Chapter 120: Protecting My Sweet Stepdaughter

Knox

The big hall is noisy. People talking loudly, laughing and clinking glasses.

Eyes watch me even when they pretend not to. For two hours, I have counted every minute since Emma walked away with Ethan. Every minute feels painful like someone rubbing sand on skin.

Talking to two men from the board about the company. Then I heard it.

A quick sharp cry.

It’s Emma.

My head turns fast. I see her in the hallway. She steps back fast. Her hands fly to her chest. Dark coffee spreads fast across her shirt. The wet cloth sticks to her skin. I can see the shape of her bra and her hard nipples because of the liquid. Her eyes are big, mouth open. Her face, already red.

Monica stands in front of her. Holding an empty coffee cup like she is proud of it.

Something angry breaks open inside my chest.

I do not bother about the men I was talking to. I just started walking. People move out of my way without me asking.

When I reach them, Monica opens her mouth to say something mean.

I speak first, grabbing her wrist. Hard enough to stop her. The cup shakes in her hand.

"Say sorry," I demand in rage.

Monica's eyes go wide. Then angry. "It was an accident, Knox. She walked into me—"

"Say sorry to her,” I bark.

For once, I am grateful we are standing in the hallway, far from the crowd.

Emma breathes fast and becomes nervous. Her wet shirt shows everything. The coffee is getting cold now. The red mark on her skin is bright and angry. My teeth press together hard and my mouth hurts.

Monica tries to pull her hand. But I do not let go.

"You are causing trouble, Knox," she says  angrily.

"You started it. I know you spilled that coffee on her.” I move closer so only she hears. "You think I forgot how you like to hurt people?”

Emma gasp and I look at her. Her eyes are wet and shiny with tears

I let go of Monica's wrist and she steps back. Rubs her arm, and wincing in pain.

I look at Emma. "Come with me."

She just nods, crosses her arms over her shirt like she wants to hide. I put my hand low on her back. My fingers spread wide on her waist. Then I walk her out through a side door which those present are not aware of.

When the door closes behind us, it becomes silent.

I turn her around. Pressing her gently against the wall.

"Show me."

She waits a second. Her face turns red.

"Emma." My voice goes low."Now."

Her arms move down slowly.

The burn looks bad up close. Red and shaped like a half moon across the top of her breasts.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

"A little," she says softly.

I pull the cloth away just a bit to look at it better. No blisters yet. But seeing this mark on her skin makes me want to break something.

"She did it on purpose."

Emma does not argue. She looks down at the spot. "I think so too. She did not look sorry at all."

I hold her face with my hand, lifting it so she looks at me.

"Look at me."

She does right away.

"I will fix this. All of it. Monica, your mom. Everything."

"Knox—" Her voice breaks a little. "We must be careful. People will start talking.”

"Let them talk." My thumb moves slowly on her lip. "I am tired of the whole pretence.”

She breathes out shakily. "And my mom?"

I let out a breath . "I will handle your mom. You just have to change into something else.”

"Okay," she whispers.

Then we walk into the elevator.

Inside the elevator, she leans against me. Her wet shirt sticks to my jacket.

When the door opens to the suite I do not wait. I take her straight to the bathroom, turning on the lights. Then I started the shower.

"Take off your clothes."

She does it slowly and shyly. The wet shirt falls, then the skirt. She stands in black underwear. The red burn looks bright on her skin.

I step close, though I am still dressed. I lift her face.

"You are beautiful," I say in a raspy voice.

Her eyes close for a second.

I help her under the water. Warm drops hit the burn. She makes a sharp sound. I have to be careful not to get wet.

My mouth finds the side of her neck that is not burned. I kiss, then licking it. I bite her neck a little and she moans.

"Tonight," I say against her skin "I will make you scream so loud everyone on this floor knows who you belong to."

She pushes back against me, shaking.

I couldn't help it anymore, I quickly strip off and get into the water with her.

I turn her slowly. Her back against the wall. And I go down on my knees in the water.

I kiss the burn, softly first and more careful. My tongue moves over every part until her hands grab my hair and her hips move.

"Knox…"

"Yes baby." I lift her leg over my shoulder. "Say my name again."

She does, moaning loudly.

When I stand up, she is soft in my arms. Her face is redder than the burn. I wrap her in a soft robe. And carry her to the bed.

After that, I quickly placed a call to my secretary to get a dress. I gave her the size and specifications. She knows better not to question me.

I'm being too reckless but I don't care.

I ended the call and turned to Emma.

"Promise me something," she whispers.

"Anything."

"When we go back, let's act cold towards each other.”

“Why?”

She sighs. “I don't want to attract the wrong attention. Just do it for me Knox. Avoid me for the rest of the day.”