Page 48 of Bossy Bodyguard

He dragged me out of the chaotic study room, his long strides making me stumble in my heels.

I had never seen Cillian so angry. Or seen anyone so angry for me.

PART III

“I own you and all your pretty holes.”

29

I’LL DO ANYTHING

CILLIAN

Red coated my vision and with each stride, my grip tightened on Emma’s wrist. I didn’t want to hurt her damnit, but I couldn’t think.

The images of that perv’s hand on her back and frozen body kept flashing in my head, and it was enough for me to want to break something. Or someone.

“Give me the keys,” I barked at the driver and he scrambled from leaning on the car to giving me the keys.

“I can drive you—”

“You can leave,” I said, opening the passenger door for Emma. I couldn’t meet her eyes when she sat down, and I closed the door.

Exhaling sharply, I sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. I didn’t tell her where we were going when I drove out of the driveway, away from her brother and the creep.

“Cillian,” her voice was even, but there was a hint of nervousness. My hand tightened on the steering wheel to stop myself from hauling her over my lap and make sure she’s okay. “Where are we going?”

“Why didn’t you tell me that asshole has harassed you before?” I asked, trying to keep the anger out of my voice.

“It’s not important,” she replied, looking out of the window.

“Right. So if he does it again you’ll—”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Cillian,” she snapped, her blue eyes sharp. “I’m thankful that you stopped it, but you didn’t have to kick him.”

Oh, that’s what she was mad about?

“I’m your bodyguard and if I see you harmed, I will resort to violence if I fucking have to.” My knuckles turned white, and I tried to focus on my breathing, but it was all useless after what had happened in the past thirty minutes. Taking a deep breath, I asked, “Are you okay?”

I could feel her gaze on me, and it made my stomach clench with nerves. I didn’t want her to fear what I had done. I didn’t want her to fear me.

“I’m okay.” Her voice was small, and she was looking at her lap, her blonde hair hiding her face. “No one has ever stood up for me like that, so it was odd seeing it. Thank you.”

No one…

“You shouldn’t be thanking me, Doll.” I slowed down the car and kept my hand on her thigh, tracing the soft skin of her hand. “You didn’t tell your mother, Mrs. Karen, or your friends?”

I sighed in relief when she entwined her small hand with mine, her black nails tracing my hand tattoos.

“I told my mom when he touched my shoulder in her study. Saying creepy things that made me uncomfortable.” She shrugged, her smile sad when she glanced at me. “But she said it was normal. That if I didn’t want unwanted attention from old men like that, I should go on a diet so that these wouldn’t be so big and in their way.” Her tone was very self-deprecating when she pointed at her perfect breasts.

My jaw clenched, and I squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry your mother didn’t help you, Emma.”

“It’s alright. I-it could have been worse… but Mrs. Karen stayed with me when I begged her to sleep in my room that night.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I never told Mia or Summer because I didn’t want them to worry about me.”

“Is there…” I paused and flickered my eyes at her. “Is there any way I can help you?”

I would do anything she wanted me to. I would listen to her, let her cry on my lap if she wanted, and hold her as long as she wanted me to.

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