Chapter Eight

Sierra

I had been having a good night with my friends. Wade and Jackson have kept their distance and been discreet, which I appreciate. My friends haven’t noticed. It is time for home, though. I have noticed two other men in two of the bars we have been at. They are making me feel uneasy. They seem out of place, staring at me and not in a checking me out kind of way. I am getting really bad vibes from them.

I excuse myself from my friends. When I move, the two guys get up, too, following me at a distance. I head straight from Wade and Jackson. When they see me approach the table, the guys stop and go to the bar.

“I think I need to go. I think the two guys at the bar are following me.” I whisper.

“They are. We have been keeping an eye on them. Go and say goodbye to your friends, and we’ll take you back to the house.” Wade says.

I nod and go to say goodbye to everyone. Wade and Jackson are close by, keeping their eyes on the two guys. I tell my friends I'm not feeling well before rushing back to Wade and Jackson. I can’t help but wonder what could have happened if Wade and Jackson weren’t here.

They lead me to the car, making sure I get in safely while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Once I am in safely, Wade slips in next to me, and Jackson climbs into the driver’s seat.

“You should call the boss, let him know what happened, and we are on our way back,” Jackson says.

Wade nods, taking his cell out to call Ambrose. It seems to ring out twice. It isn’t like him to ignore his cell.

“Will he be okay? It isn’t like him not to answer?” I ask.

“Ambrose will be fine. No one would come after him. They know better.” Jackson answers.

Why is that? Why won’t anyone go after Ambrose? Am I missing something? There must be a reason for everyone to be fearful of him, also a reason why my father chose him to protect me. I nod. There is no point in asking questions because they won’t give me the answers I need. I get lost in my thoughts. Am I finally beginning to realise how much danger I am in? I wish someone would fucking tell me who I’ve to be afraid of.

Before I know it, the car comes to a stop. I am told to stay in the vehicle until they check the surroundings. When they make sure it is safe, I get out of the car. They rush me inside. I expect to see Ambrose, but he is nowhere in sight.

“Sierra, go and wait in the kitchen, please, until we talk to Ambrose,” Wade says.

I don’t argue with him on it. I head to the kitchen. When I step into it, I am met with a pretty blonde woman who is in one of Ambrose’s shirts.

“Who the hell are you?” I snap.

Her attention falls on me, “More to the point, who are you?” she snaps back.

I guess she is the reason Ambrose didn’t answer his cell and was eager for me to leave. Is she his girlfriend? No, it can’t be that. Ambrose doesn’t do relationships. She must be his fuck buddy or something.

She looks me up and down. I do the same to her. I hear footsteps approach, more than from one person. Ambrose comes into the kitchen, his lady friend’s clothes in his hand.

“It is time for you to go, Kimberly.” He says and tosses her clothes to her.

“What? Are you serious? Who the fuck is she?” she snarls.

“None of your damn business. Out, now.” He hisses, getting angrier.

“Fuck you, Ambrose.” She tells.

“You already did, sweetness.” He replies smugly.

I am not surprised that is how he treats women. He is an asshole who has no respect for anyone. She curses him out and storms off. He wasn’t affected by her tantrum. All his attention turns to me.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I am fine.”

“I shouldn’t have allowed you to go out. This is why I have warned you multiple times how your life is in danger. Did you listen? Of course not.” He says, massaging his temples in frustration.

“Allow me? You are not my fucking keeper, Ambrose. You don’t rule my life. I refuse to give up everything. I have the right to a damn life, and you have no right to stop me.”

My words are full of anger, and my fists tighten at my sides. Ambrose groans in annoyance, running his fingers through his hair.

“You are so fucking stubborn. I am not doing this to be an asshole. I am doing it to keep my promise to your father.”

“How about you just let them get me? It would solve all your fucking problems.” I growl and barge by him.

He grabs my arm to stop me. He pulls me around to him and brings me tightly against his chest. My breath hitches, and my free hand falls on his chest. His breathing becomes louder.

“Wade, Jackson, you are dismissed.”

Ambrose's eyes stay on me as he barks his order at them. They leave without another word.

“Don’t you dare say something like that again?” He warns, his hold tightening on my arm.

It hurts a little, but it doesn’t bother me.

“Why not? It is the truth. You don’t want me here.”

The tone in my voice is almost timid, not what I expected.

“It doesn’t mean I want you hurt or dead.” He replies.

“Like you would care either way.” I scoff.

In one swift move, he pushes my back roughly to the wall. He slaps his hand hard against the wall at the side of my head. I don’t even flinch.

“It is not what I want, Sierra.” He hisses.

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. The way he stares down at me with lustful eyes was making me lost for words. My heart seems to be racing quicker than normal. A throbbing grows between my thighs.

Ambrose's eyes divert to my lips and back up. His body inches closer to mine. He is thinking about kissing me. I stay silent, not moving. I dart my tongue along my lips, and he mimics my movement.

He shakes his head and puts a distance between us. “You should get to bed. It is late.”

He walks away without another word. I sigh, get myself together and pull myself from the wall. It isn’t that late, not even midnight. Ambrose used it as an excuse to get away. It was getting too much for him. He couldn’t handle the idea of wanting me, even for a second. My little stunt from earlier this evening is still on his mind. I did it to prove a point. He said he didn’t want me, but he did.

I smirk, take a bottle of water from the fridge and head upstairs to change. I am not tired. I am going to go for a swim. I change into my bikini. I clean all my make up off and tie my hair back.

I pull on a robe, grab a towel and head back downstairs. His backyard is massive, well lit and secure. It has huge fences with bad wire at the top. There is a security system with cameras and sensors. His entire house is the same. I can’t help but wonder what all the protection is for. It was all here before I arrived. Maybe he is paranoid.

I remove my rope, set my things down and dive into the pool. I won’t swim for too long. Only enough lengths to help tire me out before bed. Swimming is a good way to relax, especially under a starry night sky.

I know I am safe here. No one can get to me. Ambrose is right, I need to be more careful, especially after tonight. What has my father gotten himself into? Whatever it is, I need him to be okay and for all of this to be over.