Page 24 of Knox

“Which way did they go?”

“I heard a vehicle turn the corner,” I said, trying to check Evelyn over but still keep an eye on our surroundings. “But I didn’t see anyone.”

“I’ll get Crush on city surveillance. See if he can pull up something in this area and find out who did this.” Mace had his phone to his ear. Probably calling Crush or Rocket.

There was a shrill scream from inside the house. I heard someone grunt, then there was a thump.

“Oh, my God!” Evelyn’s voice was a strangled croak. “The kids!” She struggled to get up, but I wasn’t ready to let her up.

“Calm down, honey. Whoever did this could still be out there.”

“Luke! Aneshya!”

“Mom!” That was Aneshya’s frightened voice. “Something’s wrong with Grandpa!”

“Fuck.” I crawled to the door with Evelyn underneath me, moving her along with me until we were inside. Mace and Leather crouched down, keeping a lookout in case whoever had done this wasn’t gone. “Dad?”

My father groaned, looking up at me. Blood was pooling on the floor beneath him where he lay on his back.

“Oh no! Grover!” Evelyn was finally able to push out from underneath me and crawled to my dad’s side.

There was blood all over his button-up shirt. Evelyn grabbed the collar and yanked, sending buttons flying. His undershirt, too, was soaked in blood. Evelyn shoved it up over his chest to reveal a large exit wound.

Shock and fury washed over me, along with a sense of urgency. I pulled out my phone and called 911. If there was any hope of my dad making it, we had to get him to a hospital immediately.

Evelyn snagged a pillow from the couch and pressed it to his chest with both hands. “Grover, please. Hang on.” Her distress was clear. “Luke? Aneshya, where’s Luke?”

“I’m here, Mom.” The boy was pale and trembling, but he’d brought the first aid kit, obviously trying to help in the only way he knew how. “Do you need this?”

She gave her son a watery smile. “Thank you so much, Luke. That was great thinking, but I think this might be too big for our little kit. Do you think you could take Aneshya to her room and stay with her?”

Luke nodded, never taking his eyes off his grandfather. “I love you, Grandpa,” he said, urging Aneshya from the room.

My father tried to speak, but blood bubbled from his lips. He nodded at Luke before turning his gaze to Evelyn. He held her gaze for a long time before raising a bloody hand in my direction.

Immediately, I knelt beside him, grasping his hand firmly in mine. When I did, my father guided my hand to Evelyn’s, urging me to take hold. “Keep… her… safe.” The sickening gurgle of blood punctuated his words. “Protect…”

“I will, Pop. I’ll protect her and the kids. Long as I live. Long as anyone in my club is still alive.”

Dad nodded before meeting Evelyn’s gaze once more. “Love… him…”

She nodded her head. “I will. I do.”

My dad smiled. “You’re a… good… woman… Evelyn.”

“I love you, Grover.” Evelyn sobbed out her words. “Please don’t… You’re like a father to me. I don’t want to lose you!”

He smiled. “Daughter… of my… heart. My… son…”

Then my father’s eyes went lifeless, his face slackening. The rise and fall of his chest stilled.

Chapter Nine

Evelyn

I was in the bedroom with my children. Aneshya especially was really distraught.

“Will Grandpa be all right, Mommy?”

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