Page 112 of Wicked Knight

“What about you? Would you disagree?”

His face softens. “No. I wouldn't disagree. But I'm afraid I need my daughter for other reasons.”

“For the trouble you’re in,” I fill in.

An uneasy look comes into his eyes.

“Don’t worry, Mackenzie didn't tell me everything. But she told me enough.

What kind of trouble are you in, Adrian?”

“The kind no one can help me with.”

“Why don't you try me?”

“Look son, you shouldn't get involved. I'm in deep shit. It would be unconscionable for me to involve you.”

“What kind of shit?” I press, ignoring the warning.

He releases a heavy sigh and looks like he’s contemplating telling me or not.

“I just want to know. Maybe I can help. Maybe I can’t. Regardless whatever you say stays here,” I assure him.

“My business partner framed me. And I can no longer use the Knights’ resources to track him down or get back my money because my problems have been dragged into a federal investigation.”

The gravity of what he’s saying settles in the pit of my stomach like a dead weight.

“See, deep shit.” He nods.

“There must be something I can do.”

“The last time you intervened it caused a rift between you and your father.”

He's referring to the past, to the incident when I got him involved, alerting him to what Tommy did to Mackenzie.

“But it saved Mackenzie’s life.”

“It did.” He bites the inside of his lip and dips his head for a moment, then looks back at me. “I didn't kill your brother, Dimitri. You've heard me say that before, but I'll say it again. And I'll keep saying it as many times as I have to. Until someone believes me it's important to me that I don't stop saying it.”

I take in his words and feel the weight of his desire for me to believe him. God help me, the part of me that knows him believes him, but I’m conflicted.

“Give me a name,” I say, getting myself together. “The name of your business partner.”

“Dmitri you can't help me.”

“Give me a name, my Lord.” I refer to him by his title as judge letting him know I’m serious. He may not be able to access the Knights help, but I can.

He balls his hand into a fist on the desk then the tension loosens in his jaw. “Keaton Chase. Your father?—”

“Will not find out about this.” My God I’ve certainly become a traitor. But it’s for a good cause. In this case, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. “Just so you know, I won't stop seeing Mackenzie.”

“I didn't think so. But there's gonna come a point when you'll have to stop.”

I shake my head. No. I can't let that happen. And Iwillmarry your daughter.”

There’s a shuffle at the door. I look over my shoulder and see Mackenzie and her mom standing in the doorway. Shocked expressions fill their faces and I guess that means they must have heard what I said.

The swelling on Mackenzie's face has gone down, but it's still bruised. Beyond her pain, I see the warmth of hope and love. It gives me hope too.

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