His protector

Chapter 9- Mila

I stood Infront of the vanity, carefully applying the final touches to my makeup. It took me two hours to finish doing my makeup! I fucking hate it. That's why I usually only wear mascara and lip gloss, I'm not talented enough to do magic with makeup products like other girls.

My reflection stared back at me, loose waves of dark hair were framing my face. I painted my lips with a deep red that matched my dress, and my eyes were accentuated by a smoky shadow that gave me a fiery look.

I slipped into the dress I've bought several days ago and looked at myself in the full length mirror, adjusting the material on my chest. I reached for a pair of black heels, their straps delicately winding up my ankles and fastened them in place.

I also put on a silver necklace that I had laying around and a pair of earnings.

I'm almost ready for the gala I'm supposed to attend with Kai. He's getting ready I'm his room and we're supposed to meet downstairs in ten minutes. I tried to convince Kai to go there as his bodyguard not his date but he insisted and I couldn't decline. This way I'll be able to stand closer to him in case of any danger.

As a final touch I strap my gun into the holster against my tight, hidden by the dress.

Grabbing my purse I head towards the entrance and wait for Kai to show up. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous.

Kai took the stairs two at the time as he reached me. He stood there, looking effortlessly handsome in a black tailored suit with a crisp white shirt. His hair was nearly styled but with that slightly tousled look that seemed to come naturally to him. His eyes lingered over my body, recognizing the dress. A small smirk popped up at the corner of his lips.

"You look... incredible." He breathed. A smile crept into my lips.

"You don't look bad yourself, Bianchi." He chuckles and then held out his arm to me.

"Shall we?" There was a playful glint in his eyes. I took his arm and outside a black SUV waited for us, it's polished surface gleaming under the glow of the moon high in the sky.

The driver, a man with a neatly pressed suit, opened the door for us. Kai gestured for me to get in first and I slid into the plush leather seat. Kai followed me in closing the door behind him with a click.

As the car pulled away from the mansion, I looked out the window, watching it fade into the distance. "So tell me again," I turned towards Kai "Why exactly are we going to this gala?"

He sighed. "Boring shit. I have to extend a control with one of dad's associates. His name's Carl and he's an asshole. We didn't even got there and I already think about leaving." He chuckled.

"Couldn't they just email or something?" I asked.

"I guess they could but in my world it's all about the appearances. We need to remind everyone that we're still the power players. " I roll my eyes.

As we drove through the city, the lights of New York began to shimmer outside the windows. Skyscrapers looked in the distance, their illuminated facades lighting up the sky. The streets were bustling with people and traffic. Even at this hour the traffic was infernal.

The gala venue soon came into view, a grand hotel with tall pillars and an ornate entrance, where a crowd of people were already gathering. The car pulled up to the curb and the driver came to open the door for us.

Kai got out and held out a hand to me "Ready?" He asked. I put my hand in his.

I give him a nod as I got out "Always."

Entering inside the gala room, the air buzzed with the murmur of conversation, the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter. My arm was linked though Kai's as he leaned closer to my ear "Carl should be here already," he said, scanning the crowd but all I could think about was his hot breath on the bare skin of my neck. "We'll make this quick and then we can relax a little." I nodded.

As we aproaches a quieter corner of the ballroom, Kai spotted Carl lounging near a marble column with a glass of wine in his hand. He looked like a man in his fifties, well dressed in a gray suit that looked costum made for him. His grey hair was slicked back and his gaze twisted into a smirk when his gaze landed on me. I imeadialy wanted to punch that expression off his face.

"Kai," he greeted, shaking his hand, "and who's the lovely lady you brought with you?" He said giving me a once over. My hand tightened at my side.

Kai's jaw tightneded, but kept his expression neutral. "This is Mila. She's my bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?" Carl puffed "She looks more like a decoration to me."

"I assure you," I said calmly, surpressing my anger. "I'm more than capable of holding my own."

Carl raised a brow "I'm sure you're very capable...in other things too I might add but let's leave the business to us men, shall we?"

Kai stepped infront of me. "I suggest you watch your mouth when you speak to her." He said sharply "She's not to be insulted by some washed up thug pretending to be a business man." The abruptness of Kai's outburst caught the attention of several nearby guests, who glanced over curiously. I placed a hand in his arm, silently urging him to calm down but his focused remained on the other man.

"I don't know what's gotten into you Kai but I'd watch that temper of yours. It's not a good look for someone in your position." Carl snarled back.

Kai took another step closer, almost nose to nose with the man."I'd watch your behavior, my family doesn't need partners who can't show basic respect."

Carl's gaze flickered between us. His face got red from anger. "I'm done with you and your family! I'm not renewing any contract anymore." He declared. "I can't want your father to find out, we'll see what he does them." He threatened and then passed between us.

As he walked away I turned to Kai. "You didn't have to do that. You'll have problems with your father now."

"Yes I did. No one gets to talk to you like that, not while I'm around to say something about it." His gaze softened. "And I'll take care of my dad. Don't worry about it, yeah?" I nodded.

I opened my mouth the first gunshot rang out.

We were under attack.