I scrunch my nose. “I never saw you. When did you do that?”
His face falls, and he looks away before his eyes fixate on me. “When I came back from the military and joined the MC, I checked on you a few times a year.”
My eyes bulge. “And not once did you think to come and say hi?” Irritation coats my voice. “What’s wrong with you? I thought we would at least be friends after everything we’ve been through.”
There were so many times I would have done anything to have him back with me... to hear his voice... to feel him.
His lips press together into a straight line, like he wants to talk but doesn’t.
“Tell me why!” I demand.
“You were better off without me. You looked healthier, happier. I wasn’t going to ruin that.”
My mouth opens, but Kane walks toward us, so I remain silent. This is a private conversation between me and Knox.
“So what have you been up to?” I ask Kane as he sits across from us in the easy chair. I sense Knox shuffling closer to me until our bodies touch. I gasp while trying to focus on Kane, but I’m struggling.
His eyes light up. “I still work with Dad at the casino.” It’s obvious he loves working there.
Knox rests his hand on his leg, though it’s so close to mine.
Focus!
“And what happens when David retires?”
Kane smiles widely. “I’ll take over management responsibilities and become CEO. I heard from your mom and”—he gives Knox a look with a raised brow—“someone else, that you work in a women’s shelter. How’s that going?” A tinge of sadness laces his question, even though he smiles when he says it.
I look away as I try to think about using the right words. “It’s upsetting but rewarding at the same time.”
“After everything you went through, how could you work in a shelter helping people in difficult circumstances all the time? I honestly thought you would do something completely different, like be a teacher or something.”
I clear my throat and rub my hand up and down my leg. Knox puts one of his hands over mine. That there is the Knox I remember. My eyes close briefly, but I lift his hand off. I look at him and shake my head. He’s had plenty of time to comfort me over the years—hell, to even say hi—and not once did he.
I look back to Kane, whose eyes are darting between me and Knox. “Should I leave and let you two get it on?”
My eyes bulge, and I shake my head rapidly. “No. Stay.” Kane raises a brow. “Helping other people helped me, I guess. I found peace in giving women and children a safe place to stay and helping them to get back on their feet.”
Kane gulps. Misty’s disappearance is the only thing I’ve ever seen upset Kane, and rightfully so. The torment in his eyes is profound.
“Dinner is on its way,” David announces. I watch him as he makes his way to us. He sits on the other easy chair next to Kane. “Wait until you try the Chinese food. They’ve been here for a year, and the shop is literally up the road. Anyway, what are we talking about?”
A moment of silence swells.
“My job at the women’s shelter,” I reply, since Kane’s mind seems to be elsewhere.
“And how’s that going?”
“It’s rewarding.”
“I always knew you were special. What you do”—he shakes his head, his eyes thoughtful—“is incredible. You should be proud of yourself.” He looks at Kane, then at Knox for a little while longer. “Because I know we are.”
I raise my head and blink furiously, trying not to cry. “Thank you,” I respond, emotion clear in my voice.
“Hell... don’t cry, precious,” says David in a consoling tone.
Ouch!I cringe at the nickname Knox used to call me.
“Don’t worry about it. I guess seeing everyone has made me a little emotional.”
