Page 36 of Unmasked

He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her, and Everleigh let out a sleepy little sound. He sifted his hand through the long strands of spun gold, letting it flow through his fingers. Her head grew heavier as she lost the battle to sleep.

Heat stung the backs of his eyes and raced over the bridge of his nose, and he quickly blinked it away. Even if all this evaporated come morning, he’d had one last chance. He knew he’d carry the memory of this night with him for the rest of his life.

He briefly closed his eyes and tried to block out the pressure building in his chest as he pressed his lips to her hair. He wasn't sure how much time passed, but he couldn't look away from her. Everleigh’s features became clearer as the dark dissipated and the first rays of morning light broke over the horizon and spilled through the window to his right.

The sound of gravel crunching had his ears perking up, his protective instincts on alert. He reluctantly slid away from Everleigh, tugged on the sweats he’d discarded only a few hours earlier, then grabbed his sidearm from the nightstand. The sight that greeted him at the door made his heart drop to his toes. It was a horribly familiar scene, one he wouldn't soon forget.

He quietly closed the screen door behind him as he stepped onto the porch and watched Conrad Beaumont climb from his car. His gaze met Knox’s, and he drew on every ounce of control as he tucked the pistol into his waistband and leaned against the post near the stairs.

Puddles from last night’s storm dotted the driveway, and Conrad deftly avoided them as he crossed over to Knox, then paused at the bottom of the stairs. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he stared at Knox, the uncomfortable silence thickening and expanding between them. Knox held his tongue, forcing Conrad to speak first.

After nearly a minute, Conrad cleared his throat. “My daughter here?”

Knox offered a single, slow nod. “Yes, sir.”

A muscle in Conrad’s jaw ticked. “I should have guessed. She always ran to you, didn't she?”

Knox didn't know what else to say to that, so he just nodded again. “Yes, sir.”

Conrad’s face darkened. “I'd like to speak with her.”

The screen door squeaked behind Knox as it opened, then banged shut again. “I'm right here.”

Everleigh moved to Knox’s side and threw a glance his way. Her eyes searched his for a long moment before she spoke. “Could you give us a second?”

Knox nodded, swallowing down the automatic refusal that had jumped to his tongue. He didn't want her out there alone with him; he didn't want to give him the opportunity to talk her into leaving with him. He turned, but a small hand on his wrist halted his progress. He threw a questioning look at Everleigh, who just squeezed his arm in response.

Unable to keep from touching her, he lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. Briefly closing his eyes, he pressed his forehead to hers. He steeled himself as he pulled away and headed into the house, sending up a silent prayer that she wouldn't leave him again.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO

Everleigh stared at her father, who watched Knox retreat into the house, a dark expression on his face. Finally, her father turned his gaze to her, disappointment glimmering in the silvery depths. She stiffened and lifted her chin under his intense scrutiny. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She loved Knox, and she would no longer pretend otherwise.

“Your mother has been worried sick about you,” he said.

Guilt flared around Everleigh's heart for a moment before she realized what he was trying to do. He thought he could guilt trip her into doing what he wanted. She steeled her spine. Years ago, she had been young and helpless, but that was no longer the case. She was a grown woman capable of making her own choices with the freedom to come and go as she pleased.

“I’ll call her and apologize, let her know what happened,” she replied.

Her father’s lips pressed into a firm line as he regarded her, clearly unimpressed with her response. “You should come home.”

Her parents still didn’t know that she was looking into buying a place of her own. There was nothing forcing her to stay with them. If they wanted her around, they would have to respect her wishes. She shook her head. “I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't bully me into doing what you think is best.”

It wasn’t lost on her that she had left the house without a single thing. No purse, no cell phone, and with only the clothes on her back. She was currently wearing one of Knox’s dress shirts and a pair of his boxers she had snagged from his dresser, but she didn’t care. For once in her life, she was going to do what she wanted.

After what felt like an eternity, her father spoke. “All I ever wanted was to protect you.”

She absorbed his words for a moment. Part of her understood, though she still resented the fact that he had so blatantly disregarded her opinion and blackmailed her into doing his bidding. “I know,” she said softly.

“Are you happy?”

“I wouldn't be here if I wasn't,” she countered. She knew it was hard for him to accept, but he needed to respect her boundaries. He needed to know that she would no longer jump when he snapped his fingers.

He nodded slowly. “If this is what you want, I won't stand in your way.”

Warmth spread through Everleigh's chest. It felt like she had waited forever to hear those words. “It is.”