Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Every cell of Knox's body was on high alert as he stepped through the large, wooden double doors of the country club. Beside him, Everleigh was quiet as a mouse, and he pressed one hand to her lower back in a show of silent support.
He couldn't begin to imagine how she felt right now. He still had trouble believing it himself, truth be told. Knox had no idea what Beaumont's motive was, but he was infuriated that Everleigh’s father had tried once again to manipulate her.
Over the past few hours, Knox had played several scenarios through his mind, none of which fit. He didn't believe it had anything to do with him this time, since the photographs had begun to arrive long before she had approached Vantage for help.
Knox had wondered if Conrad was punishing Everleigh for divorcing her husband and coming home.
It was no secret that Beaumont was extremely fond of Fletcher, a fact that grated on Knox's nerves.
Conrad had seemed to side with Fletcher instead of Everleigh, and she had been looked down on for leaving him.
Everleigh had told Knox she had no issues with Fletcher himself.
Apparently, they maintained a good relationship, and she had spoken with him twice over the past couple of weeks.
It irked Knox, but he refused to acknowledge it.
It was a part of her life that he couldn't change, no matter how much he wished otherwise.
He had berated himself for years for not fighting for her, for allowing her to move on with some other man. He had to admit a sharp satisfaction at the fact that she had chosen him. It was natural that they remained friends, but he was glad they were several states and thousands of miles apart.
Everleigh leaned into him, gently guiding him toward the dining area.
She nodded politely to several of the workers and patrons as they passed, all of whom undoubtedly knew they were there to meet the Beaumonts.
Knox spotted Conrad as soon as he stepped into the room, and a hot rage coiled low in his belly.
His fingers dug into Everleigh’s side, and she shifted slightly.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
She tipped her head up to him, a worried smile on her face, and met his gaze. He wanted to pull her to a stop, kiss her worries away right there, but to do so would be to commit a huge faux pas. He settled for taking her hand instead and giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze.
Conrad threw a look Knox's way as they approached the table, then just as quickly glanced away. Because he couldn't stand the sight of Knox, or because of his guilt? Knox couldn't be sure. But he planned to figure out exactly what Beaumont's angle was.
Mrs. Beaumont smiled demurely, the epitome of the perfect Southern belle. “I’m so glad you could make it. I’m Celia.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Knox pulled out Everleigh’s chair, then waited until she was settled to take his own.
Conrad’s eyes flitted around the room, not staying on either of them for more than a second or two. It set Knox even more on edge. A waiter appeared as if by magic to take their drink orders, and Beaumont motioned for him to refill the amber liquid he had already drained.
Knox liked a drink now and then, but the broken capillaries around Beaumont's nose and cheeks told him he preferred a stiff drink more often than not. It served only to infuriate him further, and he sat rigid as a board in his seat, surreptitiously scanning his surroundings.
Celia and Everleigh made small talk as they waited for the food to be delivered.
Conrad added a word or two when prompted but otherwise stayed silent.
While he avoided Knox, Knox took the time to study him intently.
His eyes continued to rove the room, his shoulders tense, his fingers drumming the table or his glass of whiskey.
He was on edge. And Knox wanted to know why.
“How's business?”
For the first time, Conrad's gaze snapped directly to Knox's. “Fine, fine.” He paused, seeming to battle the urge to look away or be polite and reciprocate. “Heard you've got a business of your own now.”
“I do.”
“Going well?”
“Better than I dreamed,” Knox said honestly.
It felt good to tell him that. It felt even better to sit in these hallowed halls that once had seemed so unobtainable.
He would never be one of them, but it felt good to be sitting there today.
Too bad his vindication was overshadowed by Beaumont’s vindictiveness.
“I’m sure that’s why Everleigh came to me when she needed help,” Knox added. “She knew I'd take care of her, just like I always have.”
He knew his words had hit their mark, but Conrad remained quiet, red-faced and seething with anger. Beaumont waved to a passing server and gestured to his empty glass once more. Knox barely held back his disdain for a man who required liquid courage to make it through a single dinner.
Beaumont's eyes flicked to Knox, dark with a combination of fury and loathing. He was probably trying to figure out just how much Knox knew.
Knox wanted to push Conrad as far as he could without being obvious about it. He wanted Conrad to admit he'd been having Everleigh followed. More than that, Knox wanted to know why.
He couldn't help but needle Beaumont. “Was the first guy assigned to watch her not doing his job?”
From his left, Everleigh cleared her throat as she removed the napkin from her lap and set it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to visit the restroom.” She stood, tossing a look her mother’s way. “Would you like to come with me?”
A tiny line appeared in the space over Celia’s nose as her brows drew together. “Of course, dear.”
Knox started to stand, but Everleigh waved him off. She met his gaze as she turned, and he locked eyes with her, sending up a silent thank you for her intuitiveness. This was his opportunity to get Conrad alone so he could speak with him openly.
As soon as the women disappeared, Knox turned back to Beaumont. “I love your daughter.”
If Knox thought Conrad had looked upset before, now he looked downright murderous.
Everleigh had told Knox that her father had acceded to her wishes to be with him, but Knox wasn’t entirely sure what all they’d discussed.
Clearly, Beaumont still didn’t approve of him.
Too bad. Knox didn’t care what he thought.
Beaumont's gaze flew over Knox's shoulder, and a grateful expression crossed his face as the server delivered the drink to the table. Knox swiped his tongue over his teeth in agitation as he watched Conrad tip it up to his lips.
“I’m going to ask Everleigh to marry me, and I’d like your blessing.”
Beaumont choked a little on the whiskey and set the glass down so hard the liquid sloshed against the rim.
He coughed again to clear his throat, then threw a dark look Knox's way, his hand clenching the glass so tightly his knuckles turned white. “What makes you think I’ll give you my permission to marry my daughter?”
Resting his forearm on the table, Knox leaned a little closer, his eyes locked on Conrad's. “I asked for your blessing—not your permission. If Everleigh agrees, she’s going to be my wife the way she should have been years ago.”
Beaumont's face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and he sputtered angrily. “You prick, I—”
“Sorry about that.” Everleigh’s soft palm slid over Knox's shoulder, and he tipped his head up to meet her gaze.
“No problem, sweetheart.” He placed his hand over hers, and her eyes narrowed a bit in silent question. He gave an abbreviated shake of his head and squeezed her fingers, then released her so she could sit.
Across from him, Conrad blustered and coughed, but Knox didn't spare him a glance. The man had controlled Everleigh long enough. Knox noticed Beaumont hadn’t tossed back the rest of the whiskey.
He was probably too infuriated to drink it, stewing over the bomb Knox had just dropped about wanting to marry Everleigh.
“Are you okay, dear?” Celia asked.
“Daddy?” It was the sharp concern in Everleigh’s voice that had Knox's head snapping up.
Beaumont was bright red, more so than before, his forehead beaded with sweat as he jerked in his chair.
Knox lunged out of his chair and caught Beaumont just as he pitched toward the floor. “Call 911!”
Cries rose around him as Knox guided Conrad to his back and began chest compressions. “Come on,” he commanded under his breath. “Don’t you dare die on me now.”
There were still too many questions left unanswered, too much at stake.