Page 13 of Close Protection

Of course they have.

Trying to make myself tall, I reach up but they’re still well out of my reach. All I wanted was to get some blueberries and water and go back to bed, why am I being punished?

‘Miss Green, what are you doing?’

I huff. ‘I’m trying to get a glass down.’

‘Stop it, you’re gonna hurt yourself.’ His bored tone at complete odds with his concerned words.

I turn around to look at him, his face suddenly vexing me. ‘Mr Petrov, if I could magically grow an inch I would, but I can’t, therefore I shan’t.’ I turn back around to face the cupboard and, after trying again, I settle on taking a mug off the bottom shelf instead. That’ll just have to do.

As I reach for it I feel a warmth envelop me and that distinct clean, masculine scent invading my nose. My gosh, he smells good.

So good.

I keep my eyes forward as Milosh reaches up with ease, my breath dipping when I feel his chest brushing against my back as he takes out the glass I was reaching for. He sets it down on the counter, but he doesn’t move. He lingers with his front still brushing my back as his arms cage me in.

‘Don’t let anyone speak to you that way again. Yes?’ he commands, voice low and authoritative. A set of unwanted goosebumps erupt across my skin when I feel his breath fan out against my neck, my eyelids closing as I revel in his closeness.

‘I’m sorry, what are you talking about?’ I breathe after a moment, my mind misty.

‘I don’t care if he’s your father, don’t let anyone shout at you. Do you understand me?’ All I can do is nod in response.

‘Good.’ He drops his arms and walks away as if nothing ever happened, while I try to collect myself, gather my things and make sense of it all.

‘G-goodnight, Mr Petrov,’ I say after filling up my glass and heading for the door.

‘Mmm,’ he hums in response, not looking up from his documents.

As I walk out of the kitchen, towards the stairs, I hear a shuffling sound coming from Daddy’s study.Why is everyone up so late tonight?I think, stopping short of the door. But as I reach for the handle the door swings open, revealing a tall man dressed head to toe in black.

‘Hi, princess,’ the man says, a sinister smirk spreading across his face.

‘I’m sorry, who are you, and what were you doing inmy father’s study?’ I ask, looking around for a quick out if need be. I’m sure he’s a new member of staff that Amelia hasn’t introduced me to yet, but there’s something eerily familiar about him, and I just can’t shake the gnawing feeling that something isn’t quite right.

‘I’m the new night guard,’ he says, stuffing his leather-gloved hands into his pockets.

There are no new night guards. The only new security is Milosh. So why do I recognize him?

Then it clicks.

The buzz cut. The tall build. The short full beard. The gloved hands.

He’s the man from the CCTV footage.

He’s the man that broke into my father’s office at work.

My heart drops as he cocks his head, letting out a little chuckle.

‘You figured me out, huh, princess?’ I go to run, but he grabs me by my waist before I can get anywhere. ‘We can’t have you running off to call Daddy now, can we?’ he says, yanking me towards him.

The impact of my body crashing into his causes me to drop the mug and bowl. They smash, scattering berries, glass and ceramic fragments across the now-wet floor.

‘Now why’d you have to go and do that?’ he sneers, removing one arm from my waist and grabbing me by theneck, locking my head in his tight grip.

‘Please,’ I wheeze, the word barely audible. He wraps his other gigantic, suffocating arm around the back of my neck, securing the hold as I try to scratch at his eyes.

‘You can try all you like, princess, it ain’t gonna change a thing,’ he hisses.

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