The Knight (Stolen Duet 2)

But I was, wasn’t I? Aaron raped and impregnated me, and then pretended not to know me, and now his father wanted to kill me. If you looked up the word victim in the dictionary, there I would be, except… I chose not to live that way. I wasn’t Aaron’s victim. I was his survivor.

“No harm done,” I said when her startled face turned worried. “So what do you think they’re talking about up there?”

“I don’t know. Whatever it is won’t be pleasant. He’s not exactly welcome here.”

“He’s not?”

“My mom never wanted any part of Alexander’s legacy. My grandfather was furious with her when she married the man she actually loved.”

“Why would he be upset about that?”

“Arranged marriages are kind of our family’s thing.”

I wasn’t surprised given how Angel and I came to be married and what drove Victor to betray our fathers.

“No offense, but does your family realize this is the twenty-first century?”

“It happens more often than you think, except it’s done in secret. Fathers want to marry their little girls to men, who can offer them the most gain, and sons will do their duty because to them a hole’s a hole.” I choked on my water. She giggled and patted my back. “Are you okay?”

“I didn’t peg you for the cynical type,” I said when my throat was clear.

“No?” She giggled again. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve heard it from my mom enough to believe it’s true.”

“I don’t remember seeing you all at the party.”

“That’s because my mom isn’t welcome.”

“Really? Why?”

“Well, after my father denied allegiance to my grandfather, and she allowed him to take us away, he disowned her.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Not many people will stand up to my family like he did.”

“Your father must be a brave man.” Or stupid.

She got that adoring look all girls did for their father, and I wondered if Angel hated him too. “He is. He’s a cop.”

Definitely hates him.

I cast a worried glance toward the stairs and prayed there wouldn’t be bloodshed. A moment later, we heard footsteps and exchanged glances. Angel’s gaze swept my body the moment he appeared before settling on my face. I couldn’t read what he was thinking, but I knew something was at work in that ruthless mind of his.

I hadn’t noticed the couple who entered with him until the woman spoke. “Angel, is this her?”

My defenses went up when I realized she meant me. The woman had the same dark hair as Angel, but her eyes were a light shade of blue. She was only about an inch or two taller than I was with curves to envy.

“Michelle, Officer Garrett, I’d like you to meet my wife.” Anna’s delighted squeal was the only reaction.

“Hello, dear. I’m Angel’s aunt. We didn’t get a chance to speak at the funeral. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She offered me a nervous smile, and I returned it.

“Mian,” I simply greeted even though it was apparent they knew who I was.

Officer Garrett offered me his hand, and after I had shaken it, he stood back to observe me. He was as tall as Angel was, with blonde curls graying at his temples. He was still wearing his uniform with a shield I noticed was from the Chicago police department, which meant we were either close to Chicago or he had a hell of a commute. “She looks young, Knight.”

I was sick of people discussing me while I was in the room. “I’m nineteen. The legal age to marry is eighteen, Officer Garrett…” My accusing gaze met Angel’s, his surprise that I was defending him was evident. “…or sixteen if your father consents.”

“Just your father?” he replied without missing a beat. “What about your mother?”

“She’s dead.”

“So you’re telling me the two of you have been married since you were sixteen?”

“We’re telling you that it’s legal, and it’s done, Garrett.” They locked gazes, and some silent battle ensued. Finally, Officer Garrett grunted and scratched his five o’clock shadow.

“Fine. I’ll leave it alone…” He studied me as if I were a perp in his interrogation room. “…but only if she can tell me that she married you willingly.”

“Dad,” Tabitha rushed to defend. “Leave her alone. You’re scaring her.”

He wasn’t, but I didn’t like his attention either.

“I want her to tell me she married him willingly because there’s no way in hell I’d let my little girl marry someone like Knight.”

The room was silent. Every eye was on me as they all waited for me to deny what he suspected or lie and continue this war with Angel. “Then you obviously didn’t know my father, Officer Garrett.” I moved around him and stood next to Angel, sliding my hand into his much larger one. He immediately lifted it and laid a soft kiss on my skin. Later, I might ask myself if I had made the right decision, but my gut already told me I had. Garrett was a cop who had sworn to protect all, but I was a mother who promised to protect my son, and I couldn’t risk him.