Fated: Karma Series, Book Three Read Online Free PDF Page B

between me and Mother?”
    Why? Was he kidding? She was utterly enamored with him and he certainly hadn’t been pushing her away when I’d seen them together. “Like I said, it’s none of my business.”
    “I’ve known her a long time, and when she’s upset, I’m the only one she’ll listen to. From time to time, I give her little gifts. It makes her happy and makes the situation easier.”
    “Easier for you?”
    “You don’t get it.”
    “I completely understand.” I just didn’t like it. Although, I did like it better than the alternative.
    He stood and took a couple of steps away from me, shaking his head, and then turned back. Good.
    “It’s—”
    There was a rapping at the door a second before Knox walked in, cutting off Fate’s sentence.
    He stepped a few feet into Fate’s office and stopped. The guy looked like he’d come ready for battle.
    “Have a seat,” Fate said as he himself stood and made no move to relax.
    “I’m fine,” Knox replied, not bothering to look for a seat, even with the invitation.
    They stood staring at each other for approximately three and a half seconds before Fate leaned against the desk, looking completely relaxed.
    I wasn’t sure if Knox understood what had just happened, but I did. Fate had sized him up and found him to be of little consequence.
    “Paddy sent you?” Fate asked casually.
    “Yes.”
    Fate nodded.
    Knox’s eyes darted to mine and the lines of his mouth softened. He gave me a nod of acknowledgement, which I returned. His attention went back to Fate. I wasn’t insulted. I wasn’t the one who’d called him out and made beef with him.
    “You wanted to talk?”
    “Shit is about to hit the fan. You plan on helping out or getting in our way?” Fate crossed his arms in front of him, ankles doing the same. Yeah, he really wasn’t worried about this Knox guy at all.
    “I think there’s a bit more to discuss. Don’t you?”
    I leaned my head back on the chair as I eyed Knox and answered the question for Fate. “It’s the only question that matters.”
    Fate’s gaze met mine and something flickered.
    I looked back at him. Yeah, I get it now , my look said. After months of Harold, I’d better. After the last few weeks, I knew. None of us had a cheat sheet or syllabus that laid out what was coming but you didn’t need a textbook to tell you that when the winds started picking up, a storm was on its way. This one was promising to be a real doozy.
    We needed to know what type of person Knox was before it hit full force. There were three categories of people—and I used that term loosely—two types were okay. One type had to go. He would either help and fight with us, not help but stay out of the way, or be a hindrance.
    Knox’s eyes went from Fate to me, and I could see the opinions forming there, wondering just how deep our relationship ran. He’d eventually hear the tales and I didn’t care. I guess that was one good thing this office and my coworkers had done for me. I’d lost almost all my ability to feel embarrassment. The only thing that mattered was which type of person would he turn out to be.
    He rocked back on his heels. “From what I know, I’m prepared to help at this time.”
    That hit about a seven on the lame answer scoreboard. Maybe it was a little cheesy but I’d hoped for something a little closer to “ I know what’s going on and I’ve got your backs,” instilled with even the tiniest amount of passion, maybe?
    Fate was staring at me with the same expression he’d had downstairs after my Harold meeting. I rolled my eyes. I was quickly realizing that silent I told you so s were just as annoying as the out loud varieties.
    Hell, at least Knox had ended the unwanted conversation I was having with Fate. And, I could ride this lame horse right out of here and avoid the tail end of discussing the finer points of perfume.
    “Knox, let me show you around,” I said, getting up heading toward the door before he could think