Page 29 of My Damaged Protector

He nods and turns back to push the gate, but it doesn't open. Slapping his forehead, he mutters something to himself.

He steps back toward the end of the wall where there's some security shit. He types what I presume to be the entry code, and a buzzing sound fills the air. He goes back to the gate, and this time, it opens when he pushes it.

As we enter, we're met with two security guys who immediately go back to their post as soon as they see him, and he continues walking in. I follow him.

I watch him as he walks farther into the property. There's an edge around him that I can't put my finger on, or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Christopher is a man well in his fifties, judging by the way he walks and his hair. I remember the first time we met in my apartment in New Jersey. He had come to me with news of my aunt's death and my new wealth. I felt there was some sort of affection in his voice as he was speaking about her then, but I wasn't sure.

Now that I'm watching him walk me through the property as he explains its worth and current occupant to me, I can tell he been here more often than an estate lawyer normally would need to.

The tour around the estate takes over two hours. Eventually, we stand in front of my aunt's house, and I can immediately tell it's hers before he even says it.

“And here is Maya’s, um, Ms. Gabriel's house. She wanted you to be the one to stay here. It's not out for rent. Neither are the rest of the properties, except the ones that currently have people in them. Although after you stay here for a year and you have access to the property, you can rent out whatever you want. Except the main house, of course.”

I nod at his words, still reeling from my reality.

“So all this is really mine?” I ask him.

“Pretty much. We have more properties in neighboring towns and cities.”

Go figure.

“And they're all mine?” I ask again. He smiles at my words.

“Yes, Mr. Peele. They're all yours. Your aunt made sure of that.”

My aunt. That word still doesn't sit well with me. I've spent the most of my life knowing Justin as my only family member until his death. Now suddenly I'm told I have another family member who has left me such wealth, but I never got to meet her?

It's all too much, having so much and yet so little at the same time.

“There is also money in her accounts which of course you can't access until after the one year duration,” he continues to explain, not noticing my mood.

“And I can only stay in her house, alone?” I ask him, not really sure I understand the criteria.

He stalls at my words, a thoughtful look coming over his face.

“Well, you can always use any of the property that you want. You're just not allowed to sell any or rent them out.”

“I thought you said?—”

“I'm sure your aunt wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable, so if you're not okay with staying in her space just yet, she would understand.”

He speaks as though he knows so well.

Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But at least he used to know her when she was alive. Which is why I'm still confused about getting all this.

Why me?

Why not anyone she knew personally while she was alive?

So many questions, but no one to answer any of them.

“Can I ask how you got the bruises on your face?”

Well, about damn time. He's been staring at my face so hard since I got here, I honestly thought he wouldn't survive our firstminute together. He surprised me though and held his tongue until now.

A silly thought comes to my mind, and I start to laugh even before I speak.

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