The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 44

Lorelai POV

I'm being discharged. I have several sore ribs on one side, and it hurts to move, let alone stand, and I wince as I wait for the papers to be signed. Knox hustles through the door, his hair standing up and his eyes twinkling with good humor. I eye him as he rushes over and kisses me on the top of the head. "You're in a good mood," I say slightly and a little bit tetchily.

"What's not to be in a good mood about? You're being discharged and can move into the mansion with me" he says blithely as I lean against him.

I sighed. "Don't you think it's a bit soon for that?"

He shakes his head at me. "No, in fact", he pauses and looks at me sheepishly.

I looked at him sharply. "Knox, what is it? What aren't you telling me?"

"The media are at the front. You should be prepared to have your picture taken and for there to be speculation on the news."

He looks guilty. I looked at him accusingly "You put them up to this, didn't you?"

He blinks "No."

I growled at him. He just chuckles and takes my hand. "Are you ready to go?"

"We need to go past my apartment, so I can grab my stuff" I mumbled.

"Already taken care of," he says dismissively while I try not to glare at him.

Had he gone into the apartment while I was laid up in the hospital? I shuddered to think what he might have thought of my little apartment in comparison to his huge mansion. Then again, why should it matter? I grip his hand tighter and his bodyguard, Damien, follows behind us, holding my bag for me.

"lan sends his regards and Father is sorry he couldn't visit you," Knox says casually.

I just nod tightly, fearing the media presence outside. I wasn't trained for this kind of thing. But Knox looked completely at ease, as though he dealt with the paparazzi all the time and I realized, swallowing hard, that he probably did.To access the complete chapters for free, visit J o b nib.com. I was being silly and naive to think I was going to be allowed to go around and have my ordinary life like before. That was gone now. Then again, has my life ever been ordinary?

We step outside, and immediately we are surrounded by photographers and reporters. My smile feels forced and frozen on my face as lights continually flash into my eyes.

"Mr Grant, Knox, who is this beautiful woman beside you and what is her relationship to you?"

"My sources tell me that this woman is very important to you, Mr Knox. Do you care to make a statement regarding that?" "What is your name, young woman?"

"There's speculation that you are considering marriage to one another. Is this an arranged marriage?"

"What is the story behind this woman's injuries and what relationship does she have with you, Mr Knox."

They were relentless. Pushing and shoving at each other like a bunch of animals. I was almost blinded by the sheer brilliance of the lights of their cameras. I felt terrified as I glanced towards Knox. His expression was bland. Damien stood patiently in front of us and began to tiredly shepherd the reporters away, causing them to look disappointed at Knox.

"Just one statement" they begged, "give us the identity of this mystery woman."

I blanch. Knox chuckles. "No comment" he drawls as he gently begins to lead me to the side.

"Rumor has it that you were in fact engaged to Miss Abigail Stevens and that this has complicated matters. Are you intending on breaking that engagement to marry this woman?"

I flinch. Knox barely even registers the comment, his eyes narrowing as he tugs on my hand. I begin to walk beside him, while Damien manages to keep the pesky reporters at bay, the limo driver immediately scrambling to open the door for us both. Knox helps me inside and then gets in before Damien hops in the passenger seat a minute later, and we shut the doors.

"Bloody vultures", Damien curses and then glances at me apologetically "Sorry miss."

"Don't worry about it" I murmured and then glanced at Knox who was looking out the window "Are you engaged to Miss Abigail Stevens? I was under the impression you didn't like her, let alone were dating her."

Had I mistakenly broken up an engagement as the reporters had suggested?

He scoffs, "Reporters are making up a story as usual. They need something to stir up excitement in their viewers. They'll do anything to create a sensation. I have not, nor have ever promised to become engaged, let alone marry that little b****" he snorts. "Well, they had to have gotten the idea from somewhere" I protested quietly.

He looked at me. "You are not familiar with the media, are you?" he asked slightly sarcastically.

I silently concede he's right. He smirks at me. I rolled my eyes.

We reached the mansion. I feel butterflies in my stomach. The last time I was there, I was a maid. A servant for the Grants. I worked for a living. I was barely getting by, and I was frightened of going home to Jackson. It was my reality. Now, I was coming back to a house that was bigger than the building where my apartment resided. Knox got out and came around to my side, gently helping me out as I winced from the pain.

I could sense eyes on me as we walked across the ground and through the front door. My eyes automatically scan the rooms for Charlie before I realize that she's not there anymore. I remember what she did and my stomach dropped. The one friend I had managed to make here was gone forever and was being prosecuted for stealing important information. The fact she had tried to sell me out still hurts. I sighed as Knox began to lead me into the living room where Mr Grant Senior was standing waiting with a broad smile on his face.

"Lorelai," he said warmly, coming forward and kissing me on each cheek, "it's a pleasure to see you back here. I do hope that you are recovering well," he added, with a quick glance at Knox.

I nodded "I'm a little sore but nothing too serious."

"Several sore ribs and bruises" Knox, replied grimly, while his father nodded tightly.

"Well, please sit down, there is something we must discuss with you."

I gave Knox a confused look but obediently sat down on the nearest sofa, holding back my moan of pain as I put my knees together and folded my hands over my knees. Knox plops down next to me and puts his hand on top of mine. I felt a bit apprehensive as I stared at the older Mr Grant.

"I'm afraid that your apartment" he paused as I stared at him expectantly. "Well, actually, the whole building was condemned while you were in the hospital by the health department."

I'm astonished. "Really? I know the building was in bad repair but..."

"It was dangerous and inhabitable," Mr Grant said quietly "We got some of your belongings out and you, of course, will be staying here, but I don't want to alarm you with the possibility of having nowhere to go."

It's kind of him, I muse. "Also," he adds, "Knox may not have gone over the particulars with you. When you and he decided to date each other, it practically means you've become an official couple."

I stared at him dumbly. This was going all too fast, and I was feeling slightly hysterical as I stared at Knox's father. Knox was merely relaxing on the sofa. I coughed. "I'm sorry, maybe you could explain that a little more?"

"It means you're required to make a statement to the press," he said gently, "and officially declare you're a couple. I'm afraid that it means that you'll be interesting news until something more exciting comes along." "I can just blow up a building or something", Knox murmured, and part of me worried he wasn't joking, because of the solemn expression on his face.

"Um, but, why? I mean I'm not anybody special" I stammered.

Who cared about my identity or that I was dating the infamous playboy? I shoot a concerned look at Knox, and he merely shrugs and pushes back a loose curl of hair, winking at me.

"It's to deter other young women from pursuing him. It's kind of like" Mr. Grant hesitates and then looks a little apologetic "putting your claim on him. It's the way the wealthy socialites do it. It's very unbecoming" he said with a sigh and a weary shake of his head, "but you would be amazed at how catty women can get. It also means that Knox will be under scrutiny by our investors and business partners while you are in the public eye. Your behavior..." he trails off looking uncomfortable.

"Reflects on the Grants". I finish with a certainty and a sick feeling in my gut.

"She's fine Father, you worry too much about our public image" Knox, said, a strange glint in his eyes.

"I'm merely trying to prepare Lorelai for what life is like with us," his father said as I gave him a grateful look. "She should know the worst as well as the best to expect. The media will be here this afternoon to get an official statement from you both. I know they tried to meet you at the hospital. This will clear up any scandal they are thinking of creating," he exhales. "Forgive me Lorelai, but I figure the quicker, the better. I assure you that things won't always be rushed."

I hope so. Things were happening so quickly that it felt like my head was spinning.

He smiles and then leaves the room. Knox wraps a protective arm around me. I feel his chin nuzzling my neck. "What am I supposed to say?" I ask, trying to concentrate and focus instead of smelling that delicious aroma of his that could only be his masculine cologne. It was very distracting.

He chuckles "Just go with the flow. I can never be counted on to speak from a script. Just stand beside me, smile, and look at me adoringly" he teases.

I swat at him playfully "Knox Grant, this had better be worth my while" I joke only half meaning it.

He leans in closer and I feel his breath in my ear "Trust me, I'll make your reward worthwhile later sweet little kitten" he purred "even with those injuries."

Suddenly it became hard to breathe and it felt like the room was closing in. The smirk on his face told me he knew exactly what reaction I was having as I blushed.