Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Ada chuckled. “Yeah, Knight wouldn’t let anyone talk to you about insurance or money. Made them all come to him. Said he’d take care of everything and he did.”
“That dirty rat,” I grumbled without any heat. “I don’t know whether to punch him or kiss him.”
“Hey. Any excuse to bust him in the balls, you take it.” Ada gave me a bright smile. “You can kiss him after.”
“Knight’s so good with her,” I said softly. “Gentle in a way I never expected.”
Ada nodded. “That’s my brother. Always had a soft spot for those who needed protection.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of, shouldn’t he be calling soon with an update?”
As if summoned by her words, my phone rang. Knight’s name flashed on the screen, and I answered quickly, putting it on speaker.
“We’re half an hour out, baby. Be home shortly.”
“How is she?” I asked, leaning toward the phone.
“Pretending she’s not excited to be going home. Doc said she’s doing better than she could have hoped. Kid’s got a spine of steel.”
Relief washed through me, so potent I had to sit down. “I was so afraid something would happen and she’d have to stay longer.”
“Nah, baby. She’s all good. Has her headphones on. You know. The universal sign meaning ‘don’t talk to me.’”
“I had that same thought on multiple occasions.” The smile that tugged my lips was wide and so fucking wonderful I wanted to feel this way forever.
“She’s asking for her own clothes. Says if she has to wear one more hospital gown she’s going to puke and that might pull something loose.”
I laughed, the sound surprising me with its lightness. “Tell her I’ve got her favorite Star Wars pajamas ready and waiting.”
“Will do. Be there in thirty. Love you, little flower.”
“Love you too,” I replied, the words still new enough to make my heart skip.
“You know,” Ada said softly, watching me with knowing eyes, “I always told Knight he was an idiot for letting you go. I’ve never been happier to see him fix a mistake.”
I smiled, blinking back unexpected tears. “Me too, Ada. Me too.”
Half an hour later I stood outside the warehouse in the parking lot where Knight stood on the passenger side of the Bronco. The open door revealed Brynn sitting in the back seat, her legs wrapped in a blanket and a nest of pillows. She looked on the verge of laughing.
He stood arms crossed over his chest beside Brynn in the open door. If his surgical wound pulled, I couldn’t tell from his expression.
“Knight, you literally got an organ cut out of you,” Brynn said. “Stop trying to make up for everything all at once. I can freaking walk.” Brynn shoved everything out of her way, including Knight, and climbed out of the Bronco like not a Goddamned thing was wrong.
The whole courtyard roared in laughter as they welcomed the pair home. When Knight would have reached for Brynn again, Tiny scooped the child up and carried her. Not surprisingly, Brynn didn’t protest. She liked to tell Knight how Tiny had become her favorite. Knight, of course, always acted put out. It was a whole thing.
“Tiny, put her down! I’m carrying my daughter inside!” He trotted after Tiny looking like a kid chasing after his father. The sight made me laugh for joy. “I’ve been cleared for light lifting. She weighs what, seventy pounds soaking wet?”
“I’m right here, you know. And you’re acting like a lunatic. Besides. Tiny brought me Chunky Monkey ice cream. He can carry me.”
Knight’s jaw dropped. “Are you freakin’ kiddin’ me? You bought her off with a pint of Chunky Monkey?”
Tiny’s massive shoulders lifted in a shrug, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Knight shook his head. “That’s cold, brother.”
“Jesus Christ,” Brynn muttered, but I caught the hint of a smile in her voice.
“Language,” Knight and I said simultaneously, exchanging a look that made us both laugh.
“Your castle awaits, princess,” Knight announced as he opened the door for Tiny to enter with Brynn.
Brynn snorted. “Do I look like a princess to you?”
“Nope,” Knuckles agreed cheerfully. “More like a tiny general. Which means you still outrank me.”
When Tiny set her down in front of the lift, I moved to pick her up, but she shook her head. “I can walk to the apartment. Just… maybe stay close.”
Knight and Brynn had gotten close over the last few weeks. I’d even caught Brynn looking to Knight more and more for reassurance. She still needed me close sometimes, even if she didn’t want to admit it, but I liked how she and Knight had found a happy place. Hopefully, it would grow wider and brighter and we really could make up for the years we’d lost.
Knight hovered at her side as she made her way down the hall. The club had decorated the walls with welcome home messages and pictures of Brynn’s and Knight’s time in the hospital. They showed the journey the three of us had taken together. I could tell it touched both father and daughter.