Chapter Five
Knox
“Why do we not have a basement?” I ask Ghost.
Jax had retreated to his room to catch a few hours of sleep when Ghost arrived bright and early. The poor man had indeed spent most of the night keeping me distracted by humoring me with spider movies.
I hadn’t laughed that much in over a year. Every time one of those eight-legged freaks appeared on the screen, Jax nearly jumped out of his skin, screaming so many times that I lost count after the first movie.
“Dunno, kid,” Ghost answers distractedly. “Didn’t come with one when we bought the place.”
Heavy rain falls on the roof as the sky darkens with the angry clouds heading this way.
“Maybe we should consider adding one,” I shudder. “The wind is starting to pick up. How bad is this storm supposed to be?”
“Hmm?”
“The storm,” I repeat. “Is it supposed to get any worse?”
“Dunno,” he mumbles.
“Is everything alright?”
“Fuck, kid,” he sighs, leaning back in his office chair. “Not really.”
I sit down on the couch and wait.
“The Cage is losing money.”
“The Cage or the Cage?” I ask.
Ghost owns a bar called the Cage. But he also hosts illegal fights beneath the club. Between that and the twins club, Oasis, they bring in a massive portion of our club’s money.
“The upper Cage,” he answers.
“Who the hell is stupid enough to steal from the Obsidians?” I wonder.
“Don’t know, but I’m damn sure going to find out.”
A loud crack of thunder booms, causing the building to rattle and me to freak the heck out.
“What the fuck?” Jax yells from another room. “Damn spiders invade my nightmares, and now the building is going to collapse?”
“What?” I screech.
“Shut the fuck up, Jax,” I hear Steel yell. “Ghost, where are the keys to the garage? We need to park our bikes inside.”
“You rode your bikes in that?” I shout so they can hear me from the other room.
“It’s unlocked, brother,” Ghost shouts back.
“They’re nuts,” I gasp. “Completely and certifiably insane.”
I may be part of a biker club, but I hate motorcycles with a passion. I know the statistics for getting killed on those things. I’ve only ever been on mine a handful of times, and only when it was the only option.
Luckily, as head of security I haven’t needed to do anything drastic. Most of my work can be done behind the screen. I supply the tech part of the security needs, and King supplies the muscles.
I hear the front door open a few minutes later and decide to meet everyone in the main room.
“Think you can go over the info for me later on and see if you notice any red flags?” Ghost asks as he follows me from the room.
“No problem,” I answer. “I’ll need full access to your staff as well. I can look around and see if anything is suspicious.”
“Whatever you need, kid,” he tells me.
“Damn, that rain is cold.”
I slept for a few hours this morning and that voice was the only one I dreamed about.
Taylor stood next to the door with Blaze and Steel as Jax handed them all towels.
“Figured I would just ride over with the boys after we closed up Oasis,” he smiles at me. “Thought for sure we would get here before the rain started.”
“Oasis has been closed for hours,” I point out.
“We had an incident last night with one of the scenes,” Steel says. “They took their blood play a bit too far, and we had to have someone come in for a deep clean.”
“Oh no,” I frown. “Is everyone okay? That poor person.”
“I didn’t say they didn’t enjoy it, boy,” Steel smirks.
Yikes!
I am baffled at some of the things that people get off on. I would never take part in anything like that.
“Venom’s going to stay home with Sophia and the girls,” Ghost says, looking down at his phone.
“I thought they all went to a safe house?” I ask.
“They did, but Hope had an appointment this morning,” Blaze says. “King and Maddy are with them and plan to head back first thing in the morning. At least until we know for sure they’re safe here.”
“I’m sorry for bringing this to your doorstep,” Taylor says. “I didn’t mean to put them in danger.”
“Don’t apologize,” Ghost adds. “It’s not your fault that your sister went missing. We will do everything we can to get her back safely, brother. In the meantime, trust that King can keep our family safe.”
“I appreciate that,” he says, drying his hair. “Parden the bluntness, but I sure as hell wish that Knox was with them.”
I gape at the insane man. Should I be offended?
“Yeah,” Steel agrees. “Me too. I don’t like knowing that he’s in danger. Don’t make idiotic choices for a while, boy.”
“Hey, I never make idiotic choices, jerk,” I snarl. “I’ll have you know that my IQ is 145. That’s only fifteen points below Stephen Hawking. I am highly intelligent. Just not always rational. There’s a difference.”
“Then make rational choices,” Blaze adds.
“I make no promises.”
Another clap of thunder shakes the building.
“Was that one louder?” I squeak.
I really hate thunderstorms.
“My dog is going to be pissed,” Taylor says. “Do you mind if I grab something to drink?”
“Go ahead.”
“You have a dog?” I ask excitedly. “Not a single member of this club has a dog.”
“I do,” he smiles from the fridge.
“Why is he going to be upset? Is he afraid of storms?”
“Not at all,” he chuckles. “He likes to play in them. I’ll be surprised if I get home and he hasn’t broken a window to get outside.”
“What type of dog is he?” I ask when I sit at the island that separates the main room from the kitchen.
“He’s a Doberman. Drink this.”
I accept the water and drink. There’s really no use in fighting a Dom when it comes to taking care of someone. Especially a Daddy Dom.
“Wow,” I sigh. “Dobermans are beautiful and intelligent dogs. What’s his name? Did you have his ears pinned? That’s cruel, by the way. There’s no logical reason to do that. People only do it so their dogs look more intimidating.”
I know I’m being nosy, but I don’t care. I’ve always wanted a dog. A big dog. A protective one.
One that I can sit on the floor and play with.
A best friend who will never leave my side.
***Taylor***
I don’t think Knox realizes that his voice has gotten softer and his pitch a bit higher. His Little is desperate to come out and play.
The rest of the men also notice and sit down to talk quietly. Most likely not wanting to pull Knox away from the calmness he’s feeling.
I’ll talk about my damn dog all day long if it keeps him feeling this way.
“His name is Titan,” I say, leaning on the island so that I’m face-to-face with Little Knox. “I got him when he was a year old, and his ears had already been pinned. I think it’s a cruel practice, as well. He’s massive, loyal, and fiercely protective.”
“Wow,” he sighs again. “That is so awesome. I’ve always wanted a dog who would want to protect me against bad people.”
“He’s much like me,” I admit. “He was born a protector. I bet you and he would get along wonderfully.”
“You really think so?” he asks, his voice filled with so much hope that it breaks my heart.
My boy wants to feel safe.
“I do,” I say, reaching out to move the little bundle of hair that fell into his eyes. “I can bring him over tomorrow if you’d like.”
“Won’t he attack everyone?”
“Only if I order him to do so,” I explain. “Or if someone is in danger that he likes. Otherwise, he’s very well-behaved.”
“He’s a good boy, like me,” he says softly.
“Yes, baby boy. Just like you.”
I honestly don’t need the distraction of a Little. They require a lot of care and love, and my current focus should be on getting my sister back.
But everything in me wants to pick Knox up and lock him away in my house where I know he’ll be safe and cared for. I want to bathe him, feed him, play with him, and take care of everything he could ever need.
As a Daddy Dom, it’s my nature to do those things. I crave caring for someone just as much as Littles crave being cared for.
But, with Knox, it’s more than just his Little that has a hold on me. It’s Knox, the man. The smart, sarcastic, sexy young man.
“Do you think they would deliver pizza in this storm?” Jax asks loudly. “I’m starving.”
Thunder booms, causing Knox to jump. But it doesn’t seem to be as loud.
“I think it’s finally starting to settle down,” Knox smiles. “And, yes, Jax. I ordered pizza last month when it was raining so much that the roads flooded. Just tip them well.”
Knox’s Little has all but hidden back behind his walls. But that’s okay. I’m starting to learn ways to pull him out without him even realizing it.
“Will you really bring him tomorrow?” Knox asks.
“Promise.”
“Wow, that storm stopped fast,” Jax says.
“Yeah,” Knox frowns. “Unnaturally fast.”
I follow Knox as he makes his way to the window.
“It’s really calm,” he mumbles. “Strange.”
Suddenly, all of our phones start screeching with a loud buzz. The kind you get when there’s an amber alert.
“Fuck,” Ghost groans. “A tornado was spotted not far from here. We need to find someplace to hunker down until it passes.”
“Where at?” Jax asks. “Can we head to your place, Prez? You have that old bomb shelter. Maybe that will work.”
“Yeah, let’s go,” Ghost rushes. “We need to hurry the fuck up. That thing could be here any second.”
“It’s already here,” Knox says, still looking out the window. “The storm wasn’t over. It was back-building. New storm cells were being built on top of the old ones. It’s almost like being in the eye of a storm. It’s so calm.”
“I don’t need a science lesson, kid,” Ghost says. “To the office, everyone. The meeting table is heavy as fuck and is our best bet at protection.”
Everyone heads that way, but Knox doesn’t move a finger.
“We have to go,” I warn. “We need to get you to safety.”
“Did you know that tornadoes can form in just a matter of minutes? It’s like they can suddenly appear out of nowhere, which is why it’s so crucial to stay weather-aware, especially during stormy seasons.”
“We have to go, Knox,” I shout. The sound of the tornado is almost deafening at this point. It sounds like a damn freight train is headed right for us.
“I can’t,” he says. I can’t hear his voice but I read his lips just fine.
The sound of hail joins the whirring of the tornado when suddenly the lights go out.
And he still doesn’t move.
Fuck it.
I pick the shaking man up and run towards the office.
“Get the hell under here,” Steel yells.
They have the table pressed against the wall farthest from the windows. Crouching, I hand Knox to Steel and climb under.
“Put him in the middle,” I yell, shoving Knox under my body the second I reach him. The men surround us on all ends.
“It’s okay, baby boy,” I say into his ear. “Everything is going to be okay. I’ve got you.”
The sound around us is so loud that I can’t hear my own voice. I just hope that Knox can.
Wood splatters, and wind reaches beneath the table. I wrap Knox as tight as I can in our crouched position.
“Papa’s here, baby,” I shout, hoping he can hear me. “I’ve got you.”
My heart is pounding as the wind increases and darkness surrounds us. Closing my eyes, I do something I don’t think I’ve done a single time in my entire life. I pray.
I don’t know if anyone is listening. But, if there is, I beg of you, please don’t let anything happen to this man. He needs to survive. This world needs him to survive… I… I need him to survive.
Everything around us is in chaos. I can feel the building being ripped apart.
Then, just as fast as it started, everything stops. The wind stops. The rain stops. The hail stops. The sound stops.
“Holy shit,” Jax whispers.
Slowly, the men around us back away until Knox and I are the only ones remaining.
“Come on, baby boy,” I whisper.
“Fucking table saved our lives,” I hear Blaze say.
Knowing Knox isn’t going to move, I drag both of us out and keep him tucked against my body as I stand.
“Are the walls gone?” Knox asks with his face buried in my chest.
I look around me, then to Blaze, Steel, Ghost, and Jax, who are all looking at my bundle with concern.
I have never in my life wanted to lie to someone as much as I do right now.
“Fuck,” Steel mutters under his breath, echoing the tension in each of us.
“Yeah,” I answer. “The walls are gone, little one.”
With a whimper, Knox clutches my shirt as if seeking the shelter he now knows is no longer here.
“Is everyone okay?” he whispers between ragged breaths.
“We’re all okay,” Steel answers. “Focus on your breathing, little one. Taylor isn’t going to let you go.”
“Never,” I growl.
“The garage wasn’t touched,” Ghost says. “It’s a damn miracle considering it’s attached to the building.”
“Glad we all parked our bikes inside,” Blaze says. “Let’s get Knox to our house before we deal with all of this.”
Knox whimpers, and I have to suppress a growl at his fear.
“No outside,” he says in a small voice.
I don’t think he’s fully comprehended that we’re already outside. The clubhouse walls are gone. All that’s left is the kitchen island, a few walls between rooms, the attached garage, and the damn table we were under.
It’s amazing we all survived.
“I’m going to protect you, Knox,” I tell him. “Can you trust me to do that? Can you let go for just a little while and trust me to keep you safe?”
I wait with bated breath while he works through whatever it is that’s going on inside of his head.
With a slight nod, Knox settles further into my body. I don’t know how, but he’s managed to get himself even closer.
I smile and kiss his forehead.
“No see,” he says, squeezing his eyes shut.
“No see, baby boy,” I say against his skin. “Just keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Papa would sound better, but sir will work just fine.
For now.
“Jax, you might need to stay with us for a while,” Steel says. “Between working Oasis at night and doing club shit during the day, we’re hardly ever home anymore. We can all three take turns staying with Knox.”
“He can come and stay with me,” I say. “My house is almost never empty. We’re currently using it as our club until we get ours built. You all are always more than welcome.”
Steel and Blaze look at me as if searching for something.
I don’t move. I don’t so much as blink as they search for what they need to know.
“He does only live five minutes from Oasis,” Blaze says. “And we both know he’ll protect Knox with his life.”
“But will Knox feel safe there?” Steel asks aloud.
“What do you think, little one?” Blaze asks. “You’ve only just met this man. Do you feel safe with him? Or do you want to come home with us? You already have a room there. And all of your Legos are still there.”
“No talk,” he whines, shaking his head.
“Knox, you need to answer his questions,” I say sternly. “Use your words, boy.”
Sighing, he repeats his head shake. “I wanna stay with Pa…uhm…I want to stay with Taylor, please.”
“Good boy for using your manners,” I praise.
“After we get shit sorted here, we’ll bring you some of your stuff,” Blaze says, gently stroking Knox’s head.
I adjust the arm holding him and reach into my pocket for my phone. I find the contact I want and hit call.
“You okay, man?” Reynolds, my best friend, answers. “Fuckin’ tornado just barely missed us. Titan was furious that I didn’t let him outside to chase it. I only just got here to feed him when we got the warning.”
“I need you to get my truck and meet me at the Obsidian’s clubhouse,” I answer. “Grab a blanket, too. And Reynolds.”
“Yeah, brother?”
“As fast as possible.”
“Fuck,” he states as he ends the call.
“We’re going home soon, baby boy. I need you to be brave for me just a little while longer.”