Page 54 of Knox

Maddox chuckles and reaches out to him. “Come here, my little spitfire. When I’m home, I’ll let you.” He pulls him down to his face. “Now kiss me properly, boy.”

Ollie complies without any complaining. He needs this; he needs to see his lover is alive and still the man he was before this. Roman is next to kiss him and repeats Ollie’s threat.

When they separate, I catch him up on what else has happened. “Drake’s been liaising with the police. The guy in custody and is neck deep in the shit. He’s broken his parole and will be back in prison by tomorrow. The cops want to talk to you about pressing charges. Are going to?”

“Too right I am. He happily told me he was going to get his own back and was going to go after you. He’s a nut job.”

We stay for a few more minutes; I can see him getting tired. “Pops and Dad are outside, and they’d like to see for themselves that you’re okay.”

“I’d love to see them. Can you let Drake know I’d like to talk to him. Tyrone said a couple of weird things. Things I’d like to understand.”

“He’s here, you can talk to him now. If you’re up to it?”

“I need to before I speak to the cops, so yeah. It won’t take long; I can stay awake enough.” He gives a little chuckle, then winces. His throat must be sore after being intubated.

We swap some kisses and say goodbye on the promise a visiting later with decent food.

We hang around until Drake has spoken to him. “All good?”

“Yeah. For now, it’s all good.”

I remember how much I hate cryptic Drake.

I wake up feeling so doped up, it’s like I’m in quicksand. Every movement is sluggish; I try to move, but the sharp pain in my leg has me biting down on my lip to stop me screaming. Something, or someone shifts, making me want to open my eyes, but that seems like a lost cause when they refuse to cooperate.

“Maddox, can you hear me?” a male voice I don’t recognise asks.

I swallow all the sand in the Sahara and attempt to lick my equally dry lips. “Yeah.” It’s all I can manage.

Footsteps approach, making me force my eyes open. “Ollie?”

“Sorry, mate, I wish it was. He’s here, not too far away.” Drake comes into blurry view.

Another person steps into my line of vision. “Oh, fucking hell,” I groan. “Did you really have to call him?”

Pilkington gives me a wry smile. “Always so pleased to see me.” His perfect English accent grates as it always did. I shouldn’t dislike him; he’s the one who has given me this life. What worries me is it’s now been blown wide open. I’m no longer dead.

“I’m sorry. What’s going on? I’m guessing you want me to go into hiding again. I’ll save you from saying it. The answer is no; I’m not doing that.”

“I’m not offering you anything of the sort. I’m only here to see that you’re okay as well as bring you up to date. Your assailant has been dealt with; we couldn’t let the police handle it. Drake, here, did the right thing by calling me. He’s been contained again.”

“Who’s to say he won’t tell all and sundry?”

It’s Drake’s turn to let out a dry chuckle. “There’s no chance of that, not where he is. You can relax and live your life.”

“Now, I understand why Knox finds you the most frustrating brother. You talk in riddles. But you’ve had my back, and I’m grateful for that.” I look at Pilkington and wonder if his partner, wife, husband, whatever knows his first name. “Thanks for coming, and for whatever it is you’ve done to help keep me safe.”

“You’re very welcome. Enjoy your new career with Drake, and please no more fighting on YouTube.”

“I think this,” I point down to my leg. “Has put that side of me well and truly locked away for good.”

With a small, tight smile, Pilkington leaves the room. Drake says he’ll see me later and leaves along with his old boss.

Ollie comes rushing in. “Whoa, that guy is creepy, like that Demon Headmaster kids program. Or worse, one of The Gentlemen from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” He shudders theatrically, making me smile for the first time.

“Kiss me, please.” I tell him, and he complies enthusiastically.

Progress on my leg is slow, but I’m improving. The physio is painful but with Knox following the therapist’s program to the letter, I’m making good progress.