Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Striding into the living area, he found Levi, Keenan, and Larkin sat on the sofas, looking the epitome of awkward. They’d obviously overheard the argument. “Tanner still recovering well?” Knox asked.
Levi nodded. “He’ll be fully healed soon.”
“Good.” Knox crossed his arms. “What did Crow have to say?” He had every intention of speaking to him when he could be sure his inner demon wouldn’t rise and destroy Crow and whatever stood in its way.
Not that Knox would regret the kill. He wouldn’t at all. In fact, answering the need for vengeance that was hammering at him would go a long way into making him feel a whole lot better. But when Bray and others had called for Crow’s death to avenge Carla, Knox had refused; had argued that Crow deserved the same help that any near-rogue was entitled to. He’d lose the respect of his lair if he acted differently to avenge his mate.
“Plenty,” replied Keenan. “He was more than happy to share his belief that you needed to be destroyed. He didn’t shut up about it until Doc injected him with the liquid form of his medication. Now he’s sitting in the corner of his cell, rocking and muttering to himself.”
“He’s refusing to take his pills,” Levi added. “He said we’re trying to poison him. He’s quite sure the Doc is part of some conspiracy to see him dead.”
“He’s not afraid,” said Larkin. “He says he was chosen for this mission; he’s positive that the person who selected him to do their work will ensure he’s freed. Obviously he’s deluded himself into believing someone ‘sent’ him.” She sighed. “I’m not sure he can be helped. He seems too far gone to me.”
“Bray and Roan want to confront him,” began Levi, “but I denied them access until you okay it. Roan, being the obstinate little bastard that he is, probably would have pushed it if he wasn’t still in pain after his last punishment.”
“Well, now Roan can vent at the true person at fault for his mother’s suffering instead of blaming Harper,” said Keenan.
“Onto another important subject,” began Knox, “what did you learn about Dario?”
“Exactly what you heard,” said Larkin. “He’s walled himself up in his castle and he hasn’t left it for months. We spoke to plenty of demons from his lair. Most believe he’s genuinely grieving the death of someone, though they’re not sure who.”
“There’s nothing to suggest he’s building an army,” said Keenan. “It just seems to be conjecture, but no one knows where the rumor started, just like no one knows where the rumor began that he’s turning rogue.”
“Most don’t believe either rumor,” added Larkin.
Without proof, Knox wouldn’t believe them either.
Levi got to his feet. “Unless you need anything else, we’ll take off.”
“We’ll talk again tomorrow,” Knox told them.
Keenan and Larkin left the room, but Levi lingered at the doorway and turned to Knox. “I couldn’t help but overhear what got said upstairs… go easy on Harper.”
“Easy?” Knox echoed in disbelief.
“There are many things you’ll get Harper to compromise on,” said Levi. “But ignoring the urge to protect people she cares about is not something she’ll agree to do – not even for you.”
Jaw tight, Knox said, “You were right there in that office with me, Levi. You saw her on that floor.” Pale. Unmoving. His demon had lost its fucking mind.
“Yeah. And like you, I panicked. And I was angry with her,” Levi admitted. “So fucking angry. But then I reminded myself who I was dealing with. You know her better than anyone. You know that underneath that hard shell is a soft heart that feels deeply.”
He did know that. He loved that about her.
“She’s protective to the core. You can’t expect a person like that to put someone they care for in danger.”
“I can expect her to value her own life.”
“She does value it. But she also values yours, and clearly she values your safety more than she does her own. That’s a special thing, Knox.”
Yes, it was, but it didn’t change one very simple fact. “Her safety is more important than mine.”
“To you, but not to her. Tonight, she only did what you would have done in her position.”
Fuck if he wasn’t right.
“She’s the best thing that ever happened to you, Knox. Don’t fuck this up,” Levi called over his shoulder as he left.
Raking a hand through his hair, Knox sighed. He’d messed up. Royally. And now he needed to fix it. He headed upstairs and into the bedroom. Harper still hadn’t come out of the bathroom.
He wrapped his knuckles on the door. “Open up, Harper.” Nothing. “Baby, we need to talk.” Still nothing. Knowing that barging in wouldn’t earn him any points, he said, “You have until the count of five to open the door or I’m coming in, baby. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.”