Beyond the Edge (the Knight Series Book 3)

by Mari Brown

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Beyond the Edge

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  5 years later…

  Beyond the Edge

  Book 3 the Knight Series

  Mari Brown

  Beyond the Edge

  Copyright © 2016 Mari Brown

  Kindle Edition

  No portion of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in print or electronic form without permission.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. The subject matter is not appropriate for minors. Please note that this novel contains profanity, explicit sexual situations, and alcohol consumption.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printed, 2016

  Zebra Publications, Summerdale, AL 36580

  Cover Design by Rachel Lillyman

  Editing by Tammy Wells

  Formatting by Sheila Rivera

  Dedication

  To the Zebra Publications Family

  WOW who knew in such a short time we would form the bond we have. I had a dream a vision and each of you embraced that vision and made it part of your dream too. We are going to earn our zebra stripes and rock the Indie World with our Creative Teams. Good things will happen for us.

  Acknowledgements

  Hulk- I don’t even have the words to express what your support of my career means to me. I love you from the bottom of my heart and you will always be my favorite Alpha male. I honestly have to be the luckiest woman in the world to have you for a husband.

  Rachel L.-My writing partner in crime, my sister from another mister, my bestie in the land down under!!!!!! I can’t begin to thank you enough for all that you do for me. Listening when I need to vent, creating an awesome book cover for this book, the teasers, the beta reading, the encouragement. I love that our friendship is strong no matter the miles between us. One day hopefully we will meet face to face.

  Tara D.-Sheesh woman where do I even start…. you came on and I was nervous. I’ve had other PAs and sadly they left me a little sour about trusting strangers to help me with my career. The tireless hours you spend pimping me on social media, your encouragement when I am discouraged, reading my stuff as I’m writing and not having a clue what I may send you next (add something about dedication. This isn't totally complete). Your willingness to keep me on task when need be. I’m not sure I can live without you in my life. You have become a wonderful friend and I can’t wait to hug your neck one day soon.

  Jodi L., and Veronica G,- Each of you has become an integral part of my writing. It doesn’t matter what you are doing you are always willing to take a moment to read and give input on what I’m writing.

  Tammy Wells –You saved my ass with this book. I can’t thank you enough for coming in and helping me at the last moment literally to get this book edited properly. I look forward to working with you in future endeavors. You have my undying loyalty.

  Sheila R, Teresa D- The remaining two members of the creative team for this book. Your input on this novel is valuable. I adore both of you to the moon and back.

  Feisty Cats – These ladies are the cat’s meow! Seriously they rock. Not only are they readers but I think of most of them as friends. Your enthusiasm for my novels motivates and pushes me even when I’m discouraged. I think I have the best reader group on Facebook.

  Bloggers & Readers- Your support means the WORLD to me! Bloggers as always have my utmost respect they do a lot for Indie authors. Each of you are an important part of the creative process. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing my books on social media, buying and reading my books, and reviewing my books.

  Chapter 1

  One month ago today, everything I knew about myself changed in a single instant. I lost a little piece of my humanity. I grew up overnight. I’ve thought about that night many times. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t change one thing. I killed a man in cold blood. Something tells me that it won’t be the only time it happens. I have very little remorse for what I did that night. Prior to then I was emotionally immature brat. In a single moment life changed.

  Gary Marks was a guy I grew up with, a schoolmate, friend and one whose family roots were deep in the Knight Empire. His betrayal cut deep. It was because of Gary that Sal Martin was able to get inside information about the Knights. It was indirectly because of him that my brother Drew was shot a few months ago. That night in the Knight mansion when he shot Cole, I saw red. He had to go, he had betrayed the family.

  We were giving the Mark’s family time to mourn the loss of their son. His father had been a trusted confidant to Bruce Knight for over thirty years. We did it out of respect for the family. I’m sure the shock and betrayal they felt was horrendous When we showed up at the funeral I could easily tell they were troubled and uncomfortable in front of us. However, a time would come where the Knights would regroup and began plotting. Sal Martin would be going down, and there is a part of me that wants to be the one to do it. The mother fucker kidnapped my family, shot my family, hurt my family, put a fucking hit out on me and he will pay.

  “Kitten…” I hear Coke’s voice. I turn to face my man.

  I love Cole with everything that I am. So much history between us. There was a time I thought we would never be together again. Yet, here we are. His spiky black hair and gorgeous green eyes still managed to make my knees weak. I would do anything for Cole.

  “Kitten?” He calls out to me again.

  If I don’t answer him he’s going to get pissed. He hates when he thinks I’m ignoring him. Sometimes though, I have nothing to say or sometimes I know I shouldn’t say what’s on my mind. Either way I stay silent. Even if it pisses him off. I’m a brat there is no denying it.

  “Kitten fucking talk to me!”

  “What? Damn!”

  “I asked you what is going on in that pretty head of yours.”

  Shifting uncomfortably as I squirm under Coke’s penetrating gaze. Thoughts race through my mind. Cole will be furious if he knew my thoughts were on revenge. Of ending another man’s life. Cole did not love the fact that I was the one who killed Gary. He didn’t want me to dirty my hands but it was too late. They had been dirty since the time I shot the guy after Julie and Seth were kidnapped by Sal Martin. Cole wants things to go back, when I didn’t have blood on my hands but it was too late for that.

  “Ummm, well...” I fidget on the couch as I try to avoid telling Cole what’s been on my mind. My leg begins tapping as my hand rubs the arm of the sofa. His eyes follow my every move.


  “Fuck! You’re thinking about Martin again!”

  My eyes grow big. I hate he knows me so well. He reads me so easy.

  “No I’m not.” I reply quickly.

  “Lies. Why are you lying to me?”

  “Because I don’t want us to fucking fight over this again!”

  “We wouldn’t have to fight over it if you would just drop it.”

  Drop it? How am I supposed to just drop it? This guy has been fucking with my loved ones for five years now. I want this to end. If Cole could understand… I’m not much different from him. I want to protect the family no matter the cost.

  “I can’t drop it. He’s been a pain the ass for years. It’s time for it to stop for good”

  Cole sits beside me. He takes my hand in his larger one. His thumb traces circles on my skin.

  “Baby…”

  “No, Cole. You guys made sure I knew how to fight to protect myself.” My body angles more toward Cole. I can do this. Give me a chance please.”

  “I’m too fucking soft when it comes to you.” Cole’s body heaves with a soft sigh. “I can’t tell you no.”

  “Then don’t.” Gazing deep into his eyes I search for the truth I will find there. Swimming in his beautiful blue orbs I see it clearly. He’s going to let me stand by his side this time and fight alongside him. We would truly be one in every way. The only thing that keeps me from being excited I got my way is that I know this is going to be dangerous. People would die, people close to us. We might lose friends and family both during this war.

  “Drew’s going to give me shit for this.” His words whispered as he nuzzles into my neck.

  “My brother can kiss my ass. You’re his boss not the other way around.”

  “Kitten, you’re his sister first.” I smile at Cole’s words. He’s right, Drew is going to give us hell when he finds out I’m going to be allowed to be an active part in taking down Sal Martin. It felt like the beginning of a partnership between Cole and I, it was more than romantic, we were equals in many ways. I was learning though, he deserved my respect, not just my loyalty and love.

  Our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door to our suite. Cole rises and walks to the door. The click of the door opening is heard before I hear the obnoxious sound of Justin Knight. Justin and his twin sister Julie were from my small circle of high school friends. Julie was the only friend I’ve ever had truly, that is female. Our friendship deepened when I started dating their older brother and eventually ended up living with them my final year of high school. However, it was the youngest of the Knight siblings that stole my heart. Seth Knight was four when I moved into the mansion and that baby literally was my first taste of unconditional love. I found out quickly I would do anything to protect the boy who owns my heart.

  A few months ago his mother died from a cocaine overdose. She was fucked up for all types of reasons but Seth loved his mother. He was just now starting to return to some semblance of a normal nine-year-old. The Knights became my family when I was sixteen. Bruce the head of the family, the father I wish I had growing up, adopted me and loved me like I was his own. He put up with a lot of bullshit and disrespect from me over the years for reasons I still had yet to figure out. Bruce was there for me even during the years Cole and I were apart.

  Cole’s hand waves in front of my face slowly, “Kat, Dad wants us in his office.” It’s obvious this was not Cole’s first attempt to get my attention. I'm lost in my own head so deep I didn’t hear him first.

  “Is everything okay?” I turn to Justin, watching as he shrugs his shoulders to my question.

  “Dad just sent me up here to get y’all. He didn’t tell me what was going on.”

  We follow Justin back downstairs. Julie is already waiting in the office. The only Knight missing is little Seth and my guess is that he’s too young for whatever is about to happen.

  “I’m glad I got all of you at once. It makes this easier.”

  Panic begins to crawl through me. Is something wrong with Bruce? I’m nervous, scared; feelings I’m not use to feeling about someone I love.

  “Dad, what’s going on?” Cole asks what all of us are wondering by now.

  “Nothing bad.” He sighs “this shit with Sal Martin is getting out of hand. I want to make sure things are smooth for a transition in power from me to my successor.” He sits in his leather office chair a whiskey in his hand he takes a long gulp. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t troublesome to see Bruce this way.

  “Dad…” Cole questions again. Justin and Julie have mirror looks of worry on their faces. One that I’m sure matches my own worry.

  “Bruce, what’s going on? Just spit it out.” I can’t stop the words from erupting from my mouth. He gives a small chuckle at my out burst

  “Our feisty Kat... always impatient.”

  A part of me feels bad that I was disrespectful toward Bruce right now. He’s always been so good to me. I’m thankful he didn’t take offense at my words.

  “Sorry.” My head hangs down a little. Bruce deserves more respect from me.

  “It’s okay, Kat. I know you didn’t mean any offense.” He places his glass down on the desk in front of him. “I still have some years in me left but I want to make sure things are clear and in place.”

  All eyes are now riveted to Bruce.

  I question his word choice earlier when he said successor. It’s odd and out of place. It’s always been known that Cole was being groomed, as the oldest son, to take over running the Knight Empire one day. Why would Bruce think there would be any doubts about that in the future?

  His next words shock me as well as everyone else in the room when he says “Cole will become the head of the family but only after he and Kat are married.” He pauses to catch his brother before finishing with “Cole and Kat will be the first couple to ever run the empire together.”

  What is Bruce doing? Has he lost his mind? Is he sick? Dying? I can’t even fathom that thought. He basically just told Cole that the only way he gets to take over the family is by sharing the power with me. I am not sure that’s a great idea but, what do I really know? Not near as much as I once thought I did.

  Did he just order Cole and I to get married? A few weeks ago Cole gave me some crazy caveman proposal and now his father is ordering us to get married. The brat in me wants to scream and rebel in every manner possible. Honestly I just can’t do it though, I love Cole and I want to marry him.

  “Dad, you know that I already proposed to Kat?”

  “You didn’t propose. You tricked me into picking a date. I have yet to receive a proper proposal.”

  Smiles break out on the faces of the Knights.

  “Ah yes, you did say I had to give you a romantic proposal.”

  “That’s right, until then no wedding I don’t care what date is circled on the calendar.” I turn my back to him crossing my arms as I fake pout. It’s a given I’m marrying this man.

  “Kat, can I help plan the wedding?” Julie’s timid voice calls from her spot across the room. My initial response is to tell her she’s fucking crazy. One look at the hopeful expression on her face as I close my mouth to I regroup my thoughts. “I would love if you helped me Julie. Start by finding wedding planners for us to interview.”

  Cole beams from ear to ear. Fucktard's thinking he’s winning this marriage battle.

  “I can’t believe we are sitting her talking about planning a fucking wedding.” I straighten to my full height seated next to Cole. “We need to be plotting the take down of the Martins” I huff.

  “Kat…” Bruce’s begins. He is serious but I see warmth in his eyes. “Life must go on Kat. Even when our enemy is breathing down our neck the best revenge is showing that he hasn’t paralyzed you in fear.”

  I let Bruce’s words soak in. I get what he is saying. I know it’s a bigger in your face asshole for us to live life like there is no fear that Martin will attack at any moment. We can’t lock ourselves up and away from the world. We mus
t carry on with life. We just have to take precautions and be more careful.

  Cole and Justin both wear huge smiles even if for different reasons. I resist the urge to smack the smile off both their faces. I turn to Julie who gives me a smaller smile. I soften as I look at my sister of the heart. I still have some weakness when it comes to my family. I’m not completely soulless.

  Bruce continues outlining plans and provisions he has made for each member of the family, including my brother Drew. Tears well up in my eyes at the generosity this man who many fear for good reason yet he has shown my brother and I nothing but love. I hate to think what would have happened to Drew or myself if Bruce Knight had not taken us in. Our father or fathers were long gone before either of us can remember. Our mother was a bitch. A certifiable tee total cunt who never had the time of day for us and neither of us had talked to her in years. I wasn’t even sure she was still alive much less still living in the same house. I knew chances were she was but thankfully living in the Knight mansion kept us out of the seedy crack house neighborhood we grew up in.

  Cole sits talking with his dad. I once again study my man. I notice his stance and can’t help admiring the strength he exhibits even in a relaxed state. Cole is already a powerful force. I can only imagine what he will be like as he matures and continues to grow.

  Chapter 2

  Two days later, I’m sitting at my desk working when Gracie, the administrative assistant for Knight Enterprises, buzzes me. “Luke is here to see you”

  A smile lights up my face at the mention of my college friend’s name. We met my first day on campus at UCLA. I became friends with him, his twin Liam and Liam’s fiancée Ali. After a year of friendship, we became on and off again lovers until I returned to Belmont. Luke was now dating my soon to be sister in law and best friend Julie.

  “Send him in.” My door swings open as my friend’s six-foot frame enters my office. His blonde hair which use to be a hot mess until he started working for the Knights as an attorney. I’m thankful his father came onto the Knight payroll because Luke is good at arguing his point. I’m thankful he’s on our side. His way with words was legendary on Greek row. He could talk a nun of her habit if he set his mind to it.