Alison Storm

Chapter 12

Rhys

"I don't want to be your daughter's bodyguard anymore," I say...in my head because nothing comes out of my mouth.

I'm not even sure why I can't say what I want to say. It's not like Atlas Storm would rip my head off, now would he?

From what I've heard, he would. From what I've witnessed, he's less of a scary man in private than to the public. Like that one very daughter that has my head throbbing in pain with the amount it's spinning.

The thing about Atlas Storm though, he doesn't initiate conversations when he doesn't have a reason to talk. Not to just anyone, at least. So he just waits, looking at me expectedly.

I'm not usually the one to get intimidated. I don't back off from challenges and I don't chicken out. And yet here I am, feeling as though I'm failing myself.

When we sit in his office for yet another five minutes in complete silence, a smug smile appears on his lips. Right at the same time as he leans back in his chair, lifting his hands up behind his head.

"You like my daughter," he states.

I think my heart just stopped beating. Not the good fucking kind of it. It's like he killed me with just words. Or maybe I'm just a bit dramatic, but can you blame me when The Atlas Storm is sitting in front of me? The guy whose name alone lets people shudder in fear.

"You're wasting my time, Rhys. Tell me why you wanted to talk to me on such a short notice."

I let out a long breath before I can come up with any words. "I can't do this anymore." That sounds like a breakup, doesn't it? Dammit.

Storm leans forward, his elbows resting on his desk. "Elaborate."

Of fucking course I have to.

Do I go with the truth or make up a story?

Truth, right? Truth is always good.

"Vienna can be pretty demanding." That's not the way to go, Rhys.

Storm smirks. "They all can be. But that's not why you're here."

I shake my head. Here goes nothing. "I cannot be Alison's bodyguard anymore."

"Figured. Cause your contract wouldn't allow certain things."

What the fu—Okay. He's right, my contract doesn't allow "certain things." Like...getting intimate with my clients.

"Among other things, yes."

"We talked about this, Rhys. We both want to find out why your father is so obsessed with me and my family. If you terminate your contract, he will no longer let you close to my daughter, might even try to get someone else to look out for her."

He's not wrong. From what I've gathered, my father wouldn't stop trying to get close to this family until he's got what he wanted. And god know what that is.

"Why are you so sure about that I wouldn't betray you?" This question has been in the back of my head ever since Storm asked me to stay. He could've easily gotten rid of me, shatter my father's plans. But he didn't.

I wouldn't betray Storm. I've been forced to learn everything about this family for two decades. And for what? To find out that my father is holding some kind of grudge and is using me to seek revenge.

"You like my daughter," he says, again. "If you do anything that ruins me, she'll do everything in her power to ruin not only your father, but you too. Allie doesn't give any fucks about people's feelings when she's given reasons not to."