Page 56 of Reckless Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 7)

TOBY

“What is it?” I ask after pulling to a stop outside Jodie’s house and killing the engine.

“I… umm…” She fiddles with the zip of her coat anxiously. “I’m really sorry, but could you wait out here?”

My chin drops, but I quickly cover my shock. I’m not sure why I expected to be able to follow her, but I had.

“It’s just my mum will be home and—”

“It’s okay, I can wait,” I say softly, reaching out and cupping her cheek. “Whatever you need.”

I brush a sweet kiss against her lips before releasing her, knowing that she won’t thank me for making her later than she already is.

She’s already had to message her friend to tell her we’ll meet them there.

“I’ll be ten minutes, max.”

“I’ll be right here, Demon,” I assure her.

My eyes don’t leave her as she runs to her front door and practically flies through it.

Only ten seconds later, there’s a flash of light from the window and I spot a dark figure peeking out—her mum, I assume, trying to get a look at the guy who’s waiting for her.

My heart jumps into my throat as I consider the fact that I’m sitting here in a custom BMW.

I have no idea what Jodie’s mum might know about the situation with Jonas. Up until this moment, I’ve assumed she had no idea, like her daughter clearly doesn’t. But as the seconds tick on with her standing there clearly staring right at me, or the car at least, I realise just how naïve that might have been.

Joker had to have known who his dad was, what he was involved in. Jonas got him doing his dirty work in going after Stella, after all. Or was he just so enamoured by the man who helped create him that he’d do anything for him? Knowing Jonas and his superiority complex, it’s certainly a possibility. Not that it really matters now. It’s not like I’m going to be able to ask Joker how that really all played out.

The woman inside that house, though… I wonder what secrets she carries.

Does she know that she and her kids were only one half of Jonas’s life, or did she truly believe whatever bullshit he spewed for the reasons he was never there?

My grip on the wheel tightens until my knuckles turn white.

What I wouldn’t give to storm in there right now and demand some answers, expose some truths. But as much as I might want to, doing so won’t help with my quest. Telling his grieving family the truth won’t hurt him enough.

My eyes are still locked on the dark figure in the window when my phone cuts through the silence and makes my breath catch in my throat before I reach for it.

“Yeah,” I bark after answering Nico’s call.

“Pull your cock out of Jodie. We’ve been called in.”

“You’re fucking with me?”

“Nope, no fucking around here, unfortunately. Boss wants us in Lovell. Shit’s kicking off, apparently.”

“And that’s our fucking issue why?”

“Just following orders, man. Now get a wiggle on, yeah?”

“Fuck,” I bark. “I’ll be back in fifteen. Wait for me, yeah?”

“Sure thing. Be a gentleman and make sure she comes before you leave.”

“Nic, I’m not—” The dial tone rings out, telling me he’s cut the call on that little nugget of advice. “Fucking chance would be a fine thing,” I mutter to myself

Jodie pulls the door open not two seconds later. Her floral perfume hits my nose and my mouth waters. She’s wearing a heeled pair of knee-high boots that expose her toned calves. Her coat hides what she’s wearing beneath, but I know it’s short. Short enough to drive me wild with need and makes my frustration grow about the fact that I’m going to have to bail on our night.