Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Everleigh fought a grimace as she shifted, but Knox must have seen because he was by her side a second later. “Are you okay?”
His ribs still hurt, and his arm ached, but he considered himself incredibly fortunate otherwise. He grabbed her hand and squeezed her fingers. “I'm fine, sweetheart.”
She eyed him dubiously. “You don't look fine. It's only been three days. You—”
“I'm okay,” he promised. For the past seventy-two hours since he had been released from the hospital, she had been hovering by his side every waking moment, barely sleeping in her need to make sure he was okay. His broken ribs felt like they were being squeezed by a vise each time he took a breath, and the wound in his bicep where he’d been grazed by a bullet felt itchy beneath the bandage they’d applied.
But none of that mattered. Everleigh was safe, back with him where she belonged.
There was no missing the dark circles beneath her eyes, and he gave a gentle tug to her fingers. “Come here, sweetheart.”
He guided her into the bed next to him, tucking her against his good side. “You need to rest. You've been killing yourself trying to make sure I'm okay, but you've completely neglected to take care of yourself.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts,” he said, cutting her off. “Just lie here for a minute and relax.”
She made a little sound that resembled a snort but allowed herself to lean into him.
Holding her hand in his, he traced little circles over the back with his thumb.
Her head fell a little more, growing heavier, and he knew she'd finally given over to sleep.
As gently as possible, he extricated himself from her hold and slid from the bed.
He bit back a gasp of pain as he maneuvered himself to his feet, then snagged up a shirt.
He slipped into the hallway and closed the door silently before pausing to pull on his shirt.
As much as he wanted to lie there and hold her all day, she needed to sleep and recharge.
He had other pressing needs at the moment, so he meandered down the hall to use the bathroom, then wandered downstairs.
Lettie threw a smile his way as he descended the stairs. “How are you feeling, sir?”
“Fine, thank you. Everleigh is finally sleeping. Anyone in the sitting room?”
“No, sir. Would you like me to bring you some coffee?”
“Iced tea would be great, if you have any.”
“Of course. I'll bring it right in.”
“Thank you.” He slowly made his way to the sitting room and collapsed on the sofa.
It felt a little strange to be there, but his house was officially a crime scene, and Mrs. Beaumont had insisted he stay.
Conrad had been released from the hospital yesterday as well, so now there were two of them recuperating under the same roof.
He had been pushing himself to regain his strength so he could leave as soon as possible, hating to abuse their hospitality.
For the first day or so, he was barely lucid from the painkillers.
After that, he opted not to take them, hating the way they made him feel.
Mason and Cade had been handling everything in his stead, but being out of the loop for the past few days drove him crazy.
He still wasn't sure of the exact chain of events.
Montgomery apparently hadn't had a chance; he'd bled out even before the medics had arrived.
He called Mason first, but it went straight to voicemail, and he rolled his eyes.
He was just about to dial his sister to track him down when Lettie entered the room.
She set down his tea with a concerned smile and studied him. “Sir, you have some visitors.”
“I do?”
She nodded. “Your sister and her fiancé are here to see you if you're feeling well enough.”
“Of course.” He started to push to the edge of the couch, but she waved him off.
“I'll bring them back.”
“Thank you, Lettie.”
Moments later, Mason and Vivi appeared in the doorway. Though he had spoken with his sister a couple of days ago to let her know he was okay and would be staying there, she apparently needed to see him for herself.
A worried frown creasing her forehead, she dropped onto the cushion next to him. “How are you feeling?”
“I'm okay, Viv.” He looped his good arm over her shoulder as Mason dropped into the chair adjacent to him.
“I know you said not to worry, but you're my brother,” she fretted. “When Mason told me what happened...”
She shuddered, and he hugged her close. “It really wasn’t as bad as it sounds.”
Mason flicked a glance his way but didn’t say a word. He had a feeling he’d left out a lot of details when he relayed the story to Vivi. He would have done the same thing.
They made small talk for a few minutes until his attention was pulled toward the door.
Everleigh stood there, eyes tired, but a sweet smile on her face.
Vivi slid away from him, making her way back to Mason, and he held his arm out to Everleigh as she approached.
“What are you doing up, sweetheart? You should be relaxing.”
“I couldn't sleep without you,” she complained softly as she cuddled up next to him, tucking her feet beneath her.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Vivi said from where she was perched on Mason’s lap, her gaze bouncing between the two of them. “Both of you.”
“Me, too.”
Everleigh smiled up at her, then smothered a yawn with her hand. Deciding she’d had enough, he made their excuses. “If you guys don’t mind, I’m getting tired. I think I’ll go relax for a bit.”
“Of course.” Mason’s shrewd gaze told him he hadn’t missed a thing, and he urged Vivi to her feet. “We’re headed over to your place next. Sullivan said you’re good to move back in whenever you’re ready.”
“Awesome.” He stood and extended a hand his way. “Thanks for taking care of everything. I appreciate it.”
The ladies moved ahead of them, and Mason hung back as they made their way to the front door. Knox had a feeling something was on his mind, so he kept quiet and waited.
As soon as Vivi and Everleigh were out of earshot, Mason swiveled his head to look at him. “I just wanted to apologize.”
“For what?”
He blew out a breath. “I should have gone straight for her.”
Knox remembered Mason pulling him out of the line of fire, so he couldn't be mad about that. And Everleigh was safe. “Really, it's—”
“I’ve felt sick for days over it,” Mason continued. “She could have died because of me.”
Knox settled a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “She didn’t.”
Mason had arrived seconds after Everleigh had run toward the bedroom. He’d laid down fire as he pulled him out to the porch, then went after Fletcher and Everleigh. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. And if Everleigh hadn’t stopped him, I know you would have.”
Mason nodded, not looking entirely convinced, and Knox squeezed his shoulder. “We’re both fine, so stop second-guessing yourself. Take some time off, spend it with Vivi.”
“But—”
Knox shook his head. “You deserve it.”
Vivi and Everleigh had paused by the front door, and he pulled his sister into a hug. “Thanks for coming by.”
She stretched up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Just get better soon.”
“We will.” Knox pulled Everleigh to his side, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, cautious of his broken ribs.
They saw Mason and Vivi out, then headed for the stairs where Mr. Beaumont stopped him. “Mr. Castillo, may I have a word with you?”
Conrad still looked a bit ashen, and Knox wondered if he should even be up, but he nodded. He threw a look at Everleigh, whose face was lined with a combination of curiosity and concern. “Why don’t you head up without me, sweetheart? I’ll be there in just a minute.”
“Okay.” She managed a small smile and a nod before making her way up the wide staircase.
Mr. Beaumont slowly led the way to his office, where he sank into a leather chair. He gestured to the one next to him, indicating Knox should sit, and he eyed him as he did so carefully. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” Knox admitted with a self-deprecating smile. “Hurts to breathe, but it could be a lot worse.”
“True.” Conrad took a moment to gather himself before speaking. “I wanted to thank you.”
Knox’s brows drew together as he stared at him. “For what?”
“For helping me. For taking care of Everleigh. Take your pick.”
Conrad shrugged. “Anyone would have done the same.”
“No, son, they wouldn’t.” Beaumont shook his head. “Especially not after…” He trailed off, and they both remained silent for a moment.
Finally, Conrad cleared his throat. “Mostly, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your help with everything. Celia told me everything, and I… I never should have trusted Montgomery. I thought he was best for Everleigh, but I was wrong.
“You’re the only man she’s ever wanted, and things would have turned out so much different had you not been there for her.
” He gave a little shake of his head. “You have always taken care of her, and I know you're the kind of man she needs. I just wanted you to know that you have my blessing to marry Everleigh if that’s what you want.”
To hear Conrad say that meant the world to Knox. “She’s all I’ve ever wanted,” he admitted softly.
He placed his hands on the armrests of the chair and levered to his feet, and Conrad followed suit. The older man extended a hand, and Knox accepted it with a firm shake. “I’d be proud to call you my son.”
A strange sensation zinged through Knox’s chest. “Thank you, sir.”
He headed back to Everleigh to tell her the news, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. She sat on the edge of the bed, and her head snapped his way as he entered and closed the door behind him. “Is everything okay? What was that about?”
He couldn’t help but smile as he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Your father just wanted to give me his blessing.”
Everleigh blinked, then a smile spread over her face. “Really?”
“Really.” He framed her face with one hand and kissed her slow and sweet. “Which, unless you have any objections, I plan to do as soon as possible.”
“Probably a good idea.” Her smile grew as she placed a hand on her stomach.
His breath hitched. “You sure?”
Happy tears welled in her eyes as she stared up at him and nodded.
His heart swelled and cracked wide open, so full of love and gratefulness that he’d been awarded this second chance.
Heedless of his injuries, he hauled her close and crushed her against him.
“God, Everleigh… You’ve made me the happiest man in the whole world. ”
She wrapped her arms around his waist, head pressed to his chest. “I love you.”
Sliding one hand into her hair, he tipped her face up to his. “This time, it’s forever.”
Everleigh smiled. “Forever.”