by Blake Hudson
“Worried about me… why… that’s why you are here?” Knox questioned, the words just coming out of his mouth. The wrong words, he knew as he mentally kicked himself for not saying what he really wanted to. In fact, it was probably a good thing that Isabella was in his apartment right now. Knox didn’t think he had it in him if given the opportunity, to hold back in doing what he really wanted to. Which, looking at the blonde beauty in front of him, was to put a shoulder to her waist, hoist her up and carry her back to his bed where he could spank the anger right out of her. Then he would make her his in a way she would have no doubt about his feelings towards her.
“The bomb! Been too busy with trout lips to see the news? The hotel in Granada, Lucas?” Dani erupted and Knox had the beginnings of a smile building on his face he was trying so hard to hold back. Seeing this side of her was bringing things out in him that he couldn’t control.
“What are you smirking at?” Dani said before she paused and Knox couldn’t help it as his smile broke free. Between Dani calling Isabella trout lips, and how cute she looked all angry and feisty, Knox just wanted to grab hold of her and shut her up by force, his lips to hers.
“When I saw the news and after trying to get in touch with you, I hacked the hospital records and found details of patients that matched you and your rich tart, listed as casualties. And by the time I arrived that status had changed to fatalities!” Dani said, which Knox barely heard, as his focus was drifting away, but soon got pulled right back into the firing line.
“Knox, are you even listening to me?!” Dani said, her nerves being tested.
“Details of me and her as fatalities?” Knox looked on with confusion before it hit him, T.I.7 had set it up so whoever was after Isabella would think she and Knox were now dead.
“Yes, why else would I have caught the first flight out here? Spent six hours travelling and booked into the shittiest hotel in town,” Dani said punching Knox in the shoulder.
“Shitty hotel?” Knox questioned.
“Yes Lucas, it’s the only one with rooms because it's August and everyone and their mother are on holiday here!" Dani said exasperatedly.
“Where are you saying? It is not safe for you to be here.” Knox became concerned as his tone and manner changed instantly. There was no way he was having Dani staying in some dive hotel in a bad area of town, not when he could do something about it.
“Sure, it’s not more like I am cramping your style and fun? You don’t need to worry about where I am staying,” Dani snapped back.
“Tell me now where you are staying, I am not going to ask you again,” Knox said in a strong yet unaggressive way without raising his voice but commanding obedience. Dani instantly stood up a little straighter and without even a question or thought she blurted out.
“I am staying at the La Casa de Enfrente,” Dani said, unsure as to why she gave in so easily.
“No. That is no good as you won’t be safe there,” Knox stated slipping easily into a more comfortable dominating presence a sub like Dani would instantly recognise. He knew this when she started to say,
“But I…” He cut her off with a look and said,
“It’s not secure enough for you. Have you checked in yet?” Knox asked in a serious manner but with genuine concern for Dani’s safety.
“No, I haven’t yet, I was going to do so once I had been by here. I needed to check on you first but I wasn’t expecting to find what I did,” Dani’s voice softened with a touch of sadness.
“Come into the apartment and let me get dressed. I can explain and put things in a clearer light.” Dani turned away but Knox wouldn’t allow this for long. He reached out, gripping her chin gently so that he could pull her gaze back to his. Then he leant in closer and waited until he knew that he had her full attention before he spoke again.
“Nothing…I repeat, nothing, is going on between her and me. It’s not what you think Dani.” Then Knox took hold of both Dani’s hands with a firm but tender grip. He looked directly into Dani’s striking sapphire blue eyes so that she could see the truth in his. Knox couldn’t help but pause and lose track of all thoughts as her hypnotic gaze took a hold of him.
“Lucas…I shouldn’t have come,” Dani said with a sudden nervousness coming over her, tearing her eyes from his as she couldn’t look at him any longer. It was too dangerous, as she was falling quicker being here with him like this and falling quicker only meant one thing…falling harder when he broke her heart. And he would, as she knew a man like Knox could never be satisfied with someone like her. What could she offer him but the next job? Some lonely cyber geek practically married to her computer. Not exactly the glamorous and exciting piece of ass he had waiting for him in his apartment, no matter how much Dani thought of her as a skank. In a man’s eyes, it didn’t make her so.
“I am glad you did, it’s good to see you,” Knox said and he lifted her head up as he hadn’t finished admiring her gaze.
“Lucas… I…” Dani spoke before she was interrupted.
“I don’t want you staying at the place you have booked. Give me ten minutes and I will have a room for you at the Gran Hotel Miramar. I insist,” Knox said with a smile and then she went and did it, she sucked Knox in by returning his smile with her own heart-warming one. Hiding the inner turmoil his concern over her was causing.
“So, I am a little parched, are you going to invite me in?” Dani said with a touch of that trade mark cheekiness she had in their phone calls.
“Yes, please come in. And Dani, Isabella is an acquired taste. One even I haven’t developed yet…and I have been forced to be in her company for far longer than you,” Knox said as he nudged Dani a little.
“Well, I can't say she made the best of first impressions. You in the towel, however...” Dani tried hard to hold back a giggle as she tugged the wet white cotton.
“Come on my wee doll, let’s get you that cuppa. All that travel and crappy flight food, you must be gasping,” Knox said as he was about to knock on the door, one he had no key for, for obvious reasons. The door swung open with Isabella standing with an unimpressed look on her face.
“What do you mean I am an acquired taste, one you haven’t developed?” Isabella said as her trade mark scowl upped a notch.
“You, go get out of my T-shirt and put your dress on. I don’t appreciate the shit you just pulled,” Knox snapped as he walked past Isabella with Dani in tow, who gave Isabella an awkward smile followed by a ‘whoops’ look.
“What, can’t your friend take a joke? Who is she anyway?” Isabella’s bratty response fell on deaf ears.
After getting dressed and brief introductions, Knox made Dani and the pouting Isabella, who sat with a face like a slapped arse, drinks. Knox brought Dani up to speed with the events in Granada after he had made a call, sorting out a penthouse suite at the Gran Hotel Miramar…Hell, he had the money, money he was more than happy to spend on Dani.
“I think it’s time you got me home, Lucas.” Isabella piped up as she had been listening to Knox and Dani talk and hadn’t been able to get a word in.
“About that, a bit of a change of plan," Knox said a little annoyed at Isabella cutting into his and Dani's conversation.
“Change of plan? No, I need fresh clothes and I have my personal trainer coming today.” Knox and Dani gave each other a look.
“Don’t be alarmed okay, but after the bombing at the hotel…” Knox said bracing himself for the bratty aftermath but was cut short.
“Yes, yes I know I need to be more careful. I will, I have you to look after me and I will do as I am told,” Isabella said as she gave a fake smile to Dani. A smile Dani rolled her eyes at.
“If I could finish…” Knox said as he stared out Isabella, who tried to stare back but masked turning shy at Knox’s gaze, by huffing and motioning him to speak as she looked away.
“The news has jumped all over it, and there are reports that you have died in the blast.” Knox looked at Dani and
mouthed ‘wait for it’.
“I have what! No, no, no. I need to let people know I am alright and I am not dead! Malcolm, Daddy, and…” Isabella stood up dramatically as she said this, but then oddly stopped herself as she was about to name a third person. She fell quiet and sat down.
“Okay, listen, Isabella, it’s not such a terrible thing now. The people that are out to get you will no longer be after you, which buys us a bit of breathing time,” Knox said as he walked over to Isabella and then looked to Dani as if to say he wasn’t quite expecting Isabella’s reaction.
“I need to call my father and Malcolm, I need to let them know I am okay at least,” Isabella said quietly in a subdued way.
“No!” Knox barked, to which Isabella and Dani jumped.
“Sorry… look I know it’s hard to understand right now and yes, they will be worried and distraught, but until we can rule out there being a mole around them, you will only be putting yourself back in danger again,” Knox said as he placed a hand on Isabella’s shoulder.
At the sight of Knox’s hand touching some other woman, Dani had to look away. She told herself to get a grip, confused at the strength of her emotions being in Knox’s company. Up until now, he had just dominated her thoughts, ones that could easily be forgiven for deceiving her. Hell, it wasn’t like they had spent much time in each other’s company. Just enough for Dani to discover how handsome Knox was in that perfectly rugged way and how the sound of his accent could do strange things to her aching body. But now, well that was a different thing altogether.
“A mole? You think there is a traitor?” Isabella dramatically alleged as if the possibility of it was impossible.
“How else do they know your movements, where you are and the perfect time to strike?” Knox looked Isabella in the eyes as he raised his eyebrows as if to say wake up.
“Bastardos!” Isabella whispered through gritted teeth.
“Bastards they maybe, but effective and good at their job they are,” Knox said as he walked back over to Dani.
“I have been thinking about it most of the night, and I have an idea,” Knox said as he winked at Dani.
“You do… who…Who do you suspect, tell me?” Bratty Isabella was back.
“Soon enough, but first we have to lay a trap." Knox grinned and Dani knew it was a dangerous sign. Just looking at the way his biceps stretched out the material around them, she knew that when he put his training into gear, he could be lethal without even giving it much thought. It was like tapping into a different side of him, one she didn't ever want to witness in real life.
“Now that sounds interesting," Dani said as she leant in and reacted as though she wasn’t afraid that he could get hurt, but trusted him enough to take care of himself above all else. Okay, so she knew that this wasn’t exactly true as he was clearly the type of man who wouldn’t think twice about putting himself in front of a bullet if it meant saving someone else. But Dani had to have faith that he would come out of all this in one piece. After all, he had lasted this long on his own.
“How are we to set a trap?” Isabella asked, as she too leant forward, excited at the idea.
“I need to work out the details and logistics of it. I have some ‘friends’ that can help with that, but I will need to leave to see them first,” Knox said as he pondered their next course of action. Dani gave him a look as if to say she knew exactly what ‘Friends’ he was referring to.
“Maybe I could go and get anything you may need?” Dani said looking over to Isabella as it was obvious that she needed clothes, underwired bra being top of the list, Dani thought to herself. Knox looked to Dani and his first feeling was no, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
“Not so sure that’s a…” Knox began to say before Dani jumped back in.
“Let's face it, Lucas, she can't be going around in just a dirty dress or one of your T-shirts. And I can’t lend her skinny ass anything of mine.” Dani looked at Knox with a come on now look, as she ran her hands down her hourglass figure, emphasising her curvy hips. Hips Knox wanted to grab hold of as he did unspeakable things to her. Being bound to his bed with hemp rope being top of his list.
“I will go check in, then head out and pick her up some things,” Dani offered. Knox begrudgingly agreed with a nod. Isabella’s ears pricked up at the thought of shopping.
“Shopping, I am up for that," Isabella said not engaging her brain or a thought for the real situation.
“How about we put a big bullseye on your back while you are at it?” Knox said questioning whether Isabella had any common sense. Dani giggled, to which Isabella took offence but kept quiet realising how stupid she must have sounded.
“Right I will get going, I will message you when I am on my way,” Dani said putting her coffee down as she headed to the door. Knox came over and put his hand on the small of her back.
“Promise me you will be careful,” he said leaning closer to her ear and not wanting the brat to come in between their moment.
“Knox, I am always…” he stopped her right there and gave her arm a warning squeeze without even being aware of his actions. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, as being around her just brought this darker side out in him.
“You’re not leaving until you say the words, Dani,” he told her firmly. She swallowed hard and wished they were alone. She couldn’t help but wonder what he would do to her if she refused him. But instead, she gave him what he wanted, feeling a different type of thrill knowing that she had pleased him.
“I promise you I will be careful, Lucas.” She said his name and he tried hard to quench down the sexual thrust at hearing that breathy voice speak his name in such a way. Now if he could only hear it again and again whilst playing with her body the way he knew would help in feeding his addiction.
“Good girl,” he whispered getting closer and when he heard her breathing hitch, he knew it had affected her. Then he let go of her arm before it got to a point of forgetting all about Isabella’s presence so he could spin her around and take her mouth the way he wanted…in a punishing kiss.
“Thank you, Dani, as always you are a life saver.” Knox smiled, slipping easily back into his easy-going nature and Dani paused as if his voice had evoked a memory.
“Happy to help, you know me. Plus, I am glad to see you’re all in one piece,” Dani said as she looked him up and down one last time and imagined him being back in just a towel. Her look said it all and Knox raised an eyebrow at her but instead of mentioning her carnal thoughts aloud for him to hear, she reached for the door latch. Knox beat her to it, her hand grabbed his. Dani’s nervous laugh was a sound Knox wasn’t expecting to find as a huge turn on, but coming from Dani, he wasn’t surprised. She could probably pour him a cup of coffee and he would have found it sexy. Knox opened the door and Dani said bye as she slipped out. Knox watched her walk away hating the sight but loving her curves.
“So, she is the woman," Isabella said as Knox shut the door and walked back in.
“Quiet Isabella, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Knox sat down pulling out his smartphone.
“I know what I can see and you two have it bad for each other," Isabella smirked as Knox said nothing.
“She is cute if you like that sort of thing." Isabella pushed.
“And what sort of thing is that?” Knox couldn’t help but bite.
“Old, and likes her food,” Isabella spitefully mocked as she got up and left for the bathroom.
“Got under your skin has she?” Knox smirked as he knew full well that Dani, being only a few years younger than himself, was way too much woman for Isabella to compete with. Dani was everything Isabella wasn’t. She had a natural effortless beauty. She looked as good in high heels and a dress as she did in jeans, vest top and flip flops. But the most exciting part of Dani, which Isabella could never match up to, was her intelligence. Now that had Isabella knocked out on the deck before even stepping foot in the ring.
Knox called T.I.7 and Isabella tried to speak. Knox simply held up his finger for her to be quiet and didn’t even bother to look at the expression of outrage Isabella was sure to be pulling.
“Captain Lucas, we have been expecting your call. Please hold, transferring you now,” said the same clinical cold voice that had answered before in Granada.
“Knox, we need you to get your arse in and on the double,” Carter barked.
“Maybe a bit tricky Sir, I have company to keep safe,” Knox replied.