Beyond the Edge (the Knight Series Book 3)

by Mari Brown

  “Kat is special. I’ve known it for a long time. She’s proved her loyalty to the Knights time and time again.” He stands up from his chair and walks the room. “She’s never been asked to do it. She just acts. Her actions always back up the Knight name.”

  “I agree.” Justin states. “Although, we may have to teach her how to reign in that temper.”

  Laughter comes from throughout the room. “Temper? I don’t have a temper!”

  “Kitten! You killed a man in cold blood because he gave me a flesh wound.”

  “He also betrayed the family.” I say with a pout. Justin is right. I can’t let my emotions keep ruling me. It’s caused problems for me far too many times. I had to be like Bruce and even Cole now. An unreadable wall has to be in place if I’m to be effective in my new role.

  “Kat has proven my point with her own words just now. Yes, she was pissed he shot Cole but ultimately, in her mind, Gary was a traitor and had to go.” He pauses beside me, his Hand coming to rest on my shoulder. “She and Cole together will be an unstoppable force. This family will grow and prosper under their leadership. And it starts today.”

  Today? What the hell is he talking about? Questioning looks are on each guy's face at Bruce’s words. No one speaks. We are all silent as we wait for him to continue. The respect being shown to Bruce right now is nothing short of what he has earned over the years.

  “These will be my last orders as head of family. From today forward you will get your orders and guidance from Cole and Kat.” Bruce begins pacing the room a bit. “Luke, Drew…you two compare company lists. Make a list of any shortfalls we will have.” He moves to Justin’s side. “Justin and Pete, begin recruiting and promoting within our ranks then we need to start looking for new recruits as well” Finally, Bruce ends by sitting at his desk “Cole and Kat, I want y’all here with me so we can discuss things and make this transition go smoothly. I want to be retired within the year.”

  Luke and Drew move to the conference table on the far side of the office. They each have a list of businesses, one that Frank provided and one that Hunter provided us. We can’t trust anyone at face value. I learned that lesson young even before joining up with the Knights. We don’t want to take some off chance that Frank is screwing us.

  Cole takes my hand in his and pulls me gently out of the chair. He places a lazy kiss on me. “Kitten, this is what we are destined for.” Staring into his eyes, I see the sincerity. He really is okay with us doing this together. “I don’t want a show piece for a wife. I want the bad ass bitch who will fight by my side.” he says smiling as he guides me to his dad’s desk.

  “Badass bitch?” I ask with a small grin tugging the corners of my mouth.

  “Hey dad.” Justin speaks. “You might want to talk to those two about making sure their sex life doesn’t interfere with running the business. I mean we did have to wait on them to fuck before this meeting started.” A huge grin breaks out on his face as I hurl a cup sitting on the desk at him. It crashes into the door frame shattering. “Temper temper, sister!” He laughs as he runs out of the room.

  “I’m going to end up shooting him one day.” I say with a huff as I plop in a chair.

  “Probably.” Cole answers with a grin on his face “Just don’t take the kill shot with him.”

  “I wish I could just sew his mouth shut some days.” I rake my hands through my hair in frustration.

  “I’ve often wished I could staple the boy’s mouth shut.” Bruce pipes in. “I’m going to be honest. I’m worried about that boy. He’s a loose cannon.”

  “Am I missing something?” I question Bruce.

  “I’ve been getting reports his behavior has been a bit manic while at Knight’s Castle. He’s not hurting anyone but I’m just worried.”

  “I think he’s bored.” I state. “He’s smart and I think he’s not challenged enough. Let’s face it, you give him cake work to keep him close to home.”

  “Calling me out are you, missy?” Bruce asks me.

  “I’m just making an observation. We’re under using Justin.”

  Cole is staring at me funny. I can’t quite place the look he’s giving me. I’m not sure if he wants to tell me to shut up or if he wants to kiss me. Maybe it’s both.

  “You think so?” Bruce asks thoughtfully.

  “He needs something that isn’t boring and routine for him. He needs a challenge.” I pause as I think about what I’m really trying to say to them. “He needs more than to be a solider boy. He’s not meant for leadership like Cole but he has some ability for leadership. Send him on a run…let him feel important.”

  I’m not sure where my observations are coming from. It’s not as if I have sat Justin down and got him to tell me how he feels. Neither have I just sat and studied him to see what is going on. I guess I just picked this information up without even realizing it.

  “That’s not a bad idea. Justin would do great picking up the shipment from Springville next month.” Cole is facing his father. I’m a little surprised he is in agreement with me. I know these men better than even I realized. Bruce wants his kids as part of the business but he’s protected them at the same time. Cole views his younger siblings much the same way.

  However. one thing we all silently agree on is that Julie is not meant to be active in the business. She has her little store, Duchess, that Bruce helped her get going. She runs it and loves what she does. She has Nico for protection so we don’t have to worry about her. Luke in her life just makes her even more protected. Everyone forgets that Luke was a fighter back in school. He may be a pencil pushing lawyer now but he can fight like no one’s business.

  “Cole, you will prepare your brother for the job.” Bruce states.

  “Kat, our first assignment will be going over the figures for each company we will be acquiring. Figuring out which ones to keep, what to liquidate, what we can combine with our own existing companies. That accounting degree of yours really is an asset.”

  “I can do that. Gracie will be able to help me. I can tell you right now we are going to have to start expanding our office staff. We will need a team of accountants with the business we will be handling.” My mind is reeling over all the accounts I already handle and when we are talking about adding at least thirty new companies we are talking big business.

  I grab a notebook and pen off Bruce’s desk and begin making notes to myself about what types of businesses we are running. Categories will help then having a head accountant for each category. All this is going into my notes. Cole watches me write quietly. His eyes questioning but he is wise in not speaking as my thoughts are flowing.

  “I need my laptop.” I finally say looking up from the notepad. “I have so much to do and organize.”

  “I’ll go get it for you , Kitten.” Cole says while standing up he steps around the maid who has come in to clean up the broken cup I threw at Justin.

  “Thanks, Cole.” I say absently as I go back to my notepad.

  “Kat!” Bruce calls my name. I glance at him stopping with the pen hovering over the paper. “I love you and I’m proud that I get to call you daughter.”

  “Fuck, Bruce! Don’t do sweet. You know I can’t handle that.”

  “I want you to know I really do care. You’re perfect for my son. Cherish every moment y’all have together.”

  “You okay, Bruce?” I ask him as I note the sadness in his eyes.

  “I’m okay. I’m turning into a sentimental old man. We had a conversation about his mother this afternoon. I love her still. I miss her so much.”

  I’m shocked into silence. I don’t even know what to begin to say to Bruce. I know realistically nothing I can say will make him feel better. “I’m sorry, Bruce. Maybe one day you can tell me the story of you and Serena.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Me too” We both lapse into silence. I go back to writing notes and he is fiddling with something on his desk. I don’t really pay attention to what he is doing because I’m so inte
nt on what I’m thinking about.

  Despite being away from Cole while I was in California, I am beginning to see there was a purpose for things happening the way they happened. I was able to get an education and one that would ultimately be a tool to help my Cole with running the Knight Empire. They say there is a reason for everything that happens in your life and I’m starting to see that is true.

  Chapter 12

  Cole

  Kat and I head to the office the next day. We have a lot to accomplish. We bring Gracie into my office and sit down with her explaining to her all the positions we need to begin hiring for. We ask her to help us with that process. She will read through the resumes and categorize them and present them to Kat and I.

  Knight Enterprises is going to be fully incorporated now. We had Luke and the other lawyers start the paperwork. No more small town mom and pop operation. Kat and I spend the morning looking at a building that is for sell downtown that would make a good centralized office space where everyone would finally work from one building. The majority of our businesses are legal so we want to do everything correct to keep from being looked at by anyone and them catching onto the illegal. It’s bad enough that stupid agent from the organized crime task force is still nosing around after the explosion.

  Kat and I do a light lunch in my office before going our separate ways, I don’t care if I sound like a pussy when it comes to her I can’t do life without her by my side. I love that woman to the depth of my soul. She’s fucking smart, beautiful and bad ass. What more could I ask for?

  I leave Kat working in the office with Gracie. Rocco, of course, is there to guard them. I take off for the old warehouse. The one I spent many hours in as a young man. This is where I started out in the family business. I ran this warehouse. It was now Justin’s baby to run. Today though, I was planning to give him more responsibility per Kat’s suggestion. He needed to be used to his full potential. He was a man who is ready to take on a bigger role.

  “Justin!” I yell as I enter the building.

  “He’s in the back, boss.” a burly guy replies from my left where he is sorting through bags of marijuana for distribution.

  “Thanks” I tell the guy. Chagrined I don’t even know his name. I’ve become that far removed from what’s going on at this level I don’t even know who works for us anymore. I head toward the back offices and see Justin sitting at his desk. He looks bored out of his mind.

  “Hey, little brother.” I say as I enter his office. He straightens up and gives me a suspicious look.

  “What‘s up Cole?”

  “I came to talk to you about stepping up your role in the family. We need you to take on some more active duties. I need someone I can trust.” I tell him with a grin.

  “Really? Because this shit gets boring day after day.” He says motioning out to the floor where drugs are in various states of packaging and distribution.

  “Yep, I need you to be prepared to head out next month and meet with the Imperials to get a gun shipment they are protecting for us right now.” I tell him.

  “So I will be going to Springville?”

  “Yep.”

  “Fucking A!” Justin exclaims. “It’s about time I got to do more. I swear Dad was still babying me.”

  I laugh at my brother. “He was still babying you and thank Kat for saying something to him about it. I didn’t even realize what dad was doing to you.”

  “I am going to kiss her tonight at dinner. I’m warning you brother.” He says with a giant grin.

  “Just keep it brotherly, douche face!” I tell him smiling back at him.

  Justin and I spend the next couple hours going over the shipment. The ins and outs of the trucks and checkpoints. Having the motorcycle club riding along for added protection. There is so much more to it than you think. You have to be prepared for any disaster or possible pitfall. Most shipments run smoothly but there is the occasional hiccup. Like the time I went to NOLA.

  “Thank you, Cole!” Justin finally says quietly. “I know it was Kat who saw the need but you were willing to listen to her and give me the chance.”

  “My woman is smart. I should listen to her a bit more than I have in the past. It would save me a fuck load of trouble. Might want to remember that one day when you meet the one.”

  “Shit! Fuck that…I’m planning to play for a long time, still.” He grins “Just because you and Julie are ready for domestic bliss doesn’t mean I am.”

  “Is there something I should know about Julie?” I ask suddenly wondering if I am missing more than I realize. I’m beginning to doubt my ability to lead all of a sudden. I don’t know who works for me, I don’t even see what’s going on with my own siblings.

  “Not anything official but trust me my little sister is in love and would marry Luke if he were to ask.”

  “Oh, well that doesn’t surprise me that much.” I reply while feeling some relief I haven’t missed anything bug happening. “I’ve seen her with Kat and all the wedding planning bullshit. She loves it.”

  “Ha tell me about it. She roped me into going with y’all this week for the food testing.”

  “Oh I’m sure she really had to twist your arm for that one.” I laugh at my brother.

  “Well, she promised me free food.” Justin’s smile is contagious and I find myself happy and at peace sitting with my brother. We can’t become complacent because once this merger with Frank goes through Sal is going to be gunning for us hard. It’s going to be an all-out battle for dominance.

  “Justin why don’t you introduce to me to all the workers I don’t seem to know here anymore.” I ask realizing there is no time like the present to begin really getting to know who we have working for us.

  ***

  I finally head back to the office to get Kat around six that evening. We had been in touch throughout the afternoon by text and she told me that her and Gracie would be working until this time so I wasn’t worried that I was going to have a pissed off woman waiting for me.

  As I walk in the main office, I see Gracie shutting down her computer.

  “Hey Cole!” she greets me.

  “Gracie, I’m surprised Drew isn’t here.” I remark.

  “He’s on his way to pick me up.” She laughs. “He’s been out on a site all day dealing with a material shipment that was wrong.”

  “He get it fixed?” I ask.

  “Yeah, as far as I know he did. It was shortage in the delivery.” She tells me.

  “Cole…stop yapping with Gracie and get in here I got something to show you…” Kat calls excitedly from her office. I find myself chuckling at her. As I walk to her open door I’m curious what she is so excited to show me.

  I wish I hadn’t been so curious when I get in there. Sitting on her desk are four huge floral arrangements and all I see are purple and black flowers with a little greenery.

  “Did someone die?” I ask her jokingly.

  “No, asshole... These are sample of wedding flower arrangements I ordered.” She is fluffing the flowers and sticking her nose to them as she inhales. “I wanted to see them in person to decide which one I really liked for the church.”

  “They all look great. How are you going to pick?”

  “That’s why I wanted you in here, maybe get your opinion on it.”

  I sigh as I walk to her desk. “Fuck, Kat. I don’t know shit about flowers.”

  “Like I know about flowers? Come on Cole just tell me which one you like.” She begins picking up an arrangement and moves it to a side table,then comes back for another and places it on the coffee table in her office. The flowers are spaced out so that we can view each one better.

  “I like this one.” I say pointing to one sitting on her desk it’s got black roses and some type of purple flower. “What’s the purple flower?”

  “It’s an orchid. I like that one too.” She says as she walks up to me. Her head leans on my shoulder as we both stare at the arrangement in front of us. “The one next to it sucks. Roses a
nd carnations are to funeral like for me.” She takes that arrangement and walks out of the office with it. Ihear her and Gracie’s voice as they speak quietly. It’s not long before she walks back in.

  “This other one left is roses and calla lilies.” She tells me absently. I notice her eye keeps coming back to the one on her desk.

  “Kitten, these are our wedding flowers.” I tell her smiling while motioning for her to move close to me. I pull her into my arms. I lean down and whisper “They are almost as beautiful as you are.”

  “Cole..” she says breathlessly. I can tell I’ve excited her with my words. I lean in and press my lips to her. I breath in her scent as I kiss her. I love the way she smells. He unique scent makes me feel peace and calm whenever things are rough. I love everything about her.

  “Kitten,” I reply as I pull back from her. “I love you and I want you to have whatever you want for our wedding. I can tell this is what you love.”

  “I really do love them. They are of course the most expensive.” she retorts.

  “It doesn’t matter. My dad is going to make sure you have a dream wedding so go with it. Let him spoil you like you have never been spoiled before. Stop fighting what we do for you out of love. “

  “I just can’t get used to it even after all these years.” she says softly. “It’s foreign and I feel like I’m asking for a handout.”

  “It’s not a fucking handout.” I get a little angry with her words “You are fucking family and deserve all that we gift you.”

  “I’m sorry, Cole. I don’t want you angry. I’m trying to accept things.” She sighs as she leans into me wrapping her arms around me tight. Her cheek resting on my chest. “It’s not as weird as it used to be. And the more I feel like I earn things the better it makes me feel. It’s why I’m happy I get to work side by side with you.”

  “I know, Kitten. I know you need to work and not just sit at home and be the trophy wife.”

  “That’s why I love you Cole…You get me like no one else ever could. Even the weird quirks you get.”

  “I love your quirks” I tell her with sincerity. I honestly do think it’s one of the main reasons I fell for this girl when she was just sixteen. I knew without talking to her the night in the club that she was a tough cookie. She was the type of woman I could see myself happy with for the rest of my life. I’m glad I waited for her to turn eighteen. I just wished I had been more understanding about UCLA. I can’t change what happened in the past but I can make sure I never do anything stupid like that again.