Page 50 of My Knight

Each step he took had the tension ratcheting up higher and higher. His boots thudded against the hardwood like a countdown.

Saylor hadn’t moved behind me, but I could feel her energy. She was smart enough to know this wasn’t the time to mess around.

When Yarder reached the door, he didn’t open it right away.

He placed his hand on the handle and turned to look at us—just once. His eyes moved across each of us, wordlessly asking: You ready?

We all were.

I could feel it in my spine.

Then Yarder turned back, twisted the knob, and opened the door.

Standing on the porch was an older man dressed like he was coming from a power lunch in downtown Manhattan—gray slacks, a crisp white button-down, and a bold red tie. His shoes gleamed. His silver hair was combed back neatly. Sharp eyes sat beneath heavy brows, calculating the room from the outside before even stepping in.

Next to him stood a woman in a red dress that fit her like it was made just for her. Her heels were black. Her sunglasses massive and hid most of her face. But her presence? That was impossible to hide. She was composed. Poised. She could’ve been walking into a gala or a battlefield, and you wouldn’t know which one she preferred.

The man stepped forward and extended his hand to Yarder.

“Leo Banachi,” he said, his voice smooth but edged with steel. “Here to save your ass.”

Saylor

I heard the man’s voice before I saw him.

I blinked and peeked around Pirate’s shoulder.

Wowza.

I mean, wowza.

The man standing on the front porch looked like he walked straight out of an old-school mafia film—but better dressed. He wore gray slacks with sharp creases, a blindingly white button-down, and a red tie that somehow made him look more dangerous, not less. His silver hair was slicked back with precision, and not a strand out of place. And his expression?

Total confidence. Like he owned the building, the street, and the town beyond it.

And standing next to him?

Brynn.

I instantly forgot how to breathe.

That red dress? Silky. Perfectly fitted to her curves and hugged her like it was made from power itself. Her legs went on forever in black stilettos that screamed high fashion and high threat. Giant black sunglasses shielded her eyes, but I could feel her gaze behind them—cool, calm, calculated.

They looked like they were here to issue demands, hand out verdicts, or take over the damn world.

Yarder stepped forward and shook Leo’s hand. “Good to meet you.”

Brynn smacked Leo on the chest. “You’ve been hanging out with Slider and the guys too much.”

Leo rubbed the spot with a scowl. “What did I do?”

She rolled her eyes and slid her sunglasses off, revealing sharp green eyes lined with confidence and zero patience. Then she turned and held her hand out to Yarder.

“I’m Brynn Maranga.”

“Banachi,” Leo growled under his breath.

Brynn smirked, “It is Banachi, but he pissed me off this morning, so I decided to piss him off with Maranga.”

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