Page 37 of Deal with the Devil

Knox stared at them, blinking slowly. Penny sneered at him before twisting to stare out the window. Amelia sat there, staring back at him. Knox offered a hand, fully expecting her to slap it away. And yet, she took it, tucking his hand against the seat with hers. Knox whispered, “I won’t allow you or your family to get hurt.”

“You’re a few years too late for that,” she teased with a wink.

“Fair. Then, I won’t allow this fool or his gaggle of goons to lay a finger on you.” Knox savored the way her lips curled. Amelia squeezed his hand tight. Knox brought their hands to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. Her eyes dropped to where his lips lingered against her skin before her attention drifted slowly back up. “You’re mine now, naughty thing, and I take care of my things.”

“Ew, gross, can you two eye fuck somewhere else?” Penny huffed.

“How’s it feel? Huh! To be grossed out by your sister mind fucking a guy you hate!” Amelia spat, wheeling to face her sister.

“Rick and I were never that gross.” Penny stuck her tongue out to Amelia.

“I’m gonna make you eat your words when I scream like a bleating goat and bang on the walls while you sleep on the couch and beg the gods to end your life early so you don’t have to—”

Knox covered her mouth, muffling her rampage. Amelia continued, despite the leather holding her lips mostly closed. He sighed, “I can assure everyone, that your stay with me will be amicable. All the rooms are brandished with silencing spells and black out curtains, and the staff is very helpful.”

“If you’re hoping this little move will put you on my good side, bucko, you better think again,” Penny growled.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Knox raised a brow, watching the taller twin’s left eye twitch. “Ah, good, we’re here.”

The car slowed to a stop in front of the family’s one-story home. Boxes of peonies and a yard full of shaggy grass with both women’s cars parked out front. Zavros and two more of his guards were sitting on the front stoop with a pouting Brayden between them. Knox knew the child only through surveillance photos. Pitch black hair with platinum silver streaks in his fluffy hair, a round face with classic pre-teen pout, chunky freckles, and high-top sneakers. He wore black skinny jeans and a distressed hoodie, clearly in his edgier phase of childhood. When he looked up from his lap, his face lit up. “Mom!”

Penny clawed, tossed, and scrambled hand over foot out of the car and bolted across the yard. Knox sat back, allowing Amelia to also perform a rabid raccoon exit if she pleased. She merely motioned for him with a flippant hand to exit. The other three climbed out of the car.

Amelia stood beside Knox, watching Penny hug the twig of a child tightly in her arms. Steadily, they both twisted and opened their arms to her. Amelia ducked her head and dove into their embrace. Zavros side-stepped the hugging clump of bodies and eyed his boss. “House is empty, sent the babysitter home with a big tip.”

“Thank you, good work. We’re packing up and going home tonight. Look for anything hidden or anything that might go off while we’re gone. I want someone keeping an eye on the place just in case.”

Zavros nodded before snapping his fingers to the others. They opened the front door and stepped inside. Penny ripped from her son and stormed after the gentlemen currently opening her closets and digging through them. Knox and Maevin stopped by the aunt and nephew still hugging. Brayden spoke in a small hush, “Am-crack, what’s going on?”

“Rick got us in trouble and now we’re gonna go stay at Knox’s till the coast is clear.” Amelia stroked his hair.

“Sick.” the preteen nodded. “Can I bring my crystal controller? Is there a tv there? Wi-Fi?”

Amelia glanced at Knox for confirmation. Knox chuckled, “I have a home theater you’re more than welcome to take up space in. And I can get you the Wi-Fi code.”

“Tight, I’m allergic to cashews. So, keep the nutting to my aunt, please. Hey mom! Does this mean I don’t have to do my math homework?”

Knox stared at the space the teenager took up, blinking rapidly. Amelia snickered evilly, “You’ve just been Braydened, welcome to the club.”

“House is clear, boss.”

“Quit! Ruining! My house!”

“We, uh, should go pack up before she has a meltdown.” Amelia tugged on Knox’s arm toward the front door. When they entered, he stopped to see his band of muscle blushing and ducking their heads while cleaning up their mess. Penny was red in the face and hissing lowly to each of them.

Maevin shook his head, leaning against the door frame. “Should I wait in the car?”

There was chaos as Penny herded her son into his room to pack a bag and Knox kept his employees on task. However, all of it melted away when Amelia sat a duffle bag on the couch and began packing out of a basket of clean clothes. Knox furrowed his brows. He stood on the other side of the couch, watching her pack a laptop and a book with her clothing.

“You sleep on the couch?” he breathed.

“Humble beginnings, but it’s a fold out.” She shrugged, turning to pull something out of an ottoman. They both froze as she tucked the contents of a clothing box into the bag. A collar, a very specific collar, that was supposed to be in his bedsidedrawer was exposed. Denver was in deep trouble when they got home.

“Where’d you get that?” he growled.

“You know where.” She covered it with her bathing suit and Knox was ready to flip the couch. He grabbed the edge of the furniture and leaned in. Her gaze jerked up to meet him. “If you never wanted me to wear it, why have it made?”

His throat closed. She had him backed into a corner. Knox wanted to see her wear it. It’s why he had the leather artist make his belt into a collar just for her. It’s why he had soft fabric put on the inside and the brass shined. His mouth opened then snapped shut as she arched a brow. He ground the words out between his teeth, “Hopeful thinking.”

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