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Knox
Prologue
Two weeks earlier:
Knox Heart was running late for his best friend’s wedding and having Ace Wild kick his ass today wasn’t on his list of things to do. He hurried into the courthouse and back down to the courtroom where Ace told him to meet them. He was going to be Ace’s best man and that was an honor he’d gladly fill. Ace was so much more than his business partner and half owner of their thriving casino business. He was Knox’s MC brother in the Smokey Bandits and Knox considered him his brother in every other way. Ace was the best man that he knew and standing up for him and his bride, Trinity was an honor.
“Hey guys,” Knox said. He hugged them both and took Ace’s daughter, Arabella, from Trinity. “How’s my favorite girl?” he asked, kissing Bella’s little head. “You look beautiful today, princess,” he gushed. He looked Trinity over and whistled, “You look pretty hot too, Mama,” he said.
“Hey—I’m not sure that I like you hitting on either of my girls,” Ace grumbled.
“Sorry I’m a little late,” a pretty little redhead said, rushing into the clerk’s office behind him. “Did I miss much?” she asked.
“Nope,” Trinity said. “Beck, you already know Ace.” The woman hugged and congratulated him. “And, this is his best friend and business partner, Knox Heart,” she said. Beck shook his extended hand and Knox shamelessly looked her up and down. “Knox, this is my friend, Beck Dax.”
“You left out that I’m also his best man,” Knox said, pointing to Ace.
“Sorry,” Trinity said. “My bad. So, did you end up having to go into work after all?” Trinity asked Beck.
“Not really. I ended up cleaning out my desk. I quit just after you left this morning. I can’t stay at the firm without you, Trinity,” Beck said. Knox was beginning to feel like an intruder, listening to what sounded like a private conversation between the two women. He pretended to play with Arabella while listening the whole time.
“You can’t just give up your job because of me,” Trinity insisted.
“Sure I can. Besides, I’m sure there are lots of places looking for a good assistant. I’ll have another job in no time,” Beck promised. Well, shit, this was his lucky day.
“Wait—you’re an assistant?” Knox questioned.
“She’s more than—” Trinity began, but Beck held up her hand as if telling her friend to stop talking.
“Yes,” Beck said, answering for herself. “Well, I was Trinity’s assistant until this morning. Now, I’m a free agent, I guess.”
“It just so happens that my assistant left me high and dry this morning. Would you like her job?” Knox asked. Could it really be this easy? A new assistant just fell into his lap and she came with a reference that he could trust—Trinity. He wouldn’t even have to advertise the position and that would make his life so much easier.
“Shit,” Ace grumbled.
“Ace,” Trinity chided, nodding to the baby.
“I’d love to tell you that I think that this is a good idea, really I would. I love you like a brother and I like you very much, Beck,” he said. “But, this is a shitty idea.”
“How so?” Knox asked. “I think it’s a brilliant idea, honestly. Beck here needs a job and I need a new assistant.”
“It’s a bad idea because if things don’t work out with the job, it will jeopardize the four of us being able to hang out together,” Trinity said. “You are Ace’s best friend and Beck is more than just my former assistant—she’s become my friend. If you two end up parting ways, Ace and I will have to choose which one of you we want to invite over. We will be forced to choose one of you, but ultimately, this is your decision, Beck.”
Beck looked between Ace and Trinity, and back up at Knox who was still holding the baby. “I think I’d like to take your offer,” Beck said. “On a trial basis, if that’s all right with you, Mr. Heart.” Knox didn’t bother to look over at Ace. Maybe he’d know what he was going to find staring back at him. Ace thought that this whole idea was a huge mistake, but the deal was done and Ace would know that there would be no changing his best friend’s mind.
“I’d like that, Ms. Dax. We can talk more after the ceremony. Will you be joining us back at the casino for the celebratory dinner?” he asked.
“Yes,” she agreed.
“Perfect,” Knox said. “We can talk more then and I can even show you around. When can you start?” he asked.
“Um—next Monday?” Beck asked.
“That works,” Knox agreed. He handed Arabella over to Trinity, making a face as if he smelled something horrific. “That’s just rude,” he grumbled. Ace made a face when the smell of his daughter’s dirty diaper hit his nose and Trinity giggled.
“It’s not rude,” she said. “It’s natural, isn’t that right, baby girl?” Trinity asked. “I’ll run to the bathroom and change her.”
“You shouldn’t change her diaper in your dress,” Ace said. “I’ll run her to the men’s room and change her diaper.”
