Four

The world was swimming before his eyes.

Knox stared at the woman who looked so much like his girl, but so unlike her.

He almost crumbled and fell to his knees.

He could not stop thinking about how right she had felt in his arms; he had almost been fooled.

She dared to look stricken, like she had been wronged, like she was the victim.

What gave her the right to look so fragile?

Knox thought. He was the one who had been betrayed, the one who had been made a fool of.

He stared at her face, wondering what had made her do something this crazy.

In the back of his mind, Knox had suspected that Astrid had a crush on him, he had noticed her eyes following him every time he was around her.

He had dismissed it as a harmless crush that would fade away with time.

But, he would never have guessed that mousey Astrid had the balls to do something so audacious.

He would never have guessed that she would try to take her sister's place.

Most importantly, what had she said to send Ingrid away? What had she done?

Ingrid loved him and she would never just leave like that.

He would have to force the truth out of Astrid, but that would come later.

Right now, he feared that if he remained in her presence, he would choke the life out of her.

The entire ride had been an exercise in controlling the fury coursing through his veins.

Her nightmare had just started.

She would remain his wife until Ingrid returned, then he could have his real bride back.

He thought back to her face when he had confronted her about switching places with Ingrid.

He had expected exhilaration, but noticed disappointment instead, fear in her eyes.

He had to remind himself that Astrid was a manipulative woman who had fooled even him into thinking she was helpless.

She was dangerous, Knox swore that she would never get a chance to manipulate him again.

The enjoyment he would derive from making her would pay for the humiliation she had put him through, would rival the hurt he had felt.

'Since she could dares to convert me, then I will make her life with me one of misery.'

She would regret the choices that had led her to arrive at that decision.

"I want you to check everywhere, the docks, the airports." Knox directed. "Make sure you find Ingrid, I don't care how you do it."

"Right on it," Mark, his chief of security answered from the front seat.

Knox wanted to go himself and tear the whole city into pieces until he found her, but that would not be very helpful.

People would question why, a newly married man, was looking for someone.

So he would do the only thing he could do at that moment, give orders and drink.

"Take me to the club," her ordered.

*

"Knox, go home." Mark pulled the bottle out of his hand. "I'll handle the search."

Knox grumbled and eyed the empty bottle on the table.

"I can't go until I find Ingrid." his words were beginning to slur, but he still knew what was important: finding Ingrid.

"I promise to keep you updated," Mark promised. "You will be the first to know when she is found."

Knox blinked, then shrugged.

Mark was right, he needed to go home and prepare to intensify efforts to find Ingrid. It was best that he go home and sleep.

"Fine." Knox shrugged reluctantly, then got to his feet.

The world swayed in front of him, and Mark jumped up as if to support him.

But Knox frowned at him and pulled his arm out of his hold, "I'm not that drunk." he hissed.

Knox was not a heavy drinker, it was bad for his health.

But, today he had drunk a lot.

It did not help that he had drunk champagne earlier and then switched to Whiskey later.

That was a sure recipe for an awful hangover, but it was the only way to numb the worry filling his head.

Mark nodded, and together they left the club and got into the waiting car.

On the drive home, he fell asleep and only woke up when he felt Mark shaking him.

"Will you be alright?" Mark asked.

"I will, as soon as I find Ingrid," Knox grumbled and got out of the car.

His steps were unsteady, but fortunately, he did not face plant.

When he got into the house, he waved away the butler's anxious expression and walked up the stairs to his room.

Managing to avoid tripping on something on the floor, Knox stripped off his clothes until he had on only underwear.

Just as he climbed into the bed and prepared to sleep, he was shocked by the feel of warm, soft skin.

With a curse, he threw the blanket off and put on the bedside lamp…

She was beautiful.

More beautiful than he had ever known.

More beautiful than she had ever looked.

With her bare face and tiny silk underwear, she was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

Knox had waited for her for so long, he could no longer wait.

His hand caressed her skin, watching with pleasure as she smiled and moved closer to his touch.

"Yes, baby girl," he whispered.

Next, his lips followed, slowly worshiping inch after inch of her flawless ivory skin.

He continued until he felt her fingers in my hair.

"Knox?" Her voice came, soft, hesitant.

He lifted his head and stared into those wonderfully alive green eyes.