The Bodyguard's Temptress

Chapter 23

Natasha

Knox has been tense all morning, but I don't know why. Maybe it's because his friend is going to be here soon to tell him who planned my abduction. Or maybe he's thinking about last night, and he's considering if he wants to be with me or not.

No. I'm just overthinking. Knox has made it abundantly clear that I'm his, I tell myself.

After breakfast, he disappears into his office while Brandon and I do some more baking. As promised, I make Brandon's cake, but also one for Knox and our guests. It feels oddly domestic, like we're welcoming people into our home. The thought makes my heart swell with warmth and a feeling of belonging. 

 After the cakes are done, I find Knox in his office, frowning down at what I recognize as a burner phone. 

Dad has a lot of those. 

"Daddy, is everything okay?" I ask anxiously, plopping down on his lap.

The way he immediately wraps his arm around my waist untwists the knot in my gut. "You look beautiful. Why are you so dressed up, babygirl?" His voice is soft, a stark contrast to the hard lines on his face. 

Of course, he noticed. While I was waiting for the cakes to bake, I put on a dress Knox had happened to pack me and finger-curled my hair. I don't have any makeup, but I look alright. At least, I hope. I don't know why, but it's important to me that Knox's only real friend likes me.

I blush. "Just wanted to make a good first impression. Does your friend know about us?"

He arches a brow, a hint of amusement breaking through his worry. "Do you want him to?"

I hum, pretending to think. "If I'm your woman, I guess I'm okay with you showing me off a little," I tease, hoping to lighten the mood and see him smile again. 

He chuckles softly before kissing my forehead. He seems to relax a little with me in his arms, but I can still feel the tension radiating off of him. Something's wrong, and he obviously doesn't want to share it with me.

Knox checks the cameras on his screen and gently slides me off his lap. "Come on, he's here." I follow Knox to the door, and he opens it just as his friend is about to knock. 

Nick is on the shorter-side with short brown hair, green eyes, and a smile full of sunshine. For someone who was in the same unit as Knox, they're complete opposites. I assume they've both lived different lives after leaving the Special Forces. 

Nick grins at Knox. "Brother, I see you haven't changed much. How are you doing?"

"Fine. And you?"

"At the peak of life, my friend," he replies cheerfully. "I wanted to bring Dave to meet you, but then Ellie had the sniffles this morning and he had to get her from daycare."

"No problem. You're only an hour away. Maybe I'll make a trip down there one of these days."

I laugh inwardly. I can't imagine Knox visiting anyone, unless it's to slit their throats in their sleep. 

"Please do. Dave's starting to believe you don't really exist," Nick chuckles as he takes off his shoes, and places them by the door. His curious gaze then falls on me. "And who might this beautiful young lady be?"

I blush at his words, and Knox places a reassuring hand on my back. 

"Nick, this is Natasha. Natasha, Nick."

Nick gives me a curt nod. "It's very nice to meet you."

"You as well," I reply with a smile, trying to match his cheerfulness despite the growing tension coming from Knox. 

Brandon comes out of the kitchen with a plateful of cake and sets it down as he exchanges greetings with Nick. Then, he resumes eating his cake on the couch. "So, you knew Knox in the military, right?" Brandon asks, his eyes wide and curious. 

"Oh, yeah. we go way back. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him."

"Oh, wow. I'd love to hear how," Brandon says in awe, shoving more cake in his mouth. 

Knox grumbles, "Nick, they don't need to hear-"

Nick cuts him off. "Stop being so humble, Knox," he chastises with a wave of his hand. 

It's wild to see Knox allow someone to talk to him like that, but he just scowls. I nearly giggle at them. They really are good friends.

Still devouring my cake like it's going out of style, Nick tells a story of Knox and him in Afghanistan, where he got shot, and Knox dragged him to safety. By the time he's finished, both me and Brandon's mouths have fallen open, the room silent with the weight of the tale.

Holy shit. It was so intense, I hardly believe it...that is until I remember what Knox rescued me from, and the dangerous, fucked up world we live in. 

"They killed children?" Brandon asks the question I was about to. 

"That they did," Nick replies with a grimace. "It was easier than disarming them." 

When I glance at Knox, his jaw is tense. I can tell that he doesn't want to talk about it, but I don't press the issue. I just think it's amazing that he saved Nick's life and many others. He's been a guardian angel his entire life, and he doesn't even acknowledge it. 

"Hey, it smells good in here. What'cha got there?" Nick asks Brandon, pointing to the plate.

"Natasha's cake."

"Would you like a slice?" I offer, already heading to the kitchen. 

Nick grins. "Don't mind if I do."

When I return with plate, he thanks me and and dives in without hesitation. He groans at the first bite. "Holy shit, this is amazing. You must've put your whole foot in this, girl."

I laugh. "That good, huh?"

"Good? Don't sell yourself short like that. This. Is. Amazing," he says, pointing to the cake with the fork.

"I know right. I ask her to bake me a cake at least every two months," Brandon comments.

Knox is silent, stroking his jaw, his eyes stormy and distant. I wonder what he's thinking or worrying about. 

"I see why. I don't think I've ever tasted anything like this."

Heat rises to my cheeks. "Thank you," I say shyly. 

I'm still not used to being complimented by people, even if I've been in this business for nearly a year now. But it still makes me happy, making others happy. 

I sit down beside Knox and absentmindedly grab his hand. I almost worry that he's going to pull away, but he gently rubs his thumb across my palm. Nick zeroes in on the motion, something flickering in his eyes as he stops mid-chew. 

"You're Andre Marino's daughter, correct?" he asks carefully, his expression blank. 

I nod. "Yeah, you could say that. Although lately, I've been thinking about disowning him," I say with a nervous laugh.

His eyes snap back down to Knox and my intertwining hands. 

"Ah, fuck," I hear him mutter under his breath. "Knox, I need to talk to you now. Privately." His tone has shifted into something more serious, and I furrow my brows. Did I say something wrong?

I feel Knox tense beside me, but he kisses my forehead. "I'll be right back, babygirl."

I glance up to see that his eyes are guarded, his lips tightly pressed together. The hard lines on his forehead are even more noticeable than before.

Am I missing something here? 

"Oh, and I'm taking this with me," Nick says, gesturing to the plate. I watch in stunned silence as Knox stands up and Nick follows him into his office, quietly closing the door behind him.