7. The Bodyguard

CENRIC

“Wow! This looks surreal,” her first comment as she looked around the Villa.

Aside from its access to the beach, it had a greenery garden as if giving us our own privacy. It was made mostly from hardwood, with wide windows and a high ceiling that enhanced the sea breeze, smell, and sound of nature. It had oversized furniture, a kitchen, king-sized bed, queen daybed, en-suite bathroom, and private outdoor dining.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wollf. I wouldn’t make it in time if I was the one to pick you up from the airport.”

“Devin?” I knew Sadie would be surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“Mrs. Wollf, I resigned as your brother’s bodyguard. Mr. Wollf then offered me a job. So here I am, ma’am.”

“Well, it’s good to see a familiar face around here. And good for you. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She faced me. “Why didn’t you tell me you hired— ” She chuckled. “Never mind.”

“He helped you, and I know I can trust him to look after you.”

“What do you mean?” She sounded alarmed.

“Devin will be your bodyguard.”

“What?” With wide eyes, she bounced her gaze between Devin and me. “I don’t think I need one.”

“Don’t worry, ma’am. You won’t even notice me around. I’ll make sure to be more discreet and give you your privacy.”

“Great.” She wasn’t impressed, but I was not going to give her a choice. She needed a bodyguard whether she liked it or not. “But hard not to. Since Cenric is here, can you go now somewhere else and enjoy the scenery.”

I knew Devin wouldn’t listen to her. He knew the drill, and I specifically briefed him regarding his job. He only took orders from her when there would be an emergency or her life was in danger.

“It’s okay. Thank you for reporting on short notice, Devin.”

He finally left us.

Sadie went to the master bedroom. I followed suit and found her leaning against the jamb. Her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the lush ocean.

“Do you trust him?”

“He’s the only one who treated me like a lady.” Her voice dropped. She didn’t face me.

“Then why are you upset?”

“I am not. I’m grateful for what you’ve done. I just don’t think I need a bodyguard.”

“I don’t want anyone from your family, especially your father’s men will pay you a visit. Trust me, and I can feel it in my bones that they will reach out, if not sooner, later.”

Finally, she faced me. Her eyes laced with confusion and terror. “What do you mean?”

“What do you know about your family business?”

She shut her eyes briefly before she talked, “Winery, export, and import, and recently, my father had acquired a shipping line. Why did you ask? As if you don’t already know.”

“I know a lot about your family.” I stuffed my hands in my jeans pockets, hoping she wouldn’t pry further.

“That’s good to know. You wouldn’t be surprised whatever they’re hiding from me. I bet my father has some nasty business going on.” Despite her family didn’t fill her with the details of their business, she had somehow had suspicions that something was going on.

“Do you like the place?”

She smiled and looked at the king-sized bed. “This is lovely.” She turned to face the beach again. “How can I complain? Look at that? I can’t remember the last time I feel the sand against my feet, the taste of the seawater on my tongue, and the sun against my skin.”

“Don’t worry. Now you have the time in the world to do whatever you want.”

“But with your man guarding me everywhere I go.”

“You need protection. It’s part of being married to me. You wouldn’t even notice him unless you go out. He will be your driver. I’m not as terrible as your brother or your father. I have every reason to hire him. Just trust me on this.”

“Can I complain? No. Can I argue? Yes. That’s beyond relief. At least you listened to me without the back of your hand hitting my face.”

I almost flinched with her words. “Now, have a rest. It’s almost sunset. You shouldn’t miss it. I’ll be back.”

“Go ahead. I promise I won’t escape,” she joked. Even if she tried, she couldn’t manage to get away from this island.

I stalked out of the Villa towards the cottage where Devin, my security detail Beck and Linden settled for a few days.

“You won’t show up while she’s here. I don’t want to ruin her mood,” I ordered Devin.

“Yes, sir.”

“Beck, I have a meeting early tomorrow. I only need you to accompany me to the other island.” Beck Corbin was the first bodyguard I hired when I already needed one. He was one of the few people I trusted most with my life and one of my brothers in that unit in the first place. 

“Of course, C.”

“You two take something from the town. I’ll give the receipt to you tomorrow.” I paused before I reached the door. “And Linden, no banging the staff.” I knew he liked to shake his dick whenever there were pussies around. “Keep your junk in your pants the whole time.”

“Got it.” He saluted. “My junk in my pants.”

The two guys shook to laugh.

I went back to the Villa. My wife was already on the deck chair in her floral mini kimono dress. Her hands were behind her head while her feet dipped in the sand.

“How’s the sand?”

“Shush.” She pressed her finger against her lips. “Hear that?”

“Hear what?” I occupied the empty chair beside her.

“Exactly. My most peaceful hour in a long time, and I don’t have to keep vigilant anymore.”

“You didn’t deserve to go through that.”

She turned her head to me. “The sand is so fine, comforting, and warm, and it slips through my toes.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Where’s your dream place to go?”

“Heaven.”

I groaned. “Country or states, Sadie.”

“I always dream of going to Verona, Italy, the beaches. Something like this that I have privacy. Not the public beaches where I can see people making out. I like some serene places and fresh air. Maybe one day, I will climb a mountain or one of the wonders of the world.”

“Glad you like this place.”

“Thank you for bringing me here where your parents spent their honeymoon.”

“It was their last honeymoon.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Her voice laced in deep sorrow. “I hope this is not our last because I definitely won’t say no everywhere you want to drag me into.”

I laughed. “Not our last. I’ll make sure of that. And I will definitely take you with me when I have—”

“Even business trips.”

“Yes.” She couldn’t let the business trip part go.

“But do I get a chance to get out of the hotel rooms?”

“Yes, you can go anywhere you want.”

“Deal.” She extended her hand.

“Deal. With Devin.” I squeezed her hand for a handshake. There it went, this electricity right to my balls. I didn’t let her hand go just yet. “Let’s watch our first sunset together.”

“Our first sunset.”

The sunset is deep in the ocean, creating gold and the boldest red from the horizon. It wasn’t just beautiful, but the start of the new chapter of our lives as husband and wife. I turned my head to see my wife. Her lips bore a smile. She stayed quiet and let go of a deep long sigh. I saw her—the real woman who missed a lot of her life at the hands of her family, but I also saw the hope in her face, in her eyes, in her smile—she was gratified. And that was all that mattered to me.

“Beautiful,” I muttered, even if it was meant for her.