Chapter three

Don Emilio sat at the edge of the massive pool in his safe house smoking a cigar. He lived on the outskirts of town with the rest of his syndicate; the villa was heavily fortified with high-tech security and surrounded by a dense, lush forest.

“He still hasn’t changed his mind,” Don Emilio said into his phone.

“Yes, boss. He’s still being stubborn,” the voice on the other end replied. Don Emilio stood up, wrapped a white towel around his waist, and headed inside.

The mansion was usually alive with the chatter and movement of gang members, but the moment the twenty foot double doors swung open, the lively atmosphere vanished. It was replaced by the sharp echo of Don Emilio’s Prada flip flops on the marble floor.

He swung open his bedroom door to find two women waiting on his bed. One was a redhead and the other was a ginger. The ginger wore black lingerie while the redhead was completely naked.

“You’re back, daddy,” the redhead said, her voice dropping to a sultry purr. The ginger began to walk seductively toward him.

“Get out. Now,” Don Emilio commanded. His face darkened as he glared at them, and they both scrambled to gather their things and hurry out.

“Boss, you called for me?” A muscular man, about 5’6” with a jagged scar running through one eye, stepped into the room.

“Proceed with the next phase,” Don Emilio said, pouring a bottle of whiskey into his glass. “Make sure he looks at his daughter and weeps bitterly.”

“Yes, boss.” The man turned to leave, but Don Emilio stopped him.

“Wait. Make sure you don’t kill her.” He swirled his glass, the ice clinking against the crystal. He smirked. “That would be no fun.”

Back at the school, students scrambled around the classroom, desperate to see which groups they had been assigned to for their week long project.

“Group D: Ethan Reynolds, Gabriel Martin, Jems Dawson, and Freda Thompson,” Steffiny, the class captain, announced.

“Looks like I’ll be doing all the work,” Ethan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.

“Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?” Jems snapped. She was standing a few meters away, hands on her hips as she glared at him.

“What do you mean, what do I mean?” Ethan raised an eyebrow, his ocean blue eyes locking onto hers. “I’m saying I’m the only smart one in this group. You know it’s true.”

“We are smart, and you are incredibly rude,” she retorted.

“Hey, guys,” Freda said, joining them with Gabriel. “Ethan is the group leader!” She practically bounced over to Ethan’s side and grabbed his arm.

“Like you guys had a choice,” Ethan scoffed. He pulled his arm away from Freda’s grip. “And you, get off me.”

“Freda, at least have some self respect,” Jems said, rolling her eyes. She deliberately bumped her shoulder against Ethan’s as she walked out of the classroom. Derick followed close behind her.

“Can you imagine that jerk? Who does he think he is?” Jems vented once they were in the hall. “How could he call us dumb like that? I’m so pissed, I really felt like kicking him in the face!” She looked at Derick, who was watching her intently. “I’m going to study so hard I’ll show that brat who’s boss. I’ll give this project everything I’ve got.”

She sighed, looking him directly in the eye. “Derick, you know everyone can’t take first place. That’s why others take second, third, and fourth. That doesn’t mean they aren’t smart, right?”

Derick chuckled softly. Jems stopped mid sentence.

“Did you just smile?” she asked in awe.

“Why do you let him get to you so much?” Derick asked, patting her gently on the head. “You know you’re smart. If he doesn't want to accept that, it’s his problem. I feel like your blood pressure is hitting the roof.” Jems’ face turned a bright shade of pink. “Or do you by chance have a crush on him?”

“What? No! That ugly jerk could never be my crush!” she squealed. Her face was now as red as a tomato.

“So I was right,” Derick smirked. “Your face is proof. You’re blushing.”

As Derick teased her, Jems touched her hot cheeks and spun around, only to see Ethan walking toward them.

“Hey, you. Why did you walk out?” Ethan demanded. “We were supposed to talk about the project. Or were you planning on slacking off and letting us do the work?”

“Is that a problem, Mr. Smarty Pants?” she shot back with a smirk. “You said it yourself, you're the only smart one. I wouldn’t want to get in your way.”

“So just because of one comment, you’re quitting? Shouldn't you watch and learn from me instead?”

“Nope. I think I’ll just do the whole project on my own,” she challenged.

“You can’t be..,” Ethan started, but Jems cut him off.

“But I forgive you. I know you can’t actually do it without me, so we’ll work as a team,” she said with a triumphant smile, walking away.

“Hey! Get back here!” Ethan called out, following her back into the classroom.

Derick’s POV

I watched Jems storm out of the class. I didn't know exactly what had been said, but I knew it was about the project, so I stayed on her heels.

Watching her vent, she looked almost cute when she was angry. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. For some reason, she reminded me of Ava, my sister. Ava was older, twenty one, but I hadn't seen her in a year because of her college schedule and my work.

Seeing Jems act this way made me chuckle without thinking. She caught it immediately, staring at me with her hazel eyes and her mouth slightly open.

I reached out and patted her head. I felt a sudden, fierce urge to protect her, and not just because it was my job. I wanted to make sure she never cried. I wanted to stay by her side. I didn't know why I felt this attachment, but I knew I had to fight it.

A previous client had fallen in love with me after we lived in a safe house for almost six months. I thought I had been professional, but she grew obsessed. When I rejected her, she tried to end her life. I watched her jump from a third story balcony. She survived by landing in the pool, but the sight of her broken body haunted me.

I blamed myself for every smile or friendly gesture I had given her. Since that day, I had stayed cold. I had to be the cold hearted man to stay safe. Looking at Jems now, it broke my heart, but I had to remember: I was just the bodyguard. That was how it had to stay.