The Consequence

The Consequence KINGS OF RUIN BOOK 2 L KNIGHT Contents Preface Acknowledgments Prologue: Harrison 1: Harrison 2: Harrison 3: Norrie 4: Norrie 5: Harrison 6: Norrie 7: Harrison 8: Harrison 9: Norrie 10: Harrison 11: Norrie 12: Harrison 13: Norrie 14: Harrison 15: Norrie 16: Norrie 17: Harrison 18: Norrie 19: Harrison 20: Norrie 21: Harrison 22: Norrie 23: Harrison 24: Harrison 25: Norrie Epilogue: Harrison Books by L. Knight About the Author The Consequence Kings of Ruin Book Two By L Knight Published by L Knight Copyright © March 2023 Cover: Clem Parsons-Metatec Editing: Black Opal Editing Formatting: Black Opal Editing Cover Photographer: Wander Aguiar This is a work of fiction. Names characters places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as fact. Any resemblance to actual events organisations or persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive non-transferable right to access and read the text of this eBook on a screen. Except for use in reviews promotional posts or similar uses no part of this text may be reproduced transmitted downloaded decompiled reverse-engineered or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system in any form or by any means whether electronic or mechanical now known or hereafter invented without the express written permission of the author. First edition March 2023 © L Knight Acknowledgments I am so lucky to have such an amazing team around me without which I could never bring my books to life. I am so grateful to have you in my life, you are more than friends you are so essential to my life. My editor—Linda at Black Opal Editing, who is so patient. She is so much more than an editor, she is a teacher and a friend. My UK PA Clem Parsons who listens to all my ramblings and helps me every single day. My ARC Team for not keeping me on edge too long while I wait for feedback. Lastly and most importantly thank you to my readers who have embraced my books so wholeheartedly and shown a love for the stories in my head. To hear you say that you see my characters as family makes me so humble and proud. I hope you enjoy Harrison’s and Norrie’s love story as much as I did. Cover: Clem Parsons @Metatec Editing: Black Opal Editing Cover Photographer: Wander Aguiar Prologue: Harrison “I’m telling you I don’t need a goddamn break. I’m fine.” I’m lying on a couch in the shared office of Club Ruin as Beck leans over me with a blood pressure cuff. I glare at his dark head before transferring that glare to Audrey. It does no damn good. She isn’t frightened of me or anyone else. It’s why we work so well together. She’s a force of nature, which is just as well when she owns a club with four assholes like us. “Clearly you’re not fine or you wouldn’t have almost passed out behind the bar.” My skin feels tight as they stare at me, and I fight the urge to squirm. I hate being the sole focus of their attention. “I just stood up too quickly.” “If you say so. Remind me again where you got your medical degree?” Beck raises a cocky brow at me, and I sigh at his attempt to be funny. I shrug his hand off as he moves to help me to my feet, frustration eating at me. “I can do it.” He smirks and shakes his head at my stubbornness. “Haven’t you got heart operations to perform instead of bugging the fuck out of me?” He chuckles as he shoves the cuff back in his bag and I roll my shirt sleeve down. Beck Goldsmith is one of the most talented heart surgeons in the world and, because of his age and skill, one of the most in demand. If I ever do need a surgeon for anything, he’d be my pick over anyone else in the world. He’s a genius, but I’d rather have a root canal than admit that. “Nope, it’s my day off.” “You don’t take days off.” Beck slung an arm around my shoulder. “Lucky for you, my friend, that today I did.” “It doesn’t feel very lucky.” I know I’m being a prick, but I hate feeling weak. “Here, drink this.” Audrey shoves a glass of water at me, and I roll my eyes at her fussing, but I take the glass and down half of it before thrusting it back at her. I can’t believe I almost passed out like a fucking pussy. “You should come in for some blood work and testing, but my personal and professional opinion is you have burnout.” I feel my eyes go wide. “Burnout? That’s what rich, old pricks get from trying to fight time and keep up with us younger men by fucking women half their age.” “It’s actually not that uncommon among our age group and especially high achievers.” “So, I’m good to go, then.” I won’t say I’m not relieved. Almost going down like a ton of bricks behind the bar wasn’t an experience I’d like to repeat. “If by go, you mean a week’s vacation then, yes, you’re good to go.” I’m shaking my head before he can finish his sentence. “No fucking way. I have a shit load of work to do here.” Audrey crosses her arms, jutting her hip as she taps her thousand-dollar red pump on the floor. It’s a look that has terrified grown men and she has the follow-through to back it up. Audrey on a tear is something to behold. She sent a contractor out of here in tears when we first started renovations on this place because he thought he could talk down to her. By the time she’d finished promising to ruin his great-grandchildren’s lives, he’d run from the club