Page 3 of Ivory Sins
My brows shoot up, mirroring the surprise flickering in my gaze. “A bodyguard?”
“Got a better idea?” Matteo asks me, reclining in his chair.
I'm speechless at the moment, and my mouth can't seem to produce any meaningful words.
Finally, I find my voice. “Come on, that's ridiculous.” I give a wry chuckle. “I can't have a bodyguard…it'll be weird having him…you know…follow me around and stuff,” I object, shrugging my shoulders.
“Well, he's highly trained, and I can promise you he'll be inconspicuous,” Father says, a faint grin playing on his lips.
“You won't even know he's around,” Matteo adds, his expression softening slightly.
I pause, watching them in silence. These two have decided already and there is nothing I can do or say that'll change their mind. None whatsoever.
“I don't like this,” I grumble, letting out an exasperated groan.
“You don't have to,” Father says, his eyes locked to mine. “But it's necessary.”
“And it's not really a request,” Matteo chips in, a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
“I'm well aware, thank you very much, big brother,” I reply, my tone light and somewhat playful. After a moment of hesitation, Igive in, like I had a choice. “Fine.” I sigh quietly. “I'll do it your way.”
Matteo and Father look at each other and smile.
“Who is this so-called bodyguard, anyway?” I ask, my tone tinged with passive curiosity.
“Why don't you see for yourself? He's right outside,” Father says, nodding toward the door.
“Wait, you brought him here?” My eyes widen in shock and I rise to my feet. “How can you bring him to my workplace without telling me first?” I grumble, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor as I make my way to the door.
I grab the handle and open the door. As I step outside of my office, I freeze, my breath hitched in my throat. I swallow hard, unable to tear my gaze off this familiar face.
This man, clad in a black suit that clings to his rigid body, towers over me, his familiar cologne invading my senses. I stand there, transfixed, rooted to the floor as I glare at him with furrowing brows and blazing eyes.
I should have known it was him when Matteo had said I wouldn't even know when my the bodyguard was around me.
My blood boils as his intense dark eyes stare into mine, his expression softening ever so slightly.
“Marco,” his name falls off my lips, my voice low, dripping with venom and disdain.
Marco Esposito was an Elite Security Specialist, a former Bellanti security guard and also my former lover. He's half a decade older than me, but we had a good thing going on while it lasted. Until he abandoned me three years ago, vanished without a trace.
He still looks as handsome as I remember, with an athletic build and short black hair that stresses his ruggedness. His presence stirs up mixed emotions within me. And as I glare at him, I can feel my hands and feet trembling. A surge of anger jolts through my body, a deep scowl settling on my face.
Before he can say a word, I cut him off, shaking my head as I withdraw from him. “No. Hmm. Mmm.” I walk back into my office and face my father and brother. “Marco Esposito? Are you kidding me?” My voice rises a little higher than normal.
They exchange glances.
“Why are you so upset?” Matteo asks, his eyes narrowing. “Marco isn't a stranger to the family, and there's no one better to keep you safe.”
“Well, I don't want him,” I blurt out disdainfully.
Father rises to his feet, drawing nearer to me, his cane thumping against the floor. He stands before me, calm and collected. “Idon't remember ever seeing this much hatred in your eyes, child,” he says.
I clench my jaw, my heart pounding like a drum. But I say nothing.
Father stares at me in silence and then says, “Marco is great at his job.” He sighs and places a hand on my shoulder. “Let him do what he knows how to do best…let him keep you safe.”
Like I said, it’s not like I can really refuse, anyway. I hate Marco for all the pain his abandonment has caused me, but I can't go against my father.
