NN

ding his mother. It's no trivial matter. She is a timid person with an insatiable craving for attention from the opposite sex. Despite her tall, slender fi

s to the jaw, uppercuts to the ribs. I even broke someone's cheekbone while defendin

nd even sex toys-anything to inflict harm. I have whisked Regina away from fervent crowds that posed a threat to her safety,

would have done so long ago, especially when I ignore communication and leave gaps in my daily

and asks, "So, is this a pro

arns the same amount, except for those leading a Force, who receive more." The unrele

ntally revealing his well-defined abs. Damn. I

"But this housing situation is undoubtedly a demotion.

le it, there's the

truth. This townhouse is old and cramped. Where I used to live was a brand-new mansion in an affluent gated commu

urchased solely to accommodate round-the-clock bodyguards. It was where Security Force Alpha

in different locations. Our living arrangements mirrored those of our clients, leaving us with no say in wh

smissed due to incompetence. Some sought a change in their life's path. Regardless of the reasons,

ime, it wa

ulsed me, and I was always too much of a nonconformist to be accepted by the older, disciplined bodygua

en the security team found out you'd be my bodyguard, did anyone sen

't provide much information. "No one had the time to send me cards," I reply. "But if th

right," he respon

s hand and tell him he's a complete jerk. But the truth is, I'd have to do the same with two-t

prefer a mutua

ed. "It's not like when Davin was reassigned to Sandro's detail. We all

d shakes his head a

lenging to keep up with. One day he might be in Ibiza, the next in Paris, and then off to Japan. He's s

tuating his sour expression. Whispers circulated among the security team ab

sions. If Sandro and Davin rarely spent time together, it meant

st the way

y, we'll have lunch at my place," he suggested. "You can make yourself at home here, do whatever you

ber," I stated m

. "Haven't we exchan

hen I accompanied Regina on her on-call appointments or during occasional holiday gatherings at the Johnsons

as already twenty, busy hangin

andered into the distance. Waving my hand in

e present, and then reached out. "Give me you

ld just giv

N

y, handing him my phone for the time being. It wasn't a b

it back. "Dinner plans are uncertain. If I de

or the rest of the

eeled off his damp shirt a

sweat. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine, a prime target for paparazzi searching for that flawless shot. Some of his clients specifically requested that these 'money shots' be blocked from the camera's view, whi

ark, I quip, "Do you practically live at the gym? Because your mother used to be the epitome of a couch potato." Memorie

orkout, wipes his forehead with his

aise an eyebrow, ske

he co

eir presence. "I can count at least eight locations on your body that sugge

tently. "You don't seem

to elicit the desired reaction. I begin to smile. "Th

ore gesturing towards himself. "Take

lenge. Swiftly, I remove my V-neck,

ic of vivid skulls, crossbones, swords, tumultuous waves, and sailing vessels. The grayscale pirate imagery intertwines with

Ashton possesses more ethical boundaries than an entire sports complex combin

er," he assert

unbiased judg

rds the door. "Will

biased," I

," he replies, acknowledging the near-impossibility of such a

" I co

rieve it and make note

hen it came to matters of intimacy. Not a single mention of nondisclosure agreements adorned that piece of paper, despite th

kimmed through the eight-page document. With steady hands and a sharp mind, I had managed to graduate at the top of my class in medical school, much to the chagrin of many faculty m

nd year, it nearly caused a collective heart attack among the faculty. Neve

shton forges ahead. "At some point," he begins, "not ton

instantly tense up. It's abundantly clear that the not

tclub, and I'll find someone to have sex with. It's purely about se

I ask, b

refuse,"

t possible motion. "Are you serious?" I inquire,

ime. Everyone in his family and security circle refers to him by his nickname, but the media and the public stick

uch a remarkable memory, you seem to forget

esponds by flipping me off with both hands.

intimate purposes, all the security personnel would undoubted

n, it's a combination of all three, and some individuals are willing to cross boundaries to attain their desir

al risks ar

ind processing the implications. "You have to rely

il they fail you. How about that?" The statement lingers in the air, daring me to prove myself. With unwavering determination, I respond, "Alright. Because they won't