Blood trickled down her forehead. She was bleeding and she was bleeding and she was glaring at her landlady like nothing was wrong. Knox closed his eyes for a moment as the chaotic sounds of Nessa's landlord, the police, and the medics hammered around him.

"Tell me again what happened," the officer said, staring at the blood dripping from Nessa's forehead.

"I told you. I came home and the door was open. I thought I must've forgotten to lock it, so I came inside and a man was standing near my sofa. He shoved me and I hit the edge of the coffee table. Then I screamed and heard Mrs. Coleson, my landlady, yell for me to shut up and he must've gotten scared and took off. Her voice is raspy from all the cigarettes she smokes so he probably thought she was a burly man with lots of muscles."

"I do not sound like a man!" Mrs. Coleson, Nessa's landlady hissed, puffing out a cloud of smoke as a cigarette dangled between her fingers. Her bright red hair was up in a bun and she wore a floral housedress and worn pink slippers.

"Ma'am, please put that cigarette away," the officer ordered. He turned back to Nessa. "So, your chain-smoking landlady yelled at you to shut up and it scared the man off?"

"Shut your mouth, Nessa Cruz! I did not yell at you to shut up," Mrs. Coleson interjected. "You're lying!

"Please let us just disinfect that," one of the medics said as he tried stepping forward but Nessa pushed his hands away.

"Leave me alone," Nessa growled. "That stuff burns."

"Did you see the intruder's face?" the officer asked.

"No, he was wearing a ski mask," Nessa said. "But he was tall. At least I think he was tall. I'm petite so most people are taller than I am. It all happened so quickly."

"The lock to the door is broken," Mrs. Coleson said loudly. "You're going to have to pay for that, Ms. Cruz."

"What? It's not even my fault," Nessa groaned. She sneered at the medic who was once again trying to disinfect her wound. "I said to back off."

"Someone's going to have to pay for this door," Mrs. Coleson said. "Nessa, I don't know what trouble you're attracting but this is a nice building. Always has been. We are a respectable place." She took another drag of her cigarette.

"Ma'am, I asked you to please stop smoking," the officer said.

"I'm stressed," Mrs. Coleson snapped. "I've got damages to my building."

Nessa rolled her eyes and pointed to her forehead. "I have damages to my face."

"Do you have cameras installed in the building?" the officer asked Mrs. Coleson.

"Of course not. Did you not hear what I just said? It's a nice building. Respectable. We've never had to use cameras."

"Why are you making this sound like it's my fault? Like I asked some stranger to break in and cause a gash on my head?" Nessa's eyes were starting to tear up and her voice cracked. The medic stepped forward and Nessa held up a fist, "I swear if you come any closer bad things will happen and I don't care if there's an officer here."

The officer frowned. "Ms. Cruz—"

"That is enough!" Knox said loudly. He turned to Mrs. Coleson. "This wasn't her fault. If the door needs to be repaired, you should fix it. If you don't, you'll be hearing from my lawyer."

"Can he do that?" Mrs. Coleson whispered to the officer. Her eyes widened as she glanced at Nessa. "Is he your sugar daddy?"

"Nessa." Knox turned to her. "Was anything taken?"

She shook her head. "Not that I can tell—"

"How can anyone tell?" Mrs. Coleson muttered. "It looks like an episode of hoarders in here."

She was referring to the stacks of magazines and books around the apartment.

"It's not that bad," the officer shrugged.

"So, nothing is missing," Knox said before turning to the officer. "She doesn't know anything. She doesn't want to pursue this."

"She doesn't?" the officer asked. "Well, it's too late for that now."

Knox pointed at the couch in the living room and ordered Nessa to sit. Once she sat down, he pulled the hydrogen peroxide and bandages from the medic and began cleaning the blood trailing down her face.

"You can't just tell me to leave," the officer said, pushing his chest forward. "I have to report that someone broke in."

"You came by and asked her questions," Knox said as he gently pulled her hair away from her face. "She doesn't know anything. I'll have her call you if she remembers something. In the meantime, leave your card."

"I can't," the officer mumbled. "Who are you anyway?"

"He's my boss," Nessa said as Knox pressed a bandage over the cut.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.

Nessa's eyes were wide with surprise, and she gave a single shake of her head.

"I've never had a boss that took care of me like that," Mrs. Coleson muttered.

"Do you have a place to stay tonight?" the officer asked. "A hotel or a friend's house? It wouldn't be safe to stay here if the lock is still broken."

"I'm also her boyfriend," Knox answered. "She'll stay with me."

"He's your boyfriend?" Mrs. Coleson asked.

Knox pinned her with a glare. "Is there something wrong with that?"

The older woman shook her head. After the officer, medics, and Mrs. Coleson left, Nessa was alone with Knox. She leaned back on the sofa, "I can't believe this is happening to me. This is all your fault you know."

"My fault?"

"I told you I needed a bodyguard. I told you it wasn't safe and the minute I got home I was attacked."

"You don't know for sure if it was because of me. Afterall, this neighborhood isn't as nice as your landlady likes to say it is," Knox said.

"My ghosties warned me against you and look what happened."

"If your ghosts can really warn you, why won't they just tell you who attacked you?" Knox asked smugly.

"It doesn't work that way. They aren't like a crystal ball I can shake and magically get an answer. They tell me what they want to tell me. If it were up to me, I'd get the lottery numbers so I could forget about working and enjoy a life of peace on the beach."

"Why won't they tell you if it means keeping you safe?"

Nessa shrugged. "I don't know. It's not like they're my friends. Not really. They always want something from me. It's not an unconditional relationship. You know what I mean?"

"No, I don't," he admitted.

"Haven't you ever loved someone so much you wanted to give them every bit of yourself? You wouldn't keep score or tally up who loves who more or who did more for whom. It would just be you giving as much of yourself as you could. That's an unconditional relationship."

"Are you saying you don't have that with your spirit friends?"

"Bingo." Nessa nodded. "They only give me information when they feel like talking. They could care less what I have to say. They're the epitome of a one-sided relationship."

Knox scratched the back of his head and yawned. Only the living area had been disturbed. Magazines and books were strewn everywhere. The intruder must've been surprised when Nessa came home.

"I told you I needed a bodyguard," Nessa grumbled.

"Don't worry. You're going to get one. Go pack a bag. You're coming with me tonight."

Nessa's eyes lit up, "You're going to get me a bodyguard? Really?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll feel a lot safer knowing I have a bodyguard. When will he start?"

Knox looked at his watch. "Now."

"Now?"

"Now." He nodded, a grin on his face.

Nessa frowned. "But there's only you and me here."

"Exactly," Knox smirked. "I'm going to be your bodyguard."

Thirty minutes later, they drove to the Luxmar hotel as Nessa turned to Knox, her brows furrowed. He ignored her as he pulled up to the valet.

"Why are we here?" she asked, pointing to the hotel.

The valet worker opened Knox's door as Nessa's next statement escaped the car faster than Knox could.

"Just because you own this hotel, doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you. This isn't Pretty Woman. I'm not some prostitute and you're not some handsome rich guy. Well, you are...but you aren't Richard Gere. You don't have white hair like he does. Should we get you a wig first? I'm not really into role-playing. I mean, maybe. With a couple of drinks in me first."

Knox gripped the steering wheel. "Stop talking."

Nessa glanced at the valet worker who was awkwardly waiting for Knox's keys while staring at Nessa's injured face. "Mr. Marsden?"

Nessa quickly pushed her door open and began walking to the front of the hotel. She felt Knox's hand grab her shoulder before she heard his voice whispering to her, "Listen, you helped me with those detectives so now I'm returning the favor. It's not like you could return to your apartment."

"Fine," she hissed. "Now let go of me."

He loosened his grip and her shoulders slumped. Nessa watched as Knox spoke to the male behind the front desk. She averted her eyes when he glanced in her direction, but she still managed to see him passing a key card to Knox.

Knox didn't bother to wait for her. He waved two fingers at her and walked towards the elevator.

"Does he think I'm some kind of dog?" she muttered before quickening her steps to the elevator, her head ducked downward. Once they were inside, Nessa crossed her arms and said, "I can go to the room by myself. You don't have to follow me."

"I'm not following you," Knox answered.

"No? Then what do you call it?"

"I told you—"

"You are not my bodyguard," Nessa said.

"You wanted someone to protect you," he reminded her.

"Not you."

"What's wrong with me?" Knox asked as the elevator doors dinged open. They strode to the hotel room, and he used the key card to open the door. "After you."

Her mouth set into a line of worry as she entered the room.

"Stop worrying, Nessa. You helped me by lying and giving the detectives an alibi for me. You told them I was your boyfriend and now I'm simply trying to make everything even between us."

"Even?"

"I don't want to owe you anything later."

Nessa frowned. "I helped you and you're trying to make it into some kind of transaction."

"Isn't that what you did earlier when you demanded I hire you and offer you protection?" Knox shot back.

Nessa had the grace to blush and turned her back to him. "So, now what happens?"

"I don't know. You tell me. Ever since I met you, things haven't exactly worked out like they normally would for me."

Nessa plopped down on the sofa in the middle of the suite. "It's probably your karma catching up to you."

"Says the woman who was attacked in her apartment." Knox took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa.

"That's not my karma. That's my luck. Getting too close to you made me unluckier than usual."

"I'm not that close," Knox said softly, glancing at the space between them. "I could get closer." He slowly moved closer to Nessa who was staring at him aghast. "I can even think of what we can do to pass the time."

"Did you get knocked on the head too while I wasn't looking?" Nessa asked. "I could've sworn I was the only one in my apartment when someone broke in."

Knox winked at her. "Nessa, come closer."

"What is happening?" Nessa looked around the room. "Did a perverted ghost take over your body? Is this a prank? Are there hidden cameras in here?"

"C'mon. You said it yourself. You think I'm handsome," Knox said suggestively, loosening his tie.

"When did I say that?"

"Earlier. You said I was rich and handsome like Richard Gere."

"I did not—" she covered her mouth. She had said that.

Knox grinned.

"So?" he asked. "What do you say? I'm not opposed to it if you aren't. It's not how I would've chosen to spend the evening." His eyes raked over her before he scooted closer. "But there are worse things I could do."

"Gee, thanks. That makes me feel so attractive," Nessa said sarcastically.

"Stop pretending to be offended. We're both grown adults who have needs. I'm just suggesting we take care of one of those needs."

"You're crazy, right? That's why you're suddenly hitting on me?"

Knox started laughing. "Nessa Cruz, what are you thinking?"

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't know, Knox Marsden. What are you thinking?"

Knox shrugged innocently. "I was thinking of ordering room service and having dinner together. What were you thinking of us doing?"

She shoved at him and he laughed. "Okay. Okay, I get it. Not funny. I was just trying to get your mind off of what happened earlier. It worked, didn't it?"

He was still sitting close to her when Nessa asked, "Since when did you care about how I felt?"

Knox shrugged. "Since you got hurt because of me. I don't know what's going on. Someone out there is trying to frame me is my best guess, but I have no idea who."

Nessa nodded before squinting and rubbing her temples.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Does your head hurt? I can order some Aspirin for you."

She shook her head. "Not that kind of pain."

Knox made an O with his mouth. "It's your spirit friends?"

She nodded.

"What are they saying?"

She tilted her head away from him. "Since when did you believe me?"

"I'm not saying I do. I'm just trying to be nice," Knox admitted.

"Well, stop. It's freaking me out."

He lifted a shoulder and she sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm not used to anyone believing in my ghosts. My grandmother and Candi are the only ones who accept me for who I am. At one point I thought Tate did as well, but I was wrong."

"He doesn't seem like the greatest guy," Knox admitted. "I saw him having dinner with his girlfriend."

Nessa exhaled slowly. "Tate was there for me when I was younger. Dealing with these ghosts has always been an issue. My father used to say I was just making it up for attention and of course, my mother agreed with him. They never accepted me for me. Don't get me wrong. I know they love me...just so long as I don't mention the ghosts or act too weird in public."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"No, it is. Once, I accidentally overheard them talking. My father had commented about not wanting to be embarrassed by me in front of his rich friends. His exact words were, 'I can't have her start talking about ghosts in public. Do you know how humiliating it is to have a crazy daughter?'"

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Nessa said. "Rich people are all the same. All they care about is money and power. I thought Tate was different, but I was wrong. It took a long time for me to get over him, but I did."

She gave a slight groan and closed her eyes.

"So, what are the ghosts telling you?" Knox asked.

"Do you want the truth?"

He nodded.

"They're warning me to stay away from you."

His eyes locked with hers and Nessa felt her mouth go dry. Knox was handsome. Definitely more handsome than white-haired Richard Gere in Pretty Woman.

"Are they warning you I'm dangerous?" he asked softly. He moved closer to her.

A frisson of anticipation moved through her body. Nessa swallowed. "Are you?"

He leaned forward and his hand curled around the nape of her neck. "Maybe."

Before Nessa could respond, his lips were on hers.

KnoxMarsden was no angel. He'd always been suspicious in her mind and a suspect inher sister's disappearance. Her sister, Jessica, had loved Knox, hadn't she?Why in the world would Jessica have these incriminating pictures on her laptop?

Chrissy wasn't sure what to do with the photographs that belonged to her sister. If she showed them to the police, would it be enough for them to finally investigate Knox? Or would it put Jessica in a poor light and prove their original theory that she ran away as correct? If Knox had seen these photos, surely, he would've been upset. Especially if he planned on marrying Jessica.

Chrissy licked her lips and took a deep breath. No matter what the officer said, she had to show these pictures of Jessica. It could mean her case would be worked on. The police and Chrissy's family believed Jessa ran away from her wedding and didn't want to be found.

"Let me look at it one last time," Chrissy murmured to herself before opening the laptop. She clicked on the screen. The pictures didn't lie. Wearing the engagement ring Knox had given her, Jessica was laughing in a self-taken picture. Her only clothing was a red pair of panties and a matching lace bra. She was standing in front of a mirror, holding up her phone as if she wanted her front and back in the picture. Also reflected in the mirror stood a half-naked man. A man who wasn't Knox Marsden.