Page 14 of The Knight (Endgame 2)
Stay here, sweetheart. Stay small. That’s when you’re safe. Stay safe.
“No,” I say, my voice strong. “I want the house.”
“Why?” Uncle Landon shakes his head, already mourning the loss.
“Sometimes people need what they need,” Gabriel says softly. “Doesn’t matter what it costs. Doesn’t matter what they give up to get it. It’s a question of survival.”
I turn back, surprised by the gravity of his tone.
Gabriel isn’t looking at Uncle Landon. He’s staring at me, as if his words are about my virginity instead of the house. As if I’m necessary to his survival. Except that can’t be true.
Uncle Landon moves into action, appearing twenty years younger as he lunges for his phone. I only distantly hear him talking to someone, telling them to get to the office right away. Shock seems to hold my body in place, like I’m carved out of concrete at the park. And he’s the sun, perpetually shining down on me, heating me from the outside in.
“You’ll outbid me,” I whisper, clinging to my despair.
I’m not sure I can survive a second blow.
Gabriel shakes his head slowly, gaze trained on mine. “It would be a conflict of interest for me to bid on a house managed by my own holding company. A violation of our contract with the city.” His voice turns wry. “And I wouldn’t want to jeopardize my standing by doing something illegal.”
The bland note is a private joke between the two of us, who both know that he’s done a hundred illegal things, a thousand, and would do them again. But he won’t do this. That’s the promise his golden eyes make in the dank office. He would hurt me, but he wouldn’t lie to me. Not about this.
And that means there’s a chance I can win my mother’s house back.Chapter EightThe next two hours are a blur of paperwork and stifling waiting.
Soon after Uncle Landon makes the phone call, the quaint old office floods with people. A haggard-looking Patricia, her hair a dark silver instead of platinum blonde. A representative from my bank. Charlotte Thomas, from Miller Industries. I need to be prequalified to participate in bidding.
Gabriel signs his form shortly after the notary arrives. With a curt nod he takes his leave from the group. He barely glances at me before striding from the room, presumably taking the sleek limo with him. I pretend that’s why I’m disappointed, that I’ll have to take the bus home.
Not because I want to spend more time with him.
Except that when I step outside, the limo idles down the street.
As I watch, the driver pulls closer and then steps out to greet me. My heart speeds up, dangerous anticipation flooding my mouth with remembered spice. Fear? Or arousal?
The limo is empty.
I scoot onto the plush leather, my chest strangely tight at the realization that he left the limo for my comfort. Warm seats embrace me as we ride through the city, leaving the upscale Old Tanglewood where Uncle Landon works and entering the seedy downtown where I’ve taken up residence. From behind tinted glass I see people give the limo weighted looks—covetous or wary. This must be how people look at Gabriel Miller, the man himself.
When we pull into the parking lot, the driver opens my door. “Mr. Miller asked me to tell you I’ll pick you up tomorrow. The auction begins at three p.m.”
“Thank you.”
I watch as the limo glides away, crunching rocks as it goes. What strange gestures, both the rides and the permission to bid on the house. Be careful or I might think you’re actually being nice to me, I told him. But I hadn’t believed it. Except what other explanation is there?
Unless he’s waiting to surprise me at the auction with something horrible.
I can’t shake the dread as I cross the parking lot. Maybe that’s because Will isn’t in his usual spot by my door. Probably just out wandering. Maybe working. Worry makes my heart skip a beat. He’s strong enough to defend himself, but there could be multiple men. Knives. Guns.
A thousand real incarnations for the monsters in old mythology.
And more than any childish character, he reminds me of Odysseus. Longing for home.
Resolved to watch for him tonight, I swipe the card and enter the room. Only to shriek as someone flings their arms around me. “Harper!”
She laughs, only a little apology in her expression. “Sorry! I wanted to surprise you.”
My heart thuds in lingering fear. “Shit. Well, you did. What are you doing here?”
Her hip nudges mine, and I can’t stay mad. “Act like you’re happy to see me.”
A smile breaks the gloom that settled over me after Gabriel left. “God, I am. You asshole.”
“You love me. Besides, I tried calling you.”
“How did you even know where I am?”
“I called the worst motels in the city and offered blowjobs for information,” she says matter-of-factly.
