Protective

The Babysitter

Lana

"I don't know what I was expecting from the only woman in Mikhail and Dmitri Petrov's life, but it certainly wasn't you."

Who says that?

I had literally stepped a few steps into the room and that was the first thing she said to me. Had this girl ever heard of manners?

"You're so young," she marveled from her spot on the couch, "Are those extensions?"

She stood up and walked over to me, a small smirk appearing on her lips.

She was tall, very tall. Maybe 5'10 or 5'11.

Her hair was cut short, blonde of course, just past her jaw. Her makeup was smoaky and her outfit was all dark colors.

I shook my head, "No. I've been growing it out for a while."

She took a strand of my hair, twirling it in her finger as she picked up my chin to look at her, "You're so hot."

I could feel my face flush with red but I quickly swallowed it. Was she playing with me or was she seriously hitting on me?

"How old are you?" she smiled, impossibly close to my face.

"Seventeen," I barely got out.

Aileen made a face like she was about to throw up and backed away, "You're a baby! Oh my god! You look so mature."

"Um, thank you?" I smiled unsurely, straightening out my mini skirt.

She laughed tucking some of her wavy hair behind her ear, "So you're still in high school, hmm?"

I nodded, following her to the couch, "Something like that. My father told me you want to get into university."

"Yeah," she leaned into the couch, "I graduated a few years ago but my father was pretty insistent that I didn't further my education."

Oh my God. What?

"Why?" I blurted out.

"Because he's a piece of shit," she shrugged, grabbing one of the desserts I had the servants send up and stuffing it in her mouth, "You know like your dad."

"Excuse me?"

I immediately felt my skin light on fire with the implication that my father was bad. Dmitri and I could say that all we wanted to, but not a stranger. Not the daughter of an enemy.

"Come on sweetheart," she laughed, "Your telling me your dad just lets you do whatever you want. I heard you had been homeschooled for the better part of three years. He's probably waiting to marry you off the second you turn eighteen."

I straightened myself, I was supposed to befriend her but that didn't mean I couldn't roast her alive.

"My father has no intention of arraigning a marriage for me," I corrected her, "For your information, I have been homeschooled because I had been threatened and my father and brother have been trying to protect me."

"My father bought a multimillion dollar company for me, Aileen," I smiled, "Your father and my father are two very different men. Do not ever compare them again."

She paused, her eyes searching me before she smiled nodding her head, her mouth full of cake.

"Sorry, sweetheart," she laughed, "I didn't mean to offend. You have a little bit of a mean streak."

She pointed a black fingernail at me, "I like that."

I stared at her blankly. Aileen Callahan was insane.

Did my father know this when he stuck me with her?

"So why are you here today?" she asked excitedly, "Mikhail  send you to become my best friend."

I smiled, "Something like that," I picked up a cup of lemonade, "Truthfully I just think he didn't want you to be lonely."

She coughed, sitting up straight, "Lonely?"

"Well you're miles away from your home and your family," I said gently, "According to my father, you don't plan on going back so you'll have to rebuild."

"Yes," she nodded, "I'll have to rebuild."

A silence fell over us as I looked at her. Was she going to cry?

No way.

This crazy girl couldn't cry in front of me. I don't know what to do when people are crying and the last time I cried in front of someone I ended up sleeping with them.

I wasn't going to sleep with Aileen.

"Let's go somewhere fun," she said excitedly, "How about a bar? Let's get a drink."

"Um, I don't really drink," I smiled, not wanting her to cry, "Under 21 and everything. Also, I'm not allowed to leave here."

"Not allowed," she chuckled, "Why?"

"I'm in danger," I said for maybe the millionth time to this girl, "People are after me so I have agreed to lay very very low until they're dead."

"Or until they find you," she smiled.

I furrowed my brows, "I suppose that too."

"So are you like Dmitri?" she looked me over curiously, "Can you cut out a man's tongue and not think twice about it?"

"I can defend myself," I said, crossing my legs, "But outside from that I don't partake in torture."

"So if they catch you what are you going to do?"

I smiled, "Pray."

_________
Yeremy

"Everything has been set with the Petrov's. They'll be our major sellers in the States," I said into the phone, "I'm flying to you tonight."

"Oh so it's good news then," Otàvio started, "Well then I'd like to invite you to my wedding. You'll receive a formal invite in the mail."

"I appreciate the offer—

"Don't give me that," he cut me off, "We're in business, we're family now. You're coming to my wedding. You can meet my fiancé soon."

"Okay," I agreed, "When is it?"

"In a few months," he said, "Gives you enough time to find a plus one."

"A plus one?"

"Yes, Yeremy," he sighed, "You can't show up to my wedding without a date. If you do, my future sister in laws will pounce on you, although," he laughed, "They might do that either way. Bring someone not afraid to fight back, yes?"

"Da," I nodded, knowing that arguing with this man was futile.

I tucked my phone in my pocket and turned to Iosef and thanked him for the ride to the airport before making my way to my jet.

I didn't have a clue who to invite, the only person that came to mind was Lana.

After dinner last night we were cordial now, right? Friends.

Friends could go to weddings together and I could protect her while we were in Brazil. I could protect her better with my own security detail.

But how would I ask her? How would I ask Mikhail and Dmitri without raising suspicion?

"Mr. Maximoff back away there's something wrong with the plane—

In the split second that I had to look up I could see the plane ignite in flames immediately and suddenly I was off my feet and my back was against the pavement.

My ears were ringing as I stumbled to my feet but my hands found their way into my pocket.

"Mikhail!" I choked out, my lung probably collapsed, "They're trying to kill us. Get to Lana!"

- - End of Chapter - -