Page 78 of Turn the Tide
Knox held the knife low. Poised. Waiting, waiting. The blade was matte black, so light didn’t glint off it, and only three inches long. Lunging would make him vulnerable to a counterattack. Logan needed to get closer.
When his friend was within range, three expert slashes across flesh had Logan in retreat.
Neat, superficial slits bled on his forearm, stomach, and thigh, close to his exposed groin—a wake-up call.
“That’ll feel like a tickle compared to what I’ll do next if you don’t stand down,” Knox warned. “We’re still family. Don’t make me really hurt you.”
The sharp metallic click of a round chambering in a gun snagged both their attention.
Ethan Diaz stood in the apartment with a gun leveled at Logan. “Calm down, man. What are you doing fighting Knox?”
Mike Walsh hauled Ashley in the room by her arm, her backpack slung over his shoulder. He let her go and tossed her bag on the floor. She hurried to Logan, cupping his bloody face and taking in his minor injuries.
Restraining an eye roll, Knox clenched his jaw.
“You brought backup?” Logan said, glaring.
“If you’d done what we discussed, it wouldn’t have been necessary. But since you’re a loose cannon, I told Mike and Ethan to go to Berlin before we boarded the plane.”
“You put a tracker in me while I slept, didn’t you?” Logan asked. “Where? Arm? Leg?”
“Back of the neck, near your spine.”
“You son of a bitch.” Logan stepped toward Knox, but Mike jumped between them. “You’re worse than I remember.”
“Thank you.” Knox smiled and straightened his tie.
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
Knox slid his gaze to Ashley. “You and I need to talk. Alone.”
“Not going to happen.” Logan moved Ashley behind him and clenched his fists.
“You had your shot, Logan.” Knox lowered to one knee, wiped his blade off on the blanket, and put away his knife. “Now it’s my turn. Two minutes.” He kept his voice light, easy-breezy as though this was a casual conversation and not one that might end with people he cared about in serious pain. “Time enough for you to get dressed and patched up. If we’re not done by then, you’re free to come back up here and check on her.”
He nodded to Mike and Ethan, indicating Logan was free to return.
“I’ll talk to him.” Ashley put a hand to Logan’s chest. “Two minutes.”
“You’re leaving DNA everywhere.” Mike patted Logan’s shoulder. “We need to get your nose to stop bleeding.” Genuine warmth from the years of their friendship resonated in his voice.
“You really need to stop fighting buck-ass naked and put on some clothes.” Ethan holstered his gun. “You gave Knox a pretty big swinging target. Not that I’m looking, dude.”
Their old rapport came back as if there had never been a break. Ethan and Mike, two of Logan’s closest friends, wouldn’t have been Knox’s first choice as backup. Butyou get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit, as Sanborn tended to say, in his paternal way like they were five-year-olds. If there had been a better option of backup available, Sanborn would’ve given it to him.
Logan hugged Ashley tight, as if he was afraid to let her go. He was smart to be scared, but not of Knox. Logan whispered something in her ear. Knox only caught the last part.
“I’m with you no matter what, but please end this. Principles be damned.”
Good of him to try to talk sense into her, but the determined expression on her face hardly inspired confidence that she was willing to reason. Ashley was going to force his hand. He’d have to play dirty, with people he loved. Knox’s stomach turned, but he had a job to do.
Logan gathered his things. Mike and Ethan escorted him out.
“We’re short on time,” Knox said. “Get dressed while we talk.” He turned, facing the window, but kept an eye on Ashley in the reflection.
Not in a sexual way. Ashley was like a little sister to him. But he always guarded his six, and he needed to see how she reacted to what he had to say. Gauge her response, assess how hard he had to push.
“You’re going to give me the thumb drive.” He folded his arms, watching her.
