“Hey, Thomas, how long have you been a bodyguard?”
He chuckles at my obvious shift, but he answers anyway, “Once I retired from the SEALs, I started a security firm that provides protection for celebrities and other high-profile clients.”
“Well, I don’t know how you got stuck with me, but I plan on being your most boring client ever.” My statement turns his chuckle into a bark of laughter.
“I look forward to the boredom, Miss Bishop. We are about to arrive at the school. Before you get out please keep the watch that I have given you on at all times. It not only has a tracker in it, but it also syncs up to your phone, which will allow for you to communicate with me on a secure channel.” His focus diverts from the road in front of him to make sure I’ve put on the sleek looking, tech'd out Apple Watch.
“Got it,” I say, flashing my wrist in his direction.
Dipping his head and refocusing on the entrance to the school he says, “I will check on you throughout the day and will remain in the parking lot should you need me.” He pulls to a stop and before he gets out of the car he continues, “While I hope you never need it, there is also a distress button on your watch that will trip a silent alarm notifying me of your location. It will also go off if you take it off without providing your thumbprint.”
Well shit, I hope I never need to hit that button. I can’t say I’m not glad to have it though. I’ll have to discuss getting something like this for the kids.
“Thanks, T, I feel safer already with you on duty.” I smile as he opens his door to come around and let me out. I’ve already argued that I didn’t need him to do this but he says for safety reasons he must.
Once my door opens, I see nothing but eyes on me. You’d think this school full of rich pricks would’ve seen a driver before.What the hell are they looking at?I grab my bag and step out of the car and then I hear the screech from down the sidewalk.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Sam’s shrill voice grates on my sanity. It’s too early in the morning to deal with anyone whose voice sounds like a dog whistle.
“Thomas, what are you doing driving this gutter trash?” she snarls, spit flying. Well that’s not very high society of her.
Sighing, I try to walk around her. My patience is in short supply and I’m supposed to be trying to be on my best behavior.Ugh, it’s not even day one and I feel the constraints of my shackles.
Thomas turns to the banshee and puts an arm up to keep her back.
“Miss Davenport, it’s good to see you. I hope your family is well, but I am going to need you to stop right there and not get any closer to Miss Bishop.”
Sam halts. Obviously, she knows Thomas is not someone to trifle with. Her ire grows at his rebuke. I guess Thomas is a big deal around here if she’s making such a stink about him driving me.
“Thomas you’re on the co—” She stops before she can finish whatever she was about to say when four looming figures join the fold.
“Samantha, you always know how to make your unwanted presence known,” Lev speaks first and by the silence of the rest of the boys I’m guessing he is speaking for all of them. Well, except maybe Wes, we know how much he loves a crotch rub from the annoying hag.
“Shove it Lev, you know like I do Thomas only drives—” She’s cut off again.Only drives whom?
My head volleys back and forth, like a ping-pong ball.
You’d never think this was the girl Wes helped to confront me on the first day of school.
His voice is filled with vitriol, as he chastises, “Sam shut the fuck up and stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. All you need to know is Thomas isn’t driving you. Run along before you get yourself into even more trouble!”
Trouble?What the hell would she get in trouble for? Is she annoying? Absolutely, yes. However, nothing she’s doing warrants her getting into trouble. I’m about to say just that when she turns in my direction and tries to launch herself at me, but Thomas catches her in mid-air.
“You stupid cunt, you’re ruining everything. You’ll rue the day your trashy-ass family ever set foot in my town. Fuck you and your worthless trash family. Your druggie Mom, deadbeat Dad, and worthless ass sibli—”
Did I say I was shackled? Fuck rules, I never did like those motherfuckers anyway. My fist curls, thumb tucked out, my right arm rearing back before it springs forward and connects in the dead center of her nose. The crunch of bone sings like a sweet melody.
Surprise stuns her momentarily silent, before shrill screams attack my ears, making me cringe, but not before I say my peace. “I told you once to stay in your lane and I’d stay in mine, but obviously there’s nothing between those ears of yours. Don’t you ever talk about my family. I don’t give a fuck if you talk your dumb shit about me. My family is off limits to pass your helium-injected lips.”
The maniacal laugh emanating from her would freak some out, but she just looks deranged to me, blood running down her nose in rivulets, while flailing in Thomas’s arms.
Once she realizes she won’t be able to get to me, she stops and he sets her back on the ground. She aims one more glare in my direction without saying another word, and storms off. The boys follow behind her. Wyatt, being Wyatt, turns and winks, before continuing on with the rest of his friends.
Shrugging my shoulders I face Thomas, nibbling my lip, and explain, “I’m sorry about that. I was trying to behave, but she’s had that coming for a long time. Talking about me is one thing. Even my parents I can handle. My siblings though, that was a bridge too far.”
“Boring, you said?” I meet his very amused eyes. “Miss Bishop, I don’t think there is anything boring about you.”
With that, he walks back toward the driver’s side of the car and I turn to head into what I am sure is about to be a very interesting day.
