Over the Edge Book 2 Knight Series

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Kat

5 years ago...

Three weeks in California and the only person I have met is my roommate Terry. She is a complete and utter bitch. I am thankful that Bruce insisted on having Rocco come out to California with me as my personal bodyguard. The crime world is aware of who I am now. I'm Cole's girl. The Knight's enemies know who I am because I helped take down Sal Martin when he kidnapped Julie and Seth. I walked away from Cole but my connection with the Knights is still strong. Bruce Knight was serious when he told me months ago I would always be under his protection. He didn't care if I was with Cole or not. He was the first adult ever in my life who made me feel loved and not because he desired something from me. He simply just took me in as an adopted daughter.

Rocco sits on the black sofa in the shared living room of the suit I share with Terry. Bruce made sure I was in on of the best dorms at UCLA. I'm relieved to see Rocco waiting for me. We had been spending a lot of time together since arriving in California. He is my only friend right now. In many ways I 'm glad because I feel horrible for walking out on Cole the way I did. I had no choice though. Cole wasn't going to let me go and I had to get out of Belmont even if only for college. Bruce somehow arranged for Rocco to live in a private dorm room right next to me. The range and power of Bruce Knight never ceased to astound me.

My need to hide the fact I was leaving for California has put me behind preparing for my first semester of college. Rocco is taking me to the late registration being held today so that I can get registered for classes. My heart seizes as it often does when I think about leaving Cole.

The pain of losing Cole hits me just as it always does and I force myself to hold back the tears that want to fall. I am heartbroken after leaving Belmont. My brother Drew and I worked too hard to make sure I got out of Belmont and away from our abusive mother. The last six months in Belmont were some of the best I experienced. Cole Knight entered my life and saved me from hell and I gained a family I never dreamed was possible in the Knights. Now I am in Cali with a broken heart away from the family I grew to love. I force myself to smile as I greet Rocco.

"Ready", he asks in his gruff way. There is no doubt Rocco is a little rough around the edges. He is scary at first glance, his face is hard from his years of being with the Knight family. He would snap your neck in a heartbeat if you threatened what he is protecting but to me he was a big snuggly teddy bear.

"Yep! Let's go," I say to Rocco. We set off in the SUV Bruce has provided for our use while we are in Cali. We drive across campus to the lawn in front of the administration building where there are tables and tents set up. Students are milling about or standing in lines in various spots. My excitement builds as we park and I wait for Rocco to come around and open my door for me. We approach the first spot that is conveniently marked with a new students start here sign. I enter the line and Rocco falls back to give me some space. He is there if I need him but he is also trying his best to not smother me.

The course is a jumble mess of freshman students some excited some nervous. Habit from living in Belmont is hard to break as I observe those around me. My mother's abuse has left its mark on me. It's hard for me to trust anyone, to let anyone in. Honestly Drew and Bruce were the only two I trusted without question in my life. Even Cole let me down. I carry responsibility in that but I had hoped he would have a change of heart and wait for me to return from college. The fact he sent me a "fuck you" text not even three days after I headed to Cali told me that would never happen. I vowed never again to trust a man with my heart.

My body is jostled, I catch my balance as I am knocked offside by a young girl my age. Rocco is on alert but I send him a silent signal that all is okay. The line is crowded, it's not a surprise that someone would bump into me.