Page 4 of The Darkest Knight

Seth knew that his appearance was a bit offsetting and terrifying. He was the tallest of his brothers at six foot three, and he managed to work out daily, usually on the property building fences, chopping wood, and taking care of the animals. When he needed more to beat stress, he had an entire gym in the garage that he used. Here lately he’d spent so much time building a new barn, he hadn’t hit the weights, not like he did back when he was in special forces that required him to be at his fittest.

Did her nose wrinkle? He was certain his scraggly hair and beard only made him appear fiercer.

Her eyes were blue, he could see that now as they skimmed his tattoo that covered from one shoulder to elbow on his left arm and then the bright blues scooted to the ghastly scars on his chest. He hadn’t thought about pulling on a shirt and now regretted it. Her gaze lingered a little longer at his side, at his other tattoo. He’d gotten it when he was a kid, thinking he was cool, but after a few years as a Ranger, he’d had the childhood screw-up covered with a tatt that meant something. He and his unit had gotten similar designs of a cross and Ranger crest, and the saying, “Death is certain. Life is not.” He had another larger ink design on his back.

Her frown deepened. What was she expecting?

If she was hoping to find one of the Knights she saw in the tabloids, she would be highly disappointed.

He always found it entertaining when he came across someone who knew him as one of the Knight brothers, expecting Seth to be like the others. Declan and Victor, who were often in the public eye, were stylish and sophisticated. Quentin and Christian were popular in their own right. All of them were intelligent and business savvy, having attended the best schools and colleges, with Theodore’s money making abilities in their blood. When it came to Seth, people were taken back by his rugged appearance. He’d even once been asked by a woman if he was a teddy bear underneath all the rough edges, but he’d made it clear that the only thing soft and furry on him was the thick mass of hair on his head and jaw. The rest was raw and worn. Riddled with scars and shrapnel still buried in his muscles. He had enough sharp points that he tended to cut people, not that it was his intention. People found him intimidating, but when the woman on his porch blinked and her cheeks flushed, he felt bad that he was so large and daunting. So, as he did when he wanted to make a good impression, he smiled. He’d been told that he had a nice, dimpled smile.

She just stood there and stared. Even her dog was staring.

“You must be here about the cabin?” The cab backed out and headed down the lane, kicking up dust. He blinked. “You sure you don’t want the cab to wait?”

This was a bit presumptuous of her.

*****

Reese Shane stood outside the door staring at the giant of a man who filled the doorway with his broad, intimidating physique. Her knees wobbled. Although she’d heard a lot about Seth Knight, she hadn’t seen any pictures of him and had no clue who she’d be facing today. If she’d known he would be so…well, intimidating, she probably would have second-guessed showing up uninvited with her dog and suitcase. Yet Reese never was one to back down from anything that meant something to her, so even being here now, surrounded by awkwardness and faced with a scowling man, she was glad she’d come.

Even his dog was a bit scary.

She lowered her gaze to the man’s bare upper body and swallowed. He was a soldier so the tattoos weren’t a surprise, not really. But the coiled muscles, marked skin, and caveman appearance certainly was. What she knew, Seth had been quite a recluse since the incident in Syria a year ago that had left his unit dead. Later, he’d received the medal of honor because he’d taken down his target single handily while bleeding and barely conscious. He’d sort of disappeared off the face of the earth after he’d come home.

She recognized some of the black ink designs as tribute to his unit. Beyond the scars, his chest was smooth except for a fist-sized patch of black, wiry hair. Dipping her gaze lower to his twelve-pack, she guessed he didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. She worked her way to the low waist of his jeans and the prominent dip of his obliques. It would only be rude of her to stare any longer.

Reese brought her gaze back to his face and the scowl had been replaced with a smile—a nice smile. He was a handsome man which caused her mind to work harder. His eyes were beautiful and the sunlight seemed to dance in the pools of azure. The thick silver-peppered beard covered half of his face, adding to his prominent, almost medieval, features. His high cheekbones would be the envy of a plastic surgeon. When his lips dipped, smile fading, she realized she had to move quickly. She needed Seth Knight, and soon he’d see that he needed her too. All she had to do was convince him.

Inhaling a reassuring breath, she placed her suitcase next to her feet and smoothed her clammy palms down her thighs. “I’m not here about the cabin.”

His frown grew and her stomach flipped. “Yeah? Then you’re at the wrong place.”

“I’m Reese Shane.” She bravely held out her hand, hoping he didn’t see it trembling.

He stared at her hand a good three long seconds before he brought his gaze back up, all sliver of friendliness gone, exchanged for one of suspicion and irritation that made him look far more dangerous. She had a vision of all the enemies he’d chased away with one look. “What the fuck?”

She swallowed the cotton ball feeling in her throat. Stay strong, Reese. “You left me no other choice but to show up here, I’m afraid. You wouldn’t take any of my calls or respond to my messages. This was the only way.”

“Lady, there’s a reason why I didn’t respond. Not my fault you can’t take a hint.” He started to close the door, but she stepped forward. Probably not the best idea, but this was her last chance for her project, Step for Light. He growled and narrowed his gaze.

“I’m sorry. I know this was a risky decision, but I was under the impression after speaking with Angelina that you would see me and give me a chance to plead my case.”

The wrinkles around his eyes deepened. “When did you speak to her?”

“A year ago.”

“Well then, you should know that she passed three months ago.”

Her chest constricted. Unfortunately, if Angelina was still alive Reese wouldn’t be here, reaching for slim chances with a man who looked like he was ready to crawl back into his cave. “I’m sorry. I heard. I-I…well, she was such an amazing woman.” She looked down at her shoes. Doubt spiraled through her that she’d ever see her efforts to help veterans with head injuries come to fruition. Gripping her purse tightly at her side, she felt disappointment rising, but forced it back down. She had nothing to lose at this point.

“She didn’t mention your name to me. Why did it take so long for you to contact me?”

“Angelina asked me to contact her once I was ready to move forward with Step for Light. When I first spoke with her, I had only just received Abby.” She petted the German Shepherd’s head. “Angelina wanted to see this project take shape also. I wouldn’t lie to you about her interest, or that she felt you would be too.”

He dropped his gaze to the dog, then shrugged. “Angelina gave you false hope. I’m not interested.” He started to close the door again, but she put a hand up.

“And yet you suffered injuries while in the service too. I’m puzzled as to why you have such unwillingness to help, or even to just listen.”

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