Page 4 of Bound to the Mafia Guard

"You’ve got my word, boss. I won’t take my eyes off him.”

2

ROWAN

I stared between my father and Andro with my jaw tightly clenched. The tension in the room was palpable and most of it was emanating from me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You can't be serious. I know I was worried a few days ago, but I’ve given it a lot of thought and realized I don't need a babysitter following me around campus 24/7. I’ll be fine."

My father sighed and glanced at Andro. Though we weren’t family by blood–my father was Andro’s father’s stepbrother–we were never treated as anything but. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that I was being given the family treatment as far as my safety went. They did the same for their omega brother, Jeremiah. Then Jeremiah went and got himself mated to a guy no one would ever mess with, so he had built-in protection.

My cousin’s expression remained stern. "This isn't up for debate, Rowan. Until we’re sure no one will come after you again, you’re gonna be on a short leash."

I narrowed my eyes and turned to my dad, hoping he'd back me up. "Come on, Dad. You always said we were safe because so fewpeople knew who we were. That hasn’t changed. How about we just send someone to hang out on campus when I’m not in my dorm? That should be enough."

Dad's dark eyes met mine, but I saw no hint of wavering. "I'm sorry, but I agree with Andro on this. We can't take any chances. I can’t risk your safety, Son."

Frustration bubbled up inside me as I paced the room. "This is ridiculous. I'm not some helpless omega who needs constant protection. I can take care of myself. You all taught me self-defense. I’ll pick up those classes again as a refresher. I won’t let my guard down this time."

"We know you're capable, Son. This isn’t about you letting your guard down. There was nothing you could have done to prevent being taken, that is why we want you to have a full-time guard." My father’s tone softened slightly as he reached out to pat my shoulder. "It’ll give your old man some peace of mind."

I stopped pacing and faced them both. "I’m only gone for a few days at a time. You don’t think anyone will try to grab me as I walk between classes, do you?"

Andro stepped closer, leveling me with his commanding stare. "Rowan, please try to understand. This is just a temporary measure. We’re just as motivated to find Van’s partner as you are."

I crossed my arms, refusing to give in so easily. "And what about my privacy? My independence? I guess I’m just expected to give that up because some asshole targeted me one time?"

"It only takes one time, Rowan." My father implored me with his eyes to just agree. "So, for the two nights and three days you'll beon campus, you’ll have some backup. That’s it. It might even be nice to have someone to hang out with."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, yeah, that does sound fun. A fake friend who is being paid to supervise my every move for seventy-two hours straight. Sounds great."

Andro's expression tightened, and I could tell he was losing his patience. "Rowan, this is for your own good."

"Having Trev breathing down my neck every second isn't for my own good. It'll be suffocating."

He just shook his head. "Enough. This isn't a negotiation. Trev will be with you at all times, either in your room or just outside. During classes, he'll be at the front or back of the room, keeping watch. End of discussion."

My shoulders slumped in defeat, and I sighed. There was no winning this battle. "Fine. Whatever. Just tell him to stay out of my way."

Andro reached for my shoulder and gave me a firm shake. "I know this sucks for now, but you’re important to this family, Rowan. We love you and will doanythingto protect you. This is…well, anything."

A flicker of guilt tugged at my heart as my chin dropped to my sternum. "I get it. I know I’m being a baby about this, but…it’s fine. I’ll be fine. Thank you."

“Of course.” Andro’s whole body relaxed once I accepted my fate. “So, Trev will drive you tomorrow. Just let him know what time you want to leave.”

"Speaking of Trev, did anyone bother to ask if he even wants to play babysitter for three days a week? I’m sure he has a life."

"Trev’s a professional." Andro took a drink of his water bottle as he started inching toward the door. "He understands the importance of this assignment."

“Right.” I hated being anyone’s assignment. My dad had kept me very sheltered over the years, so I didn’t have a lot of close friendships. I’d never even had a boyfriend–not that I was going to admit that to my dad and cousin. Between staying out of the business my stepdad ran and doing everything possible to avoid becoming an unwed omega statistic, I was mostly a loner. I had a few friends at school, but our friendship was mostly based on proximity. No one was texting me and asking when I was coming back to school. They might have noticed I was gone, but no one actually seemed to care.

Maybe having a forced friend was better than having no real friends at all.

There were worse things to endure than being under Trev’s constant supervision. My loss of privacy was one thing, but safety was more important. I’d learned that the hard way.

As I walked into my room, I slammed the door behind me, frustrated that my life was no longer my own. Even from beyond the grave, Van Russo was still trying to control my life.

I paced back and forth, my fists clenched at my sides, no longer willing to be a victim. Russo was dead, and his influence over me died with him. "You hear that, you bastard? You're dead. You have no power over me anymore." My voice echoed in the empty room, but it felt good to say it out loud to myself. "I've survived worse than this. I can handle a few days of babysitting."

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