Page 169 of Hard Knot

Maybe it was always enough.

As my eyes grow heavier and the world starts to fade around the edges, I feel Holmes press a gentle kiss to the top of my head. The gesture is so tender it almost starts the tears flowing again, but I'm too tired to do more than snuggle closer to his chest.

The last thing I register before sleep claims me completely is the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under my ear, as constant and reassuring as his promise to keep me safe.

For once, I believe it might actually be true.

Father Knows Best

~ELIZABETH~

The November air carries a crisp chill as I stand on the doorstep of my father's mansion, but I barely notice it. My stomach is doing nervous flips that have nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with what's about to happen.

Before I can even ring the bell, the door swings open with dramatic flair.

"My Abbie!" Dad's thick Russian accent carries across the entrance, his blue eyes lighting up as he takes me in. The slight flush to his cheeks tells me he's already been enjoying his favorite vodka, but his movements are steady as he reaches for me. "Look at you!"

He pulls me into a bear hug that lifts me clear off my feet, the familiar scent of his cologne mixing with top-shelf liquor. "My beautiful girl! So gorgeous!"

"Dad!" I laugh as he sets me down only to make me spin for him, the sapphire blue fabric of my gown catching the light. The crystals scattered across the bodice sparkle as the color shifts from bright blue to midnight and finally to black at the hem.

"Amazing," he declares, his accent thickening with emotion. "Like stars falling from the sky into the dress." He reaches out to touch one of my carefully styled curls. "Hair perfect too. Makeup..." He squints at my shadowed eyes and red lips. "Very dramatic. Very you."

"Thank you," I say, trying not to mess up my lipstick as I smile.

He steps back, studying me with exaggerated seriousness.

"Look at this! You find a pack that takes care of you and your ass isn't flat anymore. Amazing."

"Dad!" I sputter, heat rushing to my cheeks. "No! I've been training at the gym, doing squats?—"

"Sure, sure," he waves off my explanation with a knowing smirk. "You’ll come back pregnant with babies soon enough."

"Nooooo," I groan, covering my face with my hands. "I have to finish Juilliard first! And all that madness—" I gesture toward the guys who are making their way up the path from the truck. "Besides, do you want me having babies with them?"

Dad gives them each a long, assessing look before shrugging.

"Well, they haven't died in your company, so that means they can handle you."

"Dad!" I protest. "You make it sound like I'm a killer or everyone who's been with me has perished."

"Maybe." His eyes gleam with mischief. "I’m usually first round of defense before fuckers can get close to you. Since you lot are still alive..." He shrugs again. "I guess my tactics failed."

I freeze, my brain taking a moment to process his words.

"What?"

Felix adjusts his glasses, a small frown forming.

"Ah, so you're the one who sent the assassins the other day."

"Assassins?!" I whirl to face him, my gown swishing dramatically.

"How about the robbers last week at Holmes's place?" Carter adds casually.

"ROBBERS?!"

Holmes clears his throat.

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