CH.41

Judge Grayson exited the courtroom through the private door reserved for officials, and burly bodyguards flanked him like stone sentries.

A sleek, limited edition Bentley idled at the curb outside, its engine purring like a contented feline.

He slipped into the backseat, and one of the bodyguards held the door open for him in a smooth, choreographed movement.

Another hurriedly moved to take the driver's seat.

His phone buzzed insistently in the inner pocket of his suit jacket. He fished it out with an irritated sigh, glancing at the caller ID before bringing it to his ear.

"Speak!" His terse response betrayed no hint of emotion, not even annoyance.

There was a pause as the person at the other end of the line spoke.

His expression remained utterly impassive and unreadable throughout, giving no clues as to the subject of the conversation.

"We'll discuss it at the office," he stated flatly before abruptly disconnecting the call.

The face that had been disguised as the severe, imposing Judge Grayson in court earlier began to subtly shift and morph.

He leaned back against the buttery soft leather of the rear seat and closed his eyes momentarily as if willing himself to relax.

When they reopened, their color had shifted from their earlier steely black to a molten, blazing amber seeming to smolder with an intense inner light.

His meticulously groomed chestnut hair darkened to an inky black, and the severe lines of his face seemed to soften and rearrange themselves into breathtaking masculine beauty and sensuality.

It was as if an entirely different man had emerged from beneath the harsh, austere visage of Judge Grayson.

He once again closed his eyes briefly, relishing the act of shedding that facade and allowing his true self to emerge from its confines once more. Only those closest to him - his inner circle of trusted confidants and associates - ever got to know the secret of the man beneath the billionaire persona he showed the world.

His eyes snapped open again and he studied his transformed reflection in the tinted window with a hint of smug satisfaction. Even he had to admit, the metamorphosis he could undergo was striking. No one would ever be able to connect the formidable, intimidating figure of Judge Grayson to the darkly magnetic and charismatic CEO.

He retrieved the other phone from his pocket which had been constantly buzzing, pressed the button on the device, and held it up to his ear.

"Knox, I missed you terribly," a sultry feminine voice suddenly caressed his ear like a physical touch. "Why haven't you been taking my calls while I was away for work? You know how I detest being ignored..."

The woman's teasing rebuke trailed off into a suggestive purr that would have set most men's blood racing. But Knox simply sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in a gesture of mild exasperation.

"Are you done?” Judge Grayson, or rather now revealed as Knox, responded in a low, husky timbre that seemed to reverberate through the car's plush interior.

“Don’t be like this, babe. I've been...preoccupied with work as you're well aware. But I'm on my way back to the estate now. We'll have plenty of time to reconnect then."

Knox ended the call with an unreadable expression and tossed his phone carelessly on the leather seat beside him.

He retrieved a sleek, custom-fitted half-mask from a hidden compartment, running his fingers almost reverently over the smooth, buttery leather. Then he settled the mask over the upper half of his face, shielding his striking features and molten eyes from prying outside gazes.

"Shall I proceed with the usual precautions and evasive route, sir?" his driver's polite voice crackled over the intercom speaker.

A low, rumbling hum issued from Knox's throat in assent. He folded his hands in his lap, the very picture of casual nonchalance as the luxury vehicle glided out of the parking lot.

He leaned back with one arm draped along the back of the plush leather seat in a deceptively relaxed pose.

His molten amber eyes were slightly unfocused, and his mind inevitably replayed the image of Serena from the courtroom over and over.

The vision of her face swam behind his shuttered eyelids in perfect clarity. Those full, dewy lips he had tasted and had stuck in his mind.

The graceful curve of her slender neck that he ached to mark with his teeth as his own. Her eyes that could disarm and undo him with a single coquettish glance from beneath those sinfully long lashes.

A potent mix of desire and simmering frustration ignited low in his core, causing his jaw to tighten almost imperceptibly. He let out a low exhale, running one large hand through his now inky locks in a rare display of agitation.

His thoughts strayed to the moment he'd regained consciousness following his violent devouring of her that night.

~A quick flashback to that event~

A man’s jaw tightened with an intensity that was palpable in the luxurious hotel suite. His stature alone was commanding, standing well over six feet tall with a lean, muscular build that bespoke both strength and agility.

His attire reflected his refined taste - tailored suits in dark hues that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

The crisp white shirt beneath clung to his chiseled torso, revealing the faint outline of sculpted abs underneath. His attention to detail was evident in the flawless knotting of his necktie.

However, it was his face that truly captivated one's attention. A strong jawline framed by high cheekbones gave him an aristocratic air while his full lips held the promise of sensuality. His nose was straight and regal like an eagle's beak, adding to his authoritative aura.

But the most striking feature about him was undoubtedly his eyes; they were deep pools of amber that glowed under certain lights like precious gemstones. These eyes were not merely beautiful but had an intense coldness to them that could be unnerving. They were windows into a soul hardened by experiences untold; their icy stare could penetrate through anyone's facade right into their core.

His hair was as dark as midnight which contrasted starkly against his tanned complexion. It was always perfectly styled yet had this rebellious wave that refused to stay in place - much like Knox himself, who refused to conform to societal norms.

He moved with an effortless grace toward the side of the bed where Serena was lying, each stride purposefully measured as if he were a predator stalking its prey.

He stood towering over the woman sprawled on the plush bed with his gaze locked on her and his hands balled into tight fists as though fighting the urge to snuff the life out of her.

He felt as though the aphrodisiac he had consumed last night still coursed through his veins. As though its effects still linger like a parasite that refuses to die. But the reality was far from the case.

Never before had he been stirred by the sight of a woman's bare form without the artificial influence of that potent drug. Yet here he was, staring at the woman - her ombre waves fanning out on the satin pillowcase, her body naked and exposed to his gaze and experiencing a reaction that was entirely unfamiliar.

His eyes suddenly widened slightly when they caught sight of the red pool on the white sheets.

The air had been heavy with the stench of blood, but he had been too preoccupied battling with himself on how best to handle her.

His pupils dilated and he quickly snatched up his phone from his pocket to dial his subordinate’s number.

"Bring a doctor immediately!" he demanded, his voice resonating with urgency yet maintaining its usual low timbre.

The doctor examined Serena's condition right away after arriving.

He confirmed she had sustained a severe tear due to their aggressive lovemaking session.

The man maintained an expression as unreadable as granite throughout this revelation. If there were any emotions boiling beneath that stoic facade, they were expertly concealed.

"She needs immediate medical attention," stuttered the doctor under his breath barely audible over his gasps for air. Such was this man’s dominating aura that even breathing seemed like a task too great to manage properly within it.

The man gave a curt nod and an icy hum of acknowledgment.

The doctor quickly set about preparing for Serena's discreet departure from the hotel room.

Knox dialed another number on his phone and began giving instructions in hushed tones.

A team of paramedics arrived within minutes with their faces hidden behind masks and caps. They moved with swift professionalism, transferring Serena to a stretcher and covering her with an additional blanket to maintain her dignity.

He then turned to his subordinate and friend - Seven. "Make sure she receives the highest quality care," he ordered in a tone that brooked no argument. "And remember, not a word about this incident should leave this room!"