Page 89 of Knox

Caelen’s laugh echoed through the hall, a chilling sound that froze Adrian’s blood, and Adrian’s skin prickled with unease just before Knox’s shadows surged forward, dark tendrils wrapping around Caelen’s mouth and silencing him.

But it was too late. The damage was done. The stinging pain in Adrian’s chest had already flared up, a searing reminder of the night he had found Grant in bed with his boyfriend. He couldn’t suppress the memories that came flooding back—Grant’s betrayal, the look of guilt and defiance in his eyes, the utter devastation that had shattered Adrian’s world.

"You always pick the wrong guy, don’t you?" Grant mocked, a sneer twisting his features. "Or maybe they always pick wrong when they choose you. Chris just knew when he found something better. That’s not my fault, nor is it his."

That was such bullshit.

All of it.

Adrian knew that, and yet…

His brother’s words made him feel like his heart was made of glass, like it was breaking and all the sharp edges were digging into his chest.

"Adrian!" Knox’s voice sounded urgent, but before Adrian could even look at him, Caelen freed himself from the incubus’s grip and launched another attack.

Grant’s laugh cut through the chaos. "This is on you, you know," he said. "Your weakness makes him weak. Isn’t that hilarious? How do you always drag down the people you’re with?"

Adrian’s breath hitched. Was it true? He whirled around to look at Knox, whose fierce battle with Caelen had resumed. Knox’s movements seemed slower now, his attacks less precise.

Was Adrian’s emotional pain weakening Knox?

The thought struck him like a physical blow, making his knees buckle.

Knox’s eyes met his for a fleeting second—golden, glowing, filled with resolve and something else Adrian couldn’t quite place.

The moment of distraction cost him. Caelen’s shadows struck with brutal force, knocking Knox back. He staggered but quickly regained his footing, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

Adrian’s mind raced. Was his weakness the reason Knox hadn’t been able to maintain his grip on Caelen? Had Knox made a mistake in choosing him?

On some level, Adrian had always known he wasn’t special.

But this was worse than not being special.

He was letting Knox down because he couldn’t let go of his past trauma.

"You’ve always been weak," Grant continued, taking a step closer. "Always a burden on your lovers."

Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to scream at Grant to shut up, to leave him alone. But the words stuck in his throat—held there by all the shame that overwhelmed him whenever he saw his brother.

Why couldn’t he get past that?

Why couldn’t he?—

Suddenly, movement caught his eye.

One of Caelen’s minions lunged at him from the shadows, blade drawn.

Before the attack could connect, though, Knox shoved him aside. The force sent Adrian sprawling to the ground, and he looked up just in time to see Caelen take advantage of Knox’s momentary distraction.

Fuck.

"Knox!" Adrian shouted as panic took over.

Caelen’s shadowy tendrils rushed toward Knox. Adrian didn’t think—he moved. His body acted on instinct, placing himself between Knox and Caelen’s attack.

"No!" Knox’s voice was raw with emotion as he rolled them around, using his body as a shield once more. The world spun around Adrian until he found himself on the floor again, Knox above him.

And even as Caelen’s attack hit, Knox looked down at him, eyes glowing with an intensity that took Adrian’s breath away. "I did not make the wrong choice in you."