Fight for Me (17 page)

As soon as they got back to the house, Knox turned to Natalie.

“Cops? Are you sure?”

Natalie nodded. “Positive. They were with the chief of police at the Kids Literacy Network gala the night I left home. He introduced them to me. They’d just been promoted.”

“Do you know their names?”

“I can’t remember offhand, but if you give me your phone I’m sure I can find their names.”

Knox handed over the phone and paced while her fingers flew over the tiny screen.

“Schafer and Vasquez. They’re both lieutenants.”

Knox put his hands on his hips and stared at her, letting his thoughts play out in his mind.

Once upon a time, X had shared almost everything with Knox. Even today, Knox knew more about X’s business than he’d ever wanted to know. But the one thing X had never shared was the identity of the cops on his payroll. X simply referred to them as “my cops.”

And now Knox had that information. It might not be enough to bring X down, but it sure as hell was enough to fuck up his empire.

Natalie clutched at Knox’s hand as they traipsed through the graveyard. Though her mother was buried here, she hadn’t visited in years. Visiting loved ones’ graves might bring comfort to some, but Natalie knew her mother’s essence was not lingering six feet beneath the ground.

She wasn’t particularly religious, but she liked to think her mother watched over her, wherever she was.

Even still, she gripped a bouquet of partially withered flowers, the best they could find at the local convenience store.

“It’s right over there,” she said, gesturing toward an area near a collection of dogwood trees.

Luckily for them, her mother’s grave was within sight of Eleanor Simmons’s late husband’s.

She felt like a creeper, coming to encroach on a widow’s time at a grave, but they’d run out of options.

Natalie leaned the flowers up against her mother’s headstone while Knox stood a few feet away. She ran her fingers over the smooth marble that spelled out her mother’s name and the date showing that she’d been taken too soon from this world.

She’d told herself she wouldn’t cry, but she was powerless to stem the tears that filled her eyes. She felt Knox’s hand on her shoulder and she put her hand on top of his.

She might have been alone before, but she definitely wasn’t alone now.

She rose and they settled on a bench nearby to wait.

It was only when she blinked her tears away that she wondered if Knox’s parents were buried here.

He shook his head when she asked. “They were both cremated.”

A black car pulled to a stop on the road that meandered through the cemetery. Natalie sat up straight, watching intently. Minutes went by. Five, ten. Finally after fifteen minutes, the driver opened his door, then circled around to the rear door to help the passenger out of the car.

It was Eleanor Simmons in the flesh.

The fact that she’d arrived so soon gave Natalie a glimmer of hope. She’d been prepared to stake out the cemetery all day. But she was taking this to be a good omen.

The driver held onto Eleanor’s elbow as she climbed the slight hill to the grave. Natalie was struck by how elderly she was. Had her grandparents been alive, they would be roughly the same age. She’d pictured Eleanor as being younger—probably because that’s how she pictured her grandparents since they’d died years ago.

Though she had had difficulty walking, Eleanor stood straight at the grave while her driver retreated to the car to give her privacy. She pulled out a rosary and closed her eyes, her fingers running over the beads.

“We can’t interrupt her now,” Natalie murmured.

Knox shifted next to her. He’d been tense since they’d arrived, no doubt because they were out in the open. Without crouching behind a gravestone, there was nowhere for them to conceal themselves.

But despite the urgency of needing to talk to her, Natalie would not disturb her like this. She’d give the widow time to finish her prayer.

A rustle behind them and off to the left caught her attention. She was just glancing over her shoulder when Knox said, “Oh, shit.”

Oh, shit
was right. A black SUV had halted on the drive on the other side of the cemetery and two men dressed in the black uniforms her father preferred were running across the grounds toward them.

But the men’s gazes weren’t focused on them. No, they were looking at Eleanor, who still had her eyes closed while her mouth moved in silent prayer.

“They’re going for her, not us,” Natalie said frantically. “We’ve got to help her.”

Knox’s mouth was pressed into a grim line. “You get Eleanor. I’ll take care of them.”

Natalie shot off the bench at a run. The commotion caused Eleanor to open her eyes and they widened at the sight of Natalie charging at her.

“Mrs. Simmons,” Natalie said, out of breath. “There’s no time to explain, but we’ve got to get you out of here.”

Natalie looked over her shoulder to where Eleanor’s eyes were trained. Knox had one of the men pressed up against a headstone. The other was on the ground, but not for long. He was climbing to his feet.

Oh, God.
Keep him safe.

She trusted that Knox was able to handle himself—he’d proven that to her time and time again—but her heart still lurched in her chest.

Natalie put her hand under the woman’s elbow to guide her down the hill to her car. Eleanor could not move quickly and shuffled along in a way that indicated she probably should use a walker or a cane.

Her driver emerged from the car and took the woman’s arm, shoving Natalie aside. “Mrs. Simmons, what’s going on?”

“Take us away from here,” Eleanor commanded as her driver helped her into the car. The driver shot a suspicious look at Natalie, but left the door open for her while he got into the driver’s seat.

Natalie hopped in beside Eleanor and pulled the door closed. She peered out the window, hoping to catch sight of Knox. Instead, she saw one of the men running toward the car with his gun drawn.

“Hurry,” she told the driver.

“The speed limit’s twenty-five.”

“For fuck’s sake, he’s got a gun!” Natalie yelled. “Step on it.”

One glance in the rearview mirror had the driver obeying Natalie. He skidded out onto the main street, taking out a few azalea bushes in the process.

Natalie leaned back against the upholstery and let out a breath.

If that man was able to come after them, then where was Knox? Her hands shook and she forced herself to calm down.

“Can you please explain what’s going on?” Eleanor asked. “Who were those men? And who are you?”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Simmons.” Natalie turned toward the older woman. “I’m Natalie Farrington Kent, and I’m afraid those men are my father’s employees.”

Eleanor’s expression softened just a touch. “Natalie. I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl. But why were they chasing us?” Eleanor’s tone gave nothing away. She might have been discussing hors d’oeuvres at a cocktail party.

Natalie’s heart sank. Maybe she was wrong. If Eleanor was the director of the trust, then surely she’d have some idea what was going on. Had she and Knox been putting themselves at risk and searching all this time for the wrong person?

“I recently learned my mother set up a board to manage my family’s trust, but the documents don’t tell me who is on the board.”

Eleanor didn’t say anything and merely continued to look at Natalie.

“I’m hoping you’re the board director.” Natalie swallowed. “Are you?”

Eleanor’s lips stretched into a thin smile. “Yes.”

As soon as one of the men took off after Eleanor’s car, Knox used the opportunity to smash the other man’s head into a gravestone, knocking him out cold.

Then he turned and ran, following the rule he’d imparted to Natalie.

He headed toward the street and he could just make out the car before it turned a corner.

Good. Natalie had gotten Eleanor out of there. They were both safe.

He jogged down the street, not caring if he brought attention to himself. He wanted to get home so he’d be waiting when Natalie returned.

Half-hoping that she’d already be there, he let himself in, but it was obvious from the silence that she wasn’t back yet.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

With the exception of the night he went to X’s gym, he hadn’t let Natalie out of his sight. That night, he’d known where she was—knew that she was safe. But now, he didn’t know where the fuck she was.

He paced, curling his hands into fists. Minutes passed and he had a hard time not watching the time tick by on his phone.

Why the fuck hadn’t they gotten two burner phones? Then she could’ve called him. It hadn’t seemed necessary since they hadn’t planned on separating. Now he could kick his own ass for his shortsightedness.

Should he go out and look for her? Where would he even start? No, that was a stupid idea. She was safe with Eleanor.

The sound of the door opening made his stomach leap into his throat. He strode over to it. Natalie didn’t even make it all the way inside before he hauled her to his chest.

He crushed his mouth to hers, tasting her and reassuring himself that she was here. Her breasts pressed against his chest and he ran his hands up the back of her shirt, wanting to feel the warmth of her skin.

He pressed her against the wall and she matched his heat with her own. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she lifted one leg to wrap it around his hips. He grabbed her ass and hoisted her up. She wrapped both legs around him.

His tongue lapped at her throat and she moaned, digging her fingers into his shoulders.

“Knox,” she whispered and that one word broke him. Made him lose control.

He carried her into the bedroom and laid her gently on the sleeping bag.

Natalie stared up at Knox as he stripped out of his clothes. A fire inside her ignited. She never grew tired of looking at his body—his strong chest that tapered down to ridged abs, bulging arms that kept her safe, tight ass that gave way to muscled legs.

The X tattooed on his chest and the scars only made him that much more beautiful because they represented everything he’d endured to become the man he was today.

He knelt beside her and she pulled her shirt over her head and shed her bra, not wanting anything separating them.

He cupped her face in his hands, his dark eyes boring into hers. He let out a shaky breath. “I was scared I’d lost you.”

Her breath hitched at his confession. The fear and anguish was evident in his eyes. She never wanted to make him feel that way.

She kissed him gently, running her fingers up his arm and over the tattoo on his chest. Her hand finally stilled over his heart.

“Knox, I’ll always come back to you.”

He buried his face in her neck, trailing kisses, and his former urgency was replaced with sweetness. His fingers ran down her spine and she shivered. Tingles flooded every extremity.

He lowered her to her back and undid the button of her jeans with one hand while the other finessed her nipple to a taut point. She shimmied her hips out of the jeans and his hand dipped underneath the soft cotton of her panties.

Her back arched as his finger found her clit. He stroked and coaxed until a fire was burning inside her and her hips writhed against his hand. Just when she thought she would explode, he stopped and dragged her panties down her legs.

He slid down her body, his hands grazing her sides until his mouth found her core. The fire that had only slightly cooled burned hotter until she cried out his name.

“You are so fucking beautiful.” His voice was hoarse and he gazed at her, his eyes showing a mixture of adoration and vulnerability.

She put a hand to his cheek. “Make love to me, Knox.”

He rolled on the condom and settled between her legs. She rotated her hips toward him and he entered her slowly. Their eyes locked as their bodies meshed together, slowly finding a rhythm that satisfied this most basic of needs.

The connection she had with Knox was more than just physical. She gave herself to him—everything she was—and she got all of him in return.

As the pressure built inside her, she struggled to keep her eyes open. Her fingers clawed at his back and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Finally, the pressure broke and she cried out.

He crushed his lips to hers and thrust inside her one last time before he broke to pieces.

Natalie lay with her face on Knox’s chest. She planted a tiny line of kisses from his left nipple to his right. Then she drew his nipple into her mouth.

He gasped and his whole body tensed. She released him and a small smile played at the edges of her lips.

“I was wondering if that would have the same effect on you as it does on me,” she said.

“Baby, everything you do affects me.”

Natalie settled next to him, tucked under his arm. It should feel strange to be naked in the middle of the day like this, but it had never felt more right.

“How did things go with Eleanor?” he asked.

She sat up excitedly. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten to tell him. Then again, Knox had that effect on her. She was liable to forget her own name.

“I was right. She is the director. And she’s setting up a meeting in two days. Two days!”

He smiled. “That’s great.”

“Can you believe it? Knox, it’s really happening.” She paused. “Well, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. Eleanor called the meeting and a change to the terms of the trust will most likely be put to a vote, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll vote in my favor.”

“Of course they will. They’d be idiots not to.”

“I hope so, but you just never know.”

He kissed her temple and smoothed the hair away from her face. “I have faith in you, but if something goes wrong, then we’ll just figure it out.”

Natalie snuggled closer to him, feeling content despite the uncertainties and challenges that still lay before them. “True. We’ve made it this far, right?”

Natalie insisted she needed new clothes for her meeting with the board, and there was no way she could go shopping herself. So she’d called her friend Kat for help getting what she called “appropriate business attire.”

In Knox’s world, appropriate business attire had been athletic shorts, so what the fuck did he know? He’d take Natalie’s word that it was important she look the part, even though he didn’t think it mattered.

Of course, he preferred Natalie wearing no clothes.

Kat’s apartment was just on the north side of town, about a block away from the border. Natalie told him her father didn’t know about her friendship with Kat, a bartender who worked at some of the charity functions the Farringtons attended. They weren’t close friends, but Kat had been willing to help. Natalie said she was trustworthy, so Knox was taking her word for it. She’d been right about Amelia.

Natalie knocked on the second-story apartment door and Kat answered after a moment. Kat was dressed in a black and white bartender’s uniform with a little black apron tied around her waist. Although her look was polished—suitable for working in a swanky hotel—Knox sensed an edginess about her.

She pulled Natalie into a hug. “You’ve been all over the news. I’ve been worried about you. Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better, to be honest,” Natalie said, “but considering the circumstances I’m okay.”

Kat released her and ushered them both inside.

“This is Knox,” Natalie said.

He nodded at Kat while she gave him the once-over, narrowing her eyes at him. As a bartender, she was probably used to sizing people up pretty quickly. He wondered if he’d pass muster.

After a moment, she nodded at him, then turned to Natalie. “Come see what I have that might fit you.”

Knox waited in the living room while the women disappeared into the bedroom. He made himself at home. The apartment was not all that unlike his own. The building was probably about the same age, although this one was better maintained. The furnishings in the living room were worn, but clean.

He settled on the couch and pulled out his phone to make a call.

“Hello?” said the stern voice on the other end, although it sounded more like “yellow.”

“Amelia, it’s Knox.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. I’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to. Still alive, I see.”

Knox couldn’t help it—a grin graced his face. Fuck if he didn’t like the older woman. “For the time being.”

“And Natalie? How’s she holding up?”

Knox glanced in the direction of the closed bedroom door. It hadn’t even been two weeks, but she was already thinner, and there were circles under her eyes. He didn’t like it.

“She’s hanging in there.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Amelia paused for a minute. “Now what do you want? I know you didn’t call just to shoot the shit.”

Knox chuckled. “No, I didn’t. You mentioned your second cousin was a cop. Do you know how to get in touch with him?”

“Yes.” Amelia sounded suspicious. He didn’t blame her.

He rubbed his jaw. “You trust him, right?”

“He’s a good cop. A bit of an ass, but honest.”

He rattled off his e-mail address and asked her to send along his information. “So, uh, how are the dogs?” Knox was surprised by how much he liked and thought about those stupid mutts.

Except they definitely weren’t mutts. Probably more like some designer dog breed that cost more than his car.

“They’re good. Ready to come home. They wreaked havoc on my cousin’s flower bed. She was not too pleased about that.”

Knox exchanged a few more words before disconnecting the call.

Despite his observation about Natalie’s weight loss and dark circles, she had seemed more upbeat since she’d met Eleanor, like the light at the end of the tunnel was shining on her. And maybe it was. But optimism just wasn’t his thing.

Neither he nor Natalie had addressed the issue of “after.” Once this mess was all cleared up, what then? Knox didn’t fit into her world. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit he didn’t want to. Sure, the money would be nice, but the idea of rubbing elbows with elite assholes at social gatherings made bile rise in his throat.

They were so close to finishing this. When Natalie met with the board tomorrow, it would be the beginning of the end. He had no doubt they’d vote in her favor.

But where did that leave him?

Kat held a gray suit up to Natalie. “This should fit you. It might be a little loose in the hips.” Kat grinned. “I have a little more junk in my trunk than you do.”

Natalie laughed. “Are you insinuating that I have a pancake ass?”

“Pancake ass?” Kat laughed. “I’ve never heard that before. Funny. So I don’t want to pry, but are you really okay?”

“Yes. Or I will be soon. I’m finally waking up and taking care of things that should have been dealt with a long time ago.”

“I know the feeling,” Kat muttered. “If you need somewhere to go, somewhere safe, I have the names of people who help women who are stuck in bad situations.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that more than you know. I hope that tomorrow’s meeting will resolve things.”

Kat nodded, not asking questions. Natalie appreciated that about her. She got the definite feeling that Kat’s words weren’t just lip service—Kat would help her, more than just by lending clothes. And the other woman had definitely been through her own tough times. Understanding was written all over her face.

“Here’s a blouse that might work. It might be a little big in the top, but the blue matches your eyes.”

Natalie held the blouse up to her chest and looked in the mirror, starting a little bit at the sight of her dark hair. She couldn’t wait to get it back to her normal blond. The dark hair just wasn’t her.

“Thanks. I’ll take good care of the clothes. I’ll have them cleaned before I return them.”

Kat snorted. “That’s not necessary. It’s not like it’s Chanel or anything.”

Natalie ducked her chin to hide her blush. Some of the clothing she owned probably cost more than Kat paid for rent every month. It was so excessive, but her father placed high importance on keeping up appearances.

“And here”—Kat rummaged in a bin on her dresser—“take some makeup. Not that you need it, but you’ll feel better wearing it to your important meeting.” She zipped up some cosmetics in a little case.

“I can’t thank you enough.” Natalie’s lower lip quivered a little and she sucked it in. This was just another thing her father had taken from her—girlfriends. She’d had a few casual friends that she’d seen at school, but she was never allowed to have slumber parties or even spend an afternoon with a girlfriend at the mall. “We should probably get going. I know Knox is probably anxious.”

“What’s the deal with him?” Kat asked. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine, but he seems . . . dangerous, for lack of a better term.”

Natalie chuckled. “Oh, he’s definitely that.” At Kat’s concerned stare, she rushed on, “Not to me, though. With me, he’s a perfect gentleman.”

That was partially true. When they were naked in bed together though, she didn’t want a gentleman. She wanted someone wild and passionate.

“He’s definitely hot. Just different than your usual crowd. That’s all.”

“And thank God for that.” Natalie took the bag containing the clothes and cosmetics that Kat held out to her. “Thanks again.”

“Wait a second.” Kat opened the closet door and pulled out a black purse. “This will complete the look.”

Knox rose when they entered the living room.

Kat pulled Natalie into a parting hug. “Let me know how you are if you can. And take care of yourself. You’re one of the few richies I can stand.”

“Did you get everything you needed?” Knox asked, holding open the front door of the apartment building for Natalie.

She nodded, slinging her newly acquired bag of items over her shoulder. “Kat is so nice.”

Knox nodded, choosing not to say anything. In Kat, he’d seen a little of himself—someone from the school of hard knocks just fighting to make something of themselves.

And he wouldn’t exactly describe himself as “nice.”

As they neared the hotel district, Knox saw a familiar figure step out of a limo. He stopped in his tracks and ushered Natalie back into the alley. He peered around the corner to get a better look.

Knox watched as the man held his hand out toward the open limo door. An elderly woman’s hand adorned with jewels that were worth more than Knox’s life grasped it. Once she was out of the limo, the man put his hand on the small of her back to escort her into the hotel.

“What is it?” Natalie asked.

“Do you know who that is?” he asked, wanting Natalie to look before they disappeared into the building.

She peeked around the corner and then furrowed her brow. “Yes. That’s . . . that’s . . . it’s right there.” She paused for a moment. “Adamo. That’s it. Her first name starts with a G. If you give me a minute—”

“What about the guy? Have you seen him before?”

Natalie took another look as they disappeared through the revolving door. “He looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t know. I can’t place him.” She put a hand on Knox’s arm. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” He didn’t bother hiding the scowl from his face, though. “Let’s go.”

Natalie pursed her lips, but didn’t ask any more questions. Knox was grateful, because he wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, not when one question kept running through his mind.

What the fuck was Tony doing wearing a suit and getting out of a limo?