Chapter 145 CHAPTER 146

Chapter 145 CHAPTER 146
CHAPTER 146
KNOX
I walked up the path to the safe house with a bag of groceries in one hand and flowers in the other. The place was quiet, tucked away from the main road, exactly how I wanted it for Mom. When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was Mina sitting on the couch, legs crossed, stuffing her face with a giant bag of chips.

I shook my head and laughed. “Really, Bug? You’ve been here less than two days and you’re already destroying the snack supply?”

Mina looked up with her cheeks full and grinned. “These are really good. You should try them. Want some?”

I set the groceries down and walked over to hug her. “I’m good. Where’s Mom?”

“In the kitchen,” she said, still chewing. “She’s making tea. She’s been asking about Yael nonstop since I got here.”

I smiled and headed to the kitchen. Mom turned around when she heard me and her whole face lit up.

“Knox!” she said, pulling me into a tight hug. “I was starting to think you forgot about us.”

“Never,” I replied, hugging her back. “I brought some things you like. How are you feeling today?”

Mom stepped back and looked at me carefully. “I’m okay. Better now that both my babies are here. Sit down. Tell me everything that’s been going on with you and Yael. Mina has been giving me bits and pieces, but I want to hear it from you.”

We sat at the small kitchen table while Mina wandered in with her bag of chips and joined us. I started talking, telling Mom everything — the good and the bad. I told her how Yael and I met, how her brother Aaron and I had years of bad blood between us, and how things were slowly getting better. I told her about the stalker, the shooting, the kidnapping, and how scared I had been when Yael was taken.

Mom listened quietly, her eyes soft. When I finished, she reached across the table and took my hand.

“I’m so sorry you’ve both been through all that,” she said gently. “But I’m happy you found someone who makes you light up the way you do when you talk about her. I really want to meet Yael soon. When things calm down, bring her here. I want to thank the girl who makes my son smile like this.”

I felt my chest get warm. “She’d love that. She’s been asking about you too. I think she needs a mom figure right now more than she realizes.”

Mina grinned and stole another chip. “I already like her. She’s really pretty and super nice. You better not mess this up, big brother.”

I laughed. “I’m trying not to. She’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

We spent the next hour talking and laughing. Mom told stories about when Mina and I were kids, and Mina kept teasing me about how whipped I was for Yael. It felt good to just sit there with them. For a little while, the weight of everything with Grey felt lighter.

Before I left, we planned a proper dinner so Mom could meet Yael. Mom’s eyes were bright with excitement.

“I’ll make her favorite food,” she said. “Whatever she likes. Just tell me and I’ll cook it.”

I hugged her tightly before I left. “I’ll bring her soon. I promise. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Be safe.”

I drove back to campus thinking about how to apologize to Yael properly. Sarah showing up and trying to kiss me had been a stupid mess, and I knew Yael was still a little upset about it even if she was pretending she wasn’t. I muttered to myself as I parked, “Damn you, Sarah. You just had to show up and make things complicated.”

I went straight to Yael’s dorm and knocked, but there was no answer. I texted her.

Knox: Hey baby, I’m back. Where are you? I want to see you.

No reply. I waited a few minutes, then decided to check the treehouse. Something told me she might be there.

I climbed the ladder and pushed the door open. My heart nearly stopped.

Yael was standing in the middle of the room wearing the sexiest black lingerie I had ever seen. The lace was thin and left almost nothing to the imagination. Her curves looked incredible, and the way the light hit her skin made my mouth go dry.

“Princess,” I started, my voice already rough. “I’m so sorry about—”

“Sit down,” she said calmly, pointing at the chair in the corner.

I blinked. “What?”

She walked closer, her hips swaying. “I said sit down, Knox.”

I sat without another word. She picked up a soft rope she must have brought with her and stepped behind the chair. She tied my wrists to the back of the chair, then moved in front of me and tied my ankles to the legs. Finally, she picked up a clean cloth and gently gagged me, tying it behind my head.

I was rock hard in seconds. My heart was pounding and my breathing was already heavy. I loved when she took control like this.

Yael stood in front of me and looked down at me with a small, satisfied smile.

“Good boy,” she whispered.

I groaned against th
e gag, completely at her mercy, and I had never been happier about it.