He looks like a deer caught in headlights before his expression turns serious. “Because I don’t want him anywhere near you. I told you, he’s dangerous.”

That may be true, but I still don’t like him talking to his brother about me. Especially when I asked him not to.

“I can handle Knox myself.”

He snorts. “Honey, no one can handle Knox. My nephew is a psychopath. I’m ashamed we share the same blood.” Reaching over, he tips my chin. “Promise me you’ll stay out of his path.”

“I promise,” I utter, not because I take orders from him, but because I’m so tired of arguing about this.

He gives me a quick peck on the lips. “Good girl.”

Normally I love when he says that, but a weird sensation crawls up my spine.

I open the door and step out of the car. “Goodnight.”

He starts the engine. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Rubbing my temples, I amble up the walkway to the house.

I seriously hate that Leo went behind my back like that. I get that he’s worried about me, but I can’t help but think that Knox…

My thoughts flitter away when a tiny figure with bright blue hair flies past me before collapsing on the lawn in a fit of tears.

What the hell?

Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s Shadow.

I approach her as one would approach a bomb. “Are you okay?”

She whips her head around to look at me, and the fear in her tear-stained eyes steals my breath. I assumed she and Knox had another fight, but I’ve seen them argue before.

Shadow’s usually the instigator, and Knox doesn’t care enough to fight back.

However, right now…she looks utterly petrified. Like a kid who finally saw the monster lurking under their bed.

And I can only think of one reason that might be.

I look at the red mark around her neck. “Did Knox hurt you?”

Without warning, she staggers to her feet and runs off to her car that’s parked across the street.

Shit.

Despite the alarm bells going off in my head telling me not to get involved, I walk around to the back of the house, swing open the basement door, and march down the stairs.

I find Knox sitting shirtless on his bed, smoking a cigarette in the dimly lit room.

“What the fuck did you do to Shadow?”

For a fraction of a second he looks confused, but then he scowls and stands. My eyes take in the fresh scratch marks on his chest and abs.

She must have been fighting him off.

He walks toward me with a resolve that’s akin to a vulture circling its prey. “What the fuck are you doing in my room uninvited?”

I don’t want to make things worse for Shadow, but I don’t want Knox thinking he can get away with this shit either.

Someone has to put him in his place.

“Shadow ran past me when I came home. She was crying and clearly upset.” I swallow hard. “She also had a red mark around her neck.” I fold my arms across my chest. “You obviously hurt her.”

His eyes narrow as he studies me, an unreadable expression on his face.

Suddenly, he moves, closing in on me like an eclipse as he backs me into the wall, caging me in with his body.

Those piercing eyes of his are harsher than I’ve ever seen before as he brings his fingers up to my nose.

Embarrassment mixed with fury floods my cheeks when I inhale.

“I didn’t do anything she didn’t ask for.”

I want to wipe the smug smirk off his face more than I want to take my next breath.

Instead, I bring my knee up, striking him in the balls so I can get away. “Touch me again and I’ll tell your dad.”

He lets out a deep grunt as he bends over.

I’m aware that I sound like a five-year-old, but it’s the only thing that seems to get a rise out of him.

I’m almost to the staircase when his arms wrap around me from behind. “What did I tell you about threatening me, Stray?”

I struggle against him. “Go to hell, asshole.”

“I warned you there would be consequences for your actions.” His teeth scrape the nape of my neck and he inhales me. “And since you can’t keep your nose out of my business, you’ve given me no choice but to return the favor.”

With that, he releases his hold on me. I dash up the stairs and to my room.

Chapter 20

Aspen

I point to the plush brown leather chair. “What about this one?”

Leo looks at the price tag and makes a face. “Too expensive.”

I gesture to the black imitation leather chair next to it. “Okay. How about this one then?”

He crinkles his nose. “Too cheap.”

I honestly don’t know why he insisted on me accompanying him to shop for new furniture for his office when he doesn’t seem to like anything I pick out.

“Maybe we should look at desks instead.”

Truth be told, I don’t see why he needs new furniture to begin with. Then again, he did just get a promotion at his firm, so I guess he wants new stuff for when he switches offices.

Personally, I think it’s a gigantic waste of money. As long as there’s a functioning desk and chair, that’s really all you need.

“Good idea.”

He takes my hand, but swiftly drops it when he remembers we’re in public and someone might spot us.

I walk over to the large U-shaped mahogany desk on the other end of the store.

“This one is nice,” I say, running my hand along the shiny wood.

He rubs his chin, inspecting it. “Actually, it’s not half bad. You have good taste.”

He flags down a sales associate who tries to talk him into getting a more expensive one, but Leo stands firm.

People really shouldn’t argue with lawyers.

“So, I was thinking,” Leo begins as the salesperson walks into the back room. “I should hire an assistant.”

I quirk a brow. “Do you need help picking out one of those, too?”

He chuckles. “No…well, kind of. I was hoping that maybe you would take the job.”

I’m about to remind him I’m still a full-time student, but he quickly adds, “You can work after school, of course. Hell, you can even do your homework and study while I’m in meetings.”