Chapter Four
Taylor
Fuck.
Rushing forward, I barely catch Knox before he falls to the floor.
“It’s okay, baby boy,” I whisper against his head. “Everything is going to be okay.”
Instead of laying him on the empty couch next to Ghost’s desk, I sit down with him cradled against my chest, ignoring the raised brows of the men around me.
“He needs to go someplace safe,” I tell Ghost.
“He’s not going to want to go anywhere, Taylor,” Steel tells me. “That shit that went down last year really messed with his head. He refuses to leave this building.”
“He won’t even go outside in the yard,” Blaze adds. “There’s no way in hell we’re getting him to go anywhere until he’s good and ready.”
“We could always drug him,” I suggest. I’m not a child who doesn’t understand the feelings swirling around my head about the man in my arms, but I push them aside for the moment and focus on finding a way to keep him safe so that I can go after my sister.
I won’t put this man at risk.
“Only if it’s something he consented to,” Ghost warns.
“He won’t agree to it, man,” Jax tells me. “He needs to be in a place that he knows. A place where he feels he can easily escape if he needs to. He knows this building like the back of his hand. That’s why he gave up his apartment after his attack and moved in here. He feels safe here. We can’t take that away from him.”
“But he isn’t safe here, is he?” I add. “Each night, you all go home, and he’s left on his own. How the hell is that safe?”
“Someone is always here,” Steel growls. “You know better than most how protective we are when it comes to our family. What the fuck, Taylor?”
Damnit. He’s right, of course. I’ve only known most of these men for a little while. But I’ve known King, Steel, and Blaze for years. They would do everything in their power to keep their loved ones safe.
“Is he alright, boss?”
Looking down at Knox, I nod.
“Yeah, he was just a little overwhelmed,” I tell Reynolds. “His breathing is even. His mind just needed a break for a while.”
“That’s something I can understand,” Venom says.
That man has a story to tell. Maybe one day we’ll be close enough friends that he’ll tell me.
Conversations continue around me while my complete focus is on the man in my arms. King assures me that the man responsible for harming Knox has been taken care of. But it doesn’t change the pit in my stomach.
I don’t even know what happened to him, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.
“Why are you holding me?” Knox whispers groggily.
“Simply because I want to,” I whisper back.
“Oh,” he responds.
Instead of pulling away to stand, Knox relaxes deeper into my hold. I adjust my position, crossing one leg over the other, and hold him closer. If he doesn’t want me to let go, I won’t.
“What are we going to do about your sister?” Jax asks.
“We’re going to work together and find her,” Ghost answers.
“Prez, we’re not that type of club,” Jax responds.
“We made a mistake last year when it came to protecting someone,” Ghost tells us. “One of our own was in danger, and instead of believing her, we pushed her away.”
“From that day forward,” Venom continues. “We vowed to change our ways. We used to keep the Obsidian’s low profile. Didn’t want our name in places where it shouldn’t be.”
“Now, the whole fucking world is going to know who we are,” Ghost growls. “We’re going to rescue your sister, Taylor. Even if we have to take down the entire Celtic Cartel to do so.”
“By the sound of it, it might not be a bad thing,” Venom says. “But we’re going to need a little help.”
“I’ve already decided to call Cap and ask if he can send over a couple of Phantoms,” Ghost informs us. “I’m not afraid to admit that we’re in over our heads.”
Beeping from Knox’s desk has him stiffen.
“She doesn’t need our help,” Knox mumbles as he scoots off my lap and rushes back to his desk. “But someone’s on our property. Are we expecting a delivery?” he asks.
“Not that I’m aware of,” Ghost answers. “I have some packages being sent to the Cage, but they aren’t scheduled to arrive for another two days. Why?”
“Express Transit just dropped off a package by the front gate.”
Before he can finish talking, Venom is already on his way out of the room.
“Why doesn’t she need our help?” I ask.
“She’s got backup,” is all he says. His eyes are unfocused, and I’m afraid he’s on the verge of another panic attack, so I don’t press the issue.
“It doesn’t say who it’s from,” Venom says a few minutes later.
Placing the box on the meeting table, he steps back.
“It’s for you, Knox.”
“We’re all on edge over a damn package,” Blaze says. “Knox is living here. Of course, he’s going to have things delivered.”
Knox doesn’t move from his spot, and I can see him visibly shaking.
“I didn’t order anything.”
He rushes back over to the door and stands there. I’ve done my research on his phobia since the first time I was here. Part of agoraphobia is a fear of not being able to escape a place or situation. So, I understand that he’s making sure he has a way to leave when he stands in the hall.
I also understand Subs. Especially Little Subs.
“Knox, come here,” I say.
“Taylor, he needs to feel safe,” Blaze says. “He needs space.”
“No,” I disagree. “What he needs is to not think. Now, Pup, turn off your mind. Don’t think about what you want to do. I only want you to do what I tell you to do. Come. Here.”
There’s a moment of hesitation where he wants to argue. But now is not the time for that. He’s going to have a full-blown anxiety attack any second now if I don’t stop it.
“Pup, I’m coming over there to get you,” I warn.
“Don’t push him, brother,” Steel growls.
“I think a little shove is exactly what he needs,” I say, bending to scoop the frozen man into my arms and heading back to the couch. “I need you two to trust me.”
I look back and wait for them to nod before taking my seat and relaxing into the same position we were in before.
“Cccan’t bbreathe,” Knox pants.
“Focus on my voice, baby boy,” I say. “Don’t worry about anything else but the sound of my voice.”
I take a deep breath and start singing. I don’t stop until I’m five songs in and Knox is sound asleep.
No one has spoken a single word as they all waited.
“Didn’t know you could sing, brother,” Steel says quietly.
“And you don’t suck,” Blaze adds.
Fuckers.
“What’s in the package?” I ask.
“It’s from his gran,” Jax answers. “A new stuffie and some candy.”
I raise my brows in question.
“His grans a Little, too,” Blaze answers. “It’s actually how he found out that he was. His gramps told him.”
“He must have a strong relationship with them,” I observe.
“They practically raised him,” Steel answers.
“How young does he regress?” I ask.
I know that all the Obsidians know Knox is a Little, and all my men have been around Littles. No part of this conversation is awkward with this bunch.
“Not too young,” Steel says. “When he regresses, he typically watches cartoons and plays with his Legos or video games.”
“And he’s a complete brat,” Blaze smiles fondly at the man in my arms.
“Ah, so he’s borderline Middle,” I smile.
Perfection.
I’ve had Little’s as partners before. Some that regress down to babies. It doesn’t bother me, but I do prefer the regressed age where they like to have fun.
If he were mine, I wouldn’t be his Daddy. I would be his Papa.
And doesn’t that sound fuckin’ perfect.
“You’re daydreaming, boss,” Hayes laughs.
“Let’s give Knox some time to reset his mind,” I say. “He says that my sister is safe at the moment, so let’s regroup and meet back here tomorrow.”
“We need to head to Oasis,” Steel declares. “Jax, are you good to stay here tonight?”
“Of course,” the young man responds. “Besides, Knox and I have a movie date. I mentioned how much I despise spiders, and he got this mischievous look in his eyes, saying he had a movie he wanted me to watch. There’s a good chance we won’t be friends anymore after tonight.”
“Don’t let him overwork himself,” Blaze interjects. “If you have to endure spider movies all night to keep him distracted, then so be it.”
“Bossy men.”
I glance down at Knox. “That was the shortest power nap I’ve ever seen,” I comment.
“Jax’s voice has this uncanny ability to penetrate the subconscious mind,” Knox explains.
Knox moves to stand and I squeeze him a little tighter for just a second more before releasing him.
“We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon,” I say, heading for the hallway. “Let’s go, brothers.”
With a final glance at Knox, I nod and leave.
That man is quickly taking over my every thought.
And, as much as I like to lie to myself about it, I don’t hate the idea.