Our Bodyguard|18+

Thirty-eight

"Well, I guess it's time to pay our friend Elena a visit, don't you think?" I look at Red and Luca in turns, my mind decided.

"I'm coming with you," says Red.

"No! I'd rather make it a social visit, given our history. If you tag along, she may suspect that we have an ulterior motive."

"I'm your bodyguard," Red insists. "It's only natural I tag along wherever you go."

"Goodness, Red, we talked about this!" I retort. "I can take care of myself, sweetheart! I got this. It's Elena, not some evil incarnate that can wipe me off the face of the Earth by visiting her house in broad daylight, come on. Besides, you'll need to contact the mystery man while I'm there so that we clear this matter once and for all."

Red's jaw clamps and I know he's unhappy with the arrangement. But it doesn't matter because I wanna do this without him. If Elena is truly the one holding the Ex-File, then the plot has indeed thickened from a needle to a tree, and I won't rest until I peel off every layer of the hidden truth.

"Alright," Red strides over and takes my face between his palms. "Promise me you'll be fine. And call me if by any chance you feel yourself in danger."

I chuckle, dropping my head back while wrapping my arms around his neck in a playful fashion. "Why? Will you teleport like superman and come to my rescue?"

"I'm serious, Mia." He doesn't laugh or smile; he's indeed lost his sense of humor lately. "

But does he actually believe Elena, of all people, could be the mastermind behind this chaos? That clingy, obsessive woman who wants nothing but to be Mrs. Kingston once again despite everything Patrick has done to her?

I highly doubt it.

"Don't pick a fight with her. Be smart," Red insists, eyes firm on mine as if yes addressing his most stubborn daughter.

"As you wish, mi corazón" I stand up on my toes and lay a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth. Pulling back, I whisper in his ear, "I just think you're giving Elena too much credit, not that I'm being bitchy or anything."

"It's not only about Elena, Mia," Red says worriedly, a storm building in his eyes. "There's Derek Kingston, don't forget. He's as dangerous as his father. There's also Eliot, the only person we know absolutely nothing about except for being the family black sheep and protector of his mother—the only normal person in that family. But they all have access to Kingston properties and they all have the motive to bring Patrick down."

My breath catches. I know Derek wouldn't waste time roaming around with that important file all this time if he truly had it; he'd have used it by now to save his own ass and probably steal everything his father has.

That leaves Eliot... Eliot? No way!

"Text me when you reach there. We'll see if it's really Elena or not," Red says, and I nod in agreement. He returns the kiss, deeper than mine. "But Luca will drive you."

"No! I want no man to tail me."

Red squints his eyes tightly. "Mia—"

"I'll go with her! Girls' power; not to be underestimated," I hear Kenna's voice loud and clear coming through the entrance.

Out of Red's hold, I round my neck to face her, and she's really here.

"Rise and shine. Good morning, gorgeous people!" Her high-heeled boots tap on the rough floor as she sashays herself in, wearing a pair of huge sunglasses that she eventually takes off.

"You're late, " Red snaps.

"Yeah, I had a terrible hangover this morning. Last night was tough, especially when your supposed best friend thinks the worst of you." Accusing, haggard eyes stare at me.