“Well, now Roan can vent at the true person at fault for his mother’s suffering instead of blaming Harper,” said Keenan.

“Onto another important subject,” began Knox, “what did you learn about Dario?”

“Exactly what you heard,” said Larkin. “He’s walled himself up in his castle and he hasn’t left it for months. We spoke to plenty of demons from his lair. Most believe he’s genuinely grieving the death of someone, though they’re not sure who.”

“There’s nothing to suggest he’s building an army,” said Keenan. “It just seems to be conjecture, but no one knows where the rumor started, just like no one knows where the rumor began that he’s turning rogue.”

“Most don’t believe either rumor,” added Larkin.

Without proof, Knox wouldn’t believe them either.

Levi got to his feet. “Unless you need anything else, we’ll take off.”

“We’ll talk again tomorrow,” Knox told them.

Keenan and Larkin left the room, but Levi lingered at the doorway and turned to Knox. “I couldn’t help but overhear what got said upstairs… go easy on Harper.”

“Easy?” Knox echoed in disbelief.

“There are many things you’ll get Harper to compromise on,” said Levi. “But ignoring the urge to protect people she cares about is not something she’ll agree to do – not even for you.”

Jaw tight, Knox said, “You were right there in that office with me, Levi. You saw her on that floor.” Pale. Unmoving. His demon had lost its fucking mind.

“Yeah. And like you, I panicked. And I was angry with her,” Levi admitted. “So fucking angry. But then I reminded myself who I was dealing with. You know her better than anyone. You know that underneath that hard shell is a soft heart that feels deeply.”

He did know that. He loved that about her.

“She’s protective to the core. You can’t expect a person like that to put someone they care for in danger.”

“I can expect her to value her own life.”

“She does value it. But she also values yours, and clearly she values your safety more than she does her own. That’s a special thing, Knox.”

Yes, it was, but it didn’t change one very simple fact. “Her safety is more important than mine.”

“To you, but not to her. Tonight, she only did what you would have done in her position.”

Fuck if he wasn’t right.

“She’s the best thing that ever happened to you, Knox. Don’t fuck this up,” Levi called over his shoulder as he left.

Raking a hand through his hair, Knox sighed. He’d messed up. Royally. And now he needed to fix it. He headed upstairs and into the bedroom. Harper still hadn’t come out of the bathroom.

He wrapped his knuckles on the door. “Open up, Harper.” Nothing. “Baby, we need to talk.” Still nothing. Knowing that barging in wouldn’t earn him any points, he said, “You have until the count of five to open the door or I’m coming in, baby. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.”

But she didn’t come out. Stubborn through and through. It had to make him weird that he liked that about her. He turned the knob and walked inside… only to freeze as he found the room empty. “Fuck.”

Jolene placed two steaming mugs on the square coasters of the mahogany coffee table. “Drink your tea, sweetheart. It’ll relax you.” She then sat on the couch beside Martina and crossed her legs. “Feeling any calmer?”

Holding a soft cushion to her chest, Harper settled deeper into the overstuffed armchair. “Not really.” She’d tucked a fleecy blanket around her legs, just as she’d often done as a child. When she’d visited Jolene over the years, she’d curled up in that chair many times – sometimes with a book, sometimes snacks, while she watched a movie with her cousins.

She loved her grandmother’s house. Loved the welcoming feel of it. It always smelled of cookies, coffee, and lavender. Tonight, there were also a hint of the light rain coming through a partially open window.

It wasn’t a quiet house, since her relatives were always waltzing in and out for one reason or another. The kids in particular showed up a lot, hoping Jolene had made her famous cookies. But even though it was a constant hub of activity, it was relaxing. Maybe because it was so homey with all the throw cushions, blankets, and the earthy colors. There were framed photos, keepsakes, and knickknacks everywhere. Like Harper, Jolene treasured memories.

“You know why he’s angry,” said Jolene.

“Sure I do. But I’ll be damned if I apologize for what I did.” Or for being who she was.

“I wouldn’t expect you to. But imagine being in his position.” Jolene picked up her coffee. “Imagine you received a weak telepathic call from him. Imagine you then arrived at his office to find him sprawled on the floor, not moving. Tanner’s been shot, and Crow has a gun. How would you react?”

In a word, badly.

“Knox was scared, sweetheart.” Jolene blew over the rim of her mug. “Now, sure, he knew you were alive because the anchor bond was still in place. But I’ll bet he wasn’t thinking of that when he saw you lying there. Panic and fear probably took over.”

Harper could understand that, could even sympathize. But it didn’t erase how much his words hurt. Her demon was imagining lots of wonderful ways it could make him suffer. “It still doesn’t give him or his demon the right to be an asshole.”