Page 49 of Knight

“He won’t hurt you again, Lyra. Never again.” I wait. I sit and wait for her to open her good eye, and when she does, my heart nearly drops out of my chest. She slowly turns her head, blinking her eyes as if she can’t believe I’m actually here. Then I see the tears fall. I stand and lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“You’re here,” she whispers.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’m never goin’ anywhere.”

“The boys?”

“They’re in the waitin’ room, Mama. They wanted to see you, but I wasn’t sure if I should let them in just yet.”

“You’re a good man, Knight.”

“I wasn’t good enough. I should have been there, Lyra. I’m so fuckin’ sorry I wasn’t.”

She shakes her head.

“No. This isn’t on you. I’m just glad you’re here now,” she tells me.

“Me too, darlin’. Me too.”

“I want to see the boys, but I don’t want them to be scared,” she tells me. My heart breaks for her. I know this has to be hard on her, but I will do whatever I can for her.

“He’s gone, mama.”

“He’ll be back,” she whispers as another tear falls down her cheek. I reach over and wipe it away before shaking my head. Shit, I don’t want to do this right now, but I don’t have a choice.

“No. He’s never comin’ back.”

“He will, Knight. I know how he works,” she argues.

“You’re not listenin’ to me, Lyra. He’s never comin’ near you or the boys again.” This time, I say it with finality. She looks up at me now and blinks a few times before a sense of relief washes over her face.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she tells me.

“Why not? Look what he did to you. He deserved what he got,” I tell her truthfully, knowing what I did was right.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. There’s really nothin’ to say. I just want you to rest and get better, Mama. You know I can’t sleep without you next to me,” I tell her with a smile. She smiles back, and my heart feels complete. Like everything is in its rightful place, this is what I want. I want her, and I want them.

“You miss me already?” she teases as her eyes flutter closed.

“Always, Mama. I always miss you.”

Her breathing evens out, and I assume the pain medicine she’s on has kicked in once more. I take that as my cue to head out and talk to the boys. I don’t want them worrying about this anymore, either.

I leave the room and walk down the hall to the waiting room, where I find both of them waiting for me.

“She’s okay. She’s hurt pretty badly, but she’s gonna be okay.” I can see the relief on their faces, and it makes me smile.

“And him?” Cam asks. I shake my head.

“That’s not a discussion I’m willin’ to have with you bein’ so young, but just know he’s gone and never comin’ back.” That seems to appease him as he nods his head.

“He can’t hurt her anymore?” Billy finally asks. I shake my head.

“No. He’ll never hurt her again,” I tell him. Billy leaps out of his chair and throws himself into my arms, hugging me tightly. I hug him back when I motion for Cam to come to us. He does, and the three of us bond in this moment. They need me. I know they need me. And I want them. Hell, maybe I need them too.

“Thank you, Knight.” Cam mumbles.

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