Page 74 of Knot Guilty

It’s not anger that I’m harboring for my friend. I don’t blame Aaron for anything that’s happened. It’s not his fault his best friend is too stupid to see what’s happening right in front of her. I don’t know how I will ever face Aaron again, remembering all the things Maxen said to hurt him. Thankfully, Knot hasn’t had anything to say about or ask about what he heard in the recording.

Three pm local time rolls around on Thursday, and Knot has just walked into my room with a nurse carrying discharge papers and rolling a wheelchair. As glad as I am to be going home, I’m not looking forward to avoiding Aaron’s face the whole long flight. That will surely make things worse than they already are.

The nurse parks the chair, and Knot hands over a bag from a local boutique before stepping out of the room again. In the bag are a short-sleeve maxi dress, a wrap for warmth, and some slip-on shoes.

I direct the nurse to pull undies from my duffle bag, and she helps me get dressed. She opens my door once we’re finished, and Knot walks back in and helps me to the wheelchair. After placing the wrap on my shoulders, he straps my bag over his shoulder and wheels me outside, where Sambi waits beside a sparkling Mercedes.

Besides the Sentinels, I’ve never seen him with such nice wheels. His fugly shoes are missing, replaced with something a little more expensive. The sleek and shiny footwear goes well with his tailored suit.

“I guess you aren’t what you seem either,” I tell him.

Our Indian procurer bows slightly and offers a rueful smile. “You are the only completely truthful one in the group, I’m afraid.”

Sambi opens the door for Knot to help me into the back seat, and then we’re driven to the airport. Aaron is nowhere around when I step into the jet’s plush interior.

Reading my thoughts, Knot says, “He’s not here. I sent him home yesterday, making Sambi sneak him back out the same way he got him in. I sensed it would be better this way.”

I drop my ass into a seat and my head into my left hand. “God, I don’t know how to get beyond this. I know by now you heard what Maxen said to him.”

Knot dips his chin in somber acknowledgment.

“How will I ever be able to look him in the eye again? How are we going to work together and him not hate me after this?”

“Sadie, you’ve got to give the man some credit. And don’t be so damned hard on yourself. If anyone should feel like shit, it’s me because I hired the sonofabitch. If I’d seen through his bullshit, none of you would be in this position to begin with.”

“Yeah, except I’d still be bat-fucking blind to those around me.”

I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. I don’t want to talk anymore.

A hot mouth closes around a nipple as sharp rocks dig into my back. “I’ve got you, Mein Engel,” is whispered in my ear. The voice is Aaron’s, but when I open my eyes, it’s Maxen licking his way down my middle.

The moment his tongue glides through my slit, my back arches off the cave floor, but my arms won’t move. As his tongue swirls around my clit, I tilt my head back to see giant stones sitting on my wrists, holding them in place.

Maxen’s mouth brings me to orgasm, but my skin ignites in fire and ice instead of pleasure. I scream through the agonizing sensation and still wrap my legs around Maxen as he shifts upward, settling between my open thighs.

He holds himself up on one arm, and the other hand is holding a knife that he twists and rolls around like a toy. That is until he begins to move.

The tip of the blade touches my skin, sinking deep as he thrusts inside me.

My eyes fly open to darkness and the sound of jet engines. Everything hurts, and I have to pee. Pushing off the seat with my one good hand, I stumble toward the lavatory, every step pulling against the wound in my hip, making me breathe through clenched teeth.

The tip of Maxen’s blade is still there, buried in my ilium. I wanted it out, but the doctor feared doing more damage to the bone to retrieve it. Maxen’s vow, though it sickens me now, will hold, it seems. You’ll never be able to bare your skin without feeling my touch everywhere.

The memory makes me shudder as I lift the dress, thankful Knot had the insight to select something I could manage with one hand. My efforts in the lav are a little uncoordinated, given that I’m not left-handed, but I get through it. For a while after washing, I stare in the mirror, studying the battered face looking back at me.

The woman in the mirror should be familiar to me despite the two black eyes, bruised nose, and split lip. Still, I don’t feel like I know her at all. I’m beginning to think I never really knew anyone.

Outside the lav door, Knot waits, holding a cup and some pills in his hand. “I expect you’re about ready for these.”

Trusting my boss, I take the pills from his palm without question and swallow them with the offered water. Fidgeting with the cup, I stare at the floor as a single question consumes my thoughts.

Sensing my internal debate, Knot stands patient, waiting for me to speak or head back for my seat. I pull in a fortifying breath and ask, “Do you think I’m naïve?”

The former SEAL chuckles. “In short, no. We all have our blind spots, Sadie, and now, you have one less.”

He gestures to my seat and steadies me as I lower into it. “Get some sleep. We still have a ways to go.”

The next time I open my eyes, Birdie is reclined in the seat next to mine. I gingerly stretch my legs and ask, “Where did you come from?”

---