Page 17 of Slay Tricksters and Silent Skeletons
“It would have been honorable,” I quietly assured him. He turned to look at me, and I offered him a soft smile. “I will always gladly lay my life down if it means you get to live another day, kid. And not because it’s my job, but because you’re myfriend. And Iwantto protect you, okay? There are risks associated with being your bodyguard, and I’m aware of that. I’mokaywith that.”
He shook his head, his jaw clenching. “Then I don’t want you as my bodyguard anymore.”
I felt his words like a punch to the gut. I’d worked fuckinghardto gain the position I’d gotten as his bodyguard. Niran was the head of all of us, and I was just about right beneath that. Being the bodyguard of the boss’s significant other was something most only got to dream of. It was more laid back, less hours, and more pay. But it wasn’t just that.
It meant you weretrusted. You werefamilyin a deeper sense than just belonging to the man who signed your paychecks.
“If that’s what you want,” I managed to get out. But saying the words was about as easy as swallowing acid. Because Anurak wasn’t just someone I protected. He really was my friend. I cared about what happened to him. And I also didn’t trust a single other soul to protect him the same way I did. The same way Icould.
“It’s not what I want,” he croaked, “but I can’t stand the thought of this happening to you again.”
I sighed. “Anurak, the odds of this happening again are slim to none,” I assured him. “It’s been several years since you and Rico got together, and this is the first time someone has gone out of their way to target you.”
“But itcanhappen.”
I opened my mouth to try to tamp down his fears, but Rico spoke before I could. “Perrito, why don’t we go cuddle in bed and watch a movie?” he suggested. “And once you’re calm, we can talk more about this. Okay?”
Anurak nodded, and Rico lifted him. Once Anurak twined his arms around his husband’s neck and legs around his waist, Rico carried him from the room, calling for Ace as he did so. I sighed and stared down at the burrito. My appetite was fuckinggone.
“He didn’t mean it,kon-dii,” Niran said quietly. His voice was stiff, but it was nice to know he was still trying to comfort me, even he wasn’t all that surehowto do that.
I sighed. “He did,” I assured him. “Anurak doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean. And while he didn’t mean it the way it feelsbecause I know he only wants me to be safe, it still fucking hurts.”
Niran grunted. “Eat,” he instructed. “And don’t wallow.”
I scowled at him. “Fuck you, Niran.”
He heaved a heavy breath. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not good with comforting people, Bento. Even you. I just can’t empathize like that. It’s not one of my abilities. Give Rico and Ace time to calm him down and talk some sense into him. You’ll be out of commission while you heal, but you won’t be losing your position as his bodyguard. I can promise that.”
“If that’s still what he ultimately wants, Niran, Rico will give it to him.”
Niran tapped the bar top. “Eat,kon-dii, and stop worrying. You are the closest thing Anurak has to a best friend. Just… I don’t know. Hang in there.”
My lips quirked at how uncomfortable he looked. “You really are shit at this whole comfort thing, aren’t you?”
He rolled his eyes. “Eat. I’m tired of repeating myself.” He headed for the doorway to leave the kitchen. “When you’re done, come to my office to get your medicine. I need your assistance with something.”
I saluted him. He snorted and left the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the fear that I was not only about to be demoted, but I was going to lose someone I considered family.
15
Niran
Ididn’t like the way Bento being upset made me feel—like I was crawling out of my fucking skin. And there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do to help him because I didn’t knowhowhe felt. How was I expected to comfort him when I couldn’t relate? I didn’t want to give him something half-assed. That wasn’t who I was. But Bento wasmine, and I was supposed to be able to take care of him in all the ways.
But I couldn’t, and that was just it. I had to hope I’d said the right things and leave it at that, even if I didn’t fucking like it.
Sighing, I grabbed my tablet off the charger and opened the employee files so I had everything ready when Bento finally made his way to my office. Rico and I had gone through the list yesterday to find suitable guards for Anurak while Bento was out of commission, but Rico wanted Bento to make the final decision. It spoke volumes about how much he trusted Bento when it came to Anurak’s safety. Had Bento lost his life so Anurak could run, it would’ve been the ultimate sacrifice.
And I probably would have went off the fucking deep end. Rico would’ve had to put me down. Because regardless of if Bento’s attack had been Anurak’s fault or not, I would’ve lashed out at the boy. No one would have been safe from my wrath.
The door to my office opened, and I arched a brow at Bento. “Heard of knocking?” I drawled.
He rolled his eyes. “When have I ever fucking knocked?” he retorted. Then, like the true smart-ass he was, he raised his fist and knocked on the open door. I shot him a deadpan look. “Happy?” he asked, a smirk tilting his lips.
He seemed okay, but I knew Bento was excellent at wearing a mask. It was one of his aspects that made him such a good guard. He could mask anything he was feeling—except for me. Something in his eyes always gave him away to me, and as I studied him, I could see the lingering hurt in his eyes.
Anurak had done a fucking number on him, even if he hadn’t meant his words in the way Bento had taken them. Seeing Bento hurt made me want to go upstairs, drag Anurak out of his room, and force him to his knees so he could apologize to Bento. But I kept my urges in check. Rico would put a bullet in my skull so quick, I wouldn’t even see it coming.
