The Bodyguard's Temptress

Chapter 7

Knox

"Do you know why you're here?" Andre's voice is as cold as his glare. His eyes, dark and furious, pins me down as I sit across his desk, where lines of coke are waiting to be snorted. I knew I'd end up in the principal's office eventually, but not today.  Not when Natasha's left vulnerable at the bakery with Brandon. 

It's just another reason to finish off Johnathon Edwards. Instead of sewing his pathetic excuse for a cock back on and enjoying the rest of his life, he snitched to Andre. "Snitches get stitches," they say. Apparently, that wasn't enough. Next time, maybe I'll carve out his fucking eyeballs with a knife. My leg shakes with rage beneath the table as Andre's icy stare bores into me. 

Natasha needs my protection, and I can't provide that stuck in Andre's hellhole. A man protecting a predator who preys on girls her age. A predator who would've taken Natasha for himself if I weren't there to stop it. 

"I'm assuming it's because Johnathon Edwards cut off his own dick?" I reply evenly, despite the storm raging inside me. My face remains a mask, but I can feel my patience wearing thin. The drumbeat in my head pounds, urging me to get back to Natasha. 

She's only safe with me.

Andre slams his hands on the desk, rising to his feet with a sudden burst of fury. "You've nearly started a goddamn war!" he roars. 

Even as he looms over me, aggression oozing from every pore, I stay calm. I've been a weapon all my life. Men like Andre don't scare me. If I have to die here today because I kept Natasha safe, so be it. Death doesn't scare me; leaving her unprotected does. 

"John wants your head," Andre says, pacing behind his desk like a caged animal. "But I told him I can't do that. Can't traumatize Natasha any further. But John's an important business partner, and he's got the fucking time and resources to hunt you down. You know what position that puts me in, Knox?"

I stay silent. I know he's not looking for an answer. He's just venting, playing out his power game. My lips remain sealed as he continues his tirade. 

"He pointed out that, as Natasha's bodyguard, you're still one of my men. And he's right. Told you to leave him be, but you didn't listen. Now, disobedience isn't something I take lightly. Just remember my daughter's the only reason you're still breathing."

Natasha has unknowingly saved my life. I owe her now. Although, I want my appreciation gift to be something thoughtful. Like those damn delicious cookies she made me. I could've eaten a whole tray, and I'm not even a dessert guy. 

Anything for you, Knox, her words echo in my head.  

She has no idea what those words did to me. How they made me want her to show me exactly what she can do for me. I've seen a glimpse from her little show with the dildo.

Stop, Knox. She's untouchable, I remind myself.

She's an angel, untainted by the likes of me. And that's also why I can't allow her to take interest in this guy Brandon is introducing her to tomorrow. He not worthy of even breathing the same air as her. 

"Now, John demands that you repay for what you did. Pick a hand, Knox," Andre orders, jerking me from my thoughts. 

I nod, accepting what's coming. I'm sure whichever hand I choose, he'll go for the opposite. But he doesn't know I can use both hands interchangeably. No matter which one he severs, I'll adapt.

I lay my right hand flat on the desk, burying my emotions as he stumbles around to the other side without his cane. Fuck. His eyes widen, his pupils dilated like large fucking black holes. And he's planning to handle a knife. Maybe I should worry. This could go wrong in a hundred different ways, but I don't flinch.