Page 136 of Knox Unleashed
I shrug. “You can come back in more than one piece if you want to, too. Given you were more than happy to leave me to those assholes in the parking lot.”
“Sorry about that,” he shouts. “But it was before the whole…well…you and Prez.”
“Understood,” I say. “Apology accepted.”
Knox climbs on his bike, then shifts his bandana back to cover his mouth and nose. And I wave until every bike is gone from view. It’s a surprise to see Jackal wave from a truck as it goes by.
Later that night, when I wake up after having a weird dream, I forget that I’m back in my own bed above the store.
I made good progress on my packing. I’d grabbed some empty storage totes from the storeroom and begun to pack up the important items to move with me. And somewhere along the way, I decided I’d turn this place into a holiday rental.
So, the sounds that weaved their way into my dreams don’t concern me, at first. The dull thud. Metal rattling.
Until I realize they are real sounds.
I lie there, for a second, caught between sleep and wakefulness beneath warm sheets, and the noises that feel out of place.
Forcing my eyes open, I breathe quietly as I scan for where the sound is coming from.
And then, it happens. Another bang coming from directly below me. My heart kicks hard in my chest. I push up onto my elbows and try to convince myself it’s nothing, that, perhaps, Knox had the prospects come back to provide cover.
But they wouldn’t be in your store.
I reach for my phone and see it’s twenty after three. My hands shake, and I try to tell myself it’s nothing. That I’m overthinking. But…
I dial Knox’s number, and he answers on the second ring. “Maren?”
“There’s someone in the store,” I whisper as I swing my legs out of the bed. “I think I can hear them moving. Did you send the prospects back?”
“I’ve got all of them in front of me,” he says, urgency in his tone. “We just got back to the clubhouse. Stay upstairs. Don’t go down there. I’m on my way.”
I creep to the living room and look out over the roof that covers the outdoor seating area. “I don’t see anyone outside,” I whisper.
There’s another bang. Louder, this time.
“We put cameras on the roads so we could see if anyone came along any of them towards us. Lock is checking them now while I get my keys.”
I hear Knox curse, a door slam, keys jingle. “Who the fuck is it?” he growls.
“You’re not gonna like it, Prez,” Lock says.
“Jesus, Maren. It’s your dad. Is there any reason for him to be there?”
I shake my head, even though he can’t see it. “No.”
“I’m on my bike,” Knox says. “Won’t be able to talk while I’m riding but stay put. You hear me? Stay in your apartment. Don’t go looking for trouble. I love you.”
“I love you too. Ride safe.”
I end the call, but as I do, I hear a loud splintering, and smoke curls up through the floorboards from the shop below.
“Oh my God,” I gasp.
The store is on fire, and I immediately think about what my father said that first day he saw Knox on the dock with me.
Men like that protect their own. So, you refused to sell to him. What happens next? If they can’t have it, they decide you can’t have it either. You wake up tomorrow and the store is onfire, burning around you like the death trap it is. And then, who will you come running to? Me. Your actions will put them in my path again. Do you want them to try to kill me too?
Has my father started this to somehow kill me and frame Knox? Does he even know I’m here? Perhaps he knows I’ve been staying at Knox’s.
