Page 30

CHAPTER 30 - KNOXE

“Y ou don’t have to be here, Knoxe,” Serena said. “Go back and claim the victory your team deserves.”

Was that all she thought I cared about? Victory? Claiming points? Vengeance? Not my team’s health and welfare?

“I’d rather stay here with the three of you, if that’s okay with you, Serena.” My reply earned a motherly smile.

I squeezed Pascal’s hand as the doctor injected healing serum into his arm and sang under my breath. Bon Jovi’s Keep the Faith . We all needed all the faith we could muster after the ambush. A set-up designed to kill us and bury the pile of evidence we sat on.

Pascal and I trained together at the Academy. We might not have been friends back then, but we were as tight as family now, and I wasn’t leaving him to fend off the needles alone. To hell with the debriefing. To hell with capturing the fugitives. His comfort was more important in this moment.

The medical team, consisting of the nurse and doc on duty, tended to Serena first because her injuries were worse, then Loco, and Pascal last. I spent the time singing to distract him from the blow he took to the chest and back.

The doctor removed the needle and informed Pascal, “We’re all done.”

“Thanks, Doctor.” Pascal rubbed his arm.

I quit singing and pumped his hand to get his attention. Emerald eyes lifted to meet mine.

“I’m proud of you,” I told him. “It’s getting easier each time.”

“Yeah, it is.” He smiled. And not the shy gesture he made in training. A bright expression that stretched across his face. “Thanks for staying with me, Knoxe.” He tightened his hold on me, wrapping his fingers over mine, giving me a bro shake.

I pressed my second hand over his. “Call me brother.”

“Your singing needs some work, brother.” His crooked smile held a shy, boyish charm. Beneath it lay the blossoming confidence of a man finding his place in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Pascal joking. What was the world coming to? I supposed he had an excellent mentor in Tor.

I laughed. “How bad are we talking? Marilyn Manson bad? Courtney Love bad?”

Pascal shuddered. “Never mention those names.”

Another laugh emerged. “Knoxe bad, then. Probably more in key today that belting out Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love when we tested out the Elysian nectar?”

Pascal pressed his lips together. “Don’t remind me of that.”

Fine. I was a shit singer and happy to admit it. “Want to teach me?”

“Any time.”

I stretched over him and hugged him, ignoring that the move was uninvited and possibly unwelcome. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

He circled my back and squeezed. “Love you, brother.”

I went to tell him right back when Serena interrupted our little bonding moment. “What about Tor and Astra?”

She winced as the doc sutured up her wounds after cleaning them and administering healing serum into her arm.

“They apprehended ten fugitives.” I left out the part about her son’s team’s involvement in present company. Intel I’d clue her in on later. “I’ve sent a team out to retrieve them.”

Serena gave me a pleased smile backed with pain as the serum took a moment to activate. “Excellent work. How many have we captured in total?”

Normally, she was on the ball with the tally of prisoners left to detain.

“Twenty-five.” Not too shabby for two months’ work.

“Halfway point, huh?” Serena bit on her lip as the doc tied a knot in her stitches. “The end is near.”

So close I could taste it… if Vancor didn’t go back on his word or slit our throats in our sleep.

Loco snored in the corner under the influence of a sedative while the serum worked its magick. Before he was knocked out, he hadn’t shut up about how proud he was of his daughter for getting them out of a lethal situation. One minute longer, and they would have been goners. I locked my fingers harder around Pascal’s, holding him tightly, shaking off that near miss.

“Sunset will be back soon,” I said to Pascal. “Tor radioed through and they’re both cleaning up a mess.” I mouthed the word Raze to him, and he cottoned on, nodding and smiling.

Twenty minutes later, Tor and Sunset strolled through the door, hand in hand and covered in gore.

I leaped out of the seat by Pascal’s gurney and studied every inch of her for cuts and found none that would cause that kind of blood. “What the hell happened? Are you injured?”

“No, just need a shower. Tell you about it later.” She caught my wrist and lifted my arm to kiss my palm.

Astra smiled at me and crossed over to her dad’s bed, leaning down to kiss him, then thinking better of it when she remembered how soiled she was. She went for a kiss on her finger and tapped his head.

“Hi, Serena,” she said from a gurney away. “You doing okay over there?”

Our leader gave a weak smile. “I am now that I’ve had painkillers and healing serum.”

“Good.” Sunset smiled. “Rest up then. I don’t suppose you want a kiss too?” she teased.

Serena smiled, hissed, and closed her eyes.

Astra and Tor came over to Pascal’s bed. “How are you? I’m so glad you’re okay.” She twitched to touch him but appeared to think twice about it covered in mess. “For a hot minute there, I thought I was going to go supernova like Galaxy Girl at those Lycans for hurting you.”

By now, I was well and truly used to all the nerd talk. If she wasn’t a hot mess, I would have warmed the back of her and wrapped my arm around her.

“Thanks for what you did back there.” He tapped beats on his thighs, and I could tell by the way his muscles flexed, he wanted to touch her as well.

“I’m assuming both of you don’t want a hot, sexy we’re still alive smooch?” She ran her hands up and down her body.

Pascal wrinkled his nose. “After you clean up.”

“This will tide you over in the meantime.” Astra blew him an air kiss.

I went over to her and stroked the clean skin on her throat. “Are you sure you’re okay? You too, Tor?”

She hummed and nodded. He dragged her in for a squelching hug that I took as a yes.

I took her hand, not caring about the mess. “If Pascal doesn’t mind, I’ll come with you.”

She swung my arm. “I’d like that. What do you say, White Lightning?”

Pascal groaned at missing out. “Save a shower date for me later, okay?”

“Absolutely. We’ll be back soon.” Sunset blew him another kiss and tugged Tor and me out of the room.

The three of us went back to the bathrooms in Cell Ward A and were naked and under the warm spray in no time, rinsing off the grime from their uniforms, then setting those aside. Then she cleared off whatever carnage tainted her perfect, creamy skim. I skipped washing myself and concentrated on her needs, brushing her arms and kissing her wet hair, holding her close, letting our combined warmth and that of the water infuse her cold body with heat.

“I was so fucking worried, Sunset,” I whispered into her throat. “Don’t do that to me again.”

“You’re such a ball buster, Knoxe,” she replied, nudging her ass into my cock. “Asking the impossible of me.”

I cupped her pussy from behind. “Your lady balls love it.”

She thrust into my hand and laughed into Tor’s chest as he cleared the blood from the back of her neck.

“How’s Raze?” I enquired after my brother, the sting of missing him less now that freedom inched closer.

“He was hurt pretty badly,” she said, brushing dirt from my cheek. “We were lucky we got to him when we did. I fixed him up with a little help from friends.” She smiled up at Tor, and he kissed her forehead.

“Yeah? Tell me.” I wanted to know every little detail.

She told me about how Tor and her Shadows friends lent her their energy to give her the strength to heal Raze after she drained her battery from terminating every Lycan ambushing them.

“What were the Shadows doing there?” I asked, tipping her head back to wet it entirely.

When I pulled her from the jet, she brushed water from her face. “Tracking the gantii traffickers. They took the crystal opening the portals.”

I scrubbed my jaw. “We’ll leave that detail off our report.”

Her palm came to my face. “Knoxe, I don’t want to talk business.”

Fuck. I was a bonehead. She saw two of her lovers torn up, and I grilled her for details.

“Come here, Sunset.” I pulled her body flush to mine. “Let me make you feel so fucking good you’ll forget everything for a moment.”

I lathered her hair in shampoo and massaged it into her scalp and roots while Tor took care of her body. He took his time, stopping to suck her neck and nipples, and she moaned, tipping her head back, pressing into my chest. He knew what she needed, and hell, so did I. That was a close call back there. One too many we faced over our time together. Any moment might be our last, and I wanted to take advantage of every one we had together.

My cock was rock-hard and nudging her back. She arched her torso and reached between us to cup me. I sawed into her palm and groaned, getting thicker and longer. Tor’s swaying motion said she did the same with him.

“This shower better have a happy ending.” Sunset got all bossy on us.

“As you wish, Supergal.” Tor sank to his knees and buried himself between her thighs.

“I don’t have rubbers, Sunset.” I swiped my thumb over her lip. “I want to come inside you again. Will you let me?”

“Yes, I’ll let you.” She groaned as Tor suckled her. “I’m not ovulating and should be fine.”

I spanked her ass. “Legs wider, Sunset.”

She opened for me, and Tor gripped her hips, his fingers indenting her perfect pale skin, holding her steady. He lifted one of her thighs over his shoulder. In his weakened state, he couldn’t support all her weight but should be able to once he replenished his strength in a few months.

I lowered myself to a good angle to slide my aching length into her. She welcomed me as she always did, her walls gripping me, her pussy hot, wet, and fucking perfect.

“You take me so well, Sunset.” At my praise, her hips rocked back and forth over my length and Tor’s face. “You feel so good raw. Smooth. Hot. Slick. I want to fuck you like this again and again.”

Impossible when we remained in the Guardians. I wouldn’t risk her getting pregnant and being taken from us to birth a child, which those bastards would steal and raise in the Guardians as payment for our service.

Breathing heavy, she shoved her fingers into Tor’s hair and flexed them back and forth. He moaned at the massage.

Her arm reached up and her fingers came to rest around my neck, holding onto me, steadying her. I’d always find her and balance her. Always protect her. Hold her when she cried. Cuddle her when she was down or needed me. This woman was mine to keep, and I was hers.

“Knoxe.” Her breathy moan and craned neck called me to lean down to plant my lips on hers. She sucked my bottom lip, and I almost came apart at how good it felt.

I powered into her, taking her across the finish line, holding her limp body upright as she climaxed over me, her pussy wringing a mind-blowing orgasm from me.

I threw out a palm for Tor, and he used it to pull himself to his feet.

When we recovered our breath, she was ready to go again, and I helped Tor lift her and brace her body between us, allowing him a better angle when his legs weren’t at their peak. In no time, we had her screaming our names.

We swapped out another two times, pleasuring her until she was sensitive and couldn’t take anymore, and Tor’s muscles shook from exhaustion.

I flicked off the spray and we exited the stall, drying each other. In between, we indulged in languid kisses that kept the flame warm. Wrapped in towels, we dumped our dirty laundry and returned to our cells to grab a fresh change of clothes, and Tor his exoskeleton to look the part.

Tor and I walked Sunset back to the infirmary to keep Pascal company, and we left her there, going to process the fugitives into the prisoner block. The recovery team dumped them in cells and were kind enough to spare us the fortune of completing all the paperwork and taking the glory.

Once finished, our stomachs ached for food, and we headed out to grab some lunch and take it down to the medical bay.

We were met at the exit by an unexpected face. The beard he sported last we met was gone, as were the stress wrinkles and some of the gray hair that crept up into his beard. Sadly, I couldn’t say the same for the old-school tweed jacket he always sported which needed a date with a thrift store. No dark cape this time to blend him with the shadows.

“Good to see you, Knoxe.” He clutched a series of manila folders under one arm and was accompanied by Sentry Ben.

“Vartros?” I coughed out. “You’re back?”

Vartros’ features broke into a rare smile. “No thanks to you and your team getting me the intel you did.” He clapped me and Tor on the shoulder in turn.

Fireworks went off in my chest. Thank fuck he was back, and we didn’t have to deal with that asshole, Vancor.

The warden gestured for us to walk with him. “We arrested all the traitors and have them in various Guild facilities and off-site. Some of them turned informant and provided testimony to secure convictions.”

“That’s fantastic news.” I threw an arm over Tor’s shoulder for a few seconds, but it was difficult to maintain while walking and talking.

“So, what now then?” I rubbed my palms together. “Do you still need us to find the rest of the fugitives?”

Vartros’ brows came together in a way that worried me. “No. The intel you sent your Shadows friends helped us apprehend the outstanding fugitives, except for four that escaped to the vampire planet.”

I rolled up my sleeves. “We’d be happy to go after them.”

Tor elbowed me, warning me not to offer.

Vartros stopped and turned to face us. “I have a team working on that.” He removed the folders from under his arm and handed me the top one and Tor the third one. “These are for you.”

I nodded, opened mine, and scanned through the letter with his signature. A release letter dated today and pending release tomorrow. One more night in the prison and we were free.

“Thank you, sir.” I blinked at him, the moment surreal, and not one hundred percent processed by my brain yet.

“Your team has earned this.” Vartros patted my shoulder.

“What about Astra?” Tor asked. “Will she be released too?”

Vartros waved the files. “She and Pascal have letters too. Don’t worry.”

Tor and I released a long breath.

Fuck. This was the best news we received in almost four years.

“Knoxe.” The warden tucked the files against his stomach. “I don’t want to lose you and your team. You’re the best we have.”

“Sorry, sir, but we’re not staying,” Tor cut him off.

Vartros silenced him with a scowl. “I’m extending you the invite to continue working for the Guardians on your terms. Negotiable salary, sick leave, vacation time, medical benefits.”

I coughed and Tor thumped my back. I never expected this kind of deal.

“Remuneration for wrongful sentences?” Tor bargained on our behalf.

“We can factor that in.” Vartros gave him a weighted glance.

“We’ll get back to you with an answer before our release,” Tor promised.

“I’d expect nothing less.” Vartros gestured for us to keep moving, and he and Ben escorted us to the infirmary where he delivered letters to the rest of our team, Serena and Loco included, then left to take charge of his facility.

“This deserves a celebration,” Tor declared loudly, almost waking up Loco from his drug-induced sleep. “Wait here. I’ll bring back some goodies.”

By goodies, he meant a box full of food. Champagne, candy, potato crisps, and hot meals from the cafeteria. The man truly could pull off the impossible and get anything snuck into the prison. He was my hero in that respect.

“How’d you get this?” I lifted the Dom Perignon from the box and inspected the label, shaking my head and grinning like a fucker.

“I won it in a hand at poker with the guards.” Tor delivered food cartons to Pascal and Serena’s laps, and mine, his, and Sunset’s on an overbed table. “I’ve been saving it for this day.”

I laughed. “I don’t want to know where you hid this baby.”

“I saved it for all my babies.” He kissed my cheek and let me pop the cork and pour us all a plastic cup of champagne.

“Save one for Dad, will you?” Tor suggested.

“It’ll probably be flat by then,” I argued.

Tor ushered me to prepare one for Loco anyway. “Yeah, but at least he won’t have a reason to murder us for leaving him out.”

We all laughed and murmured our agreement, tucking into the food, and cheering at the toast Serena made to our happy and healthy futures outside of these walls.

Speaking of the future, we still had to discuss the direction of ours.