Chapter Nine

“Jillian!” I yelled, rushing from the balcony and down the stairs.

He met me halfway in the hall, already tensing at my tone. “What is it?”

“There was someone outside. Watching.”

His eyes sharpened instantly. “Where?”

“By the gate. Dressed in black. He saw me—he pointed at me, Jillian.”

“Pointed?” he repeated, then turned to the guard at the door. “Get eyes on the north gate. Now.”

“Yes, sir.”

I reached for his hand without thinking. “Jillian… who would do that?”

He looked at our intertwined fingers, then at me. “People who want to send messages.”

“Was it Alyssa?” I asked.

“No. She doesn’t use subtlety.”

“Then who—?”

“We’ll find out.”

His voice was low, controlled. But I could tell by the way his jaw clenched that his mind was already spinning.

He turned to one of the passing guards. “Double the patrols tonight. And send someone to sweep her room for bugs.”

My stomach sank. “You think someone’s been listening?”

“I think we’re being watched,” he muttered, then looked me dead in the eyes. “And I won’t let them touch you.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Joseph’s voice beat me to it as he strode into the hallway.

“What’s going on?”

“Potential breach,” Jillian replied.

Joseph’s eyes moved between us. “Define breach.”

“Someone was watching the house. From the gate.”

Joseph turned to me. “You saw them?”

“Yes.”

“Describe him.”

I hesitated, then said, “Tall. Broad shoulders. Black hoodie. He didn’t try to hide. He wanted me to see him.”

Joseph’s face darkened. “That sounds like a warning.”

“I already told security to sweep the perimeter,” Jillian said.

Joseph nodded slowly, then turned to me again. “And you’re sure it wasn’t someone from the staff?”

“No. His eyes—he looked like he wanted me to know I wasn’t safe.”

Jillian’s hand pressed gently against the small of my back. Protective. Steadying. “She’s not going anywhere without armed escort. Starting now.”

Joseph didn’t argue. “Good. And Christy…” He paused. “If anyone tries anything, don’t hesitate to scream.”

I nodded. “Don’t worry. I will.”

Joseph left without another word, but Jillian lingered.

“Are you okay?” he asked after a moment of silence.

“No,” I admitted.

He tilted his head. “Scared?”

I met his gaze. “I was. But now I’m just… mad.”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Mad?”

“I don’t like being intimidated. I’ve been passed around, forced into this life, and now I have strangers pointing at me in the dark like I’m some weak target.”

Jillian’s lips twitched. “You’re not weak.”

“You think?”

“I know,” he said. “You faced Alyssa. You faced me.”

I snorted. “Facing you was never optional.”

He smiled at that. A small, rare one. “Still. You haven’t run. That says something.”

“I’m not running,” I said, chin lifting. “Not until I know what I’m dealing with.”

He stepped closer, voice low. “You’re dealing with a world that doesn’t care if you’re innocent. You understand that, right?”

“I do.”

His eyes searched mine for something. Then, suddenly, his fingers brushed my jaw. “Good. Then I’ll teach you how to survive it.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You want to stand your ground?” he said. “Then I’ll show you how.”

There was a beat of silence before I spoke.

“Is this a lesson in how to shoot someone?”

“If necessary.”

“And if I say no?”

He shrugged. “Then I’ll keep protecting you. But one day, I might not be there fast enough.”

I didn’t reply.

Not right away.

Then—“When do we start?”