Page 59 of Sweet Addiction

“We’re done. I will talk to you when I know how I am going to proceed with Scarlett.” Clarissa shoulders her bag moving toward the door.

“And I will let you know when the meeting with Mac is set up,” Brett says following her.

I nod and make my way to the bedroom to get cleaned up.

It’s time to see my girl.

* * *

“I need to see her,” I say by way of greeting when Vanessa picks up my call.

She sighs. “Knox, she is just trying to process everything. The press has gone wild and is currently camped out front.”

“I know. I’m hiding around the side of your building. Do they know she is there?” I ask.

“I don’t know. You know what they are like Knox. They will hound anyone that is associated with Madison.” Her voice sounds concerned.

“Arrange for me to come through the back entrance. I am not leaving until I see her Vanessa. So, make it happen.” My tone leaves no room for argument.

“Christ, you don’t ask for much Knox. Peter is here. I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she grumbles.

“I don’t think any of this has been a good idea, but it hasn’t stopped me. I am seeing her in the next twenty minutes. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

“Okay. Okay. Give me five minutes to speak to security,” she grumbles, ending the call. Squeezing my eyes shut, I lean against the cold brick wall. The blood in my veins thrums in anticipation at the thought of seeing my dove. I can almost feel her. Taste her. I don’t know how things are going to go with her father, but he will just have to deal with it. I’m not leaving here without her.

My cell chimes with a message. Glancing down at the screen, I smirk when I see the words.

Vanessa: All set. Security should be at the back entrance in a couple of minutes. Head there now and they will escort you inside.

Pocketing my phone, I stride down the alley. A door opens, a gray-haired man appears in the next second. “You Knox?”

I nod. “I am.”

“Follow me.” I step past him, the door slamming shut behind me. We walk down the corridor in silence and when we reach the end he points to an elevator. “Take the service elevator up to the penthouse. Mrs. Devereux will meet you upstairs.”

Thanking him, I hit the button. Seconds later, the door opens, and I step inside. My heart pounds in my chest the higher the car climbs. Dove is within reach. Coming to a stop, the doors open, and I find Vanessa waiting for me in the hall.

“I can’t thank you enough for this,” I say as I close the distance between us.

“Don’t thank me yet. You still have to get past Peter,” she laughs but it’s humorless.

“I can handle him.”

She eyes me. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” I follow her as she presses the pad at the side of the door and steps inside. Making her way down the hall, she comes to a stop when a tall, dark-haired man, who I assume is Madison’s father, appears from out of nowhere. His eyes go to his wife before narrowing in on me.

“What is he doing here?” he growls.

Vanessa places a hand on his arm. “Darling, please. Knox is here to talk to Madi.”

“Like hell he is.” He moves past her to stand in front of me. “Get out of my house and stay away from my daughter.”

I shake my head, trying to tamp down my need to punch him in the face for thinking he can keep Dove from me. I don’t think it will help my cause if I assault him right now. I’m not above it. But that’s plan C. Taking a calming breath, I say, “With all due respect sir, I love your daughter and I am not going anywhere until I talk to her.”

He glares at me before his hand darts out, gripping my bicep. He is a big man. But I’m bigger and in much better shape. I could easily take him if I wanted to. But again, I don’t want to make things worse. “Out. Now,” he barks as he tries to drag me to the door.

“No,” I snap pulling out of his grip.

“Get the fuck out of my house now,” he roars.

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