Page 10 of Knox

He stands up straight with his hands on his hips. “I wanted to say yes, but I also know the post orgasmic high can fade very quickly in another man’s bedroom. The walk of shame is never a good feeling.”

“So maybe it could happen on a night that doesn’t involve the club. Perhaps after dinner somewhere.” I’ve surprised myself by asking him out on a date.

Roman looks at me in complete shock. Has no one ever asked him out before? He’s not a kid—he’s twenty-six. He doesn’t look it; he’s still a total twink, but he’s also a great person. He became so much more after his ‘friend’ Tate left the area and took his toxic attitude with him.

He’s still silent, his face a lot redder now. “What do you say?”

From the look on his face, I’ve made a dick of myself, and he’s going to say no again. Then a small smile perks up the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, I’d like that. Thank you.”

I look up at the tv screens and check the time. “I’ve got a client coming in about five minutes. Will you still be here in an hour? We can check our diaries for a day and time.”

“I can still be here.” His voice still sounds surprised as he confirms.

Just then, Sammi walks up to me and smiles. “I hope you’re planning to work me hard. I’ve had two birthdays at work, so it’s been cake central.” She looks at Roman, then at me. “Did I just break up a moment?”

“Nope, you’re good,” we say in unison.

“Hmm, I think you’re both hiding something. But it’s not my business,”

“See you in a bit, Roe.” I walk away with my client, knowing Roman is watching me. And that makes me feel good enough to put a little swagger in my step.

“You’re ridiculous,” Sammi laughs, nudging me with her elbow.

“And just for that, you’re now in for a world of pain. We’ll start with a warm-up on the treadmill, then I think it’s going to be a leg day.”

An hour later, Sammi is sweating but smiling as she wipes her face with her towel. “That was a good one, Knox. I’m going to be feeling it for a few days, but it’s worth it. Now, go and find that cutie and make him smile like he was earlier.”

When I walk back into my office, Roman is sitting in my chair, legs swinging from side to side as he scrolls on his phone. “Making yourself at home, I see.” I grin and stride purposefully to the chair, stopping him as he rolls towards me. As I lean over, resting my hands on the back of the leather chair, I cage him in, my legs on either side of his.

His breath hitches as his eyes dilate, the inky black irises taking over the bright blue. He’s showered and changed, but still casual in grey sweats and a tight, black T-shirt. He swallows hard as I dip my head lower to his ear, breathing him in, and murmuring, “You’re so fucking sexy that I could bend you over my desk and fuck you till you scream. But not today.” I bite down on his earlobe, making him moan. “Maybe after our second date.” I stand up and lean back against my desk, my hands on the edge on either side of my thighs. “When are you free?”

“Fuck off,” I laugh, shaking my head at the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. “They’ll kill me before I could blink. I’m never told anything other than the destination. I’m just a runner, and there’s always another one waiting for me to fuck up so they can take my place.”

Pilkington looks at me, his grey eyes so focused, it’s like he’s trying to read my mind. “You don’t seem to have much faith in your abilities. You talked your way into the position, did you not? I’m sure you can ask for some extra responsibilities; play to your strengths, you could sweet talk the knickers off a nun. We’ve been watching you.”

I fidget in my chair, not liking the idea of being watched. Or rather, not liking that I hadn’t noticed. I’m always on the lookout for anything or anyone that seems out of place. “I’m no snitch, and I like my bollocks where they are. You know what would happen to me; it wouldn’t be a quick bullet in the head. No, I’ve seen what they do to their enemies, and it’s fucking scary, man. You know they keep the dogs hungry for a reason, right?”

“We won’t let it get to that. All we need is some intel, a couple of names, and the collection point. You do this for us, and you’ll be rewarded.”

“It’s still fucking no. Don’t you get it? They won’t ever stop looking for me. I’ll have a gun pointed at my head for the rest of my life.”

“Not if they think you’re already dead.”

This time I just laugh and laugh, through fear more than humour. This guy is never gonna quit. It’s not like they can just let me go now. I’ve got no fucking choice.

“Why me?” I ask when they know they’ve got me. “There are plenty of runners; I’m not the only one.”

“You’re the newest, and your face hasn’t got around too much. They’re expecting you to fuck up, to get caught by either the cops or by one of their rivals. We can work with that.”

“Deano!” DeVon’s voice comes shouting down the phone, which means one of two things: he’s driving so fast that his voice has to get above the loud engine of his car, some flashy, bright red car that I have no clue about. Or, more likely, he’s high as a kite and has no clue he’s shouting. I hate being called Deano.

“Yes, Boss, what can I do for you?” I shout back, no fucking clue why.

“I’ve got a new job for you. It’s big, and you’re the only one I want on this.” He’s said the words I’ve been waiting to hear for a while now.

Ever since I was dropped off miles away from my home ground, I’ve been putting myself in DeVon’s line of sight. Ready to jump at his every command, to do whatever he wants, and he’s a crazy fucker who wants a shit ton of work out of all of us.

“Anything, Boss, you know that. Just say the word.” I cringe. I know I sound like a twat, but he loves it. I have no idea where he grew up, but he can sound a bit fake sometimes, like his background and family. Kids that grew up like me and Ellis, we know what a tough, hard life is. Full of pain and paedos and having to sleep in doorways rather than be abused every night.