The Knight (Endgame #2)(13)

And that means there’s a chance I can win my mother’s house back.





Chapter Eight





The next two hours are a blur of paperwork and stifling waiting.

Soon after Uncle Landon makes the phone call, the quaint old office floods with people. A haggard-looking Patricia, her hair a dark silver instead of platinum blonde. A representative from my bank. Charlotte Thomas, from Miller Industries. I need to be prequalified to participate in bidding.

Gabriel signs his form shortly after the notary arrives. With a curt nod he takes his leave from the group. He barely glances at me before striding from the room, presumably taking the sleek limo with him. I pretend that’s why I’m disappointed, that I’ll have to take the bus home.

Not because I want to spend more time with him.

Except that when I step outside, the limo idles down the street.

As I watch, the driver pulls closer and then steps out to greet me. My heart speeds up, dangerous anticipation flooding my mouth with remembered spice. Fear? Or arousal?

The limo is empty.

I scoot onto the plush leather, my chest strangely tight at the realization that he left the limo for my comfort. Warm seats embrace me as we ride through the city, leaving the upscale Old Tanglewood where Uncle Landon works and entering the seedy downtown where I’ve taken up residence. From behind tinted glass I see people give the limo weighted looks—covetous or wary. This must be how people look at Gabriel Miller, the man himself.

When we pull into the parking lot, the driver opens my door. “Mr. Miller asked me to tell you I’ll pick you up tomorrow. The auction begins at three p.m.”

“Thank you.”

I watch as the limo glides away, crunching rocks as it goes. What strange gestures, both the rides and the permission to bid on the house. Be careful or I might think you’re actually being nice to me, I told him. But I hadn’t believed it. Except what other explanation is there?

Unless he’s waiting to surprise me at the auction with something horrible.

I can’t shake the dread as I cross the parking lot. Maybe that’s because Will isn’t in his usual spot by my door. Probably just out wandering. Maybe working. Worry makes my heart skip a beat. He’s strong enough to defend himself, but there could be multiple men. Knives. Guns.

A thousand real incarnations for the monsters in old mythology.

And more than any childish character, he reminds me of Odysseus. Longing for home.

Resolved to watch for him tonight, I swipe the card and enter the room. Only to shriek as someone flings their arms around me. “Harper!”

She laughs, only a little apology in her expression. “Sorry! I wanted to surprise you.”

My heart thuds in lingering fear. “Shit. Well, you did. What are you doing here?”

Her hip nudges mine, and I can’t stay mad. “Act like you’re happy to see me.”

A smile breaks the gloom that settled over me after Gabriel left. “God, I am. You asshole.”

“You love me. Besides, I tried calling you.”

“How did you even know where I am?”

“I called the worst motels in the city and offered blowjobs for information,” she says matter-of-factly.

“The worst part is that I believe you.”

“I gave your landlord a bag of peanuts from the plane and a crisp Benjamin in exchange for a key. He seemed chuffed. I don’t think he expected that much, really.”

Based on the economics of the area I suspect he can buy more than one blowjob with a hundred dollars. Maybe from my neighbor Chastity. “You really shouldn’t be here. This area has, oh, I don’t know, a hundred percent crime rate. Your stepbrother would lose his shit if he found out.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” she says cheerfully. “Besides, you’re here. How bad can it be?”

In response I double-check that the door is locked and close the extra security latch. “He really gave you a key? That’s not very reassuring.”

“I’d sell you out for a crisp Benjamin,” she says, hopping on the bed.

I roll my eyes. “Okay, but you’re not staying here. You’re going to call a cab and get a room at the Ritz or something.”

“Please, a cab is more dangerous than staying here. Especially in this part of town. Come on. We can order a pizza and pretend to be camping.”

“I’m pretty sure you can’t use a motel room for that. Or pizza delivery.”

She grins. “And you can tell me ghost stories. About the ghost of your virginity.”

I make a face at her. “A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Fine, then you can tell me about the limo that dropped you off.”

“Is there any gossip you don’t know?”

“I hope not.”

I settle into the chair where I shared kolaches with Will. “Did you see a guy by my door when you came in?”

“Big and shaggy, like the abominable snowman?”

“He is not,” I say, affronted. “The woolly mammoth, maybe.”

“Is that really less insulting?” she asks dubiously. “Yeah, the hotel guy ran him off. Said he’d call the cops. The homeless guy cussed him out but left.”

Damn. “Okay.”