Page 21 of Bound to the Bodyguard

“I told you. This has wrecked her. I’m gonna try to get her out of the house more. Besides the workout she does in the morning, we barely leave the house.”

“So, what’s the story? I mean, I know she’s a famous actress, but you seem more… protective than normal?” Knox asked.

Honestly, the story behind us was best kept as a secret, but I’d tell them a little. “We went to school together. Grew up down the street. Her life is much different now. She’s changed too.”

The old Raven was coming back to me, slowly but surely, and once she was revealed, I’d make sure to keep it that way. The stress of this stalker had completely shattered her world.

Knox, usually the voice of reason among us, spoke up. “We need to act fast. The longer this goes on, the more damage it does to Raven. We can’t let this stalker dictate her life like this.”

I glanced over at Raven once more, noticing the slight furrow of her brow as she absently toyed with the straw in her drink. It was clear that the weight of the situation was taking its toll on her, despite her efforts to remain composed. I knew that behind that façade of strength and resilience lay a vulnerable soul, yearning for peace and security.

As our conversation continued, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were missing something crucial in our attempts to unravel the mystery of Raven’s stalker. It felt like chasing shadows in the dark, with each lead leading us to dead ends.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed silently in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts. Glancing down at the screen, I saw a text message from a random number. My heart quickened as I read the ominous words displayed on the screen: “I see you’re trying to protect her. But can you really keep her safe?”

A chill ran down my spine as I looked up from my phone, meeting Raven’s worried gaze across the room.

Without missing a beat, I motioned for Raven to join us at the table. They were now going after me, too. They had no fucking idea who they were messing with and would regret it.

Raven walked over to the table, her eyes darting between me and my friends.

“Jerome, what’s going on? Who was that text from?”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what needed to be said. “It’s from the stalker. They’re watching us, trying to instill fear. But they don’t know who they’re dealing with.”

Mack’s jaw clenched in anger as she glared around the room, searching for any sign of suspicious activity. “We need to get you out of here, Raven. This place isn’t safe anymore.”

I nodded. “Let’s go back to your place. It’s too risky to stay out in the open like this.”

Whoever was doing this hadn’t met me and my friends, and soon enough, they would feel my wrath. Until then, game on!

“Let’s go. Get in.”

She hopped into my SUV and we took off toward her house. It might not be the safest place to be, but where else would we go right now?

“So I’m thinking maybe we should go somewhere else.”

Raven glanced over at me. “Like where?" They will find me wherever I go.”

She was right. Now that I had been sucked into this, we were officially in this together.

Within ten minutes, we were pulled up in the driveway with my friends pulling behind us. They wanted Raven to be protected as much as I did. Only difference was I had a selfish reason. If we find whoever was responsible, maybe I could shoot my shot with her. She was way out of my league, but I’d be kicking myself in the ass if I didn’t at least ask her out after all these years.

Mack jumped out of her jeep. Bishop and Knox got out of their trucks. We all walked inside together and I alarmed the system.

“Whoever this is… they are getting ballsy now. Who threatens an ex-military sniper? Someone with a death wish…” Knox laughed.

Raven went straight into the kitchen. “Anyone want a drink? I’m thinking this calls for vodka.”

As someone who knew how important it was to be sharp at all times, I had to decline. The others did too.

“Fine. Whatever. Guess I’ll drink for all of us then.”

She came and sat in the living room with the whole bottle. This truly showed me how out of pocket she felt. This was shattering her. There was nowhere where she felt safe anymore. Not even next to me.

“You know, you might want to get out while you can. They are proving they are willing to hurt me if given the chance. Why put your life on the line for me?” Raven’s eyes locked on mine.

My jaw tensed. She was out of her fucking mind if she thought I was leaving her alone. “No amount of bodily harm could ever make me leave you. Period. Don’t ever fucking say that again.”

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