The Bodyguard's Temptress

Chapter 5

Natasha

As always, Knox shows up bright and early. As I step into his car, I breathe in the familiar scent of his cologne mingling with the leather upholstery. It strikes me how much time I truly spend with a man of very few words, at least around me. It would be easy to just hire a car service or drive myself, but Knox insists on taking me wherever I need to go himself. He's adamant about always having me in his sight, so that if I'm ever in danger again, he can quickly intervene. Though his protective nature makes me feel safe and secure, I can't help but think that it must be exhausting for him. 

Other than an exchange of good mornings, most of the ride to the bakery is silent. 

Good.

I don't really want to talk about how I spent most of last night crying, but I'm grateful to Brandon for being there for me. No one ever asks me to recount the details of my abduction, which is nice because I never want to talk about it. What happened was for the mafia to deal with, sparing me the need to give a statement to the police or testify in court. Thanks to Knox, the men who hurt me are either dead or in hiding. So, I've simply bottled up my emotions and tried to move on with my life. 

That was until last night when Mr. Edwards seemed to rip open my old wounds, plunging me back into the depths of my trauma. In my mind, it was if everything I went through was happening again, raw and fresh. My body is exhausted from the emotional toll, but I promised  Brandon that since he was kind enough to open the bakery today, I could at least muster the strength and lend a hand. 

"How did you sleep last night?" Knox asks, the low rumble of his voice snapping me from my thoughts. 

"Okay, I guess," I respond softly. 

I expect the conversation to end there, as it usually does, but then he surprises me with another question. "How are you feeling today?"

Knox never talks this much, especially not in the morning. He prefers to stay close but keep his distance until I actually need him. Like last night. I must have worried him last night, and he's taking pity on me. 

Just freaking great.

Any chance of making him attracted to me is gone. He probably just sees me as some weak, spoiled mafia princess. 

"I'm fine," I lie through my teeth, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. 

"Natasha," he growls, his voice carrying a warning that sends a shiver down my spine. The way he says my name ignites heat in my core, and I clench my thighs together, trying to ignore it. I meet his intense gaze in the rearview mirror, my eyes widening as they lock with his steely gray ones. 

"I've told you before that I don't enjoy being lied to. How can I take care of you if you're not truthful with me?"

Take care of me. Yep, he definitely sees me as nothing more to him than a helpless child. 

I divert my gaze out the window, feeling a pang of sadness creep into my heart, but I push it aside. "Last night did bother me a lot, but I feel better now," I confess, opting for honesty this time. 

His tone turns cold and absolute. "He'll never touch or speak to you again."

Oh, god. Why does he sound so sure of that? Wait...did he kill him? 

"You didn't kill him, did you?" I nearly whisper, the question hanging in the air like a dark cloud. Yes, what Mr. Edward's said to me was fucked up, but I didn't want him to die because of it. Knox had already killed too many men for me. 

"No." 

His curt response leaves me with more questions than answers. But I trust him. He wouldn't lie to me, especially not about something like this. With a nod, I settle back into the seat, relief washing over me.