Page 95 of Mountain Protector

Pausing mid-buffet setup, Knox chuckled. “It is when it’s five days before Christmas and Lark wants to watch her Hallmark movies.” Then he kissed my cheek and added, “Don’t worry, songbird. We’ll still watch your movies. As many as you want. We’ll just take some nap breaks as we go, okay?”

Since Ronan didn’t have his car, he stayed until Enzo and Winter came by, so he could get a ride back to Enzo’s house with them. Winter came loaded with bags full of goodies; things she said made her feel better when she had a concussion, like a lavender infused sleep mask and herbal tea and aromatherapy candles for stress relief.

Enzo spent half an hour checking the security system,just to be absolutely sure it’s safe, as he claimed, even though it was just installed by Alec’s company a few weeks ago. But I got the distinct feeling he was feeling guilty, like somehow it was his fault they didn’t realize Ed was behind everything until now.

I saw the same guilty look in Knox’s eyes, even though it shouldn’t be.

Knox told me how Alec discovered the mismatch with the handwriting, and then hacked into Vinnetti’s laptop to connect him to Ed. And as soon as Knox and his team found out, they immediately jumped into action.

If not for Green Mountain Guardians, I’d probably be dead.

I’m not saying that to Knox either, though. Honestly, I’d prefer not thinking about that part myself. It was bad enough to have a gun pointed at me a third time, get knocked out, wake up in a trunk with my wrists and ankles bound, feeling sick and scared and trying not to completely freak out.

But I knew Knox would come for me. There was never any doubt.

Once my head stops hurting quite as much, I’ll have a talk with him about his misplaced guilt. About how it wasn’t his fault that Ed abducted me, like I heard Knox telling Gage in the hospital. Poor Knox sounded gutted as he said, “If I hadn’t mentioned Ed’s name, this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t have been tipped off. Lark would never have been hurt.”

How was Knox supposed to know Ed would be in my office right when he texted? I wouldn’t haveexpected it. And if it’s anyone’s fault that Ed caught on, it’s mine, for being so terrible at keeping secrets.

After Enzo, Winter, and Ronan all left, I thought it would just be me and Knox for a while. But then Gage came over with flowers, which was sweet and completely unexpected.

“Aren’t you supposed to bring flowers when someone’s hurt?” he asked, clearly worried he’d somehow messed up when he saw my surprised expression. “If you don’t like them…”

“They’re wonderful,” I assured him with a smile. “And they’re making me feel better already.”

Alec came by last, looking the guiltiest of any of them. As he hovered by the couch, his features tight with regret, he said, “I’m so sorry, Lark. I should have figured it out sooner. This is all my fault.”

Even though it made me a little dizzy, I stood up and hugged him hard. “It’s not your fault, Alec. You figured it out. If not for you, Ed would still be out there, plotting to—” I cut myself off when I saw Knox’s tortured face. “Anyway. There’s nothing to apologize for. I mean it.”

By the time Alec left, I was dragging, and Knox could tell. So he called my dad and asked him to wait a couple of hours to come over so I could get some rest. I’m glad Knox called, because I would have felt too guilty myself, knowing how worried my dad was when he heard everything that happened.

“You need some rest, songbird,” he told me gently. “Your dad understands. He knows you’re okay, and that’s the most important thing.”

Then he put a pillow on his lap so I could lie there,and he stroked my hair and hummed Christmas songs until I fell asleep. Which was just about the sweetest thing I could ever imagine, and almost made getting kidnapped and ending up with a concussion worth it.

Almost. Or maybe I could just skip the crazed murderer part and go straight to the nap. That would work, too.

I’ve been awake for a few minutes, my eyes still closed while I absorb the comforting sensations that tell me I’m home. My favorite blanket tucked around me, smelling faintly of fabric softener. The soft rumble of Knox’s voice in the kitchen. My old stuffed bear from when I was a kid tucked under one arm—he’s usually stored on a shelf in my bedroom, but when Knox suggested that hugging Grover might help, I agreed.

And he does. Although hugging Knox feels even better.

I open my eyes hesitantly at first, not sure if I’ll still be bothered by the light like I was earlier. But the room is dim, only lit by the Christmas tree and the flames in the fireplace, and the sky outside is dark.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His voice pitched low, Knox approaches the couch. In one hand is a glass of water, the other an ice pack. He perches at the end of the couch and sets the glass on the coffee table and places the ice pack beside it. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.” Pausing for a moment, I take stock. “My head feels better. And my eyes don’t bother me anymore.”

Knox leans forward and brushes a strand of hair off my face, letting his fingers linger for a second. “Howabout your stomach? Do you think you could eat something?”

Pushing up to a seated position, I breathe a sigh of relief to find I’m not dizzy, just a bit light-headed. “Maybe.” Glancing at the window, I ask, “How long was I asleep?”

“About two hours.” His eyes move across my face, silently assessing. Then he touches my chin and gently tips my head to the side, his gaze moving to the lump above my ear. Forehead creasing, he says, “You should probably ice your head again. I’ll get you a fresh ice pack, then make you something to eat.”

“Okay.” I turn my cheek into his palm and close my eyes for a second as my emotions surge—gratitude and relief and love for this man who’s done everything in his power to take care of me.

“Songbird?” Worry strains his tone. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” Meeting his gaze, I reply, “I’m just so happy to be here. With you.”

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