Road to Victory (Dogs of Fire Book 5) Read online

  “How far out are you?” Mack asked.

  “Just got home. You need me?”

  “Kim’s here.”

  “So?” Knight asked, wondering what the issue was. Mack was obviously there too. “Is there a problem?”

  “I don’t know what’s up with her, but she’s flirtin’ with every douchebag who looks her direction.”

  Knight sighed. Dani had told him Kim sometimes spiraled and went looking for trouble, but he hadn’t seen that side of her yet. Apparently now it was time. “Shit, seriously?”

  “It’s like she keeps cuttin’ her finger and dunkin’ it in the shark tank. They’re continually circlin’ her.”

  Damn it! Blush was the wrong place for a good girl to be looking for attention. “I’ll call her,” Knight said.

  “Good. I’m shuttin’ her the fuck down, so she’s gonna be pissed at me.”

  “Fine.” Knight put on his jacket and stepped into his boots. “I’ll be there soon.”

  “Okay.”

  Mack hung up and Knight called Kim. Mack was right, she didn’t sound right. After he rang off with her, he headed to Blush. He needed to get a handle on Kim.

  There was definitely something deeper than friendship between them and he wanted to explore it, but the timing wasn’t right yet. She was still closed to trusting him, so for now, he needed to find out why she was so damn destructive. Her life seemed perfect. She had money, came from a good family, and had lots of friends who cared about her, so why the hell was she spiraling out of control? Picking up random assholes in a club like Blush was what his FBI brother called “Risky Behavior 101.”

  He parked his bike and threw his helmet in one of the saddlebags. As he rushed inside, he saw movement in the alley and heard a woman’s whimper. Wondering what the call-girl had gotten herself into, he veered off to investigate, stalling. It wasn’t a whore, it was Kim.

  Knight saw a man shorter than Kim, pushing her against the wall and he forced down rage at the visual of another man touching his woman, however, ice infused his veins when the asshole slammed her head against the brick. Fabric tore as the man ripped off Kim’s dress.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Knight bellowed.

  With his heart in his throat, he made a run for Kim, praying he’d get to her before any damage was done. Reaching the assailant, Knight yanked him back, distracting him enough to stop beatin’ on Kim, but she appeared to be totally out. Knight grabbed the guy by the back of the neck and slammed him face first to the concrete. “You fuckin’ stay down or you’re eatin’ the curb,” he threatened. The guy just groaned.

  “Knight, man!” Flea called.

  “What the fuck did you do to her?” Knight shouted. He grabbed the guy by the back of the neck and slammed him face first to the concrete again, this time knocking him out. He wanted to do a hell of a lot more, but the piece of shit barely even took the first hit. Regardless, he gave the asshole a kick to the gut.

  “Knight, man!” Flea called.

  “Gimme a sec,” Knight shouted. He didn’t want anyone to see Kim with her ass hanging out, so he took off his jacket and laid it over her. “Okay, I’m good.” He checked Kim’s vitals as Flea approached. “Get that guy in the basement. I’ll get Kim.”

  “You got it,” Flea said.

  While Flea took care of the trash, Knight tried to wake Kim.

  Kim

  STARS FLICKERED BEHIND my eyes. I tried to open them, but pain forced me to flee back into the darkness.

  “Kimmie?” Knight’s deep voice called.

  “I—” I groaned. Everything hurt.

  “Sugar, you okay?”

  He touched my arm and searing pain shot from my shoulder to my wrist. I cried out, “Stop!”

  “Can you open your eyes, sweetheart?”

  His voice sounded muddled to me... like he was speaking in slow motion.

  “Talk to me. What do you feel? What can I do to help you?” he asked.

  “I don’t...” I couldn’t finish my thought because I couldn’t remember what he said. “What are you asking?”

  “Sugar, open your eyes for me.”

  Heavy footsteps broke through my fuzziness and I shrank back in terror.

  “Stop,” Knight ordered in a whisper.

  “Sorry, man,” Flea said. “She okay?”

  Despite whatever was covering me, I couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

  “I have a sleeping bag in my office,” Knight said. “Get it for me.”

  “No problem.”

  The retreating sound of footsteps made me relax again, but I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I’d never been this foggy.

  “Kimmie, honey, I really need you to look at me.”

  Knight’s voice was urgent, so I tried to do as he asked... what did he ask?

  “Baby, look at me.”

  I forced my eyes open and Knight’s concerned, but fuzzy, face came into view.

  He smiled. “Well, hey there, beautiful.”

  I was... what was the word? Freezing. Yes, freezing. “I’m so cold.”

  “I know, sugar. I’m gonna fix that in a second, but first I need to look you over.”

  I hissed in pain as he lifted something off my body. “Everything hurts.”

  “Can you be a bit more specific?”

  “Pesific?” I slurred.

  “Yeah, honey, what specifically hurts?”

  “My arm, my chest, my head... everything.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, sugar. Everything. Got it. Now, don’t move.”

  Knight’s gentle hands ran over my body and I forced myself not to shrink from his touch. I closed my eyes, wanting to escape, but the pain was too much. I tried to swallow and gasped. “Throat.”

  “We’ll get you some water,” he promised. “I don’t feel anything broken, so I’m going to help you up, okay?”

  I gripped his arm. “No.”

  He leaned closer to me. “We’re alone, honey.”

  “Mack’s going to kill me.”

  “Well, he’s not gonna do it right now. I made sure.”

  “I’m naked.”

  “I know, honey, you won’t be for long.”

  “Got the sleeping bag, Knight. She okay?”

  I peered around Knight to see Flea, eyes down, holding a sleeping bag. I grimaced at the expression on his face... freaked was the only way to explain it. His cheeks were ruddy, he kept glancing at me and then looking away just as quickly as though he couldn’t bear the sight of me. I hid behind Knight again, unable to process Flea’s sudden disgust of me. Knight reached out his hand and Flea chucked the fabric at him, obviously attempting to keep his distance.

  “I’m gonna wrap this around you,” Knight said.

  “Okay.”

  Once I was swaddled in the sleeping bag, Knight lifted me and I groaned as my chest settled against him. My breast stung at the contact. “Ow.”

  “I got you.”

  I settled my head on his shoulder and whispered, “Please don’t call Dani?”

  “I won’t, honey.”

  “Why are you calling me ‘honey’?”

  He gave me a sexy smile. “Trying to calm the feral beast?”

  I tried to stifle a chortle, but his humor helped to calm me in a weird way. One of the things I loved the most about Knight was that he’d always called me “sugar.” He might call other women “babe,” or variations of it, but he saved sugar for me and I loved it. What I wasn’t prepared for was “honey.” In that moment I couldn’t quite decide which I loved more.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  “Fuck, Kim, you got nothin’ to apologize for.”

  I closed my eyes. “Mack’s going to kill me.”

  Knight let out a low growl, but didn’t say anything further as he carried me into the club and back to his office. Setting me gently on his sofa, he pulled the blanket further around me and stroked my cheek. “You’ve got a nasty cut on your chest, sugar. I’m gonna get something to clean and bandage
it. Don’t move.”

  I nodded and lay down, my head pounding.

  “Move the hell out of the way, Knight,” Mack snapped a few minutes later.

  I groaned, hearing the angry voice of my friend outside the door.

  “You fuckin’ upset her, and we’re gonna have a problem,” Knight warned.

  I watched as Mack pushed through the door and knelt beside me. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” I whispered.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.” I forced myself not to sob, but I felt tears slip down my cheeks. “I was leaving, Mack. I swear. I was going to grab a cab when the guy attacked me. I’m sorry. I should have waited for Pug. Are you mad at me?”

  He stroked my hair. “No, babe.”

  I pressed my lips together. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, Kimmie, I’m sure.” He gave me a worried smile. “We’re dealing with the asshole, Dogs style. He won’t hurt you ever again.”

  My brain raced, reliving the attack. I lost my composure and burst into tears. I wanted to find out why he’d attacked me and where he was, but I was too overwhelmed (and foggy), to think straight, much less talk. I just wanted my friend to hold me and make everything better.

  “Move away, Mack,” Knight said.

  “Knight, I swear to Christ, you need to fuck off.” Mack pulled me closer, cradling me gently.

  Knight swore and stormed out of the office, returning quickly with a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. “Get dressed, Kim. I’m gonna take care of that cut and then Katie’s going to take some blood.”

  Katie Jameson was Flea’s sister and a registered nurse. She occasionally helped out at the club for extra money and it was just my luck she was there tonight... said me never.

  “Why?” I challenged.

  “To make sure you’re okay. After that, I’m gonna take you home.”

  My foggy mind accepted this, although, I felt like I should probably protest or ask more questions, but I just didn’t have the strength.

  “I’ll take her home,” Mack argued.

  “I’ll take a cab,” I countered.

  “I will take you,” Knight said. “Don’t fuckin’ push me on this, Kimmie.”

  I glanced at Mack and then at Knight. Something passed between them, but I wasn’t sure what.

  “Me or Knight, babe,” Mack said. “But no cab.”

  Knight was certainly the lesser of two evils, considering the fact I’d probably get a lecture from Mack if I was his captive audience. I wrinkled my nose and sighed. “Knight.”

  Mack nodded and rose to his feet. “I’ll leave you to change.” Knight stepped back to give Mack room who scowled up at him. “Out.”

  “I’m not leavin’,” Knight said. “I’ll turn my back, but I’m not leavin’ her.”

  “Get the fuck out, Knight,” Mack ordered.

  “Fuck off.”

  “It’s fine, Mack,” I said. “Just let him do his thing.”

  Knight had clearly gone into protection mode, and if Mack got in the way, there’d be a major issue. Mack swore again, but did as I asked.

  “Pull those pants on first, then I’ll take care of the cut.” Knight closed the door and studied me. “You need some help?”

  I shook my head and he turned around.

  “Why are you so mad at Mack?” I asked as I gingerly pulled on the oversized pants over my torn dress, tightening the string until the fabric buckled over. They were still too big for me, but I was pretty sure they’d stay up.

  “He should have made sure you were okay. He should have made you wait here until I could come... or forced you into a cab.”

  “Knight, he tried to get me to take a cab. This is my fault.”

  “None of it’s your fuckin’ fault, Kim,” he countered.

  “Please don’t be mad at him,” I whispered. I really couldn’t handle having two of my favorite people at odds with one another.

  He sighed. “Sugar, it won’t last forever.”

  “Okay.” I took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  Knight faced me again, his expression softening. “You need me to wait for Katie?”

  “I trust you.” I let the sleeping bag fall to my waist and gasped as the fabric skimmed the cut.

  “Okay, honey, this is gonna sting a bit, but I don’t think it needs stitches.” He smiled, reaching over to stroke my cheek gently. “Ready?”

  I nodded and he cleaned the wound and laid medicated gauze over my breast. It was so quick, I barely had time to react to the pain, and whatever ointment he’d put on the gauze eased the throb, so I couldn’t help but relax.

  “Okay?”

  I smiled. “Much better.”

  “Good. Let’s get that sweatshirt on.”

  He helped me slide the soft fleece over my head and dressed me as gently as a child. As though he cherished me. I blinked back tears and dropped my head.

  “Take it easy, sugar, I got you.”

  He pulled me up off the sofa and I couldn’t help but slip my arms around his waist and close my eyes. Even if it was just for a second.

  “We’ll just stay here for a bit.” Knight gently cradled my head and pulled me closer.

  I don’t know if it was the head injury or the fact I was in the arms of the man I’d never have, but I couldn’t stop crying. Knight held me, kissing the top of my head gently, but otherwise just letting me work everything out against his chest. When I felt I could let him go, I stepped back.

  Katie walked in a few seconds later. “Hey, Kim,” she said gently.

  “Hi Katie.”

  “I’m just going to check you over a bit, okay?”

  I nodded and Knight guided me back onto the sofa. Katie took vitals and then took blood. I still wasn’t sure why.

  “I think you’ll be fine in a few hours. Rest is the key, but don’t sleep. It’s highly probable you have a concussion,” she said. “If you’re not feeling well in the morning, you should call the doctor.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “Let’s get you home, huh?” Knight said.

  I nodded and followed him out of the room. I was moving a little slower than normal, but he didn’t complain, just gave me the space I needed, hovering without being obnoxious about it. God, I loved him. So stupid and so misguided.

  “Why don’t you just grab me a cab?” I suggested. “I can’t ride like this.”

  Knight smirked.

  “Knight,” I breathed out. “This is stupid; I can take care of myself. Just call me a cab.”

  I swayed a bit, belying my confidence and Knight wrapped an arm around my waist to steady me. “Babe, you’re not fuckin’ gettin’ in a cab,” he said. “I got the keys to Mack’s car, so we’re all good.”

  “What about your bike?”

  “I’ll get it later.”

  I huffed, but took the comfort he offered. Knight helped me into Mack’s BMW, handling me with the utmost care, which sent me into a tailspin of emotional ping-pong. If I could just keep it together until he dropped me off, I’d be all good.

  “Kimmie?”

  I rolled my head toward him. “Hmm?”

  “Seatbelt, babe,” Knight ordered as he started the car.

  I bit the inside of my lip to keep from groaning as I dragged the belt across my extremely sore chest. Knight pulled away from Blush and toward my condo in the Pearl and I stayed as quiet as possible. Having him so close to me set my body on fire and my nerves on edge.

  We pulled into the parking garage of my building and I fought back the desire to ask him just how he knew the code to the gate. Mack must have told him, because Dani sure as hell wouldn’t have. A guest spot was open two down from my car, so Knight pulled in and shut off the engine.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I said, releasing my belt.

  He grinned. “I’m comin’ up, Kim.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  He rolled his eyes and slid out of the car.

  I followed and met him at the trunk. “I’m serious.�
��

  “Kimmie, I get you need your boundaries, and I promise, I’ll stay out of your way, but humor me, yeah? I need to know you’re okay.”

  I bit my lip, hissing as I touched a sensitive spot.

  Knight frowned, reaching out laying his thumb gently on my mouth. “You sore?”

  “A little. I’m okay, Knight. Seriously.”

  “Sugar.”

  I sighed. “You can come up, but only for a little while.”

  He grabbed my bag from the trunk and I led him to the elevators and up to my apartment. Of all the Dogs, only Mack and Booker had been to my place, so I was expecting a surprised reaction from Knight. I had the misfortune of being a trust fund baby. My family had been in Portland almost since the day it was settled and my parents owned several of the buildings on Alberta and Mississippi, not to mention the majority of the town of Gresham. Two of my uncles were state senators, one for Oregon, one for Washington, and my grandfather had been governor back in the day. On my father’s side, he had a sister who was a Supreme Court judge and a brother who sat on the board of OSU. All-in-all, we were ingrained in this land and probably always would be.

  My parents had set up a trust fund for me and had controlled me very effectively for years. I couldn’t put one foot in front of the other without their input. That was until my mother’s mother passed away, freeing me from the chains of my parents’ money.

  My condo had been bought with the inheritance my grandmother had left me. She’d also left me her childhood home (built in the early 1900s), which was currently being rented by a lovely family Gran had met before she died. I was free to do what I wanted with it, but for the moment, I was happy in my apartment. My mother had been incensed. She had an older brother, but she was sure Grams would leave her fortune to her, but she skipped Mother (and my uncle) all together and gave the majority of her assets to me. Tied it up neatly in an ironclad contract so even if my mother was able to manipulate her way to try and get to it, she’d fail. And she had. Don’t get me wrong, Mother and Uncle Daniel hadn’t been left out. They got over five million dollars each, but they wanted more. I really couldn’t have cared less either way... I would have much rather had my grandmother back.

  For me, though, the money had afforded me a little freedom and the ability to un-tether myself from my parents. Not that it shielded me completely.