Knox's Stand
Page 23

“Open your legs. I need to wrap your other knee.”
He felt her legs open a scant amount and then he wrapped it softly, stroking the sensitive flesh behind her knee. When she would have pulled away, Shade rose to his feet, letting his hand slide across the top of her thighs with a delicate touch that the innocent girl would think was accidental.
Taking her hand, he applied the antiseptic to it and then wrapped it, taking his time once more, enjoying her eyes watching his every move. Unable to prolong the inevitable any longer, he took a step away.
“You’re done.” Her eyes immediately broke from him and she practically ran from the restroom.
Shade picked up the first aid kit, meticulously replacing the items he had taken out. Going to the sink basin, he washed his hands and sprayed cold water on his face, wondering how much longer he could resist from reaching out and taking what he was determined would be his.
 
 
Chapter Twelve
 
The glass had been swept up by the time Lily reentered the room with wild eyes. Lily reminded Diamond of a frightened doe when she immediately went to Beth. Diamond envied the two sisters their close relationship as she watched Beth soothe her until Lily sat down on the chair and began organizing the papers The Last Riders were picking up.
Shade’s eyes went to Lily when he came back into the room before he started gathering the papers while taking in Lily ignoring him. His grim visage was one of tension. Diamond watched the other Last Riders circle him. Diamond now believed Winter when she said The Last Riders would protect Lily as she did the job she wanted. After all, they were keeping her protected from the wolf in their own territory.
When the women from The Last Riders arrived minutes later, Diamond was introduced to Evie, Dawn, Jewell and Raci. All of them brushed aside her protests and began organizing her paperwork. Holly put them back in the cabinets when each folder was completed.
What would have taken a week to reorganize, took just one afternoon with everyone’s help. When it was down to a final sheath of papers, Diamond stood, looking around the room, which looked bare now that the men had taken out the couch; it had been torn to such an extent that it had to be thrown way.
“Damn, any idea who did this?” Evie asked, handing her the last sheath of papers.
“No, but I think it involved Knox’s case. It’s too much of a coincidence with the search warrant for the jewelry, now this. Someone wants me to stop.”
“I agree; they’re escalating. This is becoming more dangerous than I anticipated. I don’t want you going anywhere without back-up, Diamond,” Viper ordered.
“I’ll be careful, Viper,” Diamond said.
“You better be,” Knox stated sternly.
Evie and the other women paused at Knox’s words, looking stunned, while Diamond turned away and busied herself by putting the rest of the folders back in the cabinet.
“We’re done here. Holly can replace the sofa for me Monday. Thanks everyone. It would have taken several days for us straighten this mess out,” Diamond said, truly grateful for their help.
“No problem. We’re glad we could help,” Winter said with a smile.
Winter, Lily and Beth stood. “I’m sorry about the cuts, Lily.” Diamond continued to be stricken by the sight of the bandages on Lily.
“I shouldn’t have over-reacted; it was just a few scratches. We’ll see you tomorrow.” The women left with Razer and Shade.
“We have to go to, but Knox will stay with you until you get home,” Viper said, looking at the reorganized office. Diamond started to argue with him, but she had started to notice that it was a lost cause to bother once Viper’s mind was made up.
“Okay, we’re almost done here anyway,” Diamond relented. Besides, she could tell by the way that Knox was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest he wasn’t going anywhere.
“I called the locksmith, he’s on his way to put on another lock,” Holly said, hanging up the phone.
“Thanks, Holly.” Diamond glanced at her watch and realized it was almost five. “You go ahead. I’ll stay here until the door is fixed.”
“Okay. If you’re sure. I’ll go by the furniture store before work Monday and pick out a new sofa.” Holly left, leaving Diamond alone with Knox.
“Your friends really helped me out today.”
Knox shrugged. “It’s only fair since it probably was my case that brought the bastard out who did this.” His hand rubbed over his bald head. “This is fucking messed up. If I had just kept my dick in my pants, none of this would be happening.”
Diamond didn’t say anything because he was probably right, someone had used Knox’s interlude with Samantha to set him up. The question was, how had they known?
“Did you see anyone that day? Someone had to have seen you so they could turn the cops in your direction.”
“I didn’t see anyone. No one saw me wreck or Sam pick me up.”
“How about when you left the hotel?”
“No, it was empty.”
Diamond saw something flash across his face. “What?”
“I thought I heard something, but when I looked around, it turned out to be nothing. I didn’t see anyone.”
“Where did you think the noise came from?” Diamond felt a brief flare of excitement.
“There’s a big oak tree on the edge of the parking lot. I thought it was just the wind, but someone could have been hiding there. I’ll send Cash to have a look around.”
“I could go by on my way home,” she said, anxious to have a look around.
“No, it’s better if Cash goes. He’s a tracker; he might pick up something we would miss.” The locksmith knocked on the door as Knox made his call. Diamond purchased the strongest lock possible, yet she didn’t have high hopes that it would prevent another break-in.
The door repair didn’t take long. When it was finished, Diamond and Knox were finally able to leave. She glanced down at her watch as she headed to her car.
“What’s the hurry?” Knox asked, his long strides easily keeping up with her fast steps.
“I’m going to be late to dinner at my mother’s,” she answered, opening her car door.
“You’re driving to Jamestown?”
“Yes.”
Knox stopped her from entering her car by taking her arm. She started to jerk away until she noticed that he was pointing to her tire.
“Damn it. What is going on? This day is one disaster after another.” Diamond started to pull her phone out of her pocket to cancel dinner.
“I can drive you on my bike. I would just have followed anyway or Viper would have had my ass.”
“I’m not riding on your bike to my mother’s house.”
“It doesn’t look like you have much choice. It’ll take at least thirty minutes for someone to bring you a new tire.”
“You could change my tire for me. I have a spare,” Diamond suggested.
“Your spare is for shit. I noticed it the other day when we worked on your alternator. Your whole car is one big accident waiting to happen,” Knox said, shaking his head.
“I was going to get another one as soon as I get a few more clients. I needed Holly more than a car.”