The Bodyguard's Temptress

Chapter 27

Natasha

I slide onto the barstool, scanning the room for any sign of Trenton. Of course, he's late—he was always late for everything. The air is thick with tension, but I try my best to keep mt expression neutral, still determined to get the information out of him without resorting to violence. 

I still can't believe I told Knox that I loved him. It's only been a few days since we became official, but those words slipped out naturally, like they'd been lodged in my throat for too long. The moment felt right, even though the fear of his reaction had me jumping out of the car like a coward. 

I know I'll be punished for it later, but a part of me is looking forward to it. 

Finally, the door swings open, and Trenton walks in with his hands in his hoodie, heading straight for me. He looks like hell—skinnier than I remember, with sunken eyes and pupils dilated to the size of saucers. His skin is pale, almost sickly, and the black hoodie he's wearing looks like it hasn't been washed in weeks.

It's almost tragic, the way the drugs have eaten away at him in the last year, but I remind myself that he's not my problem anymore. Not unless he refuses to cooperate. 

"Hey," Trenton says, plopping onto the barstool beside me. His voice is off, almost unrecognizable, but the crooked smile he throws my way is the same one that I used to love, the one that used to get him whatever he wanted.

"Hey," I reply, forcing a smile, pretending I'm completely oblivious to everything he's done, how deeply he betrayed me. 

"Where've you been, princess? Took you long enough, but I knew you'd come crawling back to me," he says, his voice dripping with arrogance. 

What? I stare at him, momentarily stunned. 

Was he always just this much of an asshole, or have I just forgotten?

"Well?" he demands, irritation sharpening his tone. 

"Someone tried to abduct me again a few days ago, so my dad put on lockdown," I say, letting out a laugh that I hope sounds convincing. 

His brows knit together in fake concern. "Oh, wow. How did you manage to get away?"

"My bodyguard," I say simply, watching for any flicker of emotion in his hollow eyes. 

His face remains a mask, but I catch the subtle tick of his jaw, a crack in his facade. "Knox Whitaker, right?" he asks, trying to sound casual, but there's an edge to his voice.

My eyes narrow slightly. "How do you know his name?" I ask, keeping my voice even, though my pulse quickens.

He knows because he was spying on my every move. 

"I...I heard it from my father before he kicked me out," he stammers, but it's a weak lie, one I see right through. He's always been a terrible liar, but I let it slide, pretending to believe him as I steer the conversation back to why I'm really here. 

"Did you also happen to hear who might've tried to abduct me? Please...if you heard anything, I need to know. Whoever it was...his men almost killed my best friend. And they tied me up and drugged me." My voice wavers, genuine fear creeping in as I remember back to that night. 

His mouth presses into a thin, hard line. "I don't know shit, Nat. Why are you asking me?" he snaps, his voice rising with anger. 

I pretend to flinch away. "Sorry, I just thought you might've heard."

"Well, I haven't," he bites out. 

He checks his phone, quickly typing out a message before shoving it back in his hoodie. I watch him, my suspicion rising that he agreed to meet me for more than just "catching up."