Page 67 of Knox's Boy

"Shh," Knox soothed, one hand cupping the back of my head, holding me secure. "I've got you. It's over."

"I messed up so bad," I mumbled into his chest, clutching at his sides.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Knox replied. He pulled back slightly, using his thumbs to wipe the tears from my cheeks. His expression was tender, the stern disciplinarian vanishing. "You took that beautifully, little one. I'm very proud of you."

I hiccupped, leaning into his touch. The sting was fading to a dull, warm ache. "It hurt."

"I know. That was the idea, wasn't it?" he murmured, kissing my forehead. I chuckled softly.

Knox guided me to the leather chair, positioning me carefully so I wouldn't have to put full weight on my tender ass. I sat sideways, leaning against the armrest, while he settled close to me, his knee pressing against my thigh. The adrenaline wasreceding, leaving behind a lethargic fuzziness that made me just want to sleep for a week.

But Knox wasn't done. I could see it in the set of his jaw, the way his fingers drummed once, silently, against his thigh before stilling.

“We need to discuss the future," he said. It wasn't a question.

I picked at a loose thread on the cuff of my sleeve, avoiding his gaze. "Can't we just watch a movie? My ass is on fire, Daddy."

"In a moment," he promised, reaching out to cover my hand with his, stilling my fidgeting. "But this is important. Finn escalated today. He damaged property, he threatened you, and he fled to avoid consequences. He is desperate, and desperate men are unpredictable."

I stiffened. "I can handle Finn. I've handled him my whole life."

"You survived him," Knox corrected gently. "There is a difference. And today, you were nearly hurt because you were alone. Kyle wasn't fast enough to actually help, and I can't allow that." He took a breath, his dark eyes serious. "Starting tomorrow, you will have a security detail. Permanent. Whenever you are off the grounds."

I pulled my hand back, the warm glow of aftercare dimming slightly. "Security detail? That seems... excessive."

"Florian…"

"People will notice." I looked down at my lap. The protest felt hollow even as I voiced it, the memory of Finn's face twisted with rage still too fresh.

“No, they won't. They'll be discreet and won't stay too close to you. Also, this is not a request," Knox said, his voice calm but immovable. "I am not asking for your permission. I am informing you of the new protocol."

“But Daddy…”

"I cannot lose you," he said, his voice rough. "Do you understand that? This isn't about control. It isn't about checking your homework or seeing who you talk to. It is about the fact that today, a violent man held a rock three feet from your head, and I was miles away in a boardroom."

His grip tightened slightly.

"If he had swung at you instead of the car... if he had hit you..." Knox closed his eyes for a second, swallowing hard. "We cannot rely on luck anymore. I need to know you are safe."

The fight drained out of me. I looked at him and saw the lines of strain around his eyes.

"They'll be invisible?" I asked quietly.

"Ghosts," Knox promised. "They will wait in the car or watch from a distance. They're professionals. They won't interfere with your life."

I sighed, leaning my forehead against his chest.

"Okay," I whispered. "Okay. But if they wear sunglasses indoors like the Men in Black, I'm firing them."

Knox let out a breath, a long exhale of pure relief. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. "Deal. No sunglasses indoors."

"And they won't report to you about where I get lunch or if I skip a class? They'll tattle all the time, won't they?" I pushed, needing that last bit of autonomy.

"Their mandate is safety," Knox said, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Unless you are eating lunch in a crack den or skipping class to join a fight club, I do not need to know the details."

I relaxed into him.

"You're obsessed with me," I mumbled into his shirt, a weak attempt at a joke.