THE NEW GUARDIAN

Kyla felt her world crumble two weeks ago. She lost her father. The only family she ever had.

The thought of never getting to see the only person who understood her than any other was a nightmare. She’d never get to hear him call her little pumpkin. Never get to feel his lips pressed against her cheek.

Throughout the week, she refused to step out, barely eat, and say a word to anyone.

“Miss,” A gentle voice came with a gentle knock.

“Go away, Vivian. I do not want breakfast,” Kyla mumbled under the sheet.

Vivian, the housekeeper, cleared her throat. “Someone is here to see you, and it’s important.”

“I do not want to see anyone. Go away and stop trying to trick me out.”

She won’t get out of this bed. Every morning, she’d open her eyes, and the world didn’t feel the same. Stepping out was worse as every inch of the mansion held the memories of her father.

“Let me handle this,” another voice came, deeper than the maid’s voice. Rich and unfamiliar.

Kyla’s brows creased.

“Kyla. I’m a friend of your father. Step out a moment, we need to talk.”

Kyla blinked. Friend? Does her father have a friend?

Her father had few people around him. Only trusted business clients with whom he maintained good relationships. He’d told her about each one.

He rarely made time for fun, and Kyle often scolded him for it. Even though work always seemed to come first, he never treated their relationship as less important. Never joked about it.

“I’ll be down soon,” she said.

Their footsteps faded, and Kyla immediately regretted agreeing to step out. Either way, Vivian was going to make sure it happened anyway.

She freshened up, wore a peach hoodie she’d got from her father three months ago, and a jean shorts.

She tied her hair into a bun and gave herself a short glance in the mirror.

Staring back at her was a ghost version of herself. Unrecognizable. Paled skin. Baggy eyes that had lost their warmth. Lips, dry with cracked, bitten from sleepless nights filled with muffled cries.

She had lost weight. Part of her hair clung to her face in an unkept way.

Sighing, she dragged herself down the stairs, feet thumping lazily.

Vivian was talking with a man in a suit. The sight of him made her freeze at the bottom of the stairs.

Friend of her father?

She’d expected him to be some old, eye-wrinkled, grey-haired dude, not an epitome of demigod. Through the pair of glasses, his almond-shaped blue eyes met hers, sending a sudden heat down the back of her neck.

A black suit clung to his tall, built frame. 6.2 maybe, taller than anyone in the room.

Wait… anyone else in the room?

There were two others. One of which she’d recognized. Her father’s lawyer. Only then did Kyla notice the tight and nervous look on Vivian’s face.

Okay, what’s going on?

Much later, Kyla's fists were clutched on her knees, lips parted in disbelief as she listened to her father’s lawyer. Listened to the absurd words he was spilling, or rather, ones her father had told him to tell her.

“Are you freaking kidding me? I’m twenty-two. Not a kid. Why should I be in Mr. Redd’s custody?”

Apparently, the demigod of a man was Mr. Redd, her godforsaken new guardian. He was seated calmly, hadn’t said a single word, and his gaze was fixed in space—Expression, unreadable.

The lawyer cleared his throat, “According to Mr. Harper, you’re not to be left vulnerable. Mr. Redd’s protection is… non-negotiable. This is your father’s final directive.”

Kyla's mind screamed. She had barely had time to mourn, and now she was being handed over to some man she had never seen or known.

“Protect me from who? There has to be a mistake, my father wouldn’t hand me over to some stranger.”

“He is not a stranger, Miss Harper. He is your new guardian…”

“I don’t know him!”

“Well, now you do,” Mr. Redd spoke this time, his voice deep and measured. “Kyla, I know this is hard to accept, but there is no going back. We’ll figure this out.”

Kyla scoffed. “I don’t think we have anything to figure out, Mr. Redd. I think you should all leave. I’m not a piece of property to be handed over.”

Without wasting a moment, Kyla rose to leave. Her father wouldn’t make such a request. Why does she need protection from some stranger her father had never introduced to her? And from who exactly?

A hand caught hers before she could walk past the couch. Mr. Redd stood, his frame looming over like a shadow, and she was suddenly conscious of how she barely reached his shoulder.

His aura was so thick it nearly crushed her. Something about him brought wild butterflies to her stomach.

“You’re not a thing, Miss Harper,” he said. “But your father wants you protected and I intend to keep that promise whether you like it or not.”

Something about his last sentence sounded like a threat. Like he was about to lose the last string of his patience.

Too bad, Mr. Redd, I’m not some girl you could order around. By promise or not.

“So, what are you going to do, huh?” she dared. “Flip me over your shoulder and shove me to your car? Do your worst or whatever. I’m not leaving this apartment.”

Vivian was mumbling something like a prayer around the corner. Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t say a word out loud enough.

Mr. Redd pushed his glasses up his nose slightly, his lips twitched to the side. Then, in the next moment, Kyla’s feet left the ground. Her stomach suddenly pressed against his shoulder.

It happened in a split second.

This man didn’t just flip her over his shoulder like some bag of potatoes. Would he shove her into his car, too?

No!

“Let me go!” Kyla screamed, wiggling both her arms and her legs, but his large arm stayed secured around her waist with no escape.

“I’ll take my leave now,” he said, glancing over his watch. “My men will gather her belongings.”

No!

“Let go of me! Help!”

Kyla caught sight of her father’s lawyer, hoping he’d stop Mr. Redd, but the man stood frozen. Files clutched against his chest with lips parted without a freaking word.

Fear? Does this lawyer fear this man taking her away?

“Where are you taking me, you little prick!” she shouted.

“The city,”

Oh shoots!

Kyla cried harder, kicking and cursing against his shoulder.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t respond.

He reached the black Bentley waiting outside, swung the door open, and shoved her in. Not too hard to hurt, but she groaned, wanting to curse again.

“Quiet, Kyla,” he said.

He didn’t raise his voice, but it somehow stopped her from talking. This man held a kind of command tone and aura that freezes people, just like how it did to Vivian and that lawyer. And now, it took effect on her, leaving her raging breath filling the car.

“Your father left you in my care, and I intend to see that. Nothing more. Nothing less. You will adapt. Follow the rules I set, and that, Miss Harper, we’ll have a good start,” he said, his blue ocean eyes piercing through her. “Do you understand?”

Kyla's jaw ticked. “I understand this is illegal.”

“Oh, I am illegal.”

He shut the door with a soft thud, walked around, and entered the car, sitting beside her.

“Move,” he ordered.

The driver she hadn’t noticed, roared the car engine to life.

“One more thing, Wildling,” he shot a serious look at her. “I have no interest in your life, except keeping it intact. For now.”

~~~~~~~~~

The car was quiet.

Kyla arms were folded, face red as she couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said earlier.

Was her life truly in danger? Why did her father choose and trust him of all people to take care of her?

Mr. Redd was making calls, speaking another language that sounds Italian. Was that where he’s come from?

Even though she’d hate to admit it, he was breathtaking. Like one of those hot, sexy men she’d read about in novels that made her squeal sheepishly on her bed almost every night.

His raven black hair was a kind you’d crave to run a hand over and play with. Longer than the usual. Well defined jaw line that gave him a predatory appeal.

No Kyla. Don’t look at him that way.

He was a man who kidnapped you, claiming it was a wish from your father.

“Answer these once you are done staring.”

Kyla’s face caught fire. She cleared her throat, wishing she could sink lower in her chair.

“I wasn’t staring.”

Without looking, he shook the file in front of her face. His other hand, busy on his phone.

Sighing, she took the paper, expecting a list of people who suddenly want her dead, instructions for her assassination, secret codes from her father’s past, a treasure map… or maybe a heist plan.

But it was none of that.

There were surprisingly simple questions about her. Questions like her hobbies, likes, allergies, favorite colors, and so many more.

“Mr. Redd, you’re such a nice man. Dragging me in here and suddenly want to know all about me.”

“Just answer the questions, Wildling.”

“Don’t call me that, Mr. Protector.”

“The name is Carlos Redd,” he said, finally looking at her. “Do you talk this much?”

“Get used to and ready to be tormented with it if you won’t take me back,” she said. “Why do I have to move to the city?”

“So, I can have my eyes on you. You can always come back here to visit, only with my permission.”

She sat back with a huff, set the file in the middle, and dragged a hand through her hair. Today had already felt exhausting, going back and forth with someone as annoying as him.

She can’t believe she was suddenly forced to leave her quiet life here in the countryside of New York.

Kyla had been in the city a few times, but never liked the chaotic environment. She preferred life with quiet air, trees, and animals.

The rest of the drive was silent. Kyla kept herself busy with games, occasionally glancing at the tall, fancy buildings that seemed to reach the sky, rolling by outside the window.

After four hours, the car finally rolled past the iron gates open in a deliberate movement.

The house was sleek, sculptured like one of those she’d seen in magazines. Two stories high, vast, not intimidating but elegant. Tall polished windows kissed by the afternoon sunlight. A fountain sat at the center of the driveway. The garden bloomed with beautiful flowers.

The interior was unmistakably beautiful, well-arranged, and neat as if untouched. Screaming wealth.

How did her father know someone like him?

“Is this to your liking?” Carlos asked behind, hands tucked in his pocket.

“To my liking?”

“There are others.”

Others? How many houses does he have?

“I figured out you’d prefer something this simple,” he said.

“It’s fine,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter. I won’t be here for long.”

He sighed and pushed his glasses up. “The staff will bring you food, eat, and rest.” He said.

Then, he ordered the driver to take her to her room before striding away.

~~~~~~~~

“You’re in the city?!” Chelsea exclaimed on the other side of the phone.

“Yup,” Kyla rolled to the other side of her bed. “It’s been three days. I trying to adapt.”

“That is awesome. Why are you just telling me this now? Could have come over and taken you around.”

Kyla sighed. “Never mind, Chelsea. I won’t be staying long.”

“Why not? The city is fun. Forget all that your father said about here. Yeah, it might be sometimes dangerous, but it’s extremely fun too. I missed you, Kyla. We should meet. Besides, you need to cheer up.”

Chelsea was Kyla’s cousin who moved to the city after securing a job last year. She’d begged Kyla to come with her, but Kyla was adamant about staying, and soon realized how much she missed Chelsea.

“So, is this mysterious friend of your father treating you well?”

“I haven’t seen him in the last three days. But from what I can tell… He is grumpy. Too commanding. You should see the way he shoved me into his car,” Kyla said.

“Hot. Sounds like one of those possessive mafia shit.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Listen. I’m pretty sure your dad made this decision for a reason. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m not staying.”

“Quit being stubborn. Jayden will be thrilled to hear you’ll be staying here.”

A shadow fell over Kyla’s face. Jaw ticked, voice hesitant. “I haven’t… spoken with him in a month,” her second hand fidgeted with the hem of her dress. “Even after my father died, he never called or texted. Never visit.”

“Are you in a fight with him?”

Kyla exhaled. “He barely contacts me ever since he left for the city. He’s fading off each day, Chelsea, and… I don’t know what to do.”

That was one of the many reasons she hated the city. The environment changes people. Make them forget where they came from. Forget those they care for as they sink into the chaotic life.

Noting the tension, Chelsea changed the topic and told her about the club she works in and the wildlife in it.

The call ended after an hour, and Kyla was once again surrounded by the four walls of loneliness.

“Why did he bring me here if he was going to disappear?” She swung her legs off the bed, deciding to have some snack downstairs. “So much for a guardian, huh?”

A pair of ice blue eyes met hers as she swung the door open. Carlos stood at the threshold, one hand mid-air as if he were about to knock.

He was in a grey suit, with his hair gelled backward. His earrings shimmered under the dim light.

Jesus. Does he always look this hot?

“Oh, look who is here.” She folded her arms, trying to sound neutral. “You are doing a great job keeping me company, Mr. Protector.”

He put his hands back in his pocket. “You hated my company three days ago. Hated it so much to not respond to my text or calls.”

“I do not want to have anything to do with you.”

He threw his head backward with a sigh, then took a step into her room. Then another.

And another.

Eyes piercing through her.

Kyla instinctively stepped back with her heart hammering. “What are you doing?”

“You don’t listen, do you?” he said. His voice ran deeply low. The kind that would make the back of your hair stand and make you obey without realizing.

Kyla's back touched the wall. "Don't come any closer," she warned, but her voice didn't sound as fierce as she wanted.

Carlos stopped in front of her. Enough to seize her breath and feel the heat radiating off his suit.

“You think ignoring me will change the fact that you’re here? That you’re under my care?”

Her throat went dry. "I didn’t ask for this."

“Doesn’t matter what you want, Wildling. Your father trusted me, and I don’t break promises.”

“Then transfer custody,” she snapped. “You have connections, don’t you? Lawyers, money, whatever you are. Just sign the papers and let me go back to my life.”

"You really think it’s that simple?" Carlos leaned, one hand above her, the other in his pocket. "You're not here because of law. You're here because of danger.”

“Danger from whom?”

“That,” he said, “is something you’ll know when you’re ready. For now… eat, live your life, I won't interfere. Just stay where I can see you and always respond to my texts and calls.”

"So I’m a bird in a golden cage?” Kyla let out a bitter laugh. "I don't need you, Mr. Redd. I'm going to leave, whether you like it or not, even if you tie me to the bed."

The words spilled out before she could stop herself.

Well, you'd say anything when a hot devil in a suit has you trapped between his super charm and a dresser.

"Should I?"

Her breath seized. "Should you what?"

"Tie you to the fucking bed, Miss Harper."