Page 50 of Knight Watch

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sydney sat quietly insidethe interview room, her hands twisting as her anxiety levels rose with each passing minute. The windowless room was painted a pale gray with a glass mirror that she knew from watching endless crime dramas was a two-way mirror.

Glancing up she saw the camera in the corner of the room, the blinking red light indicating it was recording. Her gut twisted in fear as bile climbed up her throat. She couldn’t go back to her uncle. She just hoped like hell that whatever Frida seemed to have up her sleeve worked. She had spoken with her briefly, but she had been cryptic and asked her some strange questions about Kingsley that made no sense to her.

Noise from outside was followed by barking and then more shouting before it seemed to move away. She suspected it was Caitlin and Killian. Her new friend hadn’t left her side after the police deputies had taken her into custody.

They had been perfectly nice to her, gentle even as they helped her into the back of the cruiser. Their eyes caught hers in the rearview mirror as they drove, holding sympathy for what they perceived as her situation.

The door opened, and the officer who had spoken with her when she was brought in entered followed by Frida and lastly, to her utter relief, Kingsley. She was moving before her mind even registered it.

“Kingsley.” She threw herself into his open arms and felt them close around her, holding her tight, the instant feeling of safety was a balm to her tortured soul. His scent was all around her as he buried his nose in her neck, almost lifting her off the ground.

He pulled away from her, and she felt the reluctance in him. His eyes ran up and down her body, assessing her, looking for signs she had been hurt. “Are you okay, baby?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

He pulled her into the crook of his arm and held her against his body. Her eyes followed his face as he glared at the officer. “I demand you release my wife immediately.”

She stiffened at his words. The tightening of his arm on her back told her to play along.

“Miss Rutherford never mention she was married.” The cop was suspicious and Sydney stayed silent letting Kingsley run point on this one.

“We only got married four days ago. Sydney’s ring has been in getting properly sized. I was picking it up from the jeweler when I got the phone call. Here you go, babe. It should fit perfectly now.” He fished in his pocket and held up a plain but perfect gold band. He took it and slipped it on her finger, his hand holding hers before he brought the side to his lips and kissed it. The feeling of joy she got from an act that was all show was silly, but it made her heart skip a beat.

“Do you have proof?” The cop wasn’t ready to let it go.

“Yes, I have all the papers right here, and I also have a signed affidavit from the judge that married them in Indiana.” Frida stepped in, producing papers and handing them to the man. Sydney looked at Kingsley, and knew he could see the question in her eyes.

He looked down at her with censure when he spoke, but she knew it was all for show. “Why didn’t you call me when this happened?”

“Because I knew you were chasing down that lead for Alliance and I didn’t want to worry you.”

“Babe.” That one word spoke more than a complete sentence ever would. “Are all American women this stubborn or is just the one I married?” Kingsley asked the room at large as he winked at her and she saw the cop smirk in sympathy for Kingsley.

“I need to verify it, but if it checks out, then you’re free to go with your husband, Mrs. Knight.” He moved from the room leaving them alone.

She turned to Kingsley with a smile playing on her lips, but he glanced up at the camera in warning before she spoke. “Thank you for getting me out of this jamb.”

“In sickness, health, and all the crazy shit in between, baby. That’s what I signed up for.”

Sydney felt her breath catch at the truth in his words and the emotion in his voice and fought not to fall into the game they were playing. But it was hard. She realized with a shock that she wanted nothing more in this world than to be Mrs. Knight one day. That was a dangerous dream, because if her uncle kept up his games, chances were she wouldn’t live to see her next birthday, let alone get a happily ever after with her British knight.

“Good because you ain’t getting rid of me.”

“I don’t ever want to rid of you, Syd, not ever.” He dipped his head and caught her mouth in a deep kiss that made her legs go weak.

“I’ll just go see what they’re up to.” Frida grinned at them, her face beautiful as her harsh features softened.

“Thank you.” He nodded at her as she exited the room.

Kingsley sat on the chair before pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. He rested his head against her heart and held tight. Neither said anything as they waited for the detective to return. Sydney ran her fingers through the soft, thick hair at the back of his head, the feeling relaxing her as she waited.

The door burst open suddenly and every muscle in her body tensed in fear as she saw the look of pure fury on her uncle’s face. Kingsley was on his feet in a second, pushing her behind him as he faced her uncle down. Raymond was dressed in his usual designer suit and polished shoes, not a hair out of place as he visibly composed himself, but not before she saw the evil and hatred behind his eyes.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Kingsley growled, the room practically vibrating with testosterone.

Sydney saw the way her uncle’s face twisted at the confrontation and his lack of control over the events in the room. His expression changed, as if he’d suddenly remembered he was being watched, and he smiled. “I merely wanted to check on my niece and offer my congratulations for the very recent and sudden nuptials.”