Page 65 of Shades of You

“Knox!” Brenna bolted to her feet, her face slack as she stared at him.

“I wanted you to know that I’ve been staying with my cousin in Fort Myers. Getting clean, and I’m attending AA meetings.” Knox’s voice was clear and soft, almost unrecognizable from the slurred mumbles I remembered.

But if he made himself a threat, he was in serious trouble. I studied her carefully, noting her shock and alertness, but not seeing any fear. I’d observe for now.

Knox stepped forward, then halted next to a bookcase asif he didn’t want to alarm her. “I know I messed up, Brenna. But I’ve changed. I’m not asking for forgiveness—I need to earn that. But I am asking for a chance to prove I’m ready to be the guy you deserve.”

His voice threaded through the air with a vulnerability that sounded damn sincere. Desperation shined in his eyes, a hunger for redemption that I understood all too well. But this was Brenna he was speaking to.MyBrenna, goddammit, and my protective instincts flared as hot as the surface of the sun. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of trouble.

“Knox,” she said, her tone steady but not unkind, “it’s good to hear you’re doing better.”

The tension in the room was like a physical presence. Though the man before Brenna bore little resemblance to the drunken mess I remembered, it wasn’t his transformation that reverberated through me.

It was the echo of his plea that gnawed at my insides.

“I’m ready to be the guy you deserve.”

Those words should have been mine. Instead, they ricocheted around my skull, stirring up the storm of self-doubt that raged beneath my sternum. My fists clenched reflexively, releasing only to clench again tighter, the skin over my knuckles stretched white. Was I any better than him?

He stared at her arm, the arm he’d damaged. “I need to apologize for grabbing you. And… hurting you. I had no right to do that.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I was really messed up, okay? But I’ve come such a long way. I’ve been working in a boatyard, and I’m sure I could get my job back here. We could make a fresh start.”

“Knox.” Brenna’s calm and assertive voice cut through my inner turmoil. “I appreciate your honesty, really. Butyou need to understand something.” She moved behind the counter, her movements deliberate and controlled.

“Forgiveness isn’t an issue,” she continued. “I forgave you a long time ago. But that doesn’t mean we go back to the way things were. I’ve moved on.” Her hands came to rest casually on the counter, just above where I had installed that panic button—a silent signal that belied her outward composure. She clasped her trembling hands.

And that was it.

I was moving before I made the conscious decision to do so. After closing the space between us, I stood behind Brenna and placed my hands on her shoulders in a wordless vow of solidarity. There was power in that touch, a promise that whatever happened, I’d be there to protect her.

“Don’t take another step closer,” I said softly but with a steel edge, a skill I’d perfected over the years.

Brenna leaned ever so slightly into my support, her spine straightening as if drawing strength from my presence. “Knox, we’re not getting back together. I’m with Hunter now.”

Knox’s face was a picture of disbelief, his eyes darting between Brenna and me as if we were some sort of apparition. The veins in his neck stood out, taut with the effort of keeping his emotions in check.

“Brenna, think this through.” Knox’s voice held a note of anguish, but it also carried an undercurrent of hurt. Hurt that turned to hard anger when he met my gaze. “I know who you are.” Then he shifted his eyes back to Brenna. “You can’t seriously want to be with him. Hunter Markham? And you’ve been afraidI’mdangerous?”

Heat rose in my cheeks, the old accusation hitting too close to home, but I held my ground. Silence could belouder than any rebuttal, and my stillness was a wall, an impenetrable warning.

Brenna’s head snapped up, her shoulders squaring under my hands as she faced him squarely. “Hunter has been there for me in ways you never were.”

Knox’s face reddened. He looked like he wanted to say more, but the sight of me standing there, silently daring him, gave him pause.

“I want to make this crystal clear,” Brenna said in a distinct, strong voice. “I forgive you for hurting me, but we’re through. Forever. So go back to Fort Myers and start fresh. Build a new life for yourself there. Without me.”

“I’d be happy to make sure you stay there,” I said, the threat implicit in the steady, low quietness of my tone.

Knox looked at me then, really looked, and whatever defiance he had mustered faltered. It was in the slump of his shoulders and the way his eyes lost their fire, replaced by a dawning resignation.

He opened his mouth, but Brenna cut in before he could speak. “Just leave, Knox. For good this time. Believe me, Hunter can keep me safe from any threat.”

Behind her, I squared myself to enhance my full height, staring him down and not giving an inch. I’d faced down more adversaries than I could count—I was sure the battle was over. Now it was just the formalities.

“Fine,” he murmured. The man before us seemed to shrink, his presence diminishing as he turned away. He slid a hand into his pants pocket before raising his eyes to stare at Brenna. “I’ve tried to call you, but I’m guessing you blocked my number.”

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