Chapter 2 : The Bodyguard

I felt my whole breath leaving my lungs immediately, especially when his eyes seemed to be fixated on me instead of Max who was actually waiting for his arrival.

A tugging question crept up inside of me immediately: What is he doing here?

"Good evening, I'm Joseph Cross, the new bodyguard." He introduced himself, his eyes settling from one person to another. Adjusting his suit, his eye met mine again.

Joseph? My curiosity piqued, did he just refer to himself as Joseph? What happened to his name, Killian?

Max quickly extended his hand for a handshake, "Welcome Joseph, I have heard about your expertise and the great work you did in the army."

A dark smile spread on one side of his lips, "Well, I won't have applied to be the bodyguard of a great man like you if I wasn't well experienced. I know how you only deal with well-experienced bodyguards."

Maximilian beamed, visibly satisfied. Killian’s gaze finally drifted from Max, sliding back toward me. I felt as if ice were coming alive in my stomach. I couldn't look away. I studied his face; it was more mature, harder than I remembered. There was a fresh scar cutting through his eyebrow and his beard was heavier, casting shadows over his jaw...his eyes dropped to my ribcage, where that tattoo sat prettily before warming his eyes back to my face.

My hand unconsciously reaching out to cover the tattoo, maybe I should've changed the dress.

Maximillian quickly slid his hand over my waist, "This is my wife, Seraphina," he said, "She's the one you will have to pay more attention to since she has a habit of getting into...accidents...you know, you will be quite perfect to keep her safe and in sight."

Killian or Joseph, or what he chose to be now stepped closer, his scent heavier than six years ago. He was even larger than I remembered and he towered over Max, with a commanding aura.

"Accidents?" He repeated, tasting the word as if it were a taunt on his lips, he looked at the heavy emerald necklace around my throat, then up to my eyes. "I'm very good at preventing accident, sir. And even better at finding out how they started when it comes to my clients."

A shiver of pure terror raced down my spine. Even through the confusion, the scream in my head grew louder: Why is he here?

"Good," Max barked, checking his watch. Cassandra stepped forward then, her eyes raking over the new guard.

"Joseph... that’s your name, right?" she asked. He nodded curtly. "I love that name. Like the dreamer from the Bible who refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife." She moved closer to him, her voice dropping to a purr. "You’re handsome. You definitely look better than the last one, Calus."

She turned her sharp gaze to me. "Make sure you don't seduce this one into your bed, Sera. Max was lenient when you slithered around like a snake and ended up in Calus's bed," she said, her eyes flicking to the spots where my bruises were hidden, reminding me of the horror of three days ago that happened because of the Calus incident. "But this time, I might have to step in."

"He doesn’t look like the type to be attracted to a low-life like her," Cyrus added after observing the whole time.

Lucius, however, begged to differ. "You always forget we have such a beautiful and seductive sister-in-law. Have you forgotten who she is? The supermodel everyone would die to have?" He made a clicking sound with his tongue before looking at Joseph/Killian. "Her bed is off-limits."

"I beg your pardon," Joseph/Killian reacted immediately, his voice dropping into a dangerous growl.

Lucius snorted. "Men fall in love with our sister-in-law quite quickly. It’s our duty to prevent that."

"I am here for my services," Joseph/Killian said, his jaw tight. "But I won't be insulted on the job."

"Why? He’s telling the truth," Cyrus said, reaching out to grab my shoulder roughly. "Look at her. You’ll probably want to mess with her eventually."

Killian’s eyes met mine for a split second. They were as cold as a winter grave. "I’m sorry to say this, but I’m married and I have a kid. I don’t deal with women like her."

Maximilian looked amused. "Women like her? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean women owned by another man. I wouldn’t want any man messing with what’s mine, either."

"I love that energy," Mrs Thorne said, finally breaking her silence as she watched from the stairs. "Keep to that."

Killian bowed slightly. "I’ll do anything to keep my job here."

"Then we’re good to go," Max said, grasping my arm and guiding me toward the exit.

Killian followed behind us like a shadow. When we reached the limousine, he moved with terrifying efficiency, opening the door and standing aside as I slid into the backseat. Max sat beside me.

"Get in here," Max ordered. "You have to stay close to us tonight."

"No," Killian replied. "I would prefer to follow in the car behind."

"No, Joseph. You need to be in our space for now. You can resume your formal duties tomorrow," Max insisted.

Killian weighed his options, his eyes avoiding mine no matter how hard I stared. Finally, he climbed into the car. "Thank you, sir."

"It’s no big deal. I just like you," Max sighed, leaning back into the leather. "I haven't met a young, married bodyguard in a while. And to crown it all, one who isn't after my wife's pussy."

To emphasize his point, Max grabbed a handful of skin on my thigh, forcing the dress to ride up. The white skin was exposed, showing a faint, yellowing bruise. I felt Killian’s gaze drop to my legs for a fraction of a second before he looked away, his expression turning to stone.

"I’m not interested in what your wife has to offer," Killian said, his voice void of emotion. "I’m here to work for you."

"That’s the spirit," Max replied. He turned to me, his grip on my thigh tightening painfully. "What do you think, Sera? Do you like him?"

I jolted, startled by the sudden question. My heart was thudding so hard I was sure they could hear it.

"The new bodyguard," Max repeated, his eyes narrowing. "Do you like him?"