Page 20 of Bound to the Bodyguard

“Deals? How mundane,” the caller scoffed. “But go ahead, entertain me.”

“Stop watching me. Leave me alone, and I won’t pursue this any further.” My heart hammered against my ribcage, every beat a drum of impending doom.

“Empty promises from a desperate woman,” the caller sneered. “I expected more from you, Raven.”

And then silence.

“Hello?” My voice broke the sudden quiet, a stark contrast to the controlled tones I’d managed before. A crackle from the other end was the only answer, an electronic whisper, before the line went dead.

“Damn it!” I slammed the phone down, frustration and fear etching lines across my brow. Jerome’s hand tightened momentarily before he pulled away, reaching for his own phone with swift precision.

“Signal’s lost,” he stated, the failure evident in the slight downturn of his lips. “They knew exactly when to cut off.”

“Who is doing this, Jerome?” My question hung heavy in the air between us.

“We’ll find out,” Jerome promised, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.

The abrasive buzz of a dead line. The echo of threats lingering like a ghost in the room.

Chapter 12

Jerome

As I walked into the restaurant, Mack, Bishop, and Knox were already seated at our usual table, their camaraderie clear in their easy banter and shared laughter. My battle buddies from the military, each one a trusted comrade-in-arms, had become a big part of my life.

Raven, ever perceptive to my need for privacy with my friends, had chosen a table nearby but positioned so that I could keep a close eye on her. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her piercing green eyes always locking with me.

As we delved into conversation, I stole glances at Raven now and then. And as I scanned the room discreetly, searching for any sign of her stalker’s unwelcome appearance, I tried to stay present in the moment. My job never stopped. Raven trusted me to protect her around the clock and I was honored.

“So not to dive right into issues, but this stalker situation… it just keeps getting worse for her. Raven has barely been sleeping. She’s afraid to get out of the house.”

“Shit, can you blame her? Whoever it is has stolen her peace of mind. She won’t feel safe anywhere until they are caught,” Mack said.

I had to track down this stalker soon before the situation escalated further. Taking a sip of my drink, I glanced over at Raven again. Her eyes met mine, a mixture of appreciation and worry reflecting in their depths. I gave her a reassuring nod before turning back to my friends.

“We need to step up our game on this one. I won’t rest until Raven can feel safe again,” I said.

I listened to my friends’ concerns about Raven’s safety, grateful for their unwavering support. The weight of responsibility sat on my shoulders as I contemplated the depth of Raven’s vulnerability in the face of this unknown threat. Despite our efforts to keep her safe, the stalker seemed to always be one step ahead.

As the conversation shifted to possible solutions and strategies, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Raven’s well-being was paramount, and every fiber of my being was dedicated to ensuring that she remained out of harm’s way.

“We will catch this bastard,” I said. “Raven deserves to reclaim her peace, and I won’t rest until we bring this stalker to justice.”

With a shared nod from my battle buddies, a silent vow passed between us—a promise to stand united in protecting Raven.

“Has she gotten any more threats?” Bishop asked.

“It’s escalated to the point where she hardly sleeps, afraid of what might happen next.”

Mack’s jaw clenched in anger, her protective instincts flaring up. “And you think it’s someone from her past? An obsessed fan? What’s your gut telling you?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I’m not sure, but I can’t shake this feeling that it’s someone close to her. Someone who knows her well enough to anticipate her every move.”

Bishop leaned forward, his gaze intense. “We’ll do whatever it takes to help you get to the bottom of this.”

My friends were the best and always had my back on the battlefield and in civilian life. The transition after getting out was rough, but easier with them by my side. Sometimes I still miss it, but for my sanity, it was best to get out while I could.

“The poor girl just keeps looking around. She doesn’t even feel safe here with us,” Mack said, watching Raven.

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