Page 68 of Knox

“What?” I asked, catching him watching me.

“Nothing.” He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. The gesture felt natural now. “Just thinking.”

“About?”

“About how much can change in one afternoon.” Knox turned onto the road leading to my house, the familiar landscape of sound and marsh grass rolling past.

The sun was starting its descent toward the horizon, illuminating the world in a masterpiece of color. The perfect ending to a day that had started with a heartbreaking interview and finished with the taste of Knox on my lips.

He scanned the driveway, the tree line, the marsh grass. Looking for threats.

My gaze caught on the porch roof coming into view. “I can see the cameras Colton and Archer installed from out here,” I said, following his gaze. “That’s nice.”

Knox nodded, some tension leaving his shoulders.

A multitude of mental images appeared. All excellent ways to spend the evening together with such solid security in place. The ideas evaporated, along with my good mood, when I spotted a familiar Lexus in my driveway.

“Son of a bitch,” I muttered.

Knox’s hand tightened on the wheel. “Tyler’s here.”

Tension coiled in my stomach as we pulled into the driveway beside him.

Tyler climbed out and leaned against his Lexus, arms crossed over his chest, wearing pressed khakis and a polo shirt. His expression was a carefully crafted mix of concern and condescension. A look he’d perfected over three years of trying to control every aspect of my life.

“Stay in the Jeep for a second,” Knox said, his voice shifting into protective mode. “Let me see what he wants.”

“Knox—”

“Sloane.” He looked at me, and I saw the concern in his careful eyes. “I just need to assess the situation first.”

I wanted to argue that Tyler was my problem to handle, but I’d agreed to his rules of protection on the morning I asked him for help. So, I nodded reluctantly.

Knox climbed out of the Jeep, and Tyler pushed off from his car, radiating entitled confidence.

“Hawthorne.” Tyler’s voice carried clearly. “We need to talk.”

“I don’t think we do.” Knox’s stance was deceptively relaxed, but I recognized the coiled tension hiding in his limbs. “What are you doing here? Sloane made it clear she wants you to leave her alone.”

Oh, to hell with staying in the Jeep. This was my house, my ex, my problem.

I climbed out just as Tyler said, “I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m worried about her.” His gaze shifted to me, and I saw calculation beneath the concern. “She’s been through a traumatic experience, and I think you’re taking advantage of that.”

Fury heated my core and flooded my face. How dare he.

Knox’s body went rigid. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Tyler stepped closer, then hesitated. Apparently, finally, registering Knox’s size, his posture, and quiet, powerful control. “You swooped in while she was vulnerable,” he accused. Always using his words to bend others to his will. “You played the hero, and now you’re living in her house. This is textbook manipulation.”

“You don’t know anything about our relationship,” Knox said. “And from what I’ve seen so far, you don’t know much about her either.”

“Don’t I?” Tyler’s smile was condescending. “We were together for three years. I know how she thinks, how she reacts to stress. And I know she doesn’t actually want you. She’s just confused and scared and latching onto the first person who made her feel safe.”

“Like I said.” Knox crossed his arms, emphasizing the broadness of his chest and shoulders, the size of his biceps. “You clearly don’t know her at all. And based on this tone you’re trying out like it’s one of your daddy’s best suits, you definitely don’t know me.”

“Tyler.” I crossed to Knox’s side, my hand finding his arm. Solid muscle, tensed to spring. “What do you want?”

“I came to check on you.” His expression bled into that practiced concern I’d fallen for once upon a time. Now it just looked manipulative. “I’ve been calling and texting. You’ve been ignoring me.”