Tattoos And Territory.

Chapter 4: The Truth in the Dark

Thea didn't sleep.

The cot smelled like motor oil and someone else's regrets. Every creak of the building sent her heart slamming against her ribs. Every distant engine was Marcus.

When Knox opened the door at dawn, she was already sitting up. Waiting.

"Coffee." He set a chipped mug on the floor beside her. "Then answers."

She wrapped her hands around the warmth. Stalled.

"Start with his name," Knox said. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Patient. Unmoving. Like he had all the time in the world.

"Marcus."

"Marcus who?"

"Marcus Cole." The name tasted like ash. "He's... my stepfather."

Something flickered in Knox's eyes. Not surprise. Something colder.

"He's not just looking for you," Knox said slowly. "There was a reward. Fifty thousand."

Thea's stomach dropped. "You're not—"

"If I wanted the money, you'd already be in his car." His voice was flat. Hard. "Keep talking."

She swallowed. "My mother married him three years ago. She thought he was safe. Rich. Charming." Her laugh was hollow. "She was wrong. About all of it."

"He hurt you."

Not a question.

Thea's silence was the answer.

"She's still with him," Thea whispered. "My mother. She won't leave. And I... I couldn't stay. Not anymore. So I ran."

Knox didn't speak for a long moment. When he did, his voice was lower. Rougher.

"You're not going back."

"You can't promise that."

He pushed off the wall. Crossed the small room in two strides. Crouched in front of her so they were eye level.

"I don't make promises," he said. "I make rules. And my rule is this: that man doesn't touch you again."

Thea's breath caught. "Why? You don't even know me."

His jaw tightened. "I know enough."

He stood. Headed for the door.

"Knox?"

He paused.

"He won't stop. Marcus doesn't stop. He'll burn this whole town to find me."

Knox looked over his shoulder. And for the first time, she saw it—not just the President of the Iron Reapers. But the monster underneath.

"Good," he said quietly. "Let him try."

The door clicked shut.

Thea stared after him. She'd escaped one monster.

But she was beginning to realize she'd just walked straight into the arms of another.