Chapter 5 - THE FRAGILE SPARROW
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When I unlocked the heavy oak door of my third-floor study, the room was completely dark except for the amber glow of the fireplace.
Clary was curled up on the oversized leather sofa, clutching my blazer around herself like armor.
Her eyes snapped open the moment the floorboards creaked beneath my boots.
She scrambled backward against the leather cushions, gasping in fear.
"Mr. Knox!"
I stopped five paces away, keeping my hands visible so she wouldn't run.
"Easy, Clary."
"Nobody is going to hurt you here."
She looked down at my hands and noticed the split skin across my right knuckles.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
"What did you do to Marcus?"
"I handled him," I replied simply.
"He will never touch you again."
"He will never touch your brother again."
She stared at me in disbelief, her lower lip trembling as she struggled to process my words.
"Just like that?"
"He told me you would skin Tommy alive if the money wasn't on his desk tonight."
I took a slow breath, feeling an unfamiliar ache settling into my chest.
"Marcus lied to you."
"He used my name to bleed you dry."
"I don't extort teenage boys, Clary, and I certainly don't starve the women who work under my roof."
I walked over to the mahogany desk and picked up a silver tray covered with roasted chicken, fresh fruit, and warm sourdough bread.
I set the tray on the coffee table in front of her.
"Eat."
She looked at the food, then up at me, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes once more.
"I can't afford this, Mr. Knox."
"It's not for sale," I said, my voice softening in a way Arthur had never heard in fifteen years of service.
"It's yours."
She reached out with a trembling hand and picked up a piece of warm bread.
The first bite caused a soft sob to break from her chest.
She covered her mouth with her hand, trying desperately to hold back the weeping that had been trapped inside her for months.
I sat down on the edge of the table opposite her, watching the fragile girl who had defied an entire mafia syndicate with nothing but her stubborn heart.
"Tomorrow morning, we are going to see your brother."
She looked up through wet lashes.
"You're taking me to Tommy?"
May you like
"Yes," I promised.
"And the best orthopedic surgeons in the state are going to fix his arm before noon."
