Page 175 of Knight’s Retribution

His gaze searched hers, then he let out a breath. “Demon activity has increased in the city…they’re targeting humans, questioning them…killing them—”

“They’re looking for me, aren’t they? Diemos put them up to it.” She knew that monster wouldn’t just let her go. “But he can’t find me this time, because of this.” She wrapped her fingers around the amulet she wore.

Rocco nodded.

“So he can still sense me? He can still sense the Hell’s gate inside me?”

“Yes.”

Her stomach rolled. “All those people, they’re being hurt…god, murdered because of me. It’s my fault—”

“No, Kyler. It’s Diemos’s fault. This is about that twisted fucking piece of shit, not you.” His breathing was faster, and his big body near trembled with rage.

“Okay,” she said, because the last thing she wanted was Rocco worrying about her more than he already did.

But she knew the truth, it was because of her. Diemos wouldn’t stop hurting people until he had her back.

Rocco’s gaze roamed over her, and that ever-present heat was there, so hot she felt the urge to squirm.

“You gonna be all right?” he asked and did another sweep of her body. He was asking about more than what they’d just talked about. He wanted to make sure she was okay after what had happened in the early hours of the morning.

She nodded, and her face grew hot thinking about it.

His intense gaze searched hers. “Are you sure you’re okay…if you’re feeling some regret, that it was too much, too soon?”

“It wasn’t, I promise.” She held his stare. “I wanted you, Rocco. I needed to be close to you…and while I was…in that moment, all I thought about, all I could see and hear was you. So no, definitely no regret.”

His massive chest expanded sharply. “In that case, you wanna wake me up like that again, baby, I’m all for it. Rub on me all you want. Because I could listen to you come all day, every fucking day.”

They stood there, staring at each other, both breathing heavily. She wanted to go to him, but she was afraid if he wrapped his arms around her now, it would set her back, she’d freak out, and she’d hurt them both. “Be safe tonight.”

“Always am.” He watched her with those gorgeous navy-blue eyes. “I’ve got you to come home to now.” Then he turned and walked out.

* * *

It was late, and Rocco wasn’t back yet, so Kyler had hit the gym. It was crazy how much stronger she’d gotten just from a couple of weeks of training. She’d increased the weights on the machines she used several times already, and it still wasn’t much of a challenge.

So tonight she decided to run instead. She’d never been much of a runner, but again, it had become easy. She’d been running for an hour and had hardly worked up a sweat. She’d barely noticed the time pass, her mind firmly on something else. On Rocco.

Questions. She had so many questions and wasn’t sure who could give her the answers.

The door opened across from her and Silas walked into the gym. He spotted her, lifted a hand, silver eyes lighting up as he smiled warmly. He was dressed all in black, like usual, his spun gold-and-black-streaked hair combed back. The battle scenes inked on his arms from his wrists up were on full display, disappearing under the sleeves of his T-shirt.

Kyler slowed the treadmill, then stopped and climbed off. “Hey, Silas.” He looked like some kind of devil-worshipping-goth-nightmare, even those seriously thick black lashes could be mistaken for eyeliner, but she got a really good vibe from him. Yes, his features were intensely masculine—strong nose, square jaw, sharp cheekbones, and that wide mouth—but his eyes were warm and kind. Silas was all goodness. The way he was with everyone—it was obvious the male cared deeply.

“How’s it going?” he asked in that velvet voice of his.

If anyone had answers for her questions, she thought it might be the fallen angel standing in front of her. “Yeah, good actually.”

“Glad to hear it. You’re looking…happier.”

Her lips curled up. “I am.”

He sat on one of the weight benches. “Something’s on your mind, though?”

“How did you guess?” She sat on one of the weight machines opposite him.

“I feel things. I felt a pull to come down here, so I went with it,” he said, shrugging his wide shoulders.