Chapter Six
Taylor
Knox hasn’t said a word since I placed him in the passenger seat of my truck. It typically takes twenty minutes to get to my house from the Obsidian’s, but with so many emergency vehicles, worker trucks, and debris, it takes forty fuckin’ minutes. Reynolds must have driven on the sidewalks to get to us as fast as he did.
“You’re on speaker,” I answer when my phone rings.
“Hey baby, I was worried sick when you didn’t answer your phone. Are you okay?”
Knox turns his head with a frown between his eyes. Eyes that are still closed tightly.
“I’m alright,” I smile. “I’ve already checked the news to ensure your area was clear. Did you hear from Billy?”
“He’s fine. He never even left his office. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, ma. I’ll call you later, alright? Love you.”
“Oh, and I love you, son. Be safe.”
“Taylor,” Knox says quietly after I end the call. “Can I sit in the middle?”
“Having you tucked safely beside me would be a dream, baby boy,” I say, reaching over to run my hand down his head. “But right now, it’s just not safe for you to be out of your belt. We’re so close. Just a few more minutes.”
I grip the back of his neck and instantly feel him relax.
Interesting.
Pulling into my driveway, I park the truck and look at Reynolds, who’s waiting for us on the porch.
“Titan’s in the basement for now,” he says as I exit the truck. “I figured that would be the best bet until Knox is calm enough to be introduced to him.”
“That’s fine,” I nod. “I’ll let him up in a few minutes. Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything,” he says, straightening from his leaned position.
“Gather the crew and go help the Obsidians. Their clubhouse was completely destroyed. We were fuckin’ lucky that we didn’t die.”
“I saw that,” he shakes his head. “I hope they keep that table when they rebuild.”
“I’m sure they will,” I smile. “Right now, they’re just looking through the rubble to see if anything is salvageable.”
“No problem,” he says. “Is it alright if I take your truck? I brought your bike back but I also rode mine here earlier.”
“Let me grab Knox, and it’s all yours.”
“So, you claiming that boy as yours?” he asks.
“Right now, I’m going to take him inside and take care of him,” I sigh. “But, when he’s in his right mind, we sure as fuck will be having a conversation.”
“Lucky bastard,” he sighs.
“Don’t worry, brother, you’ll find your baby one day.”
“You could always share little Knox,” he teases.
I freeze with my hand on the truck door and glare at my soon-to-be-dead best friend.
“Mine,” I claim. “I don’t fuckin’ share.”
Smirking, Reynolds holds his hands up and backs away.
“I was only teasing, you greedy fucker,” he laughs. “Besides, Knoxy boy and I are going to be best friends and gang up on you when we want to get our way.”
I lower my head to hide my smile.
I’m going to kill that man one day.
“Come on, baby boy,” I say after opening the door. “I’m going to carry you into the house. Keep those eyes closed.”
“Hey Knoxy boy, it’s Reynolds. I’m going to head over to your club for a bit. Do you want me to grab anything for you on my way back?”
“Hard drive,” he answers quietly. “Laptop.”
“Alright, sweetheart, I’ll look for them.”
“Passcode. Atomic number. Potassium and Pi.”
“Passcode?” Reynolds asks. “Are they in a safe?”
“Hard drive,” he answers. “Tassium.”
“He’s not wanting to talk,” I explain. “I think he’s saying his hard drive is in the safe. The passcode is whatever the atomic number is for potassium and the digits of pi.”
“Oh boy! I just need you to talk one more time, sweetheart,” Reynolds says softly. “Then you can go inside and not speak again for as long as you want. Can you tell me what the passcode digits are?”
“Three, nine, zero, nine, eight, three, three, one, four, one, five, nine.”
“Damn, I would have never figured that out,” Reynolds mumbles as he types the code into his phone. “I’ll be back later tonight.”
“If the stores are open, stop and grab some protein drinks,” I say. “I have a feeling he’s not going to be eating much, and I need to get as many calories into him as easily as possible.”
“No problem. I’ll break the fuckin’ windows to get inside if I need to.”
Shaking my head, I squeeze my bundle and head inside.
I know without a single doubt that Reynolds really would break down the windows to get this boy some protein drinks.
Hoping he doesn’t misunderstand, I head straight for my bedroom.
“I’m going to sit you on the bed, Knox,” I tell him. “Then I’m going to go and grab you some dry clothes to wear until we can get some of yours here. Is that okay?”
When he doesn’t say anything, I go ahead with the plan. I always prefer verbal agreements, but I know he’s not entirely with me, right now.
I place him on the side of the bed and wait to make sure he’s not going to fall before heading to my drawer. Grabbing the smallest boxers and shirt I own, I head back.
Removing the blankets from around his body, I grip the bottom of his wet shirt and start to pull it up.
Knox’s entire body stiffens, and I freeze.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t explain what I was about to do,” I say, internally punching myself. “I’m going to remove your clothes, baby, and put these dry ones on so that you don’t get sick.”
It takes several moments for him to relax and nod.
“I’m sorry, baby boy, but I’m going to need a verbal response this time,” I explain. “Is it alright if I remove your clothes?”
“Yy…yes sir.”
“Good boy for answering. If you need me to stop at any time, you just say red, got it?”
He nods.
“Words, Knox.”
“Got it.”
I make quick work of removing his clothing and dressing him one item at a time so that he’s not completely exposed all at once.
I try to remember what Steel and Blaze told me about the day Knox was attacked. Was he molested? Damn it. I can’t remember. I’m going to need to talk to them about it so that I know how to respond in situations like this.
“All dressed,” I say, kneeling down in front of him. “Can you open your eyes for me?”
He shakes his head.
Fuck. How am I going to get him to relax?
“I’ll be right back,” I promise when an idea comes to me.
“No go,” he screams, reaching out for me.
“Want to come with me?” I suggest. “We’re just going downstairs.”
He nods, and I lift him back into my arms.
This is quickly becoming my favorite mode of transporting this boy.
“I’m going to sit you on the couch.”
I place him down and walk to the kitchen. With the two rooms next to each other, I can still see him.
“Don’t be afraid, little one,” I tell him. “I promise that he won’t hurt you.”
I open the door to the basement, and Titan bolts out.
“I’m sorry that Uncle Reynolds wouldn’t let you chase down that tornado,” I tell an excited Titan as he wags his little nub of a tail. “He’s such a meanie.”
Titan barks and yaps as he runs circles around my body. Laughing, I give him the attention he desperately needs.
In the middle of his ear scratches, he hears Knox gasp and freezes. He turns to look at the intruder, and I wait with bated breath. I’m surprised that Titan hadn’t worked it out before now that there was a new scent in his house. He must have been too excited.
He spends several long moments assessing Knox. He takes a few sniffs. Tilts his head when Knox clears his throat. Then puffs out a breath when he decides what type of person this new stranger is.
He lowers his front end and then bolts towards Knox, whose eyes are now wide open. As soon as he reaches Knox’s feet, he stops, sits, and looks up at him.
I’ll admit that for a split second, my heart was in my throat. As much as I love Titan, I wouldn’t hesitate to protect Knox from him in whatever way was needed.
“You’re very big,” Knox whispers. “Don’t eat me. I don’t think I would taste very good.”
I beg to differ. But we’ll just keep that thought locked up nice and tight for the time being.
“He won’t eat you, baby,” I smile, sitting beside Knox. “He’s waiting.”
“For what?” he asks.
“Your permission to jump on your lap,” I say. “See, Titan thinks he’s a ten-pound lap dog when, in actuality, he’s a ninety-five-pound beast.”
“He wants on my lap?”
“Mmhmm. He’s an attention hog.”
“Is he allowed on the couch?” he asks.
“No. But I can make an exception because there’s a cute little boy who needs his love. Just relax back and say up.”
With a smile, he leans back onto the couch.
“Up,” he says softly.
Titan doesn’t wait for him to finish before he jumps up and somehow manages to cinnamon roll himself onto Knox’s lap.
“He really does think he’s a lap dog, huh?” he laughs. “How do you get your big body to do that?”
“Like I said. He’s an attention hog. He’ll do whatever he can to get attention.”
“I don’t mind,” he whispers. “It’s not fun being by yourself, is it Titan? Being alone can get really scary. Although, by the looks of you, I think you do more scaring than being scared.”
“What’s this baby?” I frown. “Your family is always around you. According to Steel, you’re never alone.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“You’re right,” he says, not looking away from a snoozing Titan. “I’m never actually alone. But that doesn’t mean I’m not lonely. A person can be surrounded by a hundred people and still feel as if they’re completely alone.”
“Is that how you feel, Knox? Like you’re completely alone?”
“Yeah,” he sighs. “And I know logically that I’m not. I know I have men and women around me daily who love me, but I can’t get my brain to understand that.”
I reach out and place a hand on Knox’s arm, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath my touch. “You don’t have to feel that way, Knox. You have people who care about you, who would do anything for you.”
He looks at me, his expression softening slightly. “I know, but sometimes it’s hard to believe it. After everything I’ve been through...”
“That’s completely understandable, baby. Trust that fate has something in store that will take your loneliness away.”
“I used to,” he smiles sadly. “I searched for years, hoping to find my place. I know I belong with the Obsidians. There’s no doubt in my mind. Yet, there was always something missing. So, I searched club after club, thinking I needed to find my person. My person would make everything click into place.
But, after my attack, something broke in my family. They’re all so careful about what they say around me now. Even more so than normal. I get it, though. I really am as fragile as they think. I’ve always been that way. Submissive. Weak. I’m the one that’s broken.”
“You’re not broken, Knox. You’re just lost. And being submissive isn’t something that makes you weak and fragile. You have to have incredible strength to trust someone enough to let go. Don’t for a single second think that submitting to someone makes you weak.”
“But I submitted to him,” he whispers, tears filling his eyes. “I submitted because I was scared and didn’t want to get hurt.”
Oh, how I wish that fucker was still alive. I hope King made that bastard suffer.“Titan, down,” I order. “Can you do me a favor, little one?”
“Of course,” he says, confusion written on his beautiful face.
“Will you let me hold you?” I ask. “I have some pretty intense emotions running through me right now, and I think you could anchor me. Would that be alright?”
Worry creeps between his eyes, and he nods.
I wasn’t lying. I want to hold him so I can calm the fuck down.
Lifting him up easily, I place him on my lap and wrap my arms tightly around his small frame.
“There,” I sigh in relief. “I just needed to remind myself that you’re here and unharmed.”
“I’m really confused,” he whispers against my neck.
“I know, baby boy,” I confess. “When the shock from today’s events wears off, we’ll talk about it.”
“Tornados are scary,” he says, his voice fading.
“Indeed.”
I settle against the couch and close my eyes, completely and utterly content to sleep just like this for the rest of the night.