Page 18 of Doomed (Blackwood Brothers #2)

KNOX

T he wind whips around us as I navigate the curves of Blackwood Peak Road, feeling Bianca’s arms tighten around my waist with each turn.

I can’t help but smile at how quickly her stubborn resolve crumbled when faced with the reality of physics.

She’s pressed against my back now, her warmth seeping through my leather jacket despite her obvious reluctance.

I ease off the throttle as we approach the unmarked turnoff that leads to Eagle Point. The narrow path isn’t on any tourist map—my grandfather made sure of that decades ago when he purchased the surrounding land. It’s remained our private sanctuary ever since.

The bike rumbles beneath us as we climb higher, the paved road giving way to gravel. Bianca’s grip tightens further, her fingers digging into my ribs. I slow down, not wanting to scare her more than necessary, at least not right now.

When we reach the clearing, I kill the engine. The sudden silence feels heavy, punctuated only by the soft ping of the cooling metal and Bianca’s slightly elevated breathing behind me.

“We’re here,” I announce, kicking down the stand and swinging my leg over. I offer her my hand, but she ignores it, dismounting awkwardly with as little contact as possible.

She pulls off the helmet, her hair falling in messy waves around her face. Even disheveled and angry, she’s breathtaking.

“Where exactly is ‘here’?” she demands, looking around the moonlit clearing.

Instead of answering, I nod toward the edge of the precipice beyond the tree line. “Come see for yourself.”

I walk ahead, confident she’ll follow despite her resistance. The gravel crunches beneath my boots as I make my way to the stone outcropping that juts over the valley.

“Holy shit,” Bianca whispers as she steps up beside me.

Below us, Ravenwood Hollow sprawls like a jeweled carpet, lights twinkling against the darkness. From this height, the city looks almost innocent—beautiful even—with no hint of the corruption that flows unencumbered through its veins.

“Eagle Point,” I explain, watching her face instead of the view I’ve seen a hundred times. “My brothers and I come here to... think.”

Bianca raises an eyebrow, her skepticism evident in the slight curl of her lip. “Think? Really?” She takes a step back from the edge, wrapping her arms around herself against the chill. “Is this where you bring people who’ve wronged you? To throw them off the edge?”

The question laced in venom makes my blood heat.. My amusement fades instantly, replaced by the icy resolve I save for business. I keep my expression neutral, but my eyes harden as I take a deliberate step toward her.

“Be careful making accusations, princess. You don’t know anything about my world,” I say, my voice low. “No, this isn’t where I bring people who cross me. When I deal with problems, I don’t need scenic views.”

The moonlight catches the sudden wariness in her eyes. Good. She should be wary.

“This place is sacred to my family,” I continue. “We don’t contaminate it with business. It’s where we come to escape all that—to remember who we are beneath the names and reputations.”

I turn back toward the view, giving her space to catch her breath. The wind rustles through the pines behind us, filling the silence between us.

I stop myself after mentioning family. It’s such an automatic thing to say, even though it’s not entirely true. Not in the way most people understand the concept of family, anyway.

“I should clarify,” I say, keeping my eyes on the city below. “When I say family, I mean my brothers. We don’t simply share blood—we share something stronger. We’re bound by the life we share and unwavering loyalty.”

The wind picks up, and I notice Bianca shiver slightly.

“The Blackwoods aren’t some dynasty that’s ruled Ravenwood for generations. We created ourselves.” I turn to face her, curious to see her reaction. “Xavier, Vane, Landon, and I grew up in the system; luckily, Xavier made sure we stayed together. But that didn’t make it any easier.”

I rarely talk about this. Few people in Ravenwood know our origins, which is exactly how we want it to be. A castle built on sand will never weather the storm. We left the sand in our past and built an empire on a solid foundation of family.

“We claimed this spot after Xavier aged out, and he became our legal guardian. The land was abandoned, and we squatted here for months, living in tents while figuring out our first moves in the city.” I gesture toward the overlook.

“We made a pact up here, swore that we’d never be at anyone’s mercy again. ”

Bianca’s expression has softened.

“I should clarify,” I say, my eyes fixed on the city below. “When I say we created ourselves, I mean we forged who we are despite everything. The blood part was never in question.”

The wind picks up, and I notice Bianca shiver slightly, but her curiosity seems to outweigh her discomfort.

“Our father died before I was born,” I continue, the words feeling strange in my mouth. I can count on one hand the number of people who know this story. Our origin— my origin . “Motorcycle accident. Ironic, considering.” I gesture toward my bike behind us.

Bianca’s expression remains soft as she listens without interruption, but there’s no pity there.

“Our mother...” I pause. “She died giving birth to me. Complications. I never met either of my parents.”

I turn back toward the view, not wanting to see whatever might flash across Bianca’s face now.

“With no other family willing to take us in, we ended up in the system. Xavier was eleven when I was born. He fought like hell to keep us together—Vane, Landon, and me. Threatened to burn down buildings, blackmailed social workers, whatever it took.” A half-smile forms despite the heaviness of the memory.

“He’s always been terrifying. I can assure you his ‘terrible twos’—they never went away. ”

I run my hand through my hair, feeling exposed. “When Xavier aged out, he somehow convinced the courts to let him be our guardian. We lived in a shit hole apartment at first, but he kept us together no matter the consequences. Fought for us every step of the way.”

I glance at Bianca, feeling a bit over-exposed after everything I’ve just shared. “That’s the thing about family—it’s not always what people think it is. Sometimes it’s built on shared pain instead of joy.”

Bianca’s demeanor has shifted as I spoke. The anger that’s been fueling her is gone. She holds her ground for a moment, not breaking eye contact, then begins taking measured steps to close the distance between us.

“Knox,” she says, her voice gentler than I’ve ever heard it. “I’m sorry about your parents.”

The kindness in her tone catches me off guard.

I’m used to her fighting me at every turn, not offering comfort.

When she reaches out and places her hand on my arm, I almost flinch.

It isn’t angry or sexual. It’s not even pity.

It’s compassion, something I barely recognize, having rarely ever seen it offered.

“It’s fine,” I say automatically, the default response I’ve given my entire life. “Can’t miss what you never had, right?”

She doesn’t pull her hand away. “That’s not true. Sometimes what we never had leaves the biggest scars.”

I look down at her hand on my leather jacket, her fingers pale against the black material. A knot forms in my chest that has nothing to do with desire or the game we’ve been playing.

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asks quietly. “You don’t seem like the type to share your childhood trauma on a first date.” A small smile tugs at her lips. “Not that this is a date. I mean, abduction is a felony. Definitely not typical date behavior.”

I shrug, trying to reclaim some of my usual nonchalance. “Maybe I want you to understand me a little better.” I turn to face her fully. “Everyone in Ravenwood sees what we want them to see—the Blackwood brothers, the monsters who run the city. It’s easier that way.”

Her hand drops from my arm, but she doesn’t step back. “And what do you want me to see?”

Her question is like a knife slipping between my ribs. For a second, I almost answer honestly—almost tell her that I want her to see past the mask I wear for everyone else.

Instead, like the asshole I am, I throw my head back and laugh, the sound echoing across the clearing.

“Christ, Bianca, you make it sound like we’re in some romantic chick flick.

” I flash her my trademark grin, the one that usually has women falling at my feet.

“What do I want you to see? My bedroom, preferably with your clothes in a pile on the floor. Though I’m not opposed to christening this cliff if you’re feeling adventurous. ”

The vulnerable moment shatters like glass. I step back, creating distance between us, and spread my arms wide.

“The view’s killer, the company’s hot, and we’ve got the whole mountain to ourselves.

What more could you want?” I wink at her, leaning back against a nearby tree.

“Though I should warn you, outdoor sex does come with certain... logistical challenges. Rocks and dirt find their way into uncomfortable places, that sort of thing.”

I’m talking too much, throwing words between us, needing to re-establish my shield. It’s what I always do when someone gets too close—crack jokes, make everything sexual, keep it light and meaningless.

“Seriously, though, don’t go reading too much into this. I didn’t bring you up here for some deep heart-to-heart.” I tap the side of my head. “The Blackwood tragedy tour isn’t my usual seduction technique. Must be losing my touch.”

I straighten and move toward my bike, needing to physically distance myself from the moment of weakness. What the fuck is wrong with me—handing her a damn map to my weaknesses. Apparently, I have a new one. Bianca fucking Hayes.

“Want a beer?” I ask, not waiting for her answer before pulling two bottles from my saddlebag. “Nothing says ‘emotional avoidance’ like alcohol, am I right?”

I offer Bianca one of the bottles, but she stares at me, her eyes narrowing.

“You’re such an asshole,” she says, crossing her arms. “One minute you’re sharing something real, and the next you’re back to being... this.” She gestures at me like I’m some kind of exhibit.

“This?” I raise an eyebrow, popping the cap off my beer. “You mean charming? Irresistible? Devastatingly handsome?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of insufferable.” She rolls her eyes but takes the bottle when I offer it again. “Take me home, Knox. This little field trip is over.”

I step closer, enjoying the way she tenses up but doesn’t back away. “Come on, we just got here. Have a beer first.” I clink my bottle against hers. “The night’s young, and so are we. Well, I am. You might be pushing it.”

“I’m twenty-seven, you dick.” She tries to look offended, but I catch the hint of a smile she’s fighting.

“Ancient. Practically a relic.” I take a long swig of my beer, watching her over the bottle. “I like older women, though. They know what they want.”

“What I want is to go home.” She takes a small sip of her beer, then sighs. “Fine. One drink. But then you’re taking me back.”

I grin and lean against my bike. “Deal.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “And so that we’re crystal clear, there is absolutely no way I’m sleeping with you. Not tonight, not ever.”

“You wound me, Hayes.” I place my hand over my heart. “Here I thought we were having a moment.”

“The moment passed when you turned back into... well, you.”

I laugh and raise my bottle in a mock toast. “To clear boundaries and sexual frustration, then.”

Bianca doesn’t laugh at my toast, but her lips twitch enough to let me know I’ve cracked through that icy exterior. She takes another sip of beer and looks out at the view. The tightness around her shoulders has eased.

“So this is your idea of a good time? Kidnapping women and bringing them to remote locations?”

“Only the special ones,” I wink. “Most women are thrilled when I invite them anywhere.”

She snorts. “Your ego is truly next level.”

“That’s not the only impressive thing about me.” I waggle my eyebrows, and she rolls her eyes.

“Does that line actually work on anyone?”

“You’d be surprised.” I take another swig of beer. “Though I’ve never had to work this hard before. It’s refreshing.”

Bianca arches an eyebrow. “Refreshing? Being told no repeatedly is refreshing to you?”

“What can I say? I enjoy a challenge.” I step closer, testing her boundaries. “And you, Bianca Hayes, are definitely challenging.”

She shakes her head but doesn’t move away. The moonlight on her hair makes the dark strands gleam. She’s beautiful when she’s not actively trying to murder me with her eyes.

My mind drifts to the Hunt, imagining her running through the maze, that same defiance in her eyes even as I catch her.

It’s going to be exhilarating tracking her, watching her try to outsmart me before I finally corner her.

The rules of the Hunt will give me everything I want—her, alone, with nowhere to run —well, at least nowhere that will save her from me.

Then there will be no more excuses between us.

I can almost taste the victory, sweet and inevitable. No one escapes a Blackwood during the Hunt. Especially not when I’m this determined to claim my prize.