THE PAWN AND THE KING

21

I couldn't help but let out another exaggerated sigh for what felt like the hundredth time. Don't get me wrong—I love Raeland's attention, his affection, his overwhelming presence that felt like a protective shield around me. I still couldn't believe how far he'd go to show it. But this? This was getting out of hand.

"Five is too much," I grumbled, eyeing the line of bulky men posted outside the door. The sound of their radios clicking on and off was becoming an annoying background noise. It was like I was under lock and key for no reason. "Seriously, Raeland."

From the corner of the room, he sat casually with his legs propped on the coffee table, one hand holding a tablet while the other rested on his knee. He didn't even bother to look up.

I narrowed my eyes at him, frustrated that he could act so cool about this. "What about two?" I offered, trying to strike a compromise. "I mean, I can live with two."

He snorted, not even bothering to hide it. His eyes flicked to mine for a moment, and I saw the tiniest glint of amusement. "Two? Yeah, that's not happening, baby."

I glared, pushing myself up in bed with still-wobbly arms. My movements were slow, and I could feel the strain, but I wasn't going to give up so easily. As soon as he noticed me struggling, Raeland was by my side in an instant, his tablet forgotten as he placed a hand on my back to help steady me. The way he hovered, eyes full of concern, made me want to laugh. He looked like a worried mother hen, far from the intimidating mafia leader he was supposed to be.

"I'm fine," I muttered, trying to brush off his concern, though the hint of a smile played on my lips. "But seriously, Raeland. Who hires five bodyguards to watch me? It's excessive."

"No one's taking chances with you," he said firmly, his voice low as he helped me settle back against the pillows. His jaw was set, eyes hard, but there was a softness in his tone, like he was speaking to a fragile thing. "Not after what happened."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said, my voice a little gentler this time, trying to reason with him. "No one's going to take me from you, Raeland. I'm safe."

His eyes flicked to mine, dark and unreadable. "You don't know that," he muttered under his breath, his thumb grazing my hand absentmindedly. "There are always people lurking. Waiting."

I almost rolled my eyes. There it is, I thought, Alessia's favorite term for him: softie. Here he was, acting more like a kid terrified of losing his favorite toy than a hardened mafia leader. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. He looked ridiculous, standing there like he was on high alert, when we both knew he could squash anyone who came near me in an instant.

"Seriously, you're acting like they've put a price on my head," I teased, poking at him, trying to crack that stern expression. "No one's out there plotting to steal me away from you. I'm not that irresistible."

He shot me a look, one that screamed, Oh, really But there was a flicker of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"You're impossible," I huffed, leaning back against the pillows again. "Fine. How about three? You've got to meet me halfway here, Raeland."

There was a long pause, his eyes studying me as if debating whether he should give in. His brow furrowed slightly, and I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. I raised an eyebrow, daring him to argue.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Three," he grumbled, clearly displeased, but knowing he had no real choice if he wanted me to stop badgering him. "But that's my final offer, and don't think for a second you're going anywhere without them."