Page 1 of Unmasked

CHAPTER

ONE

Though some people spoke of luck, Knox had never been particularly lucky. Most often, the only reason for success was good, old-fashioned hard work. And Knox had worked hard for everything he had.

He had started Vantage Security less than a year ago, and so far it had exceeded his wildest expectations. They had managed to land a gig for one of the most prominent young voices in country music, and ever since they had taken on Rina Sterling, customers had flocked to them for their security needs. All of Knox’s men were on assignment, and he had just hired two more guys to start within the month. Everything was finally falling into place.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the hairs on the back of his neck lifted. It was instinctual, and he had learned not to ignore those little tell-tale signs when he was overseas. He braced his hands on his desk, ready to rise, when the soft scuffle of feet on carpet met his ears. Seconds later, his sister burst through the door of his office, her dark eyes huge in her pale face.

“Viv, are you—?” The question wasn't even out of his mouth before she cut him off.

“She's here.”

He blinked at her. He had literally just verified their schedule for the next couple of weeks, and they weren’t expecting anyone new that he was aware of. His sister’s reaction worried him immensely. “Who’s here?”

“Everleigh.”

The name fell from Vivi's lips on a whisper, but to Knox’s ears, it sounded like a clap of thunder, sending a knife-like spear of agony straight through his heart. Neither of them had uttered that name in almost fifteen years, but it still elicited the same reactions it did then: pain, anger, betrayal.

Everleigh Beaumont. Never in a million years had Knox expected to see her again. Once, they had been inseparable—high school sweethearts with their whole lives ahead of them. But that was before she had burned their love to the ground, then stomped on the ashes.

He stared at Vivi for a full minute before he finally gathered his wits. “Tell her...”

What? He wasn't ready to see her again. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready.

His sister stared back, concern written in every line of her face. “Knox...”

She knew him too well. “It'll be fine. Just... send her back.”

Vivi kept her gaze locked on him, and he fought to regulate his breathing as his heart slammed against his ribs. He dug deep and drew on every reserve of strength he had. “I’m okay, Viv,” he lied. “I promise.”

Vivi looked torn, but she eventually nodded and slipped from the office. As soon as she was gone, Knox dipped his head and swore under his breath. After everything she’d done, he really wasn't inclined to give Everleigh the time of day. Yet… he couldn’t help but wonder what had brought her here—back to Florida? To him?

He refused to acknowledge the strange sensation in his chest as anything other than his own curiosity. He wouldn't allow himself to have any feelings where Everleigh was concerned. He hadn’t seen her since the day she’d cut his heart from his chest. It didn’t matter what had brought her here; he couldn't deal with her.

He would listen to whatever she had to say, and if she truly needed help, he’d have one of his men take care of it. Maybe Mason or Luke. Their current caseloads weren’t too heavy, and he was sure one of them would be willing to take her on if need be. He, however, was going to stay as far away from Everleigh Beaumont as possible.

The soft tread of footsteps grew louder as the women approached, and his heart rate increased with every passing second. He rose from his chair to give the illusion of power, even though he was a quaking, broken mess inside. Vivi came into view first, a beautiful blonde on her heels. Everleigh met his eyes as she stepped inside, and everything around them disappeared. For a second, he was eighteen again, head over heels in love with the girl next door.

She still looked so much like the girl he’d grown up with, the girl he’d pledged to love forever. Time hadn’t diminished her beauty. If anything, she’d grown into her features, turning from a lovely young teen into a stunningly gorgeous woman.

Her eyes were just as blue, her hair that same honeyed blonde streaked with caramel. Though the lines around her eyes and mouth were tight, her skin was a flawless cream, a touch of rose in her cheeks. He knew it was natural. She’d always been quick to blush, her skin turning a delicate pink when he’d⁠—

No. He refused to go down that path. Shoving the thoughts away, he slid a look at Vivi. “Thank you.”

With a final worried glance his way, she fell back a step, then made her way back down the hall. It wasn’t lost on him that she’d left the door open, probably so she could eavesdrop. He considered closing it, but he didn’t plan for Everleigh to be there any longer than necessary.

Flicking a glance her way, he motioned toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

He couldn't even bring himself to say her name. Though she had once been his everything, she meant less than nothing to him now. He didn't ask what had brought her there. He didn't even care about small talk. He wanted to find out why she was there, then get her out of his office as fast as humanly possible. She gingerly sat on the edge of the chair and settled her large designer handbag on her lap.

His gaze swept over her face, taking in the way she averted her eyes and fixed them on the wall behind him. She looked… uncomfortable. Good, a little voice on his shoulder hissed. She should. As quickly as it came, the satisfaction of her discomfort bled away again. Even after everything that had transpired between them, he didn’t want to see her hurt.

He had never been able to stand her tears, her sadness. She had always run to him for help, and he had never been able to deny her. Those days had long since passed, but he refused to add to her burden. He would take his emotions and shove them down deep where no one would ever see them. Having done it half his life, it was second nature to him now.

He sank into his seat and stared across the desk at her. “Can I help you with something?”

She opened her mouth then snapped it shut again. Instead of speaking, she reached for her purse. He focused on her hands instead of her face, fighting to keep himself under control. A part of him wanted to lash out at her for making him relive the past. As if he didn't do that every day as it was. But he resented her for stepping foot in his office and making him remember the way things had been back when they were young—when he thought she’d be his forever.