Page 76 of The Quiet After The Fall

“You can’t go to work or classes,” I say. “It’s not safe.”

Sawyer crosses her arms, glass in hand. “You better fix this, Knox. I can’t just abandon my life. I’ll lose my job, fail my classes.”

“Fuck,” I say, pacing again. “I know. I’ll figure this out. I just need to think.”

Sawyer’s eyes meet mine and I see every emotion in her expression, fear, frustration, fierceness. But underneath it all is love. She may not say it or want to admit it to herself or anyone else, but it’s there.

“Why don’t you go figure some shit out, lover boy? Me and Sawyer made plans to watch a movie and get wine drunk. She’ll be fine with me here.”

I rub the back of my neck, considering. “You don’t know that.”

“Didn’t I mention I’m from the city? I’m scrappy as fuck. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Sawyer shifts on the couch. “And I’m not some useless damsel either.”

“Fine,” I say. This is so fucked, but I need a little while to figure everything out. “I’ll go smooth things over with Ella. Make a⁠—”

“Who’s Ella?” Gia asks.

“His fiancée,” Sawyer says plainly.

“Lover boy has a fiancée?” Gia asks, looking from Sawyer to me and back again. “Oh, I’m going to need the full story.”

I sigh, thinking to myself that there’s not enough hours left in the night for that. “Sawyer, can we?” I gesture to the kitchen, hoping she’ll catch my drift. She nods and follows me. I pull her against my chest, resting my head on top of hers and breathing in her strawberry scent. She’s stiff at first, but softens when I rub circles on her back. “I’m so fucking sorry, but it’ll be okay. I’ll fix this.”

She pulls back an inch to look up at me. “We’ll fix it. From what you said about your father, I want to help.”

My fingers cup her chin, tilting it up. I want to kiss her so badly. Need to capture her taste, her warmth, know that she’s right here and real and okay. I bring my lips closer, until our breaths are mingling. Her grip on my back tightens. I’m so close, my lips practically touch hers.

But then she moves her head, kissing my cheek, before pulling away.

Guess I deserve that.

“One more thing,” I say. “I need you to unblock me.”

She smirks. “I guess I can do that now that you have a reason to be a psycho stalker.”

“I never needed a reason.”

She shakes her head as I pass by her, toward the door. “Keep this locked. I’ll check in soon. And Sawyer, call me if anything seems off. Anything at all.”

I don’t look back once I’m outside. I know if I do, I’ll hesitate to leave. Sawyer’s right, I’ve got to fix this. And if Moretti’s watching like I think he is, every minute I’m here with Sawyer puts her more in danger.

Chapter 19

Knox

Idrive home, white-knuckling the wheel the entire way. Every option plays through my head—turn back to Sawyer, go back to the lake, sleep in my car. Anything but going home to Ella. But all of those raise more questions than they solve and put Sawyer in more danger.

I let myself into my place, making as little noise as possible. Hopefully Ella’s asleep and I can deal with her tomorrow with a clearer head. It’s dark and quiet, not even a faint glow coming from the bedroom.

No reason for me to turn on any lights, I know this place inside out. I slip off my shoes, and carefully put my keys on the entry table, keeping my phone out to text Sawyer that I’m home and I’m going to work on a plan.

When I reach my bedroom, I notice that my bed is made. Ella’s not here. I guess she stayed at her parent’s house. I toss the phone on the bed and turn to switch on the light.

Someone’s waiting for me behind the door, and a fist sinks into my ribs before I’ve fully registered him, driving the air out of my lungs.

A big motherfucker. One of Moretti’s guys. I should have smelled the stench of cigarettes mixed with body odor. None of that matters as he repeats the same movement in a quick burst, sending my back into the dresser. My elbow cracks hard, nerve pain shooting up my arm, and he’s already on me again before I can get a hand up.