Cal laughs like there’s something hilarious about him threatening my girlfriend. “I’ve always admired the fire in you, Vaughn, but your choices have needed some work. Like your decision to not show up to last week’s fight.”
“There are plenty of other guys who can fill my place.”
“Perhaps, but none of them are indebted to me.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care. I’m not taking another life because of this shit. I’m out.”
He chuckles humorlessly. “You’ll fight, or poor Delaney will pay the price.”
Fury boils inside of me and I lunge at him, but his goons move faster. They grab me by my arms, holding me back. Cal pulls a gun from his waistband and cocks it as he points it at my forehead.
“I said I’m out!” I yell.
“You’ll be out when I say you’re out, you piece of shit. You think you can just get away with deciding when you do and don’t want to be in this?” He picks up one of the pictures from the floor, rubbing his finger over Delaney’s face. “If you miss so much as one more fight, I’ll put a bullet in her fucking head and make you watch.”
He gives me a look, daring me to say another word, but I won’t. I don’t doubt for a second that he would make true on his word. With a nod at his guys, he walks out of the room and they drop me—my knees going weak as I collapse to the floor.
Fuck.
18
Delaney
Never in a million years did I ever think my father would look at me the same way he does Tessa. His obvious distain for her was always something that made me uncomfortable. However, the minute I found out he tried to pay Knox to stay away from me, I understood exactly why Tess hates him as much as she does.
It’s one thing to want what’s best for your kids, but what he did is despicable. He didn’t even give Knox a chance—judging him on his home life without so much as a conversation. I don’t know what was said after I walked out and left them alone the other day, but whatever it was definitely struck a nerve.
Tessa, of course, has been loving this. For once, she isn’t the sole focus of his controlling tendencies. We stick together and stand our ground. If he wants Knox out of my life, he’s going to have to do a lot more than bribe him.
I WALK UP TO the familiar house and knock on the door. Thankfully, Knox had something to do tonight, which gives me the perfect opportunity to get what I’m looking for. Zayn opens the door, a confused look gracing his face when he sees me.
“Delaney?”
“Hey,” I greet him as I push my way inside.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Knox isn’t here.”
“I know. I came here for you.”
His eyes widen. “Uh, Bambi, you’re gorgeous and all but—”
I shake my head and cut him off. “Oh my God, no. Not what I meant.” He relaxes in an instant and I chuckle. “Also, if he heard you calling me that nickname, he might kill you.”
“You’re probably right. So, what’d you need?”
“Knox’s birthday is coming up.”
He smirks. “How’d you figure that one out? I know damn well he didn’t tell you.”
“I may have looked at his driver’s license.” I wave him off dismissively. “That’s not the point. I know what I want to get him, but I need your help with it.” Grabbing his wrist, I pull him toward the door. “Oh, and we’re throwing him a party.”
I GET DONE WITH Zayn and head back to Knox’s house, hoping he isn’t back yet. Unfortunately, luck isn’t on my side. The second that I walk in the door, he comes out of his room and sighs in relief when he sees me.
“Thank fuck,” he murmurs, so low I almost don’t hear it. “Where were you?”
“I had something to do. Why are you so worried? Is everything okay?”
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t know where my head’s at.”
Everything in me says that I should question it further. I can feel the way his heart is pounding inside his chest. But with his fingers lacing into my hair and his breathing calming down, I get lost in the feel of him. Whatever he was worried about, it’s fine now.
WHEN I TOLD ZAYN that we were throwing a party for Knox, I did not mean a massive blowout where I can’t even hear myself think. The only thing birthday about it is the custom banner that Tessa helped me hang. If it wasn’t for that, this would just look like Z went a little overboard with his usual parties.
The minute Knox walks in the door, people shout “Happy Birthday!” so loud I’m pretty sure the walls rattle. He chuckles, but his eyes instantly look around for me. Once our gazes lock, he genuinely smiles.
“I take it I have you to thank for this?”
I shrug. “I may have had something to do with it.” Kissing him softly, my fingers intertwine with his. “Happy Birthday.”
It’s obvious celebrating the day he was born isn’t something he’s used to. The few hours I spent with Zayn, he told me about how Knox never liked his birthday. That he always said it did nothing but leave him disappointed, so he pretended like the day wasn’t a thing. However, I couldn’t let that happen.
“Happy Birthday, shit brick,” Stone tells him, shaking a small baggie of white powder in his face.
Knox grabs it from him with a grin stretched across his face. “You always know how to make me happy.”
I look to Tessa, wondering if him doing coke is a normal thing, but she doesn’t seem surprised. Still, the thought of anything harder than pot puts an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. From what I’ve heard of the stuff, coke is dangerous and can cause any multitude of issues.
“Tess, come help me with something.” Thankfully, no one bats an eye as the two of us walk away and into the bathroom. Once we’re behind closed doors, I turn to her. “Since when does Knox do coke?”
“Uh, for as long as I’ve known him.” She shrugs. “It’s not a constant thing. I think he just does it every once in a while.”
“Isn’t that stuff like highly addictive?”
“Anything can become addictive if you do it enough.”
“Tess,” I deadpan.
She sighs and runs her fingers through her hair. “Look, if it makes you feel any better, I haven’t seen him do it in weeks.”
“It doesn’t.”
Hearing a commotion, Tessa and I bolt out of the room. Knox is pacing around the house while his friends watch with concerned looks on their faces.
“Where the fuck did she go?” he mutters, fear lacing his tone.
“Knox?” At the sound of my voice, his head whips toward me. He exhales in relief and comes closer, grabbing my face and kissing me like it’s the first time in months. “What’s going on?”
Everyone goes back to enjoying the party while he wraps his arms around me tightly. “I didn’t know where you went.”
“I was in the bathroom with Tessa.”
The guys and my sister all watch us carefully. I don’t know if they’re so confused because they’ve never seen Knox like this with a girl, or because, like me, they don’t understand why he freaked out.
“Just—don’t leave my side, okay?”
I nod. “Okay. Okay, I won’t.”
The same way it did the other day, my gut tells me to ask more questions. However, it’s his birthday, and the last thing I want to do is ruin it with heavy talk. Getting down to the bottom of it can wait until tomorrow.
THE NIGHT IS ALMOST over when I finally get a minute alone with my boyfriend. He’s sitting on the back deck, smoking a cigarette and looking unfairly hot while doing it. I take the spot next to him and rest my head on his shoulder.
“Everything okay?”
I hum, taking a sip of the wine cooler Tessa gave me. “Yeah, just can’t wait to get back to your place and cuddle.”
He snorts. “Is that all you think we’re going to do? Cuddle?” I lift my head to glance at him, and he grins. “It’s my birthday, Bambi.” He waggles his brows.
“Oh, so now you�
��re all about birthday celebrations?”
His mood becomes serious. “I wasn’t against them. I just never had a reason to be glad I was born, until now.”
It’s not his words that take my breath away, it’s the sincerity in his eyes when he says them. Everyone may think he’s the devil reincarnated, but not me. I know the hidden truth.
IM PULLED OUT OF a deep sleep by the sound of Knox’s voice, panicked and fearful. The darkness fills the room, and he thrashes around as I flick on the light.
“No! Stop!” he shouts.
“Knox?” I try but it’s useless.
“Don’t touch her!”
“Knox!”
His eyes snap open, and he takes in a deep breath. I watch him carefully as I wait for him to calm down. He sits up and rests his head in his hands, not saying a word. I slot myself against his back and wrap my arms around him from behind.
“I’m sorry I woke you,” he says, like he has something to apologize for.
I press a kiss to his skin, right over the rose. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. It was just a nightmare.”
This time, I don’t ignore the urge to dig deeper. “Do they happen often?”
He shrugs. “I guess.”
“Is that why you don’t sleep?”
Grabbing my hands, he turns around in my hold. “What’s with the interrogation?”
“I woke up in the middle of the night to my boyfriend screaming. I think I have the right to be concerned.”
“You shouldn’t be,” he whispers, kissing me quickly before standing up. “I’m okay, really.”
Leaving the room for what I can only assume is to use the restroom or get a drink, I stay on the bed and wait for him to return. He’s the king of downplaying things, and I don’t think this is much different. There’s something more than he’s letting on—a reason why he keeps freaking out when he doesn’t know where I am for more than half a second. And I can’t help unless I know what’s getting to him. Until he decides to talk about it, I have no business being here.
I get up, grabbing the few things I have scattered around his room and putting them in my bag. When I’m halfway done, Knox comes back in. His demeanor changes when he sees me.
“You’re leaving?”
I nod. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I’m your girlfriend. Lying to me about it isn’t going to help anything.” I pick up a T-shirt from the floor that happens to be his and put it on. “You keep asking if I trust you. Well, give me a reason to. Trust is a give and take.”
When he doesn’t say anything in response, I grab my bag and go to walk out of the room. However, just before I get through the door, he stops me.
“They started a little more than a month ago.” Sitting down on his bed, he keeps his eyes trained on the floor. “The same thing, over and over—like I can’t escape it.”
“Have you tried talking to anyone about it? Like a doctor or something?” The way he looks up at me, with brows raised sarcastically, confirms what I already assumed. “Yeah, okay. Stupid question.”
I put my bag back on the chair and walk back over to the bed, standing in front of him as he gently rubs his hands against my legs.
“The insomnia isn’t because of the nightmares though. Sometimes, I just can’t sleep.”
“Well, the cocaine probably doesn’t help with that.”
He nods slowly. “It just helps take the edge off sometimes. I don’t make a habit out of it.”
I chuckle involuntarily. “Said every drug addict ever.”
“Really?”
The look on his face is enough to make me feel like an ass. “No, but I don’t like it. Your friends may not give a shit, but I care too much about you to sit back and watch.”
He rolls his eyes. “I did just fine before I had you to look after me, and I’ll be fine after you’re gone.”
His words hit like a punch to the gut, and I pull back from him. No part of me had even thought about the fact that this relationship has an end date. Then again, how could it not? I’ll be going away to college, and he’ll probably stay here. I’d be naive to think we could make something like long-distance work.
“Is that what I am to you? Just something to pass the time until I go off to school?”
“What? No. Don’t be stupid.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Then why would you even be thinking about when I’m gone?”
“Because you will be!” he roars. “I don’t like it, but the fact of the matter is you’re going to go off to some prestigious university and find your Prince Charming—and I’ll be left here. Without you.”
“Yeah, that’s one possibility, but it’s not the only one.”
His brows furrow, and a dry laugh leaves his mouth. “Please, enlighten me.”
“You could come with me.”
“Follow you like a little fucking puppy? No thanks.”
I throw up my arms exasperatedly. “No, you dense prick. You could stop fucking around at school and actually do your work. You could get your grades up, take the SATs, and go to college—instead of letting life trample all over you.”
“I’d never get into the places you’re looking at.”
“Maybe not, but there are tons of schools you could get in that are near the ones I’m considering.”
“That’s a whole lot of work for some chick. Why would I do that?”
My shoulders sag in defeat. “Because this chick happens to be falling in love with you.”
The confession is not one I expected to make, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Knox’s eyes widen, and for a second, I start to regret not keeping it to myself. After a minute of being completely silent, the vulnerability in his eyes is clear as day.
“Don’t say it if you don’t mean it,” he pleads.
My whole body relaxes, and I place myself in his lap. “I’ve never meant anything more.”
19
KNOX
I lie awake in bed, not able to fall back asleep if my life depended on it. The nightmare I had plays through my mind on a loop. It was the same memory, only with a sick twist. As I stood there, staring at Grayson, everything changed. Instead, it was Cal hovering over the dead body, and it was Delaney lying at his feet. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to wake up in my life.
No part of me wanted to tell Delaney anything about where my head’s been at. The last thing I need is another reason why I’m not good enough for her. However, as she went to leave, especially in the middle of the night, I knew I’d do anything to get her to stay. I’ve been going to training and even fought the other night to make up for the one I missed, but I don’t know where Cal’s head is at. For all I know, he could hurt Delaney just to get back at me.
I think back on the conversation she and I had before she fell back asleep—the confession she made that basically killed me and brought me back to life all in the same breath. Once, while drunk, Hailey told me something similar. My reaction was to kick her out of my house and not talk to her for over a week, until she swore it was just alcohol-induced stupidity and she didn’t mean it. However, hearing it slip from Delaney’s lips was something entirely different. I wanted her to mean it, hoped and fucking prayed that she wouldn’t take it back.
Her idea for me to go away to college with her is a far-fetched one. My grades could be worse, but they’re not good by any means. Still, I can’t help but think what life would be like if that were possible. Our own place. Movie nights on the couch. Her helping me study and me getting a stable job after I graduate. It’s never been something I allowed myself to think about, but what if it isn’t such a hopeless dream?
HALFWAY THROUGH THE MORNING, after Delaney cooked us both breakfast, the two of us are hanging out in my bedroom when she gets up and excuses herself. I don’t think much of it, being too sucked into the video I’m watching on my phone, but as she comes back, I stop. She’s wearing a silk robe I didn’t even know she had and holding a wrapped prese
nt.
“I was going to give you this yesterday, but then you probably wouldn’t have come to the party,” she explains.
I take the box from her and place it on my lap, noting how heavy it is. She stays standing the whole time and watches me intently. I can tell she’s nervous by the way her gaze refuses to meet mine.
As I pull off the wrapping paper, the plain box gives nothing away. It isn’t until I open it, however, that the whole world manages to get a little brighter. Inside is a top-of-the-line tattoo gun, with all the necessary needles and inks to go with it. This thing must have put her back at least a few grand. I look up at her with nothing but pure astonishment.
“You listened.”
She smiles. “I listen to everything you say.”
I get up, grabbing her face and kissing her in a way that shows my gratitude. I’ll never be able to repay her for this, but fuck if I’m not going to make sure she knows how much I appreciate it.
I pull her in close and breathe in her intoxicating scent. “You’re incredible. Thank you.”
She hums but still looks nervous as she backs away. “That was only the first part of your present.” Her hand presses on my chest, and I fall back onto my bed.
“What’s the second?”
Her fingers slowly untie the silk belt, and she allows the robe to slide off her shoulders, pooling on the floor. She stands there in black lingerie, looking sinful as hell and making me question what I did to deserve such a fucking temptress. However, nothing could prepare me for the words that come out of her mouth.
“I want to be your first victim. I want you to tattoo me.”
My face splits into a wide grin. “Jesus Christ. Corruption looks so fucking good on you.”
AFTER SETTING EVERYTHING UP, which may have been delayed by my need to take full advantage of Delaney’s outfit, I sketch out the tattoo she wants. It’s a pair of angel wings, delicate and petite—just like her. I couldn’t think of anything more fitting if I tried.
The Saint: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Haven Grace Prep Book 2) Page 14