Page 13 of Bound to the Bodyguard

Outside, the cool night air embraced us. The tight coils of stress within me began to unwind. I glanced at Jerome to find him surveying the perimeter, ever the vigilant guardian.

“So serious question, do you ever... relax?” I asked, the question slipping from my lips as we strolled through the lush gardens surrounding the venue.

“Relaxation is a luxury in my line of work,” he replied without missing a beat, his gaze scanning the treeline beyond the manicured hedges.

“Even bodyguards need downtime.” I glanced at him, watching how the moonlight played across his sharp features. “What do you do when you’re not on duty?”

He paused. “I read, mostly history and military strategy.”

“History, huh?” I smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Any particular era?”

“Twentieth-century conflicts interest me the most. There’s much to learn from the past.”

“Sounds intense. I prefer fiction myself. Escapism can be therapeutic.”

“Perhaps, but understanding reality can help one navigate it more effectively.”

“Spoken like a true soldier.” I slowed my pace, allowing the silence to stretch between us comfortably. We had reached a secluded spot, away from prying eyes and ears.

“Perhaps we should head back.”

Honestly, I was over being here. Something about my comfortable bed in sweats sounded more appealing. “Let’s go home, actually.”

Jerome smiled and put his hand on the small of my back. “Sounds like a plan.”

There might be someone out there trying to scare me, but Jerome would keep me safe.

Chapter 8

Jerome

Things could be going better, but she was terrified. A man coming in and taking up space must fell like an intrusion.

“So, how long you been doing this? What made you want to become a bodyguard for rich people?”

“My time in personal security has taught me more than combat—it’s about vigilance, understanding threats before they manifest. I’m trained to anticipate, to protect.”

“Anticipation isn’t always enough,” Her gaze pierced through my calm exterior. “What about when a threat becomes reality?”

“Then I handle it. Decisively.” There’s no hesitation, no flicker of doubt—only the quiet confidence of a man who’s faced down danger and walked away unscarred.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. For both our sakes.”

I registered the challenge in Raven’s stance. “I served two tours in Iraq. My unit specialized in high-risk protection and intelligence gathering.”

“High-risk...” Raven echoed.

“Every mission honed my instincts for security and protection,” I continued, reading the skepticism in her eyes. “It’s not just about strength or firepower. It’s about staying three steps ahead—knowing how to think like those who mean harm and neutralizing the threat before it escalates.”

“Your confidence is... compelling, but being in the public eye as I am, the threats are not always as straightforward as a battlefield’s.”

“Which is why I’m here.” My eyes softened imperceptibly. “You need someone who can protect you in every context—someone who understands that danger often wears a friendly face.”

I’m not just a shield; I’m a watchtower.

Raven led the way into the grand living area.

“Is there someone in your life who worries about you playing the hero all the time?” Raven ventured.

---