Page 6 of Knuckles

“I know exactly what he’ll do in private, Knuckles! I knowexactly! And I forced the whole situation where I knew he would hit me in public!”

Had she shot me in the face, I’m not sure I could have been more surprised at Hannah’s response. I took a step backward, shaking my head in disbelief and a gut wrenching horror. “You what?” The words were little more than a whisper. I knew I was going to lose my everloving shit. Like explode like a fucking nuclear bomb.

“None of your business.” She wrapped her arms around herself and looked away. “Just know I had a plan and a goal. Nothing else matters.”

“Like fuckin’ hell!” I crossed the space separating us and pulled her against me, wrapping my hand around her throat and tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to look up at me. “You will fuckin’ tell me every fuckin’ thing, Hannah.” My voice sounded grim and deadly, on the edge of violence. I didn’t even try to check my reaction. She needed to see this side of me because I had the sickening feeling this woman was going to be seeing a lot of me. Way more than either of us would be comfortable with.

Her eyes widened and she paled, sweat erupting over the skin of her brow and upper lip. A visceral reaction. To me? My anger? Instantly, I let her go, nearly stumbling backward in my haste to put distance between us. Nausea bubbled in my stomach, and I had to concentrate on breathing to keep from puking.

We both stood there for long, long minutes. I’m not sure Hannah moved at all. I knew I was afraid to move a muscle other than to breathe. If she ran from me, I knew I’d burn the world down to get her to come back. Given what she’d been through, the situation she’d intentionally put herself into, I was guessing she’d been hit more than just what I witnessed tonight.

“I’m sorry, Hannah,” I whispered. “I’d never hurt you. Ever.”

“I know.” Though her reply was soft, I could see in her eyes she was telling the truth. “You were trying to make an impression.”

“No, Hannah. I’m fuckin’ pissed as hell and wanted you to see it. I’m not sure what pisses me off more. The fact you’re admittin’ you expected the assault, or the thought you might have somethin’ planned you’re not lettin’ anyone know about.”

She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. Which meant I totally had her pegged. “I mean, take your pick. Plenty to be pissed at me about, I guess.”

OK, I didn’t like the sound of that. “Not sure what you mean, but I’m fairly certain I ain’t gonna enjoy it.”

“Look, Knuckles. I’ve had a long couple of days. I want to take a shower and put some ice on my face. Maybe take an aspirin or something. Give me a minute and I’ll bring you a pillow and some bedding for the couch. Then I need to be alone, please.”

I grunted, not wanting to maintain the distance she was so skillfully putting between us. “I’ll respect your wishes. But you will respect mine too.” When she lifted her chin again, I continued. “No locked doors between us. If you need me, I will absolutely break down the door to get to you.”

“You’re not responsible for me.”

“Nope. But this is still happenin’.”

She let out a frustrated snarl. “Why are you so annoying? Why can’t you just let me be alone for a while?”

“Because like it or not, you’ve had head trauma tonight. You don’t need to be alone. Beyond that…” I shrugged, not willing to admit to her what I knew in my heart was gonna happen to us both. “I’ll let you know.” She rolled her eyes but pivoted and stomped down the short hallway to what I assumed was her bedroom. “And don’t worry about bedding,” I called to her. “Just take a soak or whatever and relax. I’ll check on you in half an hour.” My orders were met with a slammed door and thesnickof the lock clicking. “All right,” I muttered. “Game on, little girl.”

Chapter Four

Hannah

I knew I was on borrowed time. Pain would be here soon to look me over, but one thing I’d learned about Knuckles since I’d met him a few weeks ago was that he absolutely would not let something go if he thought it was important. Knuckles was exactly like my father. Dad always knew what was going on in our lives no matter how hard we tried to keep it secret. He even knew I’d been the one to kill my boyfriend, Robert, instead of Gunnar. Dad had tried to get me to confide in him, to let him handle Robert’s death and Gunnar’s situation the way it needed to be handled, but I’d made a promise to Gunnar. Knuckles was just as perceptive.

True to his word, thirty minutes later, there was a knock at my door. “Hannah?”

“Is Pain here?” I didn’t open the door. It was childish but I wanted to keep him waiting just because I could.

“Yep. And he’s grumpy.”

“I didn’t tell you to call him. If he’s gonna be a grouch, I’ll just stay in here and lie down. I’m tired. It’s been a long fucking day.”

“Hannah.” There was a warning in his voice. “Out here. Now.”

Before I could stop myself I muttered, “You ain’t the boss of me.”

“Not yet.” I shivered at the promise in his voice and wasn’t sure if it was from fear or something else entirely. “Give it time.”

“I’ve never wanted to punch someone in the balls more in my life.” That wasn’t true. I’d wanted to punch Dillon in the balls way the fuck more, but for a myriad of other reasons. And I would. Once everything died down.

More banging. “Hannah!”

“I’m coming! Christ! It’s like a sickness with you!” I’d just finished dressing in the yoga pants and tank top someone had left for me. My money was on Gunnar’s woman, Pippa. She was exactly what my brother needed, and I was so grateful she had his back. As for Knuckles… I had the feeling this man was going to be the biggest, prickliest thorn in my side ever imagined. And, Christ, it didn’t help he was the hottest man I’d ever seen in my life. I jerked open the door and glared up at him. “You happy now?”

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