Page 56 of Blood Ties

“Dad’ll know what to do,” Knox says. He grips my shoulder, leans in close like he’s sharing a secret, his whiskey breath hot against my face. “You and I were both born here in this house, you know that, right? Didn’t need any doctors then, don’t need ‘em now. It’ll be fine.”

For a second I can only stare. I thought he was being impulsive and short-sighted, but the truth is even worse. He’s thought this through and he’s still doing it.

“Knox,” I say, “that’s fucking crazy.”

“Is it? Think about it.” His eyes are intent on mine. “We can keep her for real if she’s knocked up. Dad won’t hurt her then.”

My brow furrows. “He won’t?”

Knox snorts. “Right. I guess you don’t get the lectures about carrying on the bloodline and all that bullshit. But trust me... He’ll be glad for another pair of hands.” He smirks, slow and predatory. “Or two. Or three.”

I shake my head, trying to pull away from him, but his grip on my shoulder prevents me from escaping. “We’re not gonna do that to her.”

“No,you’renot gonna do that to her,” he says. “You can keep playing the white knight if you want, kiddo. I’ll handle the rest. Trust me, this is the only way we keep our girl safe.”

Our girl. My stomach sinks. Even worse, he looks like he expects me to be grateful.

“Everything will be fine then,” he says. “One happy fuckin’ family.”

The scary thing is that I think he believes it. I don’t even know what to say to him, but after a moment he continues, swaying slightly on his feet.

“It’s easier if you don’t think of them as people,” he says. “The girls in the basement, I mean. ‘Cause they’re not, really. They’re already dead. Unless...” He points at me. “Unless she’s got a baby in her.” He tilts his head, thoughtful. “The others were too boring, but... Riley’s different. And you like her, too. Win-win. Right? She could be the one.”

I shut my eyes, shaking my head. That’s so fucked. All of this is fucked.

“Knox, please,” I say as I open my eyes again, hating the way my voice cracks. But maybe if I’m not strong enough to fight, then pleading will get through to him. “Can’t you just stay away from her?”

He cocks his head, scrutinizing me. “And why would I do that? Areyougonna knock her up?”

“No! But I...” I fumble for words. “But she—”

“You know she likes what I do to her,” he says. “Right?”

I pause. Stare at him.

“I know you heard us together that first night,” he says, a slow grin crawling over his face.

“But that was...” I shake my head. “The bruises—”

He huffs a laugh. “Listen, Kai. There’s a lot you don’t understand about women.” He leans closer, his nose brushing mine, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I can teach you, if you like.”

I finally shake off his grip and push to my feet, recoiling from him. He grabs my arm before I can head for the door.

I could fight him like this, I realize. He’s really drunk. I might have a chance. But my head is all scrambled. I don’t know what’s right anymore, or if I ever did.

“Don’t let that girl twist your head up,” Knox says, his fingers digging into my skin. “She’ll lie about me. She’ll lie about everything, if she thinks it’ll give her a shot at getting out of there.” He shakes me, hard, before letting me go. “But I’m the one who’s always looked out for you. Don’t you fuckin’ forget it.”