Brutal Heir (Court University 1)

So different than how he was, but then again. I think I was different too. I was stronger, changed in the best way. I texted Knight how close I was, and as we pulled past that welcome sign greeting me into the town of Maywood Heights, I got a buzz in my pocket from Mom.

Mom: Wish Knight and his mom luck for us. Ben and I are thinking about you both. Love you!

Mom and Ben, of course, knew everything too, and once more, Mom was that supportive rock I loved. Knight corrected everything with them, speaking to the school personally about their jobs. I didn’t know exactly what all the talks entailed, but Mom and Ben had their jobs back within hours of him reaching out. Knight even apologized to them personally, profusely. Once more, my mom hadn’t shown any feelings of anger or resentment. She was just so kind spirited, always had been. As an extra special apology, Knight sent both Mom and Ben off on a second honeymoon, a cruise to the Caribbean which was where they were currently now. I kept getting pictures and had been too jealous since I was still at school and forced to live vicariously through them and their Facebook photos.

Me: Thank you. I’ll pass that along. Not sure what state his mom is in today, but I’m hopeful.

Mom: We are too. That boy deserves that. He needs his mama.

I’d especially agree if she was anything at all remotely like mine. She’d been there for me my whole life, my rock.

I told them to enjoy the rest of their time on their vacation and after giving me their love, I noticed the car slowing down.

“We’re coming up on Reed Manor, miss,” the driver said, stealing my attention.

Reed Manor, a distant memory in my thoughts, and I leaned forward, peering through the tinted window. Steel gates opened to the wide property of a well-trimmed lawn, rose bushes lining the path toward an exquisite fountain. Just behind was the grand estate Reed Manor and still as beautiful as I remembered as a child. A gray brick castle, Knight’s property sat tucked behind a sea of well-trimmed hedges and flower boxes filled with elegant daisies. The place was literally like a castle out of a storybook, and I spent lots of time hiding in as many places I could find. It’d been fun for me, like a little adventure of my own to explore.

Knight’s driver pulled us up to the doors, and after letting me out, I told him I’d take my own bag to the door. Knight wanted me to stay for the weekend, and since things with classes were going so well, I hadn’t had a problem with that.

I wheeled my bag up to the door and started to knock before it was pulled open, a woman in a white coat and an elegant grin behind it.

“Greer, welcome. Knight and his mom are upstairs. I’ll take you to both of them.”

Recognizing the woman as Dr. Chopra, one of the doctors caring for Knight’s mom, I thanked her and followed. From what I understood, she’d be overseeing his mom for around-the-clock care now that she was home and had been very nice in the times I’d seen her. It’d been a lot. I’d been a frequent visitor during his mom’s rehabilitation process and at Knight’s side whenever I could be.

I kept pace with the doctor, my bag taken by one of the maids of the house. I recognized her too, an older woman who still worked here after my mom and I had left. She said she’d leave it in my room and would show it to me after my visit with the master of the house.

The master of the house turned out to be upstair

s, inside a room facing the sun. Light literally bled upon my shoes once Dr. Chopra opened the door, and the first thing I noticed after the sun was Knight and his mom. It was basically drowning them in it, Knight sitting in an easy chair with his hands folded. He was leaning forward, staring at a woman in bed hooked up to many lines.

“Go ahead,” Dr. Chopra whispered, closing the door behind me when I went inside. I honestly didn’t want to disrupt the peace of this room, but the moment the door closed, dark eyes shifted my way, a gorgeous guy rising from his chair.

“Dove,” fell from Knight’s lips as he crossed the room to me, hard and perfect muscle gripping me into an embrace. He basically picked me up off my feet, my weight nothing for him. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

He kissed me after that, hands in my hair and everything as he pushed it out of my face.

“Your drive okay?” he asked, easing a heavy arm around me, and I nodded, so happy to see him too. The moments I wasn’t with him, I found it hard to breathe, how much really had changed. I think I found myself falling in love with this boy, so hard and damn fast.

I smiled. “I did. How’s she doing?”

Panning, I studied the woman so gorgeous beneath silk sheets. She was hooked up to a lot of monitors, but nothing like when she’d been at the hospital. She actually looked at peace here, her long, dark hair resting on her shoulders.

A smile and Knight tugged me over to her with him. We sat down together by her bedside, his hand still in mine, but I couldn’t help noticing the worry that twisted his brow. This was a recurring expression during this whole process as well.

“She’s sleeping now. Just sleeping.” Leaning forward again, he rubbed my hand between his. “I know it’s dumb, but I can’t stop looking at her. I think a part of me is scared she won’t wake up again.”

He said this shyly like he was ashamed when he shouldn’t be. I mean, the woman had been in a coma for more than half his life. “That’s not dumb. It’s normal. I’d be worried too, but I don’t think you have to be. You have the best doctors now.”

“I know, but still.” His fingers lazily warmed mine again. “I’m just scared, dove. And not just about that.”

“About what then?”

His tongue dampened his lips before he faced me. “Say she does come back.”

“She will.”

He smiled. “Say she does and I’m not who she wants me to be. That I’m… I don’t know. A letdown or something.” He shook his head before looking at her. “I’d hate that. I’ve done so many stupid things.”