Kurt took a chair and propped his left leg on his opposite knee. The rocker vibe was back with his jeans and faded T-shirt—a complete contrast to last night.
We took a sip of our respective coffees. I was about to speak when Garrick excused himself. “I’m going to finish up some work while you two catch up. I’ll be in my office.”
After giving me a kiss, he left. “Things seem to be going well.” Kurt motioned to the flowers.
“They are. I… uh… We, uh…”
“I figured. You don’t owe me an explanation, Knoah. As long as it’s what you want.” He winked at me.
Thank goodness I didn’t have to delve much further. I ran my finger along the lid of my coffee cup. “It is.”
“How are you?”
The question was more than surface level. Kurt had that ability—to ask something simple but have weight in his words that asked more. I picked up one of the flowers and moved it between my fingers. “Good. It’s tough at times, but I’m pushing through each moment. It’s really confusing and hard moving forward. It feels like I’m leaving the past behind. But then I don’t want to go back to how things were a few days ago. Honestly, I was lonely and miserable.”
After taking a contemplative sip of his coffee, Kurt responded, “I remember when the band hit it big, I almost turned down the contract out of guilt for Dylan.”
“He wouldn’t have wanted that.” If only Dylan realized how much he’d truly affected those around him. Maybe he did. I hoped so.
“Just like he wouldn’t have wanted you to stop living, either.”
“Touché.”
Kurt’s phone rang. “It’s the record company. I need to take this. It’ll be just a sec.”
“Go ahead.”
He switched into business mode as he answered the phone. Even in business mode, he kept his happy-go-lucky attitude. I wondered how Sawyer was handling it. I heard something about an appearance for the new song, “Lost.” The words of the song held a different meaning for me now. I was mending. And the song seemed to be giving Kurt another surge in stardom, though he didn’t need it. Hopefully his continued time in the spotlight meant the mob would stay away from him.
An idea began to form. I could sing our song “Lost” and be in the spotlight with Kurt. It might keep the mob away while Garrick worked on solving the problem. Then when the issue was dealt with, I could fade away from the public.
“Yes, I’ll talk to her. Yep. Okay. Got it.” He ended the call. “They haven’t received your contract yet, and it’s making them antsy. Was there anything wrong with it?”
The contract. With all the chaos, I’d forgotten to send it. “Oh man, I meant to send that in. But I think I may need to make a few changes.”
“Like what?” His brows drew together, probably wondering if any of my conditions had been left out.
Here goes nothing. “I was thinking about singing the song with you. Doing a video. Maybe appearing onstage. Nothing long-term. Do you think they’d mind?”
His brows drew together, head cocked. “Why are you changing your mind?” I began to speak, but Kurt cut me off. “I want the whole truth, Knoah. Not a slimmed-down version of it. The whole thing. I thought something was going on last night when I first saw you. And I caught glimpses throughout the night.”
The agitation in his voice was evident. Maybe I had gone about this the wrong way. He knew me too well. I’d hoped to have this conversation with Garrick here, but I realized I had to handle it. “Let me finish the story before you get mad.”
Kurt’s lips thinned. “Go on.”
“So… the man who challenged us to sing yesterday was Nicholas Navarro. Have you heard of him?”
“No.” The one-word answer spoke volumes.
I set my coffee down. “We think he may be behind Jessica’s death. There’s another man, Hastings Monroe, who works at one of the companies Garrick acquired. They’re head of rival mob families.” My throat thickened, and I cast my eyes down. “Jessica’s death might have been a warning meant for me. In short—”
Kurt held up his hand, and I stopped. “Garrick knows about this mob shit? And that they’re after you?”
“Yes. That’s why there was the increase in security.”
“That lying sack of shit. Motherfucker.” Kurt angrily stood and stalked down the hall.
I sat stunned for a second until I heard the first door slam in the hallway. This wasn’t good. Kurt was mad—and he never got angry. Hastily I followed, calling, “Wait. Kurt, let’s talk about this.”
At the door to Garrick’s office, Kurt pounded on it hard before shoving it open. The door bounced against the wall. I imagined there was now a doorknob-shaped impression in the wall. Garrick was already standing with his cell phone to his ear, probably headed out to see what the commotion was.
Kurt was fuming. “You lied to me, motherfucker.”
“I’ll call you back in a second. Yes, everything is fine. No, don’t do that.” Garrick calmly ended the called. He looked at me before focusing on Kurt.
My heart raced in my chest. I started to speak, but Kurt bellowed, “No, everything is not fine, you asshole! You swore to me you would take care of Knoah. On the phone, before I told you I was at her parents, you swore to me! And again last night, you lying sack of shit.”
Garrick remained still and completely in control. “And that’s what I’m doing. I am keeping her safe until I figure this out.”
Kurt stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Getting her involved with the mob is not keeping her safe. You know what? She’s not staying with you any longer. We’re getting out of here. Knoah, pack your stuff.”
Things were spiraling out of control. I went to speak again when Garrick’s voice grew cold. “Let’s talk about this reasonably. There is more to the story. It’s Knoah’s decision to stay.”
Pointing his finger at Garrick, Kurt replied, “You let a fucking mobster challenge us to sing. What the hell were you thinking? What the fuck? Where the hell was your security? I would’ve never let her get onstage, you fucking bastard.”
My hands started to shake. I’d never seen Kurt this way. Garrick glanced my way. “Kurt, you’re upsetting Knoah. She’s our priority. Let me explain what is going on and the precautions taken.”
“You had your chance. Now she wants to sing with me in front of thousands and do a music video, too. She never wanted that life. And now you’re forcing it on her, you bastard.”
Kurt looked my way. “I think we should go, Knoah.”
Garrick’s eyes widened. Anger slowly crept into his features.
Words evaded me as I tried to explain myself. “I—We—He—”
Before I had a chance to process anything, Kurt touched my shoulder.
“She’s not leaving, Kurt, not unless she wants to. We can talk about this reasonably, but you’re not taking her from me.”
I hated having the two most important men in my life fight like this. Without another warning, Kurt grabbed Garrick by the collar and shoved him against the wall. I flinched as things fell off the bookshelves and broke on the floor.
This was not happening.
“Knoah, grab what you need. I’m taking you somewhere safe.”
We had to work through this, so I tried again, “Kurt—”
“Don’t push it, Kurt. You won’t win.” The finality in his voice sent a shiver through me. The vein in Garrick’s neck pulsed as he righted himself. His lips thinned and eyes narrowed. At his sides, his fingers flexed.
Things were about to get much worse. I had to do something.
“Stop! Both of you, stop!” I screeched, throwing my hands in the air.
Kurt turned my way, shock at my outburst evident on his face.
“I can’t leave him. I won’t leave him.”
With disbelief, Kurt responded, “Knoah, he got you involved with the fucking mob! Why would you stay here?”
“I—”
“I don’t get it. Why?” Kurt’s anger seemed
to grow with every word.
Defeated, I said, “I love him.”
Shocked, Kurt dropped his hold on Garrick and looked at me. “You’ve known him for less than a week. Knoah, he’s your first relationship since Dylan. There will be other guys. I swear there are a lot of good guys out there.”
Behind Kurt, Garrick stood with his fists clenched at his side, silent.
Tears streamed down my face. “There won’t be other guys, Kurt. I know what love feels like. And I love him.”
Garrick pushed passed Kurt and drew me to him. I grabbed the bottom of his shirt, anchoring myself to him.
What have I done? Why did I tell Kurt? What did I just admit?
“Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. No one is going to make you leave.”
More tears came, and I tried to blink them away. I pulled back to look at my best friend. “I can’t leave, Kurt. I won’t. But I don’t want to lose you, either. I can’t lose either of you.”
Cocking his head to the side, Kurt watched me. “Knoah, let’s go and talk this out. Then, if you want to come back, I’ll bring you back.”
With a tug on his shirt, I stepped away from Garrick and approached Kurt. “Let’s talk in the living room. I can’t leave him. I won’t.”
The finality in my words registered. “You’re not going to lose me, squirt. Never.” He sounded more in control.
Returning to Garrick’s side, I ducked my head under his chin. He stroked my back and said, “Can you give us a moment?”
Kurt glanced at me, and I nodded. Now I saw distrust in Kurt’s eyes. It was terrible. I wanted them to get along.
Finally, he said, “Yeah, I’ll be in the living room.”
Garrick reluctantly let me go, and Kurt hugged me before he left the room. “I only want what’s best for you.”
“I know. And I love you for it.” I squeezed him tighter.
“I know that now. But I promised Dylan I would always take care of you. And I plan to keep that promise.”
“Thank you.” A huge weight lifted off me. He would talk it out with us.
Kurt left, and I stared at the floor. I was alone with Garrick, and my declaration hung out there like a black cloud.
“Knoah, is it true? What you said… did you mean it?” Garrick’s voice softened and I felt the heat of his body seep into mine.
What would he think about my declaration? I hadn’t meant to blurt it out like I had.
“Yes.”
What was I supposed to say? The ticking of the clock was thunderous in the silence of the room. When a few more seconds passed, I chanced a glance up.
Garrick was beaming. “I love you, too, Knoah.” I gasped. He loves me, too? “I’d planned to tell you at our getaway this week. I wanted it to be special for you.”
He loves me.
He really loves me.
I jumped and he swept me up effortlessly into his arms. “I don’t want to leave you, but I can’t lose Kurt, either.”
“We’ll figure out a way. You won’t have to choose. Ever.”
“Promise?”
“With all my heart.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kurt sat across from us in the living room, absorbing everything Garrick told him. Irritation was still obvious in his demeanor, but he had calmed considerably.
Sitting back, Garrick casually took my hand and rubbed his thumb along mine. I could feel some of the stress seeping out of my shoulders.
“So, Hastings and this Navarro fucker may have been after Knoah before you even met?”
“I believe so. We’ve been digging for any connection Knoah may have to either family. Nothing has come up so far.”
I thought I had made it clear before. “I’ve never had dealings with either family.”
Garrick looked at me. “No, but we’re looking at your parents, too, as one of the possibilities.”
“Knoah’s parents are as wholesome as they get. The connection isn’t there.” Kurt sat in his chair, pensive.
I turned to Garrick. “No way Mom and Dad have anything to do with this.”
“I don’t think so, either. But we can’t leave anything to chance. For some reason, you’ve shown up on their radar. I’m investigating Vivian as well as Sawyer’s family.”
I rested my chin in my free hand and closed my eyes. Everyone who meant something to me was being investigated. It felt distrustful of those I loved. “You won’t find anything on Sawyer.”
“I hope not.” His voice had a tinge of sadness to it.
Kurt cocked his head to the side. “But you’ve found something.”
“Dylan’s mother has the highest probability. But Sawyer’s parents are next. Vivian has had some questionable business dealings that don’t add up. And Sawyer’s parents were in financial trouble. Her father made some bad business investments that I knew about. I was looking at buying his company. Within twenty-four hours of my offer, he was in the black and on solid footing again. And suddenly, they’re in Colorado at an expensive resort. Based on what Joe has found, I suspect someone bailed them out.”
Another shudder ran through me. Vivian hated me. “When did you find this out?”
“Not long after Kurt arrived. I was reviewing the financial information.”
It just didn’t make sense. “I don’t think Sawyer’s family would do something like that.”
“Maybe not, but you see her family on a regular basis.” Garrick wasn’t convinced.
“This is Sawyer we’re talking about.”
Garrick ran his thumb along my lip. “And I won’t risk your safety for anyone. Sawyer is your friend, but she has no control over her parents. Cameron does a good job for my company and seems like a decent man, but people become desperate when money is involved. If someone hadn’t stepped in, their parents would have lost everything.”
People were crazy when money was involved.
“I’ll give my security team the go-ahead to provide Joe with full cooperation.” Kurt’s posture had softened immensely toward Garrick. That had to be a good sign.
“That will help with the red tape. The problem is we don’t understand what they’re truly after. Is it you, me, or Knoah? I have no damn idea, and that’s what makes me more concerned about this situation than anything else. If I understood why, I could form a game plan.”
A chill ran down my spine. Garrick must have sensed it as he wrapped his arms around me. “You will be safe.”
I gave a half-hearted smile and squeezed his hand.
Kurt watched the exchange. “Do you love her?”
My head snapped to his. “Kurt!”
“Knoah, I need to know what his intentions are. Like I said… you’re all I have left of Dylan. And I need to know. You’re too important to me. And this is serious.”
Without a pause, Garrick responded, “Yes, I love her. And I would give up everything I have to protect her.” Hearing the lengths he would go shocked me, and I turned to look at Garrick. “I can’t explain it. I know it’s so fast, but it’s true.”
My eyes welled up. I mashed my lips together to keep them from quivering.
“Well, I’ll be damned. I think you’re telling the truth.”
I saw Garrick’s eyes tighten. “I am. But don’t pull what you did back in my office again. Knoah doesn’t need the stress. And we have bigger issues.”
“Then keep her safe, and we won’t have a problem.”
We were at a standstill. They stared at each other. Finally, Kurt broke the silence. “Are you going to stay here with him?”
“Yes, that was the plan.”
Garrick chimed in, “I think here is better if Knoah agrees. It’s where I live.” He paused for a moment, as if considering. “Sawyer is staying in the apartment next to this one. If she’s fine with it, you’re welcome to, as well.”
Kurt thought for a moment. “Yeah, I’ll do that. She’ll be fine with it.”
Oh, geez. This had potential disaster written all over it, but they were adults. I would stay
out of it.
Garrick said, “Of course, I want to keep Sawyer in the dark about all this. Nothing about this until we understand what’s going on.”
“That’s fine. I understand.” Kurt raised his eyebrow.
Garrick eyed Kurt. “Whatever happens between you and Sawyer… make sure you don’t say anything.”
“I’m not an idiot. Sawyer works for me. I don’t shit where I eat.”
Oh geez.
“Keep it that way,” Garrick said.
I cleared my throat. “I trust Kurt implicitly.”
He nodded, but the threat still hung out there. Hell, these two men were protective in their own way.
Kurt pointed to me. “I don’t want you changing the contract. You and I know you never wanted this life. And once they get a slice of you, they won’t stop. Being around me should keep you in the spotlight enough.”
He definitely had a point. “You’re right—I don’t want that life.” I turned to Garrick. “What do you think?”
“To be honest, I don’t want you in front of thousands of men who will ogle you and who knows what else. And it may not solve the problem. But the decision is up to you. I’m not here to control you but to support you as long as it’s safe. A few press junkets with Kurt could accomplish the same thing.”
“Maybe the press junkets. I don’t know. I’ll get the contract sent to you today.”
“What’s the next step?” Kurt asked.
I smiled. “I guess we become neighbors.”
“We haven’t been neighbors since college.”
I pointed my finger in his direction and teased. “No stealing my marshmallows.”
Kurt had always eaten my marshmallows when he came over. I used to get so aggravated when I went to eat some. It had been forever since I’d bought any.
“No promises.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Do not peek out the window.”
Garrick sat at the table with his laptop open, and I was in the captain’s chair across from him. As promised, we were headed to an undisclosed location on one of Garrick’s smaller planes. All the window shades were drawn.
Untouched Perfection Page 22