Page 72 of Knight
“What she did was wrong and insane, don’t get me wrong. But she’s sick and I have to believe that there is something that can be done. This can’t be the end for her.”
For some reason that I couldn’t begin to explain, it meant a lot to me that she got the help that she obviously needed. Sure, I was mad and hurt and a million other emotions, but I couldn’t stand by and let it end like this.
My dad came barreling into the room and in a split second, I was crushed against his chest. I held on to him for a long while until he was ready to pull away, which he did with reluctance, I could tell.
“You okay?” His gruff voice held a tinge of sadness.
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “Just a little sore.”
“Let’s get you to the hospital.”
I didn’t want to go to the hospital but I also knew it was pointless to fight it.
“What about her?” my dad asked, looking directly at Knight.
“Gwen wants her to get help. I’ll call someone.” He let out a frustrated sigh, clearly not agreeing with my request but giving in to it. “Connor. Yeah. Got a situation.”
Knight’s eyes didn’t leave mine as he carried on his conversation. It was clear that whoever he was talking to was someone that would be able to handle it from here on out. He hung up, his eyes shifting over to my dad’s as he gave him a chin jerk. I took that to mean it was done.
“Aww, Mouse, I’m flattered, really,” Tara’s voice filled the room making all of us turn to look at her. She was still currently pinned under Mouse and barely attempting to wiggle free. “But do you really think this is the time or place to get a hard-on? A little bit weird, if you ask me.”
“It’s my gun, you crazy bitch.” Mouse bit out, unamused. “Fucking hell. Prospect!” he called out and two guys I recognized, but wasn’t familiar with, stepped up and took over for Mouse.
He walked away shaking his head as he brushed himself off.
“Let’s go out front. Connor is sending an ambulance for you,” Knight said, pulling me into his arms and holding me with a gentle tightness. Like he didn’t want to let me go but he was trying his best not to hurt me.
“Wait,” I said as my steps halted. “My necklace.” I started to turn back to face Tara but Knight’s grip on me tightened.
“I’ll get it,” Sketch said from behind me.
I walked away, not giving Tara a single last look. I didn’t care if I ever saw her again. In fact, I hoped I never did. I might not be as forgiving in the future. I knew Knight wouldn’t be.
Knight didn’t let go of my hand as the paramedics looked me over then loaded me up, and the moment I was settled in, he leaned down and kissed me like I couldn’t believe. I felt everything in that kiss—how scared he’d been, how much he loved me, and how he wouldn’t ever let me go.
Dad hopped on his bike and I watched him out of the back window the entire ride to the hospital.
The doctors confirmed that nothing was broken, that I was really banged up and would heal in a week or so. I knew all of this and I bit my tongue at telling them ‘I told you so.’ I didn’t need to go to the hospital but I knew better than to argue with them.
They released me a few hours later and Knight drove me home in my car, which had magically appeared outside of the hospital. Okay, I knew that someone had driven it there, I wasn’t that dumb.
Back at the apartment, Dad and Knight flitted about making sure I was comfortable and had any and everything I could want. Until I put my foot down and told them I needed to rest. I somehow managed to drift off, no doubt the stress of the day had stolen all of my energy.
When I woke, the room was dark and for a brief second, I felt my chest pull tight as a panic shot through me. It took me a few long minutes to realize that I was in my room and safe. Once that set in, I was finally able to drag in a lungful of air.
I was safe.
I was at home.
I repeated those words to myself over and over again until I was calm.
“Knight,” I called out and my mouth felt dry. I reached for the bottle of water beside my bed and took a long pull. The cold liquid did its best to ease the soreness in my throat.
“Yeah, baby?” He came walking into my room with long strides, only stopping once he reached the bed.
“Hold me,” I requested, needing to feel every inch of him against me.
I was cold and I needed his warmth. I needed his scent surrounding me. I just neededhim. And lucky for me, he was there without an ounce of hesitation.
