefiguredoutthatKnoxwasn’t

goingtoletNataliegowithoutafight.HehadtoknowKnoxwouldcomeforher.

Andhewasright.Knoxknewthedeckwasstackedagainsthim,buthehadnochoice.

Nataliehadalreadybeenintheirhandstoolong.

“Itdoesn’tmatter,”Knoxsaid.“Ihavetogetherback.Nowstopthecar.”
Tonypulledontoasidestreetandputthecarinpark.“Icangowithyou.”
Knoxshookhishead.Peopleweregoingtogethurt.Chancesarehe’dbeoneofthem.

Tonydidn’tneedtotakethatrisk—itwasn’thisfight.

Plus,itmightbeeasiertoslipinundetectedbyhimself.
KnoxgaveafinalnodtoTony,thensteppedoutofthecar.Hecrossedthestreet,which

actuallytookhimfartherawayfromthewarehousebutgavehimabettervantagepoint.It
wasbiggerthanthebuildingthathousedthearena.Judgingfromtheexterior,hefigured
therewasalargeopenwarehouseonthebottomfloorandfivelevelsabovethat.Probably
officespace.

Thoughhewantedtochargeintherewithgunsblazing,heforcedhimselftowaitand

observethebuildingforafewmoreminutes.

Heusedthattimetomakeaquickphonecall,keepinghiseyestrainedonthewarehouse.
Onthesecondfloor,thereweredimlightsshiningfromseveralofthewindows.Allthe

levelsbutoneweredark,sothat’sprobablywhereshewas.

Ifthiswaseventherightdamnbuilding.
Thereweretoomanydamnifsandprobablys.
Fuck.Thishadtobeit.Hecouldn’thandleitifhewastedthistimewhileNataliewas

somewhereelse.

Hewalkedfartherupthestreetsohecouldseearoundthebuilding.Therewasametal

fireescapeattachedtothewestside,sothat’swhereheheaded.Enteringdirectlyontothe
secondfloorwouldcutdownonthetimehewouldspendwanderingaroundthebuildingwith
fuckknowshowmanyofX’smenontheprowl.

Thefireescapewasthekindwheretheladderhadtobeloweredfromabove.Helooked

aroundforsomethinghecouldusetopullitdownorsomethinghecouldstandontoreachit
butcameupwithnothing.Whenheinspecteditasecondtime,though,hediscoveredthe
damnladderwasmissing.

Shit.Thefiredepartmentdidn’tgiveashitaboutthispartoftown,especiallyan

abandonedbuilding.

Knoxcircledaroundthebuilding,lookingforarearentrance.Hefoundone,andthe

doubledoorswerefastenedtogetherwithathickmetalchain.Hejiggledthedoorsandthey
gaveasmuchastheheavylinkswouldallow,sothatwasgood.Thechainwastheonlything
keepingthemsecure.

Thatandabig-asslock.
Thelockwasrusted,soithadprobablybeenthereforawhile.Knoxpickedupabrickand

slammeditagainsttherustymetal.

Clang!
Fuck,thatwasloud.Buthedidn’thaveNatalie’slock-pickingskills,andtherewasno

otherwayinasidefromthefrontdoor.

Heslammedthebrickintothelockseveralmoretimes,andpiecesofmortarwentflying.

Onthefifthhit,thelockgaveway.Heswiftlyremovedtheheavychainandtosseditaside.

Whilehewaswaitingtoseeifanyonecamerunningtocheckoutthenoise,heputhis

handontheguntuckedinhiswaistband,justtoreassurehimselfthatitwasthere.Hedidn’t
plantouseit,though.Xandhismenmightnotnoticeorpayattentiontoabangingnoise,but
gunshotswouldn’tgounnoticedorignored.

Afteraboutaminute,hefeltconfidentenoughtoenterthebuilding.Thedooropenedinto

whatlookedlikeabreakroom.Therewererestrooms,alongcounterwithasink,anempty
spacewherearefrigeratorshouldgo,andabrokensodamachine.Therewerefootprintsin
thegrimeonthefloorandthedustaroundthesinkhadbeendisturbed.

Hecrepttothedoorandpeekedintothehallwhereanoverheadfluorescentlight

flickered,creatingastrobe-lighteffect.Thehallwentaboutfifteenfeetineitherdirection,
thenturned.Unlikewhenthey’dbrokenintothearena,hedidn’tknowwherethesehallways
led.Helistenedcarefully,tryingtohearanysignofinhabitants,butcameupwithnothing.
He’djusthavetoguess.

Hehungright,keepinghisbackflatagainstthewallandmovingslowly.Attheendofthe

hall,hehadtobitehistonguetokeepfromcursingoutloud.Thehallendedatalockeddoor.
Probablyanofficeorjanitor’scloset.Thedoorhandlewascoveredindust.

He’dchosenwrong.
Hestartedtoretreat,butheonlygothalfwaybacktothebreakroomwhenadooratthe

otherendofthehallwayopenedandfootstepssounded.

Therewasnotimetohide.
Twomendressedinblackwithweaponsstrappedtotheirsidesturnedacorner.They

lookedvaguelyfamiliar,andassoonastheysawKnox,recognitiondawnedintheireyes.

Well,atleasthehadconfirmationthathewasintherightplace.
“Gentlemen.”Knoxcockedhishead,givingthemenaonce-overtoevaluatethemfor

weaknesses.

Thenhecharged.

Nataliestood,hermusclestensinginafightresponse.Flightwasn’tanoption.

Shecouldheardeepvoicesontheothersideofthedoor.Whatwastakingthemsolong?

They’dbeenthereseveralminutesalready.Sheclosedhereyesandconcentratedonthe
mutedsounds.Therewereatleasttwoofthemoutthere.

Hereyesscannedtheroom,lookingforanythingshemighthaveoverlookedthatcouldbe

usedasaweapon.Nothing.

Shewasonherown.
Finally,thedooropenedtorevealtwomenshe’dneverseenbefore.Shedidn’tknowif

thatwasbetterorworseforher.Orifitmatteredatall.

X’smenweremoreorlessinterchangeable,anyway.Alwaysdressedinblackwith

menacingexpressions.

Thefirstoneenteredtheroomwhilethesecondonelingeredinthehallway.Heroughly

grabbedherupperarmandpulledhertowardthedoorway.

Shetriedtoyankherarmaway,andhisresponsewastotightenhisgriptobruise-

inducingfirmness.

“Wherearewegoing?”sheasked.

Neitheroneofthemacknowledgedherquestionorevenlookedherintheeye.Infact,

theyseemedtobegoingoutoftheirwaytoavoidlookingather.

Interesting.
“Howdoyoulikemanhandlingwomenwhoarehalfyoursize?”shesaid.Themanstill

didn’tlookather,buthedidloosenhisgriponherarm.

“I’minnocent,youknow.Ihaven’tdoneanythingtodeserveanyofthis.”
Shegotnothingfromthem.Somuchforappealingtotheirhumanity.
Theytookherdownthehallandaroundthecornertostopatanotherdoor.Shetensed,

andherheartrateskyrocketedinthesecondsittookforthemtoopenthedoor.Thisisit.

Thedoorswungopentorevealanothersparselyfurnishedroom.Insteadofacot,thisone

hadametaldeskandachair.Butnoonewasthere.

Theydepositedherintheroomandleft,lockingthedoorbehindthem.
Nowshereallywantedtoscream.Anotherfilthyholdingcell.That’sallthiswas.
Buttheywouldn’thavemovedherwithoutareason,right?
Itwasmaddening.Allofit.
Sheopenedthedeskdrawers,lookingforanythingthatmightbeuseful.Shecameupwith

adried-uppen,afewpaperclips,andanolderaser.Shetossedtheeraseraside,butpocketed
theotheritems.Thenshesatonthedesktowait.

Theminutestickedby,andanxietycreptin.Shewishedtheywouldgetamoveonwith

whateveritwasshewaswaitingfor.Thewaitingwaskillingher.

Andmaybethatwasthepoint.Maybemakingherwaitwasanotherformofapowerplay.
Whenthedoorfinallyopened,sheknewhertheorywascorrect.
Becauseinwalkedherfather.

Chapter25

Herfatherlookedthesameashealwaysdid:tailoredsuit,darkhairwithatouchofgrayat
thetemples,andasmirkthatreekedofself-importance.Ashewalkedfartherintotheroom
towardher,Natalieinstinctivelybackedup.

Thenshesquaredhershouldersandstoodherground.Shewasdonebeingafraidofhim.
Hewaiteduntilthedoorwasclosedbehindhimtospeak.“Thathaircolorishideous.

Althoughitdoescomplementyourlovelyblackeye.”

Shehatedthathewasseeingherlikethis—injured.Itprobablymadehimfeelevenmore

superior,ifthatwasevenpossible.

Shecurledherlip.“I’dliketosayI’msorryyoudisapprove,butthetruthisIdon’tgivea

shitwhatyouthink.”

Hearchedonebrowandreachedintohisinsidejacketpocketforathickenvelope.“Harsh

words,mydear.Harshwords.”

Shedidn’trespondandnarrowedhereyesathim.Herwordsmaybeharsh,buttheywere

true.Ithadtakenheryears—waytoolong—toseeherfatherforwhohetrulywas.Hewas
nothingbutafancysuitandanexpensivehaircut.Hehadnosoul.Andnow,staringathimin
thesefilthysurroundings,shedidn’tseehowsheevercouldhavemissedit.

Hisheartmaybeat,butitwasdeadinside.Hehadnofeelingsforher,andshewonderedif

hehadeverfelttheaffectionheusedtodisplayorifshe’dalwaysbeenjustapawntohim.

Andherpoormother.She’dbeentakeninbyhischarm.Hadanyofiteverbeenreal?
Shefeltamixofgriefandanger.Griefforthefalsememoryofthegoodfatherhe’dbeen,

andangerinknowingwhatacoldheartedbastardhewas.

Hetooksomepapersoutoftheenvelopeandlaidthemonthedesk,thentossedapenon

top.“Signthese.”

“I’mnotsigninganything.”Partofherdidn’tevenwanttolookatthem,whiletheother

partwasdyingtoknowwhatwasinthosedocuments.

“Youwillsignthese,oryoucankissyourboyfriendgood-bye.”Hislipsstretchedintoa

lazy,self-satisfiedsmile.“Actually,onsecondthought,he’llbedeadbeforeyoueverseehim
again.Sonokiss,afterall.”

Herhandsshook—theonlyoutwardsignthathiswordsaffectedher—andsheworkedto

holdherfather’sgaze,notwantingtogivehimtheupperhand.Shemadenomovetowardthe
papers.

Herfatherrestedahipontheedgeofthedesk.“Yousee,Ibetyoudidn’tknowthis—

actually,Iknowyoudidn’tknowthis,butXandIarealreadyacquaintances.Morethan
acquaintances.Businesspartners.Andhe’swillingtospareKnox’slifeinexchangeforyour
signatureonthosepapers.It’sreallykindoffunnyhowallthisworkedout.”

Sheloweredhergazetothepapers,finallysnatchingthemoffthetable.
“Youdon’thavetoreadthem,”hecommented.“Justsign.”
Sheignoredhimandscannedthefirstpage,thenflippedthroughtherestofthem.From

whatshecouldtell,hersignatureonthesepaperswouldmakeherfatherthepermanent
custodianoftheFarringtonfortune,evenaftersheturnedthirty.Sowhilethemoneywould
legallybehers,shewouldhavenoaccesstoit.

Shedidn’tknowifthiswaslegal,butthedocumentslookedprettyofficial.Onlyalawyer

wouldbeabletotellherforsure.

Shetossedthepapersontothedesk.“Youhavenorighttothismoney.”
Hesighedandranhisfingeralongtheedgeofthedesk,frowningwhenitcameaway

coveredindust.Hetookahandkerchiefoutofhispockettocleanhisfinger.

“MightIremindyouthatyourmother’snamewasstillKentwhenshedied?I’dsaythat

entitlesmetoit.”

“Didyoueverloveus?”Shehadn’tmeanttosayitoutloud,butlookingintohiscold,

calculatingeyescausedittoslipout.Althoughshe’dmovedpastcaringwhathethoughtof
her,shestillwantedtoknowthetruthaboutherlife.

“Igaveyourmotheradaughter,thethingshewantedmostintheworld.Whatgreater

signofloveistherethanthat?”

“Butyouneverwantedme.”
Heshrugged.“Icouldn’tcareless.Butitmadeherhappy,sowhat’sadotinghusbandto

do?”

“You’reabastard.”
“Yes,actually,Iam.Myparentswerenevermarried,sotechnically,that’strue.ButI’ve

comealongwaysincethen.”Heheldthepenout.“Sign.Thinkaboutwhat’satstakeforyou.
Sign,andyouandyourthugboyfriendcandisappearandlivehappilyeverafter.”

“No,”shesaidslowly.“Thatwillneverhappen.XwillneverletKnoxgo.”
“You’dbesurprisedwhatseveralmillioncanconvincepeopletodo.”
Sheshookherhead.“Youdon’tknowX.”
“Andyoudo?”hecountered.
“Iknowenoughnottotrusthim.EvenifIsignthis,hewon’tleaveusalone.”
ShebelievedthatXwouldtakeherfather’smoneyandagreetotheterms,buthehadno

integrity.Xcouldn’tbetrustedtokeepuphisendofthedeal.

Andthoughshearguedforherfathertolistentoreason,sheknewhewouldn’t.His

arroganceblindedhimtothefactthatXwasonlyoutforhimself.

Shewasstalling,tryingtogiveherselftimetofigureoutwhattodo.
Herfatherwasrelativelyfitforamanofhisage,butwiththenewskillsshe’dlearned

fromKnox,shebetshecouldgetpasthimtogetthroughthedoor.Butthenwhat?X’smen
wereprobablystillouttherestandingguard.Shewasnomatchforthem.Andwhoknows
howmanyotherswereinthebuilding?She’dberightbackwhereshestarted.Probablyworse
off.

“Besides,”shecontinued.“Xhasn’tfoundKnoxyet.”
Herfatherchuckled,andthesoundturnedherbloodtoice.“Hedoesn’thavetofindhim.”

Heleanedforwardsothathewasinchesfromherface.“You’retheperfectbait.”

Knoxwentstraightforthefirstman’sjugular,literally.Hewrappedhishandaroundthe
guy’swindpipe,usingtheforceofhisadvancetoslamhimtothegroundandontohisback.

ThesecondguywrappedhisarmaroundKnox’sthroatwhileKnoxkneltoverthedowned

mananddraggedhimaway.Knoxthrewhiselbowsintotheman’sribs,thenslammedthe
backofhisheadintotheguy’snose.Heheardacrunchandthethicksmellofcopperyblood
filledthenarrowhallway.Knoxspunquicklyandfollowedwithtwomorejabs.

ThefirstmanhadrecoveredbythenandadvancedonKnox.Knoxquicklysweptoutthe

legsofthesecondguy,whowasnursinghisnose,tolayhimoutonthegroundandtakehim
outoftheequation.

Thefirstguyapproachedcautiously,andKnoxnoticedthegunstrappedtohisside.Why

hadn’thepulleditout?ThoughKnoxalsohadagun,bothopponentshavinggunsgavethem
theupperhand.Theycould’veendedthefightbeforeitevenstarted.

Hedidn’thavetimetoconsideritdeeply.
Hefakedarighthook,thenduckedanddeliveredafierceseriesofuppercutswithhisleft

hand.TheguytriedtopushKnoxaway,butKnoxgrippedhisshoulderwithhisrighthand
andcontinuedtopummelhiskidneys.

Themanhunchedoverandtwisted,buttherewasnoavoidingKnox’sblows.Knox

steppedbacktodeliverafewfinishinghitswithhisdominantrighthand.Theguyslumpedto
theground.

Thensuddenly,Knoxwaskickedfrombehindandsentsprawlingintothewall.Hequickly

rolledandhoppeduptohisfeet.

Fuck.Thereweretwonewguys.Thoughthefirstguywasincapacitated,thesecondguy

wasbackonhisfeet.Knoxdidn’tliketheseodds.

Insteadoftakingtheoffensive,Knoxhungback,wantingtosizeupthesituationbefore

striking.Hehadbeenhopingtotakeoutthefirsttwoguyswithoutalertinganyoneelsetohis
presence,butthatobjectivehadfailed.

Hisnewobjectivewasnotgettingcaptured.Thesetwonewmenweremoreformidable

thanthefirsttwohe’dencountered.Theystoodshoulder-to-shoulderinthenarrowhallway,
takinguptheentirewidth.

Knoxenjoyedafairfight,buthewasgoingtohavetofightdirtytogetpastthesetwo.He

snakedhishandaroundtotheguninthiswaistbandandhelditbythebarrel.Thenhelunged
tohisrightandswungthebuttofthegunrightattheman’stemple.Hedroppedtohisknees,
stunned.Damn.Knoxhadbeensurethatwouldputhimout.

Theothermangrabbedhiswrist,causinghimtodropthegun.Knoxswepthislegintothe

guy’sknees.Hestumbled,lettinggoofKnox’swrist.Knoxslammedhimupagainstthewall
andpummeledhisface.Hisfistsweresooncoveredinblood.

Thatwasthesecondnosehe’dbrokentoday.
Thensomeonepulledathisarms.No,twosomeones.Twomoreguyshadarrivedandthey

werepullinghimback.SeveralpossiblescenariosquicklyranthroughKnox’shead,andhe
evaluatedeachone.

Thingsweren’tlookinggoodforhimnowthathewascompletelyoutnumbered,buthe

wasn’tgivingup.AslongasNataliewasstillinX’spossession,hewouldnevergiveup.

Hewasabouttoheadbutttheguytohisrightwhenheheardtheunmistakablesoundofa

gunbeingcocked.Heturnedhisheadslightlytofindyetanotherman,whohadthegun
trainedonhishead.

“Whatthefuckistakingsolong?”themansaidinannoyance.“He’sjustoneman.It

shouldn’ttakesixofyoutotakehimdown.”

“Xsaid—”

“Xsaidtobringhimtothewarehousealive.There’slotsofdifferentlevelsofbeingalive,

gentlemen.”

Knoxstudiedthisman.Hewasdressedinblack,liketheothers,buthealsoworeanairof

authority.Hewasn’tjustanotherofX’slackeys.

“Now,hurrythefuckup.”
Knoxinstinctivelypulledagainstthemenwhoheldhisarms.Hegothisrightarmfree,

andheusedthespaceitopenedupbetweenhimandtheguytokickhiminhisside.

“Forfuck’ssake.”Theauthoritativemansteppedforwardandswungthebuttofhisgun

againstKnox’stemple.Knoxslumped,stunned.Hecouldfeelthetrickleofbloodrunning
downthesideofhisface.

Thelastthinghesawwasafistcomingathisface.Theneverythingwentdark.

Chapter26

“Bait?”Natalie’sheartseizedinherchest.

“Iwasworriedaboutthis,”herfatherexplained.“Thatpromisingyoursafetywouldn’tbe

enough.Thatperhapswe’dneedanotherwaytopersuadeyou.Givenhisdevotiontoyou,
yourbelovedKnoxshouldbeshowingupanyminutenow.XandIarecountingonit.”

“No,”shewhispered.Thiswasthepieceshehadn’tfiguredout.X’stakingherwaspartof

atraptolureKnoxtohim.Sheshouldhaveknown.

ForXthiswasneveraboutthemoney.Thishadalwaysbeenpersonal.
“Oncehearrives,we’llarrangeashowforyou.Apreviewofwhatcanhappenifyoudon’t

cooperatewithus.It’sreallyquitesimple.”

Sheclosedhereyes.Knox,Knox,Knox,whereareyou?God,shehopedhewasnowhere

nearhere.Butherfatherwasrightaboutonething—Knoxwouldcomeforher,evenifhe
figuredoutitwasatrap.He’donceagainriskhislifeforherwithouthesitation.

Andshe’dnevertoldhimshelovedhim.
Butitwastheloveshesharedwithhimthatmadeherstrong.Theydidn’tneedtosaythe

wordsforhertoknowitwasthere.

Itgaveherthestrengthsheneeded.She’dnevergiveintoXandherfather.
Herhandsshook,butthistimeitwasfromrage.Sheopenedhereyesandsnatchedthe

documentsoffthedesk.Thensheheldthemupandtoretheminhalf.

“ThisiswhatIthinkofyourpapers.Youcanrotinhell.”Shethrewthepiecesathim,and

theybouncedoffhischesttolandonthefloor.

Heletoutabreathandworkedhisjaw.“You’regoingtoregretthat.”
Outinthehall,severalsetsoffootstepscouldbeheardrunningby.
“He’shere!”someoneyelled,andthereweremorescufflingsoundsanddoorsslamming,

thensilence.

TheblooddrainedfromNatalie’sface,andsheswayed,clutchingthedeskforsupport.
Herfathergrinned.“Oh,look.Yourboyfriend’srightontime.”
OhGod,ohGod,ohGod.Whatweretheygoingtodotohim?Thisplacewascrawling

withX’smen.Knoxcouldholdhisown,butevenhecouldn’tfightoffeveryone.Hewas
sorelyoutnumbered.Evenwhenherealizedthat,sheknewhewouldn’trun.Hewouldn’t
leavewithouther.

Shetookseveraldeepbreaths.Knoxneededher.Sosheswallowedherfear,and

channeledallofheranger.

Thensheopenedhereyesandsprangintoaction.
Sherushedatherfather,catchinghimbysurprise.Sheshovedtheheelofherhandup

intothebottomofhischin,snappinghisheadback.Whilehewasreelingfromtheshock,she
broughtherkneeuptohisgroinwithalltheforceshecouldmuster.

Firstrule:fightdirty.
Hekeeledoverandsheshovedhimfrombehind,slamminghisheadintothemetaldesk.

Hefelltotheground.

Sheopenedthedoor,whichhadn’tevenbeenlocked,andquicklyevaluatedher

surroundings.

Damn!Whyhadn’tshepaidmoreattentionwhenthetwomenbroughthertothisroom?
Shewentleft,intheoppositedirectionoftheotherroomthey’dkeptherin.Deadend.

Sheturnedandranintheotherdirection,andasshepassedtheroomshe’djustleft,shesaw
herfatherpullinghimselfupoffthefloor.

Fuck!Hedidn’tstaydownlong.
Sherantotheendofthehallandthrewopenadoorwaythathadstairsleadingup.But

whereweretheonesgoingdown?That’swhatshewanted—down.She’dbetanythingKnox
wasonthegroundfloor.

Thesoundofherfather’sfootstepsinthehallwayleftherlittlechoice,soshefollowed

Knox’srealfirstrule.Runaway.

Shetookthestairstwoatatime,goinguptwoflightsbeforepausingtocheckthedoor

handleleadingoutoftheenclosedstairwell.Locked.

Thenexttwodoorswerelockedaswell,soshewentupanotherflight.Locked.
Goddammit!She’dgottenherselftrapped.Shecouldhearherfather’sfootstepsseveral

flightsbelowher.

Think!Think!
Thepaperclips.Shepulledoneoutofherpocketandstraightenedit,thenjammeditinto

thelock.

“Comeon,”shemuttered,forcingherselftocalmdownenoughtoconcentrateonwhat

shewasdoing.Assoonassheheardthetelltaleclickofthelockgiving,shetwistedthe
doorknobandboltedthroughthedoor.

Herfatherwasonlystepsbehindher.Sheslammedthedoor,buthestuckhisarm

throughtostopitfromclosing.Heyelledobscenitiesasitsmashedagainsthisarm.

Sheleanedagainstthedoorwithallherweight,butherfatheroutweighedherbyatleast

sixtypounds.Shecouldn’tholdit,soshejumpedbackanddartedawayasfastasshecould.It
wasonlythenthatshelookedaroundandrealizedwhereshewas—thefreakingroof.

Thedoorflungopen,andherfatherburstthrough.Hiseyesweremurderous.He

staggeredtowardher,favoringhisarmthathadgottencaughtinthedoor.

Itgaveherasmallpieceofsatisfactiontoknowshe’dhurthim.
“IsthathowyoutreatdearoldDad?”hetaunted.“IhavetoadmitthatI’mimpressedwith

yourmoves.Ineverwouldhavethoughtyouhaditinyou.Yourboyfriendmustberubbing
offonyou.Pity.Youwerealwayssuchanice,obedientdaughter.”

Howironicthatthefirstrealcomplimenthe’dgivenherinyearsmadeherwanttospitin

hisface.

Shebackedupuntilshewasdangerouslyclosetotheedge.Therewasnowhereshecould

go.Shebitdownonherliptokeepfromscreamingandwrappedherarmsaroundherself.In
doingso,shefeltasmallbulgeinherpocket.

Therecorder.She’dforgottenallaboutit.Sheslippedherhandintoherpockettoturnit

on.

“WhatdidyoumeanwhenyousaidyouandXwerebusinesspartners?”sheasked.
Herfathergrinnedsadistically.“What’sthis?Finallytakinginterestinthefamily

business?Let’sjustsayXandIgowayback.I’msureyoudidn’trealizethis,butwegrewup

onthesamestreet.”

Sheshookherheadandtriedtoactafraid,whichwasn’thard.Herfatherlovedtotalk

abouthimself.Shejustneededtokeephimtalking.

“WhenXwasgettinghisstart,whodoyouthinkloanedhimthemoney?Hewasthefirst

recipientofAnnaFarringtonFoundationfunds.Andit’ssoironichoweverythinghascome
fullcircle,don’tyouthink?”

Sheforcedherselftolaughdespitetheragethatwasrisingwithinher.“Itisironic.Ithink

...”Shepausedandtookashakybreath,makingapointtolookoverhershoulderatthefall
tothegroundbelow.“MaybeIshouldreconsidersigningthosepapers.”

“Thatwouldbeverywise.”
“Butyouhavetopromiseyouwon’tsendanymoreguardsafterme.Especiallylikethe

onewhowaskilledthatfirstnightIleft.”

Herfathercockedhishead.“Didyoukillhim?Orwasityourboyfriend?”
Sohe’dcaughtontoherevasivelanguage.
Shetookadeepbreath.“Itwasme.Hewashurtingme.Hewouldhaverapedme.”
Hefrowned.“Thatwasn’tpartofthedeal.Butthatdoesn’tsurprisemeaboutCraig.He

hadanunfortunatehistory,buthissizeandwillingnesstodowhateverIaskedofhimmade
himanexcellentemployee.AndIdidsayyourconditiondidn’tmatteraslongasyouwere
breathing.Soperhapsthatlittlemisunderstandingwasmyfault.”Hesmiled,andshenoticed
somebloodonhislip.Thatmusthavehappenedwhensherammedherhandintohischin.

She’dhurthim.Morethanoncenow.Knowingthatgavehertheconfidencesheneeded.
“Andmymother?Whatabouther?”
“Whatabouther?”
“Didyouhaveherkilled?”
“Accidentshappenallthetime,Natalie.Withandwithoutmyhelp.”
Itwasasgoodasaconfession.Herbastardofafatherhadmurderedhermother.
Deepdown,she’dfiguredthatwastrue,buthearinghimtalkaboutitmadeherheartfeel

likeitwasbeingtorntoshreds.She’dbeenlivingwithandobeyinghermother’smurdererall
theseyears.

Butnomore.Thisendednow.
Shepulledtherecorderoutofherpocketandhelditup,usingherhandtocovermostof

it.“Irecordedeverythingyoujustsaid.Andwithonepushofabutton,I’llsenditoutto
everyoneinmycontactslists.”

Pleasedon’tlethimlooktooclosely.Pleasedon’tlethimrealizeit’snotaphone.
Themenacingexpressionfelloffherfather’sfaceandwasreplacedbyanuncertainone.It

waslikehecouldn’tbelievehismeek,milddaughterhadoutwittedhim.

Butshe’dleftmeekandmildbehindwhenshe’dlefthimbehind.
“IwantyoutocalldowntoXandtellthemtoreleaseKnox.”
“AndifIdon’t?”
Shecouldpracticallyseethewheelsturninginhishead.Despitehistalkofbeingbusiness

partnerswithX,sheknewhewasrememberingexactlywhatshe’dtoldhimearlier:X
couldn’tbetrusted.EvenifhecalledX,therewasnoguaranteeXwouldcareenoughabout
herfathertoletKnoxgo.NotwhenXwantedvengeanceagainstKnoxsobadly.

“Thisrecordinggoesout.Youhavefivesecondstomakeadecision.Five...four...three

...”Shecouldtellfromthewayhiseyesdartedfromhertotheedgeofthebuildingbehind

herwhatheplannedtodoasplitsecondbeforeheacted.

Helungedforher,andshedoveoutoftheway,skiddingacrossthegravelrooftopwiththe

recorderclutchedtightlyinherhand.Herfatherteeteredontheedgeofthebuildingfora
splitsecond,hisarmswindmilling,andthenhewasgone.

Hisstrangledscreamonlylastedasecondbeforetherewasaterriblecrunchingsplat

sound,followingbysilence.

Nataliepulledherselftoherknees,thenstood,butshedidn’tevenfeelthepainofwhere

herkneesandelbowshadskiddedongravelandleftgashesinherskin.

Shecreptovertotheedgeofthebuildingandpeereddown,hervisionblurredbothby

tearsandthewindblowingherhairintoherface.

Sheblinked,andthenshesawhim—herfatherlyingfacedowninaslowlywideningpool

ofhisownblood.

Sheputherhandoverhermouthandchokedbackasob.
Butthatwasallshewouldallowherself.
ShehadtogettoKnox.

Coldwaterwasflungacrosshisface,andKnoxopenedhiseyes.

Hewasinawarehouse,surroundedbyX’smen—theoneshe’dfoughtinthehallanda

handfulofothers.Hishandsweretiedbehindhisback.Someonekickedthechairoutfrom
underhim,andhiskneessmackedhardontheconcretefloorashefell.

Heswayed,stilldizzyfromtheearlierblowtohishead.Heblinkedseveraltimes,andhis

visioncleared.ThenheclosedhiseyesmomentarilyandbroughtupapictureofNatalieinhis
mind.Thatcenteredhim.

Nataliewasinthisbuildingsomewhere,butallofX’smenwerehere.Shewassmart.

Perhapsshedidn’tneedhimtorescueher.Shecouldusethisopportunitytoescape.

Heclungtothatknowledge.Hehadto,becauseitwasallhehadleft.
Whenheopenedhiseyes,Xwasstandingrightinfrontofhim.
XbackhandedKnoxacrosstheface,causingKnox’snecktosnaptotheside.Hetasted

blood.HespatthebloodontothefloorandturnedtolookXinhisonegoodeye.Whatever
happened,hewouldnotcowerinfrontofthisman.

God,he’dimaginedbeingface-to-faceagainwithX,buthe’dpictureditmuchdifferently.

HewantedtoripoutX’ssoleremainingeye.Thiswasn’thowthingsweresupposedtogo
down.

KnoxsmiledbecauseheknewitwouldpissXoff.“Theonlywayyoucantakemeiswith

myarmstiedbehindmyback.”

“Ihavepeopletodomydirtyworkforme,butI’mmakinganexceptionforyou.Iwantto

causeyoupainusingmyowntwohands.”

Xheldhishandout,andoneoftheguysplacedapieceofchaininit.Xswungthechain,

anditstruckKnox’sside,wrappingaroundtohisback.

Ithurtlikeamotherfucker,butKnoxdidn’tflinch.Hewouldn’tgiveXthesatisfaction.
“Ormaybenotmyactualhands,perse.”Xchuckled.“Aftereverything,you’restillproud.

Youweretooproudtotakeafall,andnowthatprideisgoingtobetheendofyou.”

Itwasn’tpride.Itwasintegrity.Andgoddammit,thatwasonethingXcouldn’ttakefrom

him.Themandidn’tknowthemeaningoftheword.

“Where’sNatalie?”Knoxasked.HekepthiseyestrainedonX,notacknowledgingthemen

circlingthem,watchingtheshow.

“Withherfather.”
Fuck.Knoxdidn’ttrustKentanymorethanhetrustedX.Less,actually.Atleastheknew

whattoexpectfromX.Kentwasmoreofawildcard.

“He’dbetternothurther.”
“You’renotinmuchofapositiontobemakingdemands.Besides,he’sherfather.Hecan

dowhateverhewantstoher.”Xpaused.“She’spretty.Icanseewhyyoulikeher.Maybeonce
you’redead,I’lltakepityonherandletherservemeratherthanhaveherrotincaptivity.I
betshe’sagoodfuck.”

Knoxstrainedagainstthebindingsonhiswristsandtriedtostand.Someonebehindhim

pushedhimbacktotheground.

Hebaredhisteeth.“Staythefuckawayfromher.”
Hehadn’twantedtoreact—heknewitwoulddonogoodanditwasgivingXwhathe

wanted—buthecouldn’tstophimselfwhenXtalkedaboutNatalielikethat.

Xlaughed.“Nowthat’sthelastthingI’mgoingtodo.Youbroughtthisonher,Knox.If

she’djustbeenarunawayheiress,I’dturnherovertoKentandbedonewithit.Butnow
you’vepiquedmyinterestinthelittlerichgirl.Andthat’sthething—Kenttellsmeweneed
heralive.Soshemightaswellbeuseful.”

RageranthrougheverycellinKnox’sbody.Hepulledagainstthetiesonhiswrists,the

musclesinhisarmsfullyflexedinexertion.

Butthefuckingthingswouldnotbudge.
“Youknow,Ihadplannedtojustkillyoufirst,butnowthatIseehowinvestedyouarein

thewoman,IthinkI’llkeepyoualiveforawhile,justlongenoughforyoutoseeherone
moretimeafterI’vefuckedher.”

Withhishandsboundandsomeoneholdinghimdownonhisknees,allKnoxcoulddo

wasroarinanger.

Xswungthechain,hittingKnox’sothersidethistime.HeslasheditacrossKnoxthree

moretimes,andKnoxfeltitslicehisskin.

Thechaincameawaybloody.
“Nataliehasnothingtodowiththis,”Knoxsaid.“Thisisbetweenyouandme.”
“Imadeyou.Iownyou.YouweremysonandIgaveyoueverything.Everything!”X

yelled,pacinginfrontofhim.“AndnowI’vetakenitaway.She’stheonlythingyouhaveleft.”

“I’llkillyou.”
XclockedKnoxinthejaw,andhisteethrattled.ThehitwasharderthanKnoxwouldhave

thoughtXwascapableof.Thenagain,itwaspoweredbyrageandrevenge.

ThenXkickedKnox’sribs,andKnoxfeltthecracksasseveralofthembroke.Withevery

inhale,theyscreamedathimuntilhewasreducedtoshallowpants.

“How’sGrandmaFrandoingthesedays?”Knoxasked.
Xbackhandedhim,strikinghislefteye.KnoxturnedhisheadtolookatXagain,butthere

wasnowbloodrunningthroughhiseye,makingithardtosee.

AndGod,itfuckinghurttotalk.ButKnoxpressedon.Hecouldn’twaitanylongerorhe

wouldn’tbeabletoseethisthrough.HecouldonlyhopethatwhereverNataliewas,she’d
takenadvantageofthelackofguardsandescaped.Surelyshecouldgetpastherfather.

“DoyoustillvisithereveryotherSunday?”

Xlaughed.“You’restupiderthanIthought.Youdon’thaveitinyoutohurtanold

woman.”

Knoxstruggledtosuckinairandstayconscious.“No,Idon’t.Butyourenemieswould

lovetoknowexactlywhereyouaretwiceamonthunarmedandwithoutprotection.”

X’scomplexionpaledeversoslightly,muchtoKnox’ssatisfaction.Knoxwastheonlyone

Xhadevertrustedwithhismother,andnowthattrustwasbeingusedasaweaponagainst
him.

Xwouldnevermovehismotheroutofthehome.He’dtrieditonce,andthewomanhad

almosthadamentalbreakdown.Knoxhatedtousethesweetoldwomanasleverage,but
KnoxknewXwouldneverputherinjeopardy.

SoXwouldbuyKnox’sbluff.He’dbeafooltoriskit.
XkickedKnox,breakingafewmoreribs.Knoxslumpedover,unabletostayonhisknees.

Hefoughtagainsttheunconsciousnessthatthreatenedtotakeover.

“You’relying,”Xsaid.
“Thenkillme.”Knoxpanted,everybreathabattle.“Andseewhathappens.AslongasI’m

alive,yoursecretstayssafe.”

Xpaced,rubbinghischinwithhishand.Hedidn’trespondforafewseconds,whichwas

longenoughforhismentostartshiftingnervously.

“X,what’shetalkingabout?”oneofthemenasked,steppingforwardfromthecircle.
“Nothing,”Xbarked.“Hedoesn’thaveshit.”
KnoxwatchedabevyofemotionscrossoverX’snormallycontrolledexpression.Hewas

battlingwithhimself,butthiswasonefighthewouldn’twin.

AlowmurmuringspreadthroughX’smenastheywatchedtheirleaderrelenttoKnox,the

manXhadjustclaimedheowned.ThesoundmadeKnox’slipscurveinasmile.X’sempire
wasunravelingaroundhim.

“Ifhedoesn’thaveshit,thenwhyishestillalive?”themandemanded.
“Areyouquestioningme?”Xgotintheman’sface,andforafewsecondsitlookedlikehe

wouldstandhisground,buthebackeddown.“That’swhatIthought,”Xmuttered.

ThenhekickedKnoxagain.Knoxgrunted,nolongercaringaboutshowingweakness.He

waspastthatpoint.

Xpulledhisgunoutofhisholster.“Ishouldkillyounow.You’renothing.”Hepointedthe

gunatKnox’shead.

“No!”Natalie’svoicecamethroughloudandclear,andforamomentKnoxthoughthe

washallucinating.ThenshebrokethroughthecrowdofmenandcrouchedinfrontofKnox,
puttingherselfbetweenhimandthegun.

SheputahandonKnox’sshoulder,thenfacedX.“You’llhavetokillmefirst.”

Chapter27

God,whathadtheydonetoKnox?Hewascoveredinblood,andhiseyewasalmostswollen
shut.Shewantedtoinspecthisinjuriestoseehowbadlyhurthewas,butshekepthergaze
trainedonX.

Knoxstruggledtogettohisknees,butsheheldherhandfirmlyonhisshouldertokeep

himinplace.

“Natalie,no,”hesaidhoarsely.“Getout.Leaveme.”
“Youshouldlistentohim,”Xsneered,stillholdingthegun,onlynowitwaspointed

directlyather.Thiswasthefirsttimeshe’dbeencloseenoughtothemantogetagoodlook
athim.ThiswasthemanwhohadraisedKnoxfromlatechildhood,thenproceededtomake
hislifehellthroughcoercionandmanipulation.

Shewantedtoclawhiseyeout.Butfornow,she’dsettleforsafepassageoutofherefor

bothherandKnox.

“I’mnotgoingwithouthim.”
“Knoxbelongstome,”Xsaid.“Iownhim.Imadehim.Heowesme.Butyou?I’llletyou

leave,althoughKentwon’tbehappyaboutthat.Consideritafavorfrommetoyou.”

“Myfatherisdead,”Nataliesaidbluntly,tryinghardtokeephervoiceeven.
Xcockedhishead.“Nowthat’sashame.PoorGeraldfinallygotinoverhishead.Dumb

prick.”

“AndI’vecalledthepolice.They’llbehereanymoment.”
Itwasabluff,andshehopeditwasaconvincingone.She’dpausedonlymomentarilyto

checksomeoftheopenroomsforphonesbutcameupempty.

“Youdon’thaveaphone.”
“Myfatherdid.”
Toobadshe’dthoughtofthattoolate.Thephonehadtakenthefallwithhim.
Themenshifteduneasily,andafewofthemstartedretreatingtowardtheexit.
“She’slying!Youcan’tbelieveanythingthatcomesoutofthisrichbitch’smouth.”Xfired

hisgunintotheair.“Thisisn’toveruntilIsay!”

Hismencontinuedtomurmuramongstthemselvesandgapeattheirleader,whowas

comingmoreungluedeveryminute.

Xwasdistracted.Forasplitsecond,Natalieconsideringcharginghimtotrytogetcontrol

ofthegun,butthatwouldleaveKnoxexposed.Andthoughthemenwerefleeing,thatdidn’t
meantheyweren’tstillloyaltoX.Theymightcometohisrescueifhewasattacked.

“It’sover,”NataliesaidquietlytoX.“Justlethimgo.”
Inthedistance,sirenswailedsoftly,slowlygettinglouder.Natalietriedhardnottoseem

unnervedbythesound.Shehadn’tcalledthepolice,andXwouldcallherbluffwhenthecop
carspassedthemby.

TheguninX’shandshookslightly,theresultofhistremblinghand.Washenervousor

angry?Hisexpressionwasn’tgivinganythingaway.

ThenhetuckedthegunbackinitsholsterandspatonthegroundinfrontofNatalie.He

ranhishandsoverhishairtoslickitback,likehewascomposinghimself.

“You’renotworthit,”hesneered.“You’redeadtome.”
Hewalkedswiftlytotheexitandmotionedwithhishandforhismentofollow.“Let’s

move,”heordered.

Assoonastheyweregone,NatalieturnedtoKnox.“Areyouokay?”
Whatastupidquestion.Hewasunconscious,whichwasprobablyagoodthinggiventhe

extentofhisinjuries.Bloodwaseverywhere—seepingoutfromgashesinhisbackandsides,
histemple,andhisnose.Andhecouldn’tanswerher,anyway.Exceptwhatifhehada
concussion?Wereyousupposedtostayawakewiththose?

“Oh,God.”Shedidn’tknowwhattodo.Herfirst-aidtrainingwaslimited.Sheputher

fingersuptohisthroat,andletoutabreathwhenhispulsewassteady.

Thesirensgrewlouder,untiltheysoundedliketheywererightoutsidethebuilding,and

thentheyceased.

Shelookedaroundforsomethingtocutthebindingsonhishands,buttherewasnothing

inthehugewarehouseexceptahandfuloffoldingmetalchairs.

ThedoorXhadjustexitedburstopen,anduniformedpoliceofficersfloodedthe

warehouse.Theyhadbeenevadingthepoliceforweeks,butnowtheywereawelcomesight.

“Weneedanambulance!”Nataliecalledout.“Hurry!”
Oneofficerranovertoherwhiletheothersspreadout,someinspectingthewarehouse

andothersmovingupstairs.

“Areyouhurt?”theofficerasked.
“No,it’snotme.It’shim.”
TheofficertookonelookatKnoxandspokeintohisshouldermic.“Dispatch,sendmedics

immediately.”

“Canyouunbindhishands?”Natalieasked.
Hepulledoutapocketknifeandslicedthroughtheties.Whenhelookedbackupather,

henarrowedhiseyes,thenwidenedthemindisbelief.“Hey,areyouNatalieKent?”

Shenodded,andtheofficerlookeddownatKnox,puttingthepiecestogether.Hislips

spreadintoagrimline.“We’vebeenlookingforyou.”

Knox’sbodywasjostled,andhegroaned.Heopenedhiseyesjustasliverandwasgreeted
withbrightlight.Heclosedthemimmediately.

ThenhefeltNatalie’shandinhis.Hedidn’tneedtoseehertoknowshewasthere.He’d

knowhertouchanywhere.

“Youreye,”hecroaked.
Sheputahandonhischest.“Shh...don’ttrytotalk.You’reinanambulanceontheway

tothehospital.”

Hetriedliftinghishand,andshegentlylowereditbacktothegurney.
“Don’tmove.Wedon’tknowwhat’sbroken.Andyoudon’twanttodisturbtheIV.”
“Butyoureye,”hesaidagain.She’dbeenhurt.Hecouldn’topenhiseyestolookather

now,butbeforewhenshe’dthrownherselfbetweenhimandX,hereyewaspurpleand
swollen.

Someonehadhurther.Hehopedshe’dhurtthemback.

Histhoughtswerealljumbled.WhathappenedtoX?
Shechuckledsoftly,musictohisears.“You’vebeenbeatenwithinaninchofyourlife,and

you’reworriedaboutmystupidlittleblackeye?”

“Iloveyou.”Thewordstumbledoutofhismouth,andoncetheywereout,hecouldn’t

stop.Whyhadittakenhimsolongtotellher?He’dalmostlosthischance.Neveragain.
“Natalie,Iloveyou.You’reeverything.”

Shepulledhisotherhanduptohermouthtokissit.
Hislipscurvedintoasmallsmileashisworldwentblack,withthefeelofherlipsonhis

skin.

WhenKnoxawoke,itwastothesoundofsoftlybeepingmachinesandthesterilesmellof
antiseptic.

Ohfuck.
Hewasinthehospital.Andthatmeantauthorities.Notgood.
Whatthehellhadhappened?
Piecesofitcamebacktohim,includingavisionofNatalie’sface.
Heopenedhiseyesandstruggledtositup.Shewashurt.Wherewasshe?
“Knox.”
Heturnedtowardthesoundofhervoice.Thereshewas.There.Comingtowardhim.

She’djustbeenoutinthehall.

“Don’ttrytosituptoofast,”shesaid.“Youhavefivebrokenribs.”
“Isthatall?”Buthesettledbackasshe’dasked.Therewasverylittlepain.Whateverwas

drippingdowntheIVlinewassomegoodshit.

“Probablyaconcussionaswell.”
Henodded.Itwouldn’tbehisfirsttime.“Whathappened?”
“Xandhismenleft.Thenthepolicearrived.”Shefrowned.“Ididn’tcallthem,though.

Howdidtheyknow?”

“Tony,”Knoxsaid.“Itoldhimtocallinanhour.”
“Tony?Howdidheendupinvolvedinthis?”
“HepickedmeupafterIwasdrugged.Whathappenedwithyourfather?”
Shelookedaway,astrickenexpressiononherface.“He’sdead.He...hefellofftheroof.”
Foramoment,hewonderedifshe’dpushedhim.Buthedidn’tthinkso.Andforhersake,

hehopednot.DespiteKentbeingaworthlessbastard,hewasstillherfather.Sheshouldn’t
havetolivewithhisbloodonherhands,evenifhedeservedit.

“Istillcan’tbelieveXleft,”shesaid.“Ifthepolicesirenshadn’tcomewhentheydid...”

Shetrailedoff.

“Hewon’tbotherusanymore,”Knoxsaid,thenexplainedaboutthephonecallhe’dmade

toAmeliajustbeforehebrokeintothewarehouse.He’dgivenherstrictinstructionstoleak
informationtotherivalmobifeitherheorNataliewerekilled.ThoughAmeliahadnotiesto
themob,whenshe’dsaidshecouldhandleit,hebelievedher.Ameliawasoneofthegreatest
peopleheknew.

“Wow,”Nataliesaid.“GrandmaFranishername?”
“Yes,”Knoxsaid.“Xwouldneverriskher.He’sthestereotypicalItalianson.Buthonestly,

itdoesn’tmatter.WhenIcalledAmeliaIalsotoldhertosharethenamesofX’scopswithher

secondcousinwho’sadetective.Theshitinthecityisabouttohitthefan.”

Sheloweredhervoice.“Thepolicehadalotofquestions,andItriedtoanswerthemas

honestlyasIcouldwithjustafewomissions.Lesstrickythatway.Iassuredthemthatyou
didn’tkidnapme,sotherearenochargesagainstyou.They’llwanttotalktoyou,too,though.
ButItoldthemaboutalmosteverythingelsethathappened.Includingkillingtheguard.”Her
voicehitchedonthatlastpart.

“Comehere.”Knoxopenedhisarms,andNataliegentlyclimbedintobedbesidehim,

carefulnottoputpressureonhisribs.Sherestedherheadonhisshoulder.

“I’mamurderer,”shewhispered.Hestrokedherhairwithhishand.Nowthattheywere

outofdanger,itseemedherguiltwasgoingintooverdrive.

“It’snotyourfault,”hesaid.“Whatdidthepolicesay?”
“They’restillinvestigating,butmylawyerisconvincedhecangetmeclearedcitingself-

defense.Somewitnesseshavecomeforwardsayingtheysawtheguardpursuingme.Someof
myfather’semployeesarealsoprovidingevidence.Andhealreadyhadarecord.”

“Wherewerethosewitnesseswhenyouneededhelp?”Heshookhishead.“Wait?You

alreadycalledalawyer?HowlonghaveIbeenhere?”

“Overnight,”shesaid.
Damn.He’dlostanentirenightbecauseofX.
Buthe’dalmostlostsomuchmore.
ThefeelofNatalie’sbodyclosetohiswaslikeheaven.
“Youriskedyourlifeforme.Youthrewyourselfinfrontofagun.Whydidn’tyouleave?”

Hehadtoaskthequestioneventhoughhewasprettysurehealreadyknewtheanswer.But
heneededtohearhersayit.

Sheproppedherselfuptolookinhiseyes.“Iloveyou,Knox.Myworldwouldn’tberight

withoutyouinit.”

Heclosedhiseyes,lettingherwordssoakin.Hedidn’tdeserveher,buthewasgoingto

workeverydaytomakehimselfworthyofher.

Becauseheneededherinhislife.

Epilogue

Eightweekslater

NatalieglancedoveratKnoxashefidgetedinherMercedes.Shehadn’ttoldhimwhereshe
wastakinghim,andwhilehetriedtobeagoodsport,hewasfailingmiserably.

Shelaughed.“Thisnotknowingiskillingyou,isn’tit?We’llbetheresoon.”
Hesmiledather.“Itrustyou.”
Sheknewhiswordstobetrue,though.He’dtrustherwithhislifeandviceversa.
KnoxwatchedoutthewindowastheypassedX’sgym,whichhadbeenboardedup

recently.AmeliahaddoneherjobinpassingalongthenamesofX’scopstohercousin,who
inturnpassedthemtoDetectiveCarmichael,whohadbeeninvestigatingX.Averitableshit
stormwastakingplaceinboththepolicedepartmentandX’sorganization.Peoplewere
talkingandheadswererolling.

Luckily,DetectiveCarmichaeldidn’tseemtoointerestedinthefightingring,sotheguys

he’dspentyearstrainingandfightingbesideweresafe.Inthegrandschemeofthings,Xhad
donemuchworsethings.Someoftheguyshadjoinedotherfightinggroups,butalotofthem
hadgottenoutofthegamealtogether.

Knoxwasoneofthose.Hesaidhedidn’tmissit,butNatalieknewhedid.Oratleastparts

ofit.He’dbeenrestlessthelasttwomonths.

Shehopedtochangethat.
Shepulledintotheparkinglotofabuildingnottoofarfromthewarehousewherethey’d

beenheldcaptive.

Knoxfrowned.“What’sthis?”
Shesmiledandopenedhercardoor.“You’llsee.”
Hefollowedhertothefrontdoorofthebuilding,andshehandedhimakey.“Openit.”
Hefrownedbutdidasshecommanded.Theywalkedintoabigopenspace.
“Whatisthis?”heasked.
“TheAnnaFarringtonFoundationisshiftingitsfocusalittle.Insteadofonlyfocusingon

womenandchildren,it’snowincludingat-riskteens.”Shewalkedtothecenteroftheroom.
“Aringwouldfitnicelyhere.Andoverthere?”Shepointed.“Weightsandtreadmills.Upstairs
there’sspacetomakeseveralclassrooms.Andwe’llhiretutors.”

Sheturnedtolookathim.Hisfeetwererootedtothefloorneartheentrance,andhis

expressionwasdisbelievingashelookedaroundtheplacewide-eyed,takingitallin.

“Ifigurewecantakekidsasyoungastwelve,”shecontinued.“That’swhentheystart

middleschool.YouwerefourteenwhenXtookyouin,right?Ididsomeresearch.Inthe
southsideoftown,thedropoutrateistwentypercentforfemalesandtwenty-eightpercent
formales.Thecityisn’tdoinganythingaboutit,butsomeonehasto.”Shenoddedinhis
direction.

“Me?”Heshookhishead.“Ididn’tevengraduatehighschool.”

“That’swhatmakesyouperfect.Youunderstandwheretheseteensarecomingfrom.

Thinkabouthowdifferentyourlifemighthavebeenifthiscenterhadbeenopenwhenyou
wereateenager.Teenswillhavesomewheretogotolearnmartialarts,togettheir
frustrationsoutinaphysicalwaythatisn’tharmful.Andwhilethey’reatit,theycangethelp
withschool.”

“Idon’tknow...”Hewalkedaroundtheperimeteroftheroom,hiseyescalculating,

sizingupthearea.

Nataliewantedtogivehimafewminutestohimselfinthespacetolethimwarmupto

theidea.“I’mgoingtolookupstairs.”

Sheclimbedthestairs,takingnoteoftheholesinthedrywallonthewayup.Thisbuilding

neededmorethanalittleTLC,butitwaswithinwalkingdistanceofboththelocalhigh
schoolandmiddleschool,whichmadeitideal.Kidswouldn’thavetodependondeadbeat
parentsforrides.

She’dbarelygottenupstairswhenKnoxcameupbehindherandquicklyturnedher

around,pressingherbacktothewall.Hesmoothedbackhernow-blondhairandlookedinto
hereyesinthatintensewayhehad.Thewaythatmadeherkneesgoweakandmadeher
forgetwhoandwhereshewas.

Hecrushedhismouthtohersinunrelentingneed.Butthekisswasagiveandtake,and

shegaveasmuchasshegot.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandpressedherbodyto
his.

Histouchstillsentpowerfulzingsthroughherbodyeverytime.Shedidn’tseethatever

changing.

Hepulledherblouseoutofherskirtandranhishandsalonghertorso,feelingherskin.

Ashismouthtrailedtoherneck,sheclosedhereyesandsmiled.Hewasalwaysdoingthat—
rumplingherclothing—butshedidn’tmind.Hejustdidn’twantanything—evenswatchesof
fabric—separatingthem.

Andsheagreed.
“Hello?”astrong,loudvoicecalledfromdownstairs.
Knoxtensedimmediatelyandshiftedsothathisbodyblockedhersfromthestairwell.
“It’sAmelia,”Nataliesaid,catchingherbreath.
Hisbodyrelaxed.“What’sshedoinghere?”
“Sheagreedtorunthetutoringpartofthecenter,atleasttemporarily.”
Atthesoundoffootstepsonthestairs,hegroaned.“Whatbadfuckingtiming.”Thenthere

wasthetap-tap-tapofdogpawsonthefloor,andhisfacebrightened,thoughheimmediately
triedtohideitwithascowl.

They’dbecomefrequentvisitorsatAmelia’ssinceshe’dcomebacktotown,andKnox

lovedherandthosedogs,andhedidn’tevenmindadmittingitanymore.

KnoxpulledNatalieagainsthimagain.“WhatIwassayingbeforewewereinterrupted

wasIloveyou.Andthankyou.Thisisagreatidea.It’saboutdamntimesomeonegaveashit.
Thecentercandosomegoodinthispartoftown.”

“Iloveyou,too.”Nataliebroughthermouthtohis,takingadvantageofthefewseconds

theyhadleftbeforeAmeliajoinedthem.

Theirliveswerecrazyandhecticandstillfilledwithlegalcomplicationsstemmingfrom

theirordeal,buteverythingthathadhappenedwaswhathadbroughthertoKnox,andthey
wereslowlypickingupthepiecesandbuildingalifetogether.

AndNataliewouldn’thaveitanyotherway.

Acknowledgments

FirstI’dliketothankmyfabulousagent,SarahYounger,forbelievinginmeandhelpingme
stretchmywriter’swingswiththisproject.I’msothankfultohaveyouinmycorner.

Tomyeditor,AlexSehulster,thankyoufortrustingmewiththisstory.IonlyhopeI’ve

doneitjustice.

Andlast,butcertainlynotleast,Ican’tsayenoughaboutmybiggestsupporterand

cheerleader:myhusband,Chris.Thanksforlendingyourexpertiseforthefightscenes.But
mostofall,thanksforbeingyou.Icouldn’tdoanyofthiswithoutyou.Youandourboyswill
alwaysbemyhappily-ever-after.

AbouttheAuthor

AU THO R PHO TO G R APH © J C PE N N E Y PO R TR AI T STU DI O

JessicalivesinVirginiawithhercollege-sweethearthusband,tworambunctioussons,and
tworowdybutlovablerescuedogs.Sinceherhouseisoverflowingwithtestosterone,it’sa
goodthingshehasahealthyappreciationforMarvelmovies,Nerfguns,andfootball.

Youcansignupforemailupdates

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ThankyouforbuyingthisSwerveebook.

Toreceivespecialoffers,bonuscontent,andinfoonnewreleasesandothergreatreads,sign

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TableofContents

TitlePage
CopyrightNotice
Dedication
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
AbouttheAuthor
CopyrightPage

Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,andeventsportrayedinthisnovelareeitherproductsofthe

author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.

FIG HT FORME.

Copyright©2016byJessicaLinden.Allrightsreserved.Forinformation,addressSt.Martin’sPress,175Fifth

Avenue,NewY ork,NY 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Coverphotographs©Shutterstock

ISBN978-1-250-11915-5(e-book)

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andPremiumSalesDepartmentat1-800-221-7945,extension5442,orbye-mailat

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FirstEdition:August2016

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