Page 53 of Sweet Addiction

KNOX

My dove bailed.

She won’t take my calls and has ignored every single one of the five hundred messages I have sent her.

I can’t say that I can blame her, but I can be pissed.

The only thing that is keeping me sane right now is the fact that I know she is in New York. No doubt at her father’s. She may think it will keep me away, but she is wrong. I will go after her, but first there are some things I need to clear up. Namely Scarlett and her bullshit.

Last night, I went back to my own house, but I didn’t sleep a wink. Not only was I worried about Madison, but also the article my agent forwarded me. Scarlett sold a story to some shitty gossip rag and now the news is everywhere. The world thinks that she is pregnant with my baby and that we will bring the wedding forward, so we are a proper family when our little bundle of joy arrives. I’m fucking furious. I know why she did it. She thinks that if she gets her version out, then I will be the good little soldier and stick by her. If I come out now with the truth about Madison and me, then it will only make me look bad. Little does Scarlett know, I don’t give a fuck how bad I look or what I lose. I will do anything to get my dove where she belongs. By my side.

There is also the fact that what Scarlett is saying is untrue. I wasn’t lying when I said I hadn’t slept with her. I haven’t touched the woman apart from a couple of staged kisses. I know I have done some messed up things in my time but one thing I wouldn’t do is lie about something like this. If only Madison had stuck around so I could explain all this. She would know then that it’s her mother being her usual manipulative self. Scarlett has crossed a line this time. And I won’t sit back and let her win.

I didn’t go to school today because Jason Brant messaged me early this morning and thought it best if I stay away. At least until the story and public interest die down. So here I am, pulling up at Scarlett’s gated community. The guard immediately lets me through, no doubt because of all the paparazzi set up outside. Fucking vultures. I salute him as I drive through and make my way up to Scarlett’s house. She called me early this morning and requested that I see her. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say. It should be interesting to say the least.

Coming to a stop in the driveway, I park and climb out of my jeep before striding up to the front door. I press the buzzer. Not a minute later, I hear the sound of heels click-clacking on the marble floor and then the door is being pulled open. Eyes landing on me, Scarlett smirks wide. I knew the woman had issues, but I never thought she could be this vile.

“Knox,” she purrs, and I’m already over her shit.

Shoving past her, I step into the foyer. “You wanted to talk Scarlett. Let’s get it over with. I don’t have all day.”

“So impatient.” She sighs, sweeping her arm toward the hall that leads to her office. “After you. Clarissa is waiting for us.”

Pausing, I blink. I had no idea Clarissa would be here. But it makes sense considering she is our publicist. Spinning, I stride down the hall, into the office only to freeze when my eyes drop to the desk and memories assault me. Me fucking my dove. The way she squirted and soaked the wood and my arm. Her screams as I pounded into her cunt.

Jesus. I miss her. So much, my chest tightens, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

“Knox,” Clarissa greets, dragging me from my reverie.

Shaking my head, I glance at her. “Hey,” I say, dropping down on the couch.

Scarlett takes a seat in her desk chair. She smiles as she looks at me and not for the first time do I want to wrap my hands around her neck and watch as the life drains out of her. “Shall we get Knox up to speed Clarissa?”

Clarissa clears her throat. “Yes, let’s.” She shuffles forward, her eyes bouncing between me and the bane of my existence. This should be good. I wonder what Scarlett told her before I got her. “So, as you can imagine, the pregnancy story has gone crazy. The public is eating it up. From the comments I have been seeing, they are in love with the fact that a former playboy seems to be reformed and is now having a baby. They love it. This has done amazing things for your public image Knox.” Her eyes gleam with excitement. “When I came up with the idea of you and Scarlett, I could never have foreseen it going this way. I’m just glad it all worked out. That you fell in love. The Rams are going to lap this up Knox. You will be back on the team before you know it. I can also guarantee you are going to have brands lining up to endorse you. In just a few short months you have done a complete one-eighty. People are now rooting for you instead of against you. It’s amazing.” Her gaze shifts to Scarlett. “And as for you? Well, along with your new show, be prepared for more offers to roll in. It’s going to be amazing for all of us involved.”

Scarlett literally preens at Clarissa’s words. She looks at me, a challenge in her green eyes. She is daring me to argue. Daring me to step out of line. She laid the groundwork before I got here, thinking she has it all worked out. I’m about to show her that she hasn’t. Not even a little bit.

I smirk. “That all sounds lovely Clarissa. But the baby, if there even is one, is not mine. I have never fucked Scarlett. Fuck it,” I mutter, ready to jump off a cliff. “If you want the truth. I’m in love with her daughter,” I admit, making them both gasp.

Scarlett’s eyes bug open. Her jaw dropping before it closes, then opens again like a fish out of water. Her face turns an unnatural shade of red and I swear I practically see steam coming out of her ears. “You fucking lying, cheating asshole,” she seethes, showing her true colors.

I grin. “You can’t cheat on someone you are not in a relationship with Scarlett.”

“What the hell? Knox? Scarlett?” Clarissa’s voice sounds panicked.

“It’s the truth and I want the whole world to know it,” I say not wanting to hide my feelings for Madison any longer.

Scarlett pushes out of her chair, palms landing on the desk as she glares at me. “I will destroy you, if you go anywhere near my daughter.”

I shrug nonchalantly. I know it’s only angering her further, but I’m past caring about this deluded bitch. “There is nothing you can do to stop me. Madison is legal. She is mine. Come on Scarlett, you know our relationship was nothing but a contract. Why are you doing this? Why are you lying? It makes you look crazy.”

“Seriously, what’s going on? And what is this about Madison?” Clarissa snaps, no doubt annoyed no one has given her real answers.

Moving my gaze to Clarissa, I say, “I am only going to say this once. So, listen and listen good. I. Am. In. Love. With. Madison. Devereux. Scarlett and I have never had an intimate relationship.” I pin her with a look. “I want to tell my side of the story.”

Clarissa shakes her head as Scarlett shrieks, like a child who has just had their favorite toy taken away from them. “I don’t advise any of this Knox. You will lose everything. I cannot spin this story in any way that will make you look good. Not now everyone thinks that Scarlett is pregnant with your baby. This will be career suicide. It—”

I cut her off before she can spew any more nonsense. “I don’t care. I have enough money to last me three lifetimes. If I lose everything, then so be it.”

---