Chapter 74 The first Knight
Melissa’s POV
I stepped back into the penthouse, my skin still tingling with adrenaline, my hands still steady despite what I’d just done.
The warmth hit me immediately after the cold outside. The music, the chatter, the clink of champagne glasses…it all rushed back like I’d been underwater and just broke the surface.
And then I saw Gavin.
He stood near the Christmas tree, a glass in his hand, talking to someone I didn’t recognize. But the moment I walked in, his eyes found mine.
Everything else faded.
The music became distant. The people blurred. The lights dimmed.It was just him and me, locked in this moment across a crowded room.
His blue eyes held mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. There was something in his gaze…concern, curiosity, heat…that made my pulse quicken all over again.
I couldn’t look away. I didn't want to look away from my beautiful perfect man.
For just a moment, the world belonged to only us.
“There you are.”
The sharp voice shattered the spell.
I turned to find the three women from earlier…Brittany, Madison, and Courtney…descending on me like vultures who’d spotted fresh prey.
“You were very rude earlier,” Brittany said, her red dress shimmering as she crossed her arms. “Walking away from us like that. Do you know who my father is?”
I stared at her, exhausted. “No. And I don’t particularly care.”
Her face flushed red. “Don’t ignore me next time. We shouldn’t have even bothered asking you anything. Obviously, a low-life like your type wouldn’t have anything deep to do with Jason anyway.”
Madison stepped closer, her smile vicious. “Just thank God your mother was a good enough whore to keep Gavin interested. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
The word hit me like a slap.Whore.
My mother. The woman who’d raised me alone, who’d worked herself to exhaustion, who’d sacrificed everything to keep us afloat after my father died.
My hands clenched into fists.
“Well, thank you for that.”
The voice came from behind me, deep and smooth and utterly confident.An arm dropped casually over my shoulders, warm and solid.
I turned, my heart still pounding with anger…
And froze.
Ethan.
Ethan stood beside me, looking devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored navy suit. His dark hair was styled back, his jaw sharp, his eyes warm as they met mine.
Ethan. My friend from college. I still had the pink earmuffs he gave me when I needed to block everyone out.
“How…” My voice came out barely a whisper. “How are you here?”
“I’m quite surprised to see you as well.” His smile was easy, charming. He looked at the three women with polite dismissal. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us.”
They stared at him, clearly recognizing him from somewhere, then shot me one last venomous look before retreating into the crowd.
Ethan’s arm stayed around my shoulders.
“So,” he said conversationally, “your stepfather is Gavin Cross. That’s very nice.”
I swallowed uncomfortably, my stomach twisting. My secret was spreading. More and more people were connecting the dots. Soon, everyone would know.
The music shifted, becoming slower, and more intimate. Couples began moving onto the makeshift dance floor.
“Dance with me?” Ethan asked, already guiding me forward.
I let him lead me, still too shocked to fully process his presence.
His hand found my waist. Mine rested on his shoulder. We moved together easily…as if we had done this a lot of times.
“Melissa,” he said softly, his voice close to my ear. “Your secret is safe with me. I’ll protect you.”
I looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of judgment or manipulation. But all I saw was sincerity. Warmth.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
We continued dancing in silence for a moment, swaying to the music.
Then Ethan spoke again.
“Melissa… you know I love you, right?”
I looked at him sharply, my eyes widening. “Excuse me?”
“I like you.” He said it simply, like he was commenting on the weather. “I’ve liked you for a long time.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Why?”
“Why?” He smiled, that soft, genuine smile I don’t remember seeing from Ethan. He was always so quiet and distant. “This. Exactly this. The way you’re strong but still shy. Your beauty. Your passion for life Just… you. All of you.”
My face was burning now.
“But I guess you like someone else, don’t you?” His voice held no bitterness, just gentle understanding.
My eyes found Gavin across the room without meaning to. He was watching us dance, his expression unreadable as he looked back at me.
I nodded slowly.
“I thought so.” Ethan’s hand squeezed mine gently. “Well, if you ever need anyone…if you ever need a friend or a helping hand or just someone to talk to…I’m your first knight, Melissa. Always.”
Something in my chest loosened at his words.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I whispered.
“Do I need a reason to?” He spun me gently, then pulled me back.
Tears pricked at my eyes.
“Ethan…”
“You don’t have to say anything.” His smile was sad but genuine.
The song ended. We stopped moving but didn’t immediately separate.
“Thank you,” I said again, meaning it with everything I had. “For being here. For understanding. For everything.”
“Always.” He stepped back, releasing me properly. “Now go. He’s been watching us this whole time, and I think if I hold you any longer, he might actually murder me.”
I glanced at Gavin again. Our eyes met.
And even from across the room, I could feel the intensity of his gaze like a physical touch. He really was perfect in every way. The thought of his slimy brother watching us at all times irked me in the wrong way. But no one could ever be Gavin. Absolutely no one in this world could even come close.
“Go,” Ethan said softly, giving me a gentle push. “Your stepfather looks like he wants to talk to you.”
I squeezed his hand once more, then made my way through the crowd.
Toward Gavin.
Toward whatever came next.