The Bodyguard

Ch 4: I'll take a day off when she's safe.

At 6.15am, I admit defeat and crawl out of bed. I've tossed and turned all night, barely sleeping for ten minutes at a time. And what little sleep I did manage was plagued with dreams of a man I've purposely been avoiding for the better half of twelve months. His stupid face. Beautiful eyes. Gorgeous co—

"Mum, you're being dramatic! I saw you last month."

Reaper is on the phone in my kitchen, body leaning against the counter.

"No, don't come to Torin's..."

Silence.

"Because I'm not there," he replies, amused.

I enter and head straight for the fridge, grabbing the milk. Reaper notices me and straightens, phone still pressed to his ear.

"I'm staying in the city for a while," he explains, moving out of my way when I point to the kettle.

I drop a tea bag into my mug, ignoring the way my body feels being so close to him.

"For work," he says, no doubt being interrogated by his mother. "I'll visit you and dad soon."

More silence.

"Yes—and Lucie."

My ears tingle, mind subconsciously asking all the questions my mouth is too afraid to voice.

Who is Lucie?

"Bye, Mum. Love you too."

He hangs up and pockets his phone, eyes leisurely assessing me.

"Sleep well?"

I ignore him.

"Eva?"

I go to retrieve the milk, only to have it snatched away from me last minute.

"Give me the milk."

"Answer my question."

"Why?" I ask.

His brilliant eyes twinkle. "Because it's rude to ignore your guest."

"You're not my guest." I laugh. "You're a nuisance at best."

"Fine, have it your way."

He opens the milk and drains what little is left over. I watch on in disbelief as he wipes at his mouth, infuriating smirk on show. I'm too stunned to speak. Too angry to even grace his actions with a response.

"You're out of milk," he informs, casually winking.

I chew the inside of my cheek to stop myself from retrieving said milk carton and hitting him over the head with it. I'm normally so reserved. Calculated. But Reaper Romano is my fucking weakness.

Always has been. Always will be.

"Who's Lucie?" I ask, shocking even myself with how not subtle I'm being.

Reaper frowns, finding my question unexpected. "What?"

"You said you would visit her soon. Who is she?" I question, holding his gaze.

Reaper disregards the milk and steps closer. "Lucie is my sister."

I can hardly contain my relief.

"Oh."

"Why?"

"Just curious," I tell him.

"Or jealous?" he counters, eyebrow raised.

Thankfully, I don't have to answer him because my apartment's buzzer sounds. "That'll be Richie."

Reaper nods, taking a step back.