I didn’t know why I did it. I didn’t have formal training, I wasn’t a hero, and I certainly didn’t need to be living under the same roof as her. But I knew that if anyone was going to protect her… serve her… and be there for her to the best of their ability… it would be me. Someone with all the training in the world wouldn’t be good enough. I wouldn’t sleep at night knowing she had someone else watching over her—protecting her. Because they could all be paid off. I couldn’t be. In fact, I was so out of my mind, I probably would have done it for free. The astronomical amount of money they were waving in front of my face meant nothing. I didn’t need any of the extra zeros. I didn’t care about what this could get me. All that mattered was that she was safe. I was the man for the job.
Questions swirled around in my mind as I packed up all of my gear, clothes, and weapons. Why would the grannies be involved with Poppy? What did this do for them? They were taking out the brothers next. Why would it matter what happened to Poppy?
I asked all of these questions and more… Not a single one of them was answered. The subject was changed, or I was told to stay in my lane. After all, I didn’t want this life anymore, but here I was accepting another job I had no business having. I made them believe it was about the money, because no one could really know what happened between us. No one could know that somehow the animated, sunshine of a woman had gotten under my skin.
It was the hardest thing watching her leave my apartment the day before and go back to her life as if nothing had happened. I wondered if she knew I would be her new bodyguard, and that was why she ran away. I wondered if she was simply just left in the dark, like I was on mostly everything.
And then there was the smallest thought in the back of my mind that made me wonder if I ever even knew therealPoppy Fairchild. Maybe she was a pawn for her father after all. Maybe she was a mastermind.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I slammed the trunk closed. If anything, those things would all come to lifewith us living under the same roof. I would see her for who she truly was, soon enough.
The drive to her new penthouse was a quick one; the grannies said her brothers wanted her close. Since it was a private garage for her suite, I didn’t worry about being seen with all of my gun cases and things.
The elevator opened as I approached, and I shook my head. It was convenient, sure, but it was just another reminder that someone else was pulling the strings and that they were always watching.
The brothers were waiting for me in the living room when I arrived on the top floor. It was a grand, audacious place, and I wondered if this was what Poppy chose for herself. They both stood from the couch as I laid my cases by the door. I held my hand out for a shake, but they simply stared at me and then at the cases.
“You like your weapons,” One of the brothers said.
The other rolled his eyes. “I’m Jacob, and this is my brother Jones. Poppy will be arriving in a few hours. We just wanted to meet you and get a feel for you before she arrived. Make sure you’re up for the job, you see.”
I nodded as I tucked my hands into my pockets. I didn’t like them already, and I hadn’t been in the room for longer than five minutes.
“Your grandmothers have spoken highly of you.”
Again, I nodded. I didn’t want to ruin any of this before it started, and I had no idea what they’d been told about me.
Jones cleared his throat. “Your room is down the hall, across from Poppy’s. First door on the left.”
Jacob raised a speckled brow. “I feel like this doesn’t need to be said, but here it is: you won’t touch Poppy. I know she’s a catch with all of her money now, but she is promised for bigger and better things, so try not to get attached.”
My molars ground together. As if her money was the only thing that mattered. As if I could possibly want her for anything else. If they kept on, the reapers wouldn’t get to them first.
“You will attend any meetings, dates, and hang-outs with friends. You will be a shadow in her life. If she goes out with the girls, you will be nearby- try not to hover. The girls will likely know who you are, and this needs to be discreet. We don’t want the press circulating rumors that you two are dating because you aren’t.” Jones stared me down with dead eyes.
I nodded. He was right. One wrong move and all of this would unravel. I would need to be careful. Watch and protect from a distance, like I’d already been somewhat doing.
“Can I ask you both something?”
They raised their brows and waited.
“Why me?”
They looked at each other and chuckled. “We are wondering the same thing, but your grandmothers were rather adamant. They said all business holdings between our families would be null and void if we didn’t accept their offer. Thankfully for you, Donovan Madden doesn’t care about money and is willing to dump it in order to keep Poppy safe.”
Donovan Madden? Irish mafia? Where did he fit into all of this?
“Well, they’ve decided to keep me in the dark, as well. Though the hefty sum of payment isn’t bad.” I needed them to think I was here for the money.
“Where did you say you deployed at?” Jacob looked me up and down.
I smiled with all of my teeth. “I didn’t.”
“Care to share?” Jones prodded.
“My line of work is a little different…” I let the words hang between us. “It’s more one-on-one. Let’s just say I like to hunt my prey.”
Jones’ face drained of all color as he thought over my words. “Like we said, don’t touch what isn’t yours. Good luck. She’s a tough one.”
