Page 42 of Within Shadows
“I may have bragged a little.” Knox shrugs, flinching as he rubs a hand over his bandaged shoulder.
“And whined about it.” Al yawns, scrubbing a hand over his face to hide his smile. Before I can say anything else, a nurse walks in, and she has a strict look about her. She puts her hands on her wide hips and frowns at the three of us.
“They are leaving. She needs a shower and food, and he’s going to make sure she listens.” Knox pulls me to him, giving me a quick kiss before motioning for Al to corral me out the doorway.
“She didn’t leave your side,” I hear the older woman say as we leave.
“And I’ll never leave hers again,” Knox says.
Chapter 27
Knox
Leaving the courtroom meant walking face first into a crowd of paparazzi and news stations, each fighting to get the story directly from us. Al makes a show of bulldozing through the crowd, and police officers surround us as I keep Maeve tucked safely into my side. When we finally climb into the back seat and Maeve rubs a hand against her forehead, I blow out a long breath. Our secret identities weren’t so secret after newsgot out about Oliver and his father. Our entire trial was public information, which meant Al and I lost all the privacy we fought so hard to protect.
“I have a feeling this won’t be going away anytime soon.” I wrap my arm around Maeve and lean my head against hers.
“This is all my fault, guys. I’m so sorry.” She leans back, frowning at the roof of the car while Al drives us away from the chaos.
“It was his fault, sweetie. Oliver did this, and you have nothing to blame yourself for.” Jess turns around from the front seat and pats Maeve on the knee. They share a smile and I lean forward.
“So how are we celebrating?” I ask. Maeve and Jess groan while Al chuckles.
“Should we be celebrating?” Maeve asks me.
“We won. That asshole is going to rot in jail for the next twenty years at least. If he makes it out alive, that is.” I grin as Maeve raises a brow.
“Do I want to know?” she asks.
“Nope,” Al and I say simultaneously. She rests her head on my chest, and we watch the world outside pass in a blur. By the time we get to the house, we’re back in our cozy little bubble as the gates creak shut and we all walk inside. Maeve’s phone buzzes with a call from her father, and she steps out back, dropping into a chair as she shares the good news with him. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and crack open the lid while Al watches me closely. He’s been a complete pain in my ass, pushing me even harder than the physical therapist.
“Want a sip? Gotta warn you, my mouth still tastes like Maeve’s pussy.” I offer the bottle to him, and he groans, smacking my arm away as he drops onto a chair at the counter.
“Good to see you’re not any less of a crude prick,” Al says, rubbing a hand over his face. He looks more exhausted than I am, and that’s saying something lately.
“We lived, Al. We’re safe, and he’s right where he belongs. You gotta stop dwelling.” I pat him on the shoulder as we sit together, but my eyes are on Maeve. She laughs as she talks, pacing outside the glass door, but the smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Therapy has been helping, but there’s no overnight fix for what she’s endured.
“His father was given a slap on the wrist, and he ain’t happy.” Al frowns at Maeve and I sit forward, catching his eye.
“If you put even an ounce of blame on her—” He shoves me playfully, still nearly toppling me out of my seat.
“Shut up, you know I don’t. Just wondering what’s next for all of us,” he says thoughtfully. I grin and set my water on the counter.
“I know what’s next.” I stand to meet Maeve as she walks in just as Jess comes back from their room.
“All ready. You sure you guys are good for the night?” Jess asks, nervously rubbing her hands down the front of her dark purple dress. Maeve hugs her tightly and pulls back, holding her by the shoulders.
“Absolutely. Plus, you look way too hot to stay home. You’ll take good care of her, right?” she addresses Al at the end, and he smirks, giving her a thumbs up. The couple waves goodbye as they leave and I watch Maeve as she walks to the couch, flopping down and blowing out a breath.
“We have the world at our fingertips, muse. What should we do?” I ask, dropping down next to her. She taps a fingertip on pursed lips and snags the TV remote, waving it in the air.
“Order a mountain of fast food and binge murder documentaries?” She smiles hopefully, batting her eyes, and I have to stop myself from tackling her right here. “I warned you that I’m a creature of habit, and you’ll get tired of living with me. But no, you didn’t listen So I sold my house, and you’re stuckwith me.” I press a finger to her lips, giving her a heated look and she raises a brow.
“I’ll never get tired of this. Nothing about you is exhausting, except your doubt. Maybe I haven’t done a good job in proving my words to you?” I drop my hand and brush my fingertips over her throat. Her face reddens as she clenches her thighs together, and my limited self-control nearly snaps.
“I wouldn’t mind the reminder. We could get naked, then stuff our faces and watch TV until we fall asleep?” she suggests, reaching up to unbutton her maroon silk shirt. I catch her wrist and place a searing kiss on it as I pull us both to our feet.
“I have a better idea. There’s an outfit lying on our bed, get dressed so I can take you somewhere.” I gently guide her towards our room and slap my hand to her ass. She squeals and pretends to glare at me over her shoulder as she rushes towards the bedroom, swaying her hips just to torment me. And I love every moment of it.
