Page 174 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
After my last briefing, I told my assistant to block the next two hours while I slipped out of my office and headed for Knox’s. I didn’t bother using the private elevator this time because something told me Knox would prefer I had. I didn’t know exactly what he was up to, but I was an intelligent man, and I had picked up on a few things. Namely, the way he was sneaking around.
“Morning, Betty,” I greeted as I approached Knox’s inner sanctum. “He in?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is he busy?” I asked, only pretending to show propriety.
I didn’t wait for a response, going to Knox’s office door, opening it, and strolling inside.
He didn’t appear surprised to see me, finishing up the call he was on while I waited patiently, observing the bustling city from my vantage point.
“Have you received your update from Barnes this morning?” I asked as soon as he disconnected the call. I slowly turned, hands tucked in my pockets. “It would appear TMZ has been busy chatting it up with a source within O’Rourke Financial.”
Knox’s expression remained uninterested. “I haven’t had time today.”
I canted my head, studied him for a moment. “I just thought I’d come have a chat with the source.” I took a step toward him. “Although last I checked, you weren’t employed by O’Rourke Financial.”
Knox leaned back in his chair, steepled his fingers. “Who said I was the source?”
I stopped in front of Knox’s desk, staring down at him. “What the bloody hell is going on?”
Those hard green eyes skimmed my face, but I couldn’t read him, nor was he providing any answers.
“It’s been brought to my attention that I’m in a serious relationship with your stepsister,” I acknowledged, recalling one of the story alerts I’d gotten in my inbox.
“Aren’t you?” he countered.
“Considering she’s no longer your stepsister, I’ve been wondering about the verbiage.”
“The divorce was kept quiet,” Knox explained.
Yes, I’d heard the story about how Kitty and Rhett were trying to keep the details of their failed nuptials on the down-low. While I understood not wanting to be front-page news, I didn’t think it had anything to do with that. No, I got the impression Kitty had needed to keep it quiet because the new husband hadn’t known she was married when they met. As for why Rhett hadn’t shared it with his daughter … that was a more perplexing issue.
“And I distinctly recall you being in some of the photos, yet there were no assumptions made about your presence.”
Knox continued to stare at me. He thought he was doing a good job of hiding his ruse, but I’d caught on. Perhaps I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the fact that he snuck in and out of Emily’s apartment over the weekend. Knox was not known for his discretion, so now I was curious why he felt the need to pretend he wasn’t spending time with Emily.
“What’s she threatening you with this time?” I asked.
Knox’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I continued to stare at him, my hands resting in my pockets as though I had all the time in the world.
“I’m not doing this with you,” I told him firmly. “I’ve lived my life too fast and too loose to pretend otherwise, Knox. What is she threatening you with?”
He held my gaze for a disturbingly long time before he finally exhaled heavily. “Fuck.”
I pulled one of the guest chairs back a little, took a seat, and waited for him to explain why he would’ve spent so many years fighting to get what he wanted, only to pretend otherwise just a few weeks into it.
“She’s threatening to write a tell-all about her life.”
I smirked. “And what, pray-tell, has she done that would draw readers’ attention?”
“Kitty thinks she can sell millions by telling the Montgomery secrets.”
“Yours or your father’s?” I asked.
“Both.”
