Page 10 of Knight

“No clue,” Christian says.

So I fill them in, “His aunt.”

“His aunt?” Allie repeats, her upturned eyes widening.

“She’s dressed to kill,” Nate leans to his right, getting a better look. “Those heels. Stunning.” I don’t know what “dressed to kill” means but those shoes do look like they could do some damage.

“Didn’t think the Kings had much in the way of family.” Christian eyes his friends, leaning back in his seat with a shake of his head.

While I’m happy he’s here, I can’t help but wonder, “How come you’re sitting here with us and not with them?”

Christian’s brows furrow as the priest takes his place at the podium. He shrugs, lowering his voice. The priest speaks over him but what he says next brings warmth to my chilly shoulders, “I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“That’s our job,” Allie pipes in with a whisper, hair falling over her jacket. “You sure you don’t want to party with the Kings, bro?” She makes a hang-loose sign with her hand, tongue hanging out of her mouth.

An older woman in front of us hushes our row before Christian nudges Allie through me, my boxy body bouncing between them. Allie mumbles something before returning the woman’s hush with a sarcastic smile. Nate stifles a snort next to her.

Christian leans back against his seat, taking a glance around before his eyes land on the priest. He shakes his head, muttering, “This is so fucked up.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The priest leads everyone into a prayer, guests bowing their heads. All except Damien. Keeping my eyes open, my gaze on him, the room disappears around us. The priest’s voice sounds like it’s forever away, Damien’s words in my head again.

You don’t belong here, Rowland.

He could be right.

* * *

The service is only an hour but it feels like the longest hour of my life. It’s hard to take my eyes off Damien and as my high wears off, the more anxious I feel.

When the service ends, I’m one of the first to dash to the doors. A cold wind brushes against my face, lifting my curls as I stand on the steps. Looking ahead at the driveway, I repeat my words of courage, “I can get through this.”

Marion comes through the door and a tightness hits my chest. I’m expecting Damien to be walking out with her but instead, she has two men on her side. They’re both in black suits and were inside during the service, but the laugh Marion gives tells me a lot. It’s the same titter Nancy gives when she’s dealing with Eric’s business pals and she doesn’t look the tiniest bit fazed about the death of her brother.

Watching as she leads them towards the line of shiny black cars in the driveway, a hand comes to the small of my back. My body stiffens, fists clenching.

“You okay?” Christian’s voice isn’t the one I expect but it makes my shoulders fall. “Hungry? Down for Emilio’s?”

Before I can answer, Nancy, Eric and Willow come out from the wooden doors. Willow stops when she sees me but Eric and Nancy keep going, Nancy turning around to lower her shades a smidge. “There’s a reception at the King mansion and I’ll see you there. Don’t dawdle. Eric wants to introduce you to a new partner.” She doesn’t wait for a response, lifting the shades on her narrow, porcelain nose as she walks with Eric towards their Rolls Royce.

“Hard to believe we don’t get paid for this,” Willow groans, leaning her round head on my shoulder.

“Coming to Emilio’s, Willow?” Christian asks.

“Did I hear pizza?” Allie and Nate are next through the doors.

They stand in front of us, Nate rubbing his stomach. “I could go for a slice. Munchies are kickin’ in … not that funerals get my appetite going.”

“Yeah, this is super heavy,” Allie reaches out, a hand on my shoulder.

The sound of a light slap comes from behind us. “Damien, look alive dammit,” Lea’s voice is a snip as she drags Damien’s long noodly legs towards the first limo in the line. “Only a few more hours and you can go back to whatever it is you and Isaac were doing.” Damien looks half-asleep, his eyes almost closed as Lea guides him down the steps.

“Damien?” His name slips out of my lips.

His head tilts and it seems like he’s about to look my way before he slips, Lea’s eyes widening as she tries to steady him. “Some help?” she calls.

“I thought you could handle it,” I say, moving over. “What the fuck did you give him?”

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