“Like what?’
“Blunt.”
“What do I have to lose by being blunt?” I asked.
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“Neither did you.”
He took the bottle of Jack back and downed a few swallows.
“How old are you,” he asked suddenly.
I frowned. “Why does it matter?”
“Please?” His tone was low, but I heard the plea just the same.
“Twenty-five.”
“Twenty-five,” he murmured.
Icy fear slithered down my spine. I didn’t know why Knight was asking about my age. His expression gave nothing away. He just continued to drink and I sat there next to him, feeling like an idiot.
I made a move to get up off the table.
His hand shot out to grip my knee.
I froze.
Before I knew what was happening, a blur sailed through the air and tackled Knight. The bottle of Jack dropped from Knight’s hand and his back hit the table.
“What the hell!” I yelled, clambering to get out of the way of the fight.
“I saw you touch her, fucker,” Boxer growled. “You touched Colt’s woman.”
Boxer didn’t give Knight time to defend himself because he punched the older man right in the face. Knight was no slouch, though. He let Boxer get in one good hit, but then he quickly rebounded, using his legs to launch Boxer off him.
Boxer hit the ground with a thud, but before he made a move to get back up, Knight was climbing off the table. The corner of his lip was bloody, but otherwise didn’t look like he’d taken a punch or been winded at all.
“It’s not what you think,” Knight began.
“Fuck you and fuck your shit,” Boxer said, rising. “You don’t fucking touch another brother’s woman. You’re a brother! You know this!”
Sounds of conversation had ceased. Old Ladies and Blue Angels had crowded closer, trying to piece together what had just gone down.
Knight didn’t look at Boxer—instead he stared at me. “Your mother…her name was Scarlett O’Banion.”
My eyes widened. “How did you—”
“Because,” Knight’s eyes were grim. “I’m your father.”
Chapter 24
Father.
Father?
I looked at Knight; everyone and everything around me disappeared as I gaped at the face of the man claiming my paternity.