“What did you study in college? Is there a college gym class, like in grade school?”
I laughed. “No. I studied business. Obviously didn’t get a job in that field, but it comes in handy from time to time.”
“If you have a business degree, then what made you want to be a bodyguard instead?” Felix asked.
“You know, I never sat down and thought about it like that,” I replied. “The idea just came naturally to me. I’m a protective kind of alpha. I don’t like bullies, especially those who abuse their power. There was a lot of protecting celebrities from paparazzi and stalkers and fans who want to get too personal, if you know what I mean. They just didn’t understand that the celebrities were people, too.”
Felix sighed deeply. “There certainly are a lot of strange people in the world.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience. Has someone been bothering you, Felix?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing like that,” he said. “Um, anyway--”
“No, that’s enough about me,” I interrupted. “I want to hear about you now. What did you study?”
Felix’s voice became quiet. “I didn’t go to college, actually. My family couldn’t afford it.”
I winced, feeling a pang of guilt for my own ignorance. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“No, it’s okay. I mean, I wanted to, but it wasn’t in the cards for us.” He sighed again, like the conversation was growing difficult. “I don’t know what I would have studied anyway. Maybe English or something, but I was never very good at school anyway.”
I shrugged. “Some people are good at different things. You don’tneedto go to school to succeed in life.”
I heard a thin smile in his voice. “Thanks, Elijah. But I still have a long way to go. I mean, I’m 25 and I’m living on my friends’ couch and working a part-time job.”
The self-defeat in his tone made me frown. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned sleeping on a couch. What’s going on in your life, Felix? What can I do to help you?”
He shifted his weight again. “I mean, I’m not in any danger.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re thriving.”
“I guess.” He went quiet. “I’m fine, though. Better than I was before.”
That comment piqued my interest and I asked cautiously, “Before?”
His body stiffened. Beneath my hand, I felt his increased heartbeat thrumming through his body.
“About a month ago, I got kicked out,” Felix finally said.
Obviously, I was shocked, but I didn’t want to interrupt him. I remained silent and listened.
Felix took a moment to continue. “I was living with . . .I guess you could call him my ex-mate, at the time.”
“Ex-mate?” My brows shot up. Stemming from my time as a bodyguard, my mind immediately went to the worst case scenario. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, no,” he said quickly, but the hurt in his voice was impossible to miss. “He didn’t hit me or anything.”
I frowned. “You don’t have to be hit to be hurt, Felix.”
Felix hesitated. “He never abused me physically, at least. But he did kick me out with zero warning one night, so I guess that counts.”
“Why?” I demanded. Anger leaked into my voice. “What could you have possibly done to warrant that?”
All of Felix’s muscles tensed, and I instantly regretted my harsh tone.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m angry athim. Not you.”
Felix’s voice was small and vulnerable. “I didn’tdoanything, but it still feels like I deserved it . . .”
