"You're going to meet Chrissy? Why? You should just ignore her at this point," Patrick said with a sigh. They were in Knox's office.

Jason fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat and Patrick frowned at him. "What's your problem?"

Jason's eyes widened. "What? Nothing. I have no problem. No problem whatsoever."

"Well, I need to explain to her in person that this has to stop," Knox said.

"She doesn't deserve that," Patrick muttered.

"Would you like me to go for you?" Jason offered. "I'll make sure she gets the message."

Knox hesitated. "I don't know..."

"I think it's a great idea," Patrick chimed in. "Let Jason take care of her. Maybe she'll finally get the hint not to bother you anymore."

"She said it was important," Knox reminded them.

"Even more reason to let Jason handle it," Patrick insisted. "She needs to understand you don't care what she has to say even if she claims it's important."

"It's agreed!" Jason shot up from his seat. "I'll meet her. Don't worry about Chrissy Spencer. I'll make sure she understands not to bother you anymore."

"I think it's for the best. Besides," Patrick said. "What if your new girlfriend gets upset?"

Knox tapped his desk. "I don't think she gets jealous."

"Really?" Patrick asked thoughtfully. "Where is she by the way? She was here earlier."

"She went to see her father. He and I had lunch and it didn't go well."

"Already meeting the parents? You two are moving fast." Patrick grinned. "Should I let mother know to start booking the wedding venue?"

"Stop being an ass, Patrick," Knox snapped.

"I better go." Jason pushed himself up and headed towards the door. "I'll be back once I've talked to Chrissy."

"I should be leaving too. As much as I'd love to hear about your love life with the donut licker, I have a meeting to get to," Patrick said. "I'll check in later."

Knox watched both men leave his office before checking his phone. He wondered if Nessa would give him an update on how her meeting with her father went.

Chrissy glanced at her watch. She was early but he had to come. If he didn't, then what would she do? She stared at the remains of the old Luxmar hotel, as a feeling of regret rolled through her.

Two years ago, she hated Jessica. Absolutely despised her. Jessica had purposely gone after Knox after Chrissy confided her feeling for the wealthy hotelier to her sister. Chrissy met Knox at one of those boring dinner parties. He was handsome, smart, and his aloofness only made her want to know him better.

Three days after telling her sister about Knox Marsden, Jessica waltzed into their dining room to announce she had a date with him. Her parents seemed pleased so Chrissy kept quiet. She didn't want to argue with her sister in front of her parents. To them, Jessica could do no wrong.

Later, when they were alone, Jessica's played dumb.

"You liked him? I thought you were just joking," Jessica said, smiling. "Well it's for the best anyway since he clearly didn't find you attractive enough to ask you out. He asked me out for drinks five minutes after we met."

It had been torture watching them together, especially knowing  Jessica wasn't faithful. Not that it mattered. After a few months of dating, Knox seemed enamored of Jessica and forgave all her indiscretions.

Chrissy checked the time again. He should be here soon. She wanted to tell him the truth about Jessica and Jason. About the other men pictured in Jessica's laptop. Knox was going to be hurt but she'd be there to comfort him. She knew him better than his new secretary. She was sure of that.

A cold breeze blew through the building and lifted one of the plastic tarps keeping the building in darkness. She pulled out her phone when she heard heavy footsteps from behind. Chrissy whirled around but she was alone. Her eyes narrowed in the darkened space.

"Knox, is that you?" Chrissy called out.

One of the dark plastic tarps rose with another breeze. Light filtered into the room for a moment.

"Knox?"

Chrissy pulled out her phone and texted Knox.

"Are you almost here?"

She waited a few beats but there was no response. A glimmer of light out of the corner of her eye told her the tarp was being lifted again. She turned to see the tarp rustling in the breeze.

She cursed under her breath. "Where is he?"

Chrissy stared at her phone, her eyes narrowing when she felt something cold on her shoulder. She jumped.

"Knox?"

Chrissy's eyes scanned the space. Old columns surrounded her. The destroyed furniture had long been removed from the space.

"Chrissy."

A tingle of fear ran up her spine when she heard her name being whispered.

"Chrissy."

Chrissy turned her head but didn't see anyone near her.

"Chrissy."

"Who's there?" Chrissy shouted. "Knox, are you trying to scare me? This isn't funny!"

A hiss of anger echoed around her before she felt something hard hit the back of her head.

Knox slammed on his brakes as he pulled into the police station's parking lot. Ten minutes earlier, an officer called, requesting his immediate presence.

He considered telling the officer to call his lawyer but the police officer quickly explained why Knox needed to come over and Knox found himself speeding to the station.

Knox rushed inside to see a male officer with his hands on her shoulders. She wore a gray sweatshirt with the word POLICE emblazoned across her back. Her hair was rumpled and tears stained her face.

"What the hell is going on?" Knox's voice barreled through the small crowd. The officer quickly removed his hands and Nessa turned towards him. "Nessa, I thought you were going to meet your father."

Knox watched Nessa gulp down the knot of fear lodged in her throat before she spoke, "He...he tried to kill me."