Page 36 of Deal with the Devil

Knox glanced up at her, tucking his phone into his jacket. “Time to put in some vacation hours, Ms. Armstrong. Because you’ll be working on nothing but writing for the time being from the safety of my office.”

“But—”

“End of discussion,” he barked.

“Whoa! Don’t talk to her like that!” Penny snapped.

“You too, Ms. Calhoon. Best inform your boss you’ll be out for the next few days. Brayden will be missing school.” Knox stared Penny down with a sharp expression.

“What does this have to do with Brayden?” Penny paled.

“Penny, I’m so sorry,” Amelia blurted out.

“What did you do!” Penny hissed, glaring at her own twin.

“She didn’t,” Knox sighed, motioning at someone behind them. Maevin saddled up beside Penny, linking an arm with her. “Rick did. As I said, I’ll explain in the car. Let us go before I have to take you kicking and screaming.”

Amelia glared at him, “You wouldn’t.”

He slid up close, nose to nose with her. “Out of everyone, pet, you should know what little shame I have when it comes to you. Now. Get. In. The. Car.”

She huffed, taking the water bottle meant for Penny and stomped past him. “Let me at least let Franny and Eloise know we’re leaving.”

Maevin seemed to convince Penny to leave her station by the booth while Knox followed Amelia to meet up with her boss and agent. He was at her hip when she thanked Eloise and Franny for the after party. There was only another thirty minutes anyway. Eloise sent her home with snacks for the road and Brayden, and they were out into the night. His extended town car sat at the curb with the ever-expressionless John at the door. Penny and Maevin were inside.

Amelia waited till the door was shut before ripping to Knox. “Now, what is all this about?”

Chapter fifteen:

Knox

The group sat inrelative silence as Knox folded his hands in his lap and contemplated how to answer the question. Honesty was the best policy, but honesty meant hurting both of them much more than they already were.Just rip off the bandage.He exhaled heavily, “Rick and Kyle were working for a vampire who is after me and my business.”

Penny’s face pinched up. The car lurched forward. The dull hum of the car as it drove off filled the cabin. Finally, Penny huffed, “And that’s my problem, how?”

“Because that vampire is now cleaning up and is clearly targeting you next. I’m not sure why Sandy had the pictures hidden, but she’d done it for some sort of assurance that clearly didn’t save her. The waitress Rick rolled for her credit and identity? She’s dead. Kyle was hiding a vampire fledgling in his basement. And I have reason to believe you and your family are in danger.”

He glanced at Amelia. She stared at her lap, hands folded against her legs. Knox wanted to offer a hand, have her ripped into his lap, laying in his arms. He didn’t touch her. Despitetheir torrid affair in the bathroom, his pet was clearly working through something. It was the shock, more than likely, and he didn’t want her to put any distance between them. She’d given him everything and he wouldn’t squander it. Not this time.

“So, this vampire? Why do they want your business?” Amelia finally peeled her gaze away from her hands.

“I’m not sure, I’m not even sure who they are yet. I have theories but no answers. But they were willing to kill Sandy and send me her head. As well as turn a thirteen-year-old girl into a fledgling and try to use her as a means of attacking me, so I’d say it’s safe to assume they won’t blink at harming Brayden or Penny.” Knox caught her stare and locked in. Amelia groaned, rolling her eyes. His lips curled into a smirk.That’s my girl.

“Great!So, Rick has, once again, gotten us into a pinch.” Amelia slumped down in the seat and crossed her arms.

“Oh, don’t you even start. Not when you fucked Horns McGee over here in the pub bathroom!” Penny snapped, pointing at Knox.

“At least Horns McGee isn’t threatening my nephew!” Amelia bit back.

“At least Rick isn’t a mob boss that thousands of people are willing to kill to get back at!” Penny retorted.

“Ladies,” Knox chuckled, and they both glared at him. “I understand, but bickering won’t solve anything.”

“Says you,” they huffed in unison.

“Ah, you both really are twins.” Maevin shook his head before he leaned over his lap to catch Knox’s attention. “We should discuss the flash drive more at home, but I believe Sandy was working for them, giving them observations, and the deal went sour. Maybe that’s why Rick decked her and stole her credit card? Or it might have been a part of the act. Either way, this complicates things.”

“Oh! Yay!” Amelia and Penny rolled their eyes, pouting and crossing their arms in unison.

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