Page 94 of Knox Unleashed
But each time, I’ve gone through every reason and realized that, while it is fast, and it is an odd pairing, we work.
I smile as I answer. “I feel like that’s something you should ask your president.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Ridge asks.
I shrug. “I feel like you’ve done nothing but since you arrived.”
“You’ve got history. With Caldwell. With this town. With Knox. With the club. And Knox? He doesn’t do this.” He gestures at me.
Sunny straightens, folding his arms, now, still grinning, but his words are softer. “Also, worth noting, is that Prez hasneverlost concentration when interrogating someone before. And he let you see him hurt that man. That says he’s letting you in on club shit.”
My chest tightens. I wonder, for a second, if I’m at risk. But then, I try to see what is happening through their eyes. The sand is shifting beneath their feet. And I think about the kind of leader Knox would be in a moment like this. Would he be direct? Empathetic?
“You said you had a question, Ridge,” I say.
“Are you using him, Maren? In any way. To get intelligence for your father. To get back at your father.”
I cross my arms to match Sunny’s. “First, I can’t change who my father is. But I have no relationship with him. In fact, you might say I despise him. So, no. I definitely wouldn’t help him with any kind of intelligence. And I’ve tried to build a life for myself that runs independent of my father and his wishes. He hates that I paint. He hates this place. He hates that I didn’t go study law or follow him into law enforcement. Sure, he hates that I’m with Knox, but it will have zero impact on our relationship.”
I don’t know where the words came from, but I realize I feel them down to my bones.
My father could disappear from my life, and nothing would happen.
No, my life would be easier. I wouldn’t have to hear how much of a disappointment I am to him ever again.
“You got any more questions, or are you going to buy something?”
Ridge grins. “You passed, Maren.”
Sunny offers me a high five. Not quite understanding what they mean, but because I hate the idea of leaving him hanging, I slap my palm to his.
“What did I pass?”
“Some of the men needed to know where you stood in all this,” Sunny says. “We volunteered to come ask. Those were good answers, and I’m sorry your Dad was a dick to you. I mean he’s a dick to everyone, so I’m not sure why we thought he might not be to his kid.”
“Thank you. Does Knox know you’re here?” I ask.
Ridge nods. “He does. But only because we have the glass for your window on the side of the van. He has no clue about the chat.”
I smile slyly at that. “And would it be problematic if he found out you came interrogating me?”
“Probably,” Sunny says.
Ridge shrugs. “I’ll take my lumps. Needed to hear it from you.”
I sigh dramatically and tap my finger to my lips. “We just got a delivery of fifty-pound sacks of ice, delivered in bulk, that is cold, wet, and awkward for stacking. It’s a hot day, and it’s gonna melt fast. So, if, say, two big strong men offered to deal with the ice for me, I might be persuaded to keep my mouth shut.”
“Understood, boss,” Ridge says with a smile.
I press my hands onto the counter and lean forward. “And I’m expecting Knox in approximately fifteen minutes.”
Sunny laughs. “Well played, Maren. Show us where the ice is.”
I pretend to lock my lips together and throw the key over my shoulder. “Go through that door there. The ice just came off the truck. Ask Leo to tell you where to put it. He’s the only guy in there.”
“Is he going to ask questions?” Ridge asks.
“He’s over seventy. He’s not gonna ask questions; he’s just going to be relieved that he doesn’t have to help me do it.”
