Knox's Stand (9 page)

“Let’s get this glass up before anyone else gets hurt,” Knox suggested.

Diamond went to the hall closet, getting the broom and dust pan before going back into the office. Knox had already separated the glass from the paperwork. Diamond tried not to look at the bloody paperwork,
wondering how the tough navy seal was going to be gentle enough to deal with the sweet woman who had generously sought to help.

* * *

“Stop it, Lily,” Shade said, sitting Lily down on the closed toilet seat.

Her eyes remained on her bloody hand as her eyes started to roll back into her head. A sudden shake had her eyes traveling back to Shade.

“Eyes to me, Lily,” he snapped. “Don’t look at your hand again.”

“It hurts.” Shade’s lips tightened. He had almost protested when Lily had gone to her knees to pick up the messed up office, yet he hadn’t wanted to interfere. He was angry at himself for not following his instincts. He was getting fucking tired of the fine line he was walking to keep everybody happy, especially since Lily was invariably the one getting hurt because he w
as unable to protect the accident prone woman.

“I’ll get the glass out and get it cleaned up then the sting will stop.”

“Beth is a nurse; she can do it, Shade. I want Beth,” Lily replied stubbornly. Shade knew she was reacting to being in the close confinement of the room with him.

“I’m sure you do. Do you think Beth can pull out that glass with you crying and acting like a baby?” he said, hoping her anger would arouse her fighting instincts.

Lily stiffened. Shade could see her trying to gather her composure as her eyes tried to sneak a peek at her still oozing injury.

“Eyes on me,” Shade snapped again, wetting paper towels and gently picking out the fine shards of glass.

He could feel her gaze on his face. She hadn’t argued against his commands, even though he had been a bit harsh; the same nearness of the restroom that was unnerving her, was straining his control. As he finished her hand, he heard a knock on the door and Razer telling him he had a first aid kit. When he opened the door, a silent message passed between the two men before the door closed once more.

Shade opened the box, finding sterile gauze for cleaning her knees. One particular shard had become imbedded there, so he took great care in removing it. Lily’s dress had ridden up her silky thighs, rattling his concentration. Shade’s hands shook as he finished cleaning her knees, wiping it with an antiseptic and starting to wrap them with bandages. He felt her tremble as his hands touched the soft skin behind her knees, trying to clench her thighs together.

“Open your legs. I need to wrap your other knee.”

He felt her legs open a scant amount and then he wrapped it softly, stroking the sensitive flesh behind her knee. When she would have pulled away, Shade rose to his feet, letting his hand slide across the top of her thighs with a delicate touch that the innocent girl would think was accidental.

Taking her hand, he applied the antiseptic to it and then wrapped it, taking his time once more, enjoying her eyes watching his every move. Unable to prolong the inevitable any longer, he took a step away.

“You’re done.” Her eyes immediately broke from him and she practically ran from the restroom.

Shade picked up the first aid kit, meticulously replacing the items he had taken out. Going to the sink basin, he washed his hands and sprayed cold water on his face, wondering how much longer he could resist from reaching out and taking what he was determined would be his.

Chapter Twelve

The glass had been swept up by the time Lily reentered the room with wild eyes. Lily reminded Diamond of a frightened doe when she immediately went to Beth. Diamond envied the two sisters their close relationship as she watched Beth soothe her until Lily sat down on the chair and began organizing the papers The Last Riders were picking up.

Shade’s eyes went to Lily when he came back into the room before he started gathering the papers while taking in Lily ignoring him. His grim visage was one of tension. Diamond watched the other Last Riders circle him. Diamond now believed Winter when she said The Last Riders would protect Lily as she did the job she wanted. After all, they were keeping her protected from the wolf in their own territory.

When the women from The Last Riders arrived minutes later, Diamond was introduced to Evie, Dawn, Jewell and Raci. All of them brushed aside her protests and began organizing her paperwork. Holly put them back in the cabinets when each folder was completed.

What would have taken a week to reorganize, took just one afternoon with everyone’s help. When it was down to a final sheath of papers, Diamond stood, looking around the room, which looked bare now that the men had taken out the couch; it had been torn to such an extent that it had to be thrown way.

“Damn, any idea who did this?” Evie asked, handing her the last sheath of papers.

“No, but I think it involved
Knox’s case. It’s too much of a coincidence with the search warrant for the jewelry, now this. Someone wants me to stop.”

“I agree; they’re escalating. This is becoming more dangerous than I anticipated. I don’t want you going anywhere without back-up, Diamond,” Viper ordered.

“I’ll be careful, Viper,” Diamond said.

“You better be,” Knox stated sternly.

Evie and the other women paused at Knox’s words, looking stunned, while Diamond turned away and busied herself by putting the rest of the folders back in the cabinet.

“We’re done here. Holly can replace the sofa for me Monday. Thanks everyone. It would have taken several days for us straighten this mess out,” Diamond said, truly grateful for their help.

“No problem. We’re glad we could help,” Winter said with a smile.

Winter, Lily and Beth stood. “I’m sorry about the cuts, Lily.” Diamond continued to be stricken by the sight of the bandages on Lily.

“I shouldn’t have over-reacted; it was just a few scratches. We’ll see you tomorrow.” The women left with Razer and Shade.

“We have to go to, but Knox will stay with you until you get home,” Viper said, looking at the reorganized office. Diamond started to argue with him, but she had started to notice that it was a lost cause to bother once Viper’s mind was made up.

“Okay, we’re almost done here anyway,” Diamond relented. Besides, she could tell by the way that Knox was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest he wasn’t going anywhere.

“I called the locksmith, he’s on his way to put on another lock,” Holly said, hanging up the phone.

“Thanks, Holly.” Diamond glanced at her watch and realized it was almost five. “You go ahead. I’ll stay here until the door is fixed.”

“Okay. If you’re sure. I’ll go by the furniture store before work Monday and pick out a new sofa.” Holly left, leaving Diamond alone with Knox.

“Your friends really helped me out today.”

Knox shrugged. “It’s only fair since it probably was my case that brought the bastard out who did this.” His hand rubbed over his bald head. “This is fucking messed up. If I had just kept my dick in my pants, none of this would be happening.”

Diamond didn’t say anything because he was probably right, someone had used Knox’s interlude with Samantha to set him up. The question was, how had they known?

“Did you see anyone that day? Someone had to have seen you so they could turn the cops in your direction.”

“I didn’t see anyone. No one saw me wreck or Sam pick me up.”

“How about when you left the hotel?”

“No, it was empty.”

Diamond saw something flash across his face. “What?”

“I thought I heard something, but when I looked around, it turned out to be nothing. I didn’t see anyone.”

“Where did you think the noise came from?” Diamond felt a brief flare of excitement.

“There’s a big oak tree on the edge of the parking lot. I thought it was just the wind, but someone could have been hiding there. I’ll send Cash to have a look around.”

“I could go by on my way home,” she said, anxious to have a look around.

“No, it’s better if Cash goes. He’s a tracker; he might pick up something we would miss.” The locksmith knocked on the door as Knox made his call. Diamond purchased the strongest lock possible, yet she didn’t have high hopes that it would prevent another break-in.

The door repair didn’t take long. When it was finished, Diamond and Knox were finally able to leave. She glanced down at her watch as she headed to her car.

“What’s the hurry?” Knox asked, his long strides easily keeping up with her fast steps.

“I’m going to be late to dinner at my mother’s,” she answered, opening her car door.

“You’re driving to Jamestown?”

“Yes.”

Knox stopped her from entering her car by taking her arm. She started to jerk away until she noticed that he was pointing to her tire.

“Damn it. What is going on? This day is one disaster after another.” Diamond started to pull her phone out of her pocket to cancel dinner.

“I can drive you on my bike. I would just have followed anyway or Viper would have had my ass.”

“I’m not riding on your bike to my mother’s house.”

“It doesn’t look like you have much choice. It’ll take at least thirty minutes for someone to bring you a new tire.”

“You could change my tire for me. I have a spare,” Diamond suggested.

“Your spare is for shit. I noticed it the other day when we worked on your alternator. Your whole car is one big accident waiting to happen,” Knox said, shaking his head.

“I was going to get another one as soon as I get a few more clients. I needed Holly more than a car.”

Knox looked at her skeptically. “Maybe if you’re driving around town within walking distance of everything, but if you’re driving to your mom’s, then no, it’s not safe.”

Diamond knew he was right, therefore she bit back the sharp retort she had been going to make. At the same time, Knox went to his bike, getting on and handing her the helmet.

“You going home or to your mother’s?”

Diamond almost went home. Only the importance her mother had placed on her dinner made Diamond climb on the back of Knox’s bike.

Putting on Knox’s helmet, Diamond grabbed him around the waist as he rode out of the parking lot. Diamond had forgotten how much she loved riding on the back of a motorcycle. She hadn’t done it in years, since she had quit going for rides with her father. The first time she had ridden with Knox, she had been too sick to appreciate the short ride.

Sex Piston had bought her own motorcycle and took it out often after her father taught her how to ride, but Diamond had never been tempted to own her own. She knew she didn’t have her sister’s skill for the feel of the machine. As they went around the tight curves, she let her body go loose, holding on to Knox and following the moves of the bike.

It didn’t take long before they were pulling up in front of her mother’s house. Diamond climbed off, handing the helmet to Knox.

“Thanks for the ride. I’ll get Sex Piston to bring me home.” Diamond started to walk up the path to her mother’s house, stopping at his next words.

“I’ll wait.” Knox turned off his motor.

“Don’t be crazy. You can’t sit out here while we eat. The neighbors and my parents will wonder who you are.”

“So tell them.” Knox shrugged, making no effort to start his motor.

Diamond stared at the stubborn man, realizing he wasn’t going to give in. “For Heaven’s sake, just come in. You can have dinner with us, but remember when Sex Piston is driving you crazy that you brought it on yourself.” Diamond stomped to her parents’ house with Knox following behind.

She ignored Knox’s raised brow at her knocking and not going on inside the house.

When her mother answered the door at her knock, her eye’s widened as she took in the man standing beside her daughter. “Diamond, I was beginning to get worried.”

“Mom, this is Knox. My car had a flat and he was nice enough to give me a ride. I invited him to dinner, if that’s okay?” Diamond explained in one breath.

“Of course, dear, you know when I cook I always make enough for leftovers.”

Diamond was afraid of that. . She hadn’t had time to warn Knox about the lack of cooking skills her mother had or that she only felt the need to subject the family to said cooking in order to impart a piece of news that she felt was important to them all. Diamond studied her mother, looking for any signs of illness she might be hiding and was relieved when her mother looked healthier than she had in years.

“What in the fuck is he doing here?” Sex Piston asked as she set the beer on the table when they entered the dining room.

“Sex Piston, watch your mouth,” Diamond’s mother snapped at her daughter.

“You don’t care you have a murderer sitting at your table?” Her mother cast Knox a sharp glance.

“He’s innocent, Mom.” Knox stood there quietly, not trying to defend himself.

“I’m sure he is.” Her mother tried to stop the argument brewing between her two daughters.

“He sure as fuck isn’t,” Sex Piston retorted, her hand going to her hips.

“Shut up. My car had a flat and he gave me a ride here,” Diamond explained, hoping that it would calm her sister.

“Well, you’re here now. I’ll give you a ride home. See ya,” Sex Piston smarted off to Knox.

“Sex Piston, stop it,” her mother scolded. “Everyone, sit down. I’ll get your father.” Diamond and Sex Piston shot dirty looks each other’s way as they sat down at the table. Knox sat down next to her at the table across from Sex Piston.

“I should have warned you sooner. My mom’s not the greatest cook, so make sure you take small portions,” Diamond warned.

“I bet it tastes better than prison food,” Sex Piston snapped.

“Sex Piston, if you don’t quit bugging your sister, the police are going to be charging me with another crime,” Knox threatened.

“Bring it on, asshole,” Sex Piston taunted, picking up the carving knife and laying it
beside her on the table.

“Cut it out.” A sharp voice from the doorway had all eyes going to her father. Sex Piston’s mouth snapped closed. Diamond was relieved when her sister called a halt to her antics and picked up her beer. Her father came into the room, holding his hand out to Knox.

“I’m Skulls.”

“Knox.”

Diamond watched the two bikers introduce themselves.

“Have you met Sizzle?” he asked, pulling out her mother’s chair.

Diamond wanted to crawl under the table when her father told Knox her mother’s nickname.

“It’s nice to meet you both.” Knox barely managed to keep from laughing. Diamond threw him a dirty look.

Her father took his seat at the table. “Sex Piston told us Diamond is representing you for killing a woman in Treepoint.”

“Yes.” Knox looked her father in the eyes.

“You do it?”

“No. I couldn’t stand the bitch, but I didn’t kill her.”

“Good, let’s eat. Sizzle, bring on the food.” Her father barely managed to hide his grimace.

Her mother brought out a roast on a platter with potatoes, carrots and rolls. The whole table stared at the food as her mother took a seat. Serving everyone took several minutes as the roast was almost impossible to cut. It had practically been burnt to a crisp. Passing the rolls, she shook her head when her mother offered them. She could tell by looking at them that they were raw.

Not even for her mother would she gag down raw bread dough. Her father and everyone else at the table hadn’t been so smart. She couldn’t hide her vengeful smile when Sex Piston wasn’t able to prevent the retching noise as she took a bite of one.

To Knox’s credit, he managed to clean his plate, which was a big mistake as her mother forced seconds on him. Her father manned up and took seconds for himself, not wanting Knox to outdo him. Washing the dried meat down with several swallows of beer, she manage
d to eat half her plate. Throwing Sex Piston a who’s-a-pussy look when she couldn’t eat as much.

“Anyone want dessert?” her mother asked happily.

“No,” the whole table chorused together.

The crestfallen expression on her mother’s face had everyone retracting their answer except Diamond. Been there, done that.

“I’m on a diet, Mom,” she responded to Sex Piston’s threatening glare accompanied with the finger behind her mother’s back.

Her mother returned to the table with a cake that looked remarkably good, but Diamond had learnt that looks were deceiving where her mother’s cooking was concerned. She always waited for the consensus before jumping for a slice of chocolate cake. The look of horror on their faces confirmed her fears.