Protecting Alice

Prologue

Alice's POV:

"I still live at home with my loving parents, Tara and Nick Townsend.  Our family is really close knit. I was a happy and positive person.  My parents never dragged me into the p.i. business. Jeremy and I have been inseparable since we became best friends at 4 years old. He lived right next door until he got an apartment with his friend Max Hansen last year.  That inspired me to finally move in with my friend Carly our senior year at San Marcos College.  Who would have thought that choice could end up changing my life.  Not only was Carly murdered but now I am being threatened by her killer.  This was just too much.  The police questioned me, but I left out that the guy that did it bumped into me before I found Carly.  His dark blue eyes pierced through my soul. Jeremy has been protective over me since and doesn't let me go anywhere alone. I met my dad's new bodyguard.  He is a senior in college like Jeremy and I. His name is Asher Parker.  He has dark brown eyes, light brown hair, and had a way to make me feel safe. Asher convinced me to tell my parents about the threatening text messages. It was so hard for me after finding my friend dead.  Jeremy seemed jealous when Asher talks to me. It started to worry me since Jeremy has been going back to his old ways. I feel broken and shattered."

Jeremy's POV:

"It is heartbreaking to see Alice so despondent lately. She cries all of the time and I try to comfort her as best I can.  It is hard when Asher was there everyday and I feel like I am losing Alice. It doesn't help that her dad let Asher be her bodyguard. I couldn't be since I am taking the test to be certified as a bodyguard in a few days. Gosh I love her so much it is unreal. For years I've have these feelings that never leave but I believe it was best for me to ignore them. She could do so much better than me but when Asher's around.... I can't help but feel possessive. Alice was shocked after I kissed her.  I left without saying a word which I knew wasn't right.  How can I be good for her when I still have my rebellious bad boy side?  I only flirt with other girls because I liked the attention. Alice always had my heart, but I will put what's best for her in front of my own feelings."

Asher's POV:

"After transferring from Connecticut, it was hard leaving the town where I had memories of my dad. He died of cancer and my mom wanted a new beginning. I transferred colleges to San Marcos in Florida so I could be close to my mom, Linda to help out. I never would have guessed my job as a bodyguard would lead me to her....Alice Townsend. Nick knew my dad Alan from working with him on the San Marcos police force so it was a small world. Mr. Townsend was aware of my past when I hit rock bottom.  I used drugs and drank a lot before my dad had cancer. I was a bad boy back then and a player.  When I saw Jeremy, it reminded me of how I was in the past.  I changed because I didn't like the person I became and did not recognize myself.  My job as a bodyguard in Hartford also helped me have a since of responsibility. Alice makes me feel things I've never experienced before and it was funny that she pegged me for being the good guy. She now knows of my past but to her it doesn't matter."