She pivoted around to lean her back against the workbench as Knox reassembled the repaired bathroom fixture. “Carla went home about an hour ago.”
“I know. I was in here when I heard her car leave.”
He had purposely made himself scarce during their visit. Maybe he should have said more than a handful of words to Leni’s friend after she’d arrived, but it wasn’t his job to be hospitable. He was there for one purpose, even if he had to keep reminding himself of that fact.
“Anyway, I promised Riley we’d rent that new superhero movie tonight,” Leni said. “We’re going to start it in a minute, if you’d like to come in and join us.”
Knox exhaled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” She tilted her head, her tone playful as she watched him. “You got something against caped crusaders?”
“No,” he said, setting down his work and meeting her gaze.
Damn, those eyes knocked him out every time he looked at her. So clear and steady. Fearless. Right now, there was a hopeful gleam in them that seemed to carve a hollow in his chest as she stared at his grim face.
“You said I shouldn’t make promises to the kid that I won’t be keeping, Leni. I agree. I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to get used to me being around.”
“Oh.” She frowned and glanced away from him, giving a dismissive shake of her head. “Yeah, that’s true. Good point.”
It was. So, why did he feel like such a bastard for saying it?
“I shouldn’t keep Riley waiting,” she murmured. “Anyway, I really just wanted to come out and see if you needed anything. I haven’t seen or heard from you since this morning when Carla was here.”
“After our conversation last night, I thought keeping my distance from you would be best. For both of us.”
Fuck. He instantly wished he hadn’t said a word, just kept his mouth shut and let her go.
Because although she had started to move away from him, now she paused.
“Knox, about that . . .” She faced him, her expression pinched with contrition. “I’m sorry for prying about Abbie, about your life. I didn’t have any right to say the things I did about what you’ve been through or the choices you’ve made.”
He couldn’t keep the low curse from slipping past his clenched teeth. Her charge that he was running away from his past while still clinging to it had been dead-on. He hadn’t wanted to hear it. Hell, no one had ever dared say it to his face before.
Of course, Leni with her forthright manner and fearless heart wouldn’t hesitate to put him firmly in his place, set him straight. He liked that about her. He respected her for having the guts to call him on his bullshit, even if it pissed him off to admit it.
“You don’t need to apologize,” he muttered. “You were right. About everything you said.”
She studied him for a long moment then glanced down, toying with the edge of her roomy sweater. “Carla told me what you did.” Her gaze lifted. “You put Dwight Parrish and his brand-new truck in the river?”
“Only seemed fair.”
Her mouth curved, those mesmerizing eyes lit with amusement. “You did that for me?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to convey a message, that’s all. Announce my presence in Parrish Falls in clear, unmistakable terms.”
“Ah.” She nodded, but it was obvious she wasn’t buying his excuse. “Well, I think you’ve done that. Carla says the whole town is already buzzing with the news that we have a Breed male in our midst. Dwight’s making it sound like you’re a homicidal maniac.”
He grunted. “Not that far from the truth. I don’t much care what anyone thinks or says about me.”
“Normally, I don’t either. But the Parrishes will use anything they can against me when it comes to Riley. It’s not going to take long for tongues to start wagging about the fact that you’re staying here with me.”
“If you want me to leave, I will.”
“No,” she said, no hesitation at all. “I don’t want that, Knox.”
“You sure?” He almost wished she’d say the words, give him an out before he allowed himself to become any more involved in her life. “I’m not the only one of my kind who’s capable of protecting you and Riley. I could make a call right now, send for someone else to step in and do this right. Hell, just about anyone would be better suited for babysitting duty than me.”
“Is that what this is to you?” Her brow pinched. “Is that how you see me, Knox?”
