"Osborn, is everything okay?”
I blinked, shaking myself out of my initial shock. “Yeah. You were saying?” Marcus leaned over and took the file from me. “You don't seem fine. You know, if you don't want it—” “No!” I snatched the file back from him. He jumped, startled by my sudden outburst. “Okay, seriously, what's wrong, Osborn?” I sighed, noticing the crease forming on Marcus’s forehead. He was genuinely worried, but I couldn't tell him the real reason I was acting weird. If Reid had wanted him to know about our meeting, Marcus would have known by now. The fact that he didn't, confirmed that it wasn't my place to say anything. “It's nothing. I was just surprised that my long-time crush is the one I'll be guarding.” I shrugged, forcing a nonchalant tone. Marcus rolled his eyes and stood, walking around his desk to perch on its edge in front of me. “Yeah, Reid Windsor is literally every girl in Seattle's crush, but don't get carried away. This is a mission, and worse still, you're going undercover. If anyone finds out you're not who you're supposed to be, it'll land both of us in a lot of trouble. So no matter what you do, be careful.” “I know. I will. Anything else?” I asked, getting up to leave. “Osborn, Klaus Windsor is known for his kindness and charitable donations. He's built a reputation around that. But don't let it fool you. Men like him have plenty of fans—and twice as many enemies. Stay alert, stay watchful, and, if things go south, run.” I frowned, stifling a laugh. “You can't be serious?” “I am. Promise me.” “I thought my mission was to protect? Why would I run instead of doing my job.” Marcus' eyes softened, his tone growing somber. “Because you're the closest thing I have to family right now. I'd rather deal with some shitty billionaires for breaching a contract than lose you. That's why I'm saying, if it all goes to hell, call me, and I'll get you out. Got it?” His words left a heavy feeling in my chest, but I couldn't let him see how they affected me. If I did, he'd just find another reason to talk me out of the job. So instead, I forced a tight smile and turned to leave. “One more thing, Osborn.” His voice stopped me at the door. “I know I'm scaring the crap out of you,” he chuckled, though the sound lacked its usual warmth. “but Klaus Windsor is a very influential man. He’ll have plenty of backup security. Chances are, nothing will go wrong. You can stop worrying.” “Thanks, Marcus.” “Anytime.” ******* I sucked in a breath as Fitz helped me tighten the binder around my chest. “Don't you think it's a little too tight?” I gasped. “Oops, sorry.” He loosened it slightly and secured it at the back. “Better?” “Yeah, thanks.” “Be right back.” He left without telling me where he was going, leaving me standing alone in my bathroom, staring at my reflection. I threw on a baggy white t-shirt to go with my equally oversized black cargo pants and boots. From my neck down, I could easily pass as a guy, but my face— and mostly my hair—made it pretty obvious I was still a lady. Fitz returned a moment later, dragging a large camping bag behind him. I gave him a questioning look. “Why do you have a camping bag?” “Because I'm going camping,” he said, dumping it on the bathroom floor. “You are?” “No, dumbass, it's for your makeover. You didn't plan on leaving just like that, did you?” Actually, I had. I thought throwing on a cap would be enough. “Nooo,” I drawled. “But as long as we're not cutting my hair, I'm in.” “Well, thank God for wigs.” He smirked and bent to open the bag. Inside were hair of all colours and styles. My hand flew to my mouth in surprise. “Ahh, I know. I'm amazing.” He stood, nodding with pride. I couldn't help but laugh. “Okay, we've got blonde, auburn, redhead, silver, black, green, dreadlocks—you name it!” “Got a beard too?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. He paused, one hand lifting to his chin while the other crossed his chest. “Hmm, stubble, full face, or just a mustache?” My eyes widened. “You've got to be kidding me!” He laughed. “When it comes to disguises, I'm your guy. So which should we try first?” He began sifting through the bag, tossing wigs he didn't like into my bedroom. “Should I be worried you have this many wigs?” “Should you be worried?” He mimicked, snickering. “Dude, I've got human faces. Wigs should be the least of your concerns.” I took a step back, “who are you?” He burst out laughing. “So gullible.” I smacked the back of his head, then joined him in his ultimate search for the perfect disguise. An hour later, Fitz settled on a dark brown dreadlocks wig with a black band at the front. According to him, it matched my light brown skin tone and made me look more intimidating—”a vibe for someone biracial,” as he put it. We both vetoed the beard; for me, it felt uncomfortable, and for Fitz, it was just “meh.” Now, I was seated in a rental car Fitz had arranged for me, halfway out of Capitol Hill and on my way to lake Chelan, where the file said Reid's house was located. My mind raced, my heart thumping heavily against my chest. I was going to see Reid again. I was still mad at him, but excitement began to cloud the reasons why. My thoughts spiraled into ridiculous fantasies about Reid and me, and I had to remind myself—again and again—that I was on a job, not a romance reality show. By the time I caught sight of the lake up ahead, the skies had already darkened. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that I hadn't gotten lost following the car's GPS. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I pulled up to the mansion, leaving me with little energy to take in the breathtaking view. What was supposed to be a three-hour drive had ended up taking nearly five, thanks to the car breaking down on the way. Marcus had to send me some cash to pay for a roadside mechanic to fix it. I straightened up, adjusting my wig and making sure my disguise was still in place. Then with a deep breath, I knocked on the massive iron door of the mansion. Almost immediately, the door creaked open, revealing a short, plump woman in a white apron, her dark hair tied up in a neat bun. “Oh, you must be the new security,” she said with a warm smile. I nodded. “We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, or…was I mistaken?” She muttered the last part to herself, but I cleared my throat and answered. “Yeah, I thought I'd come a little early to get a better feel for the place and all.” “Sure, sure, come on.” She turned and walked further into the dimly lit mansion. “Sorry about the darkness; we're having a little issue with a power outage, but it'll be fixed in no time. Why don't you have a seat on the couch?” She gestured toward one of the large chairs in the middle of the spacious living room. “Thank you. When will I be meeting with the boss?” I asked, forcing myself to maintain the deep, bass voice Fitz had taught me. “Oh dear. No one's home. The boss and his son won't be arriving until tomorrow. Till then, it's just you and me. I'll show you to your room once the lights are back on.” I flashed a tight smile, unsure if she could see it from where she stood in the faint glow of the candlelight. Disappointment settled over me. Once again, I'd have to wait to see Reid. But then again, maybe it was a blessing in disguise—it gave me more time to get comfortable with my new persona. “Correct me if I'm wrong, dear—your name is Eugene, right?” I nodded. “Yes, ma'am.” “Oh, good. The boss left a message saying after the press conference tomorrow with his son, you're to meet him at a scheduled location. He'll let you know where tomorrow. Is that fine?” “Yes, ma'am.” She smiled again, her cheerful demeanor making me feel oddly uneasy. “Anyhoo, make yourself at home. I'll be back with dinner.” With that, she disappeared down a hallway, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room. Her kindness felt genuine, but something about it didn't sit right with me. Marcus' warning echoed in my mind, but I shoved it aside. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, and I couldn't afford to let doubt creep in. The mission was simple: play the bodyguard, Keep out of trouble, and get out in one piece. Atleast, that was the plan—or so I thought.I still couldn't sleep without my meds. Tossing and turning on the oversized bed, I tried in vain to catch even a few hours of rest before dawn, but the nightmares wouldn't let me. Eventually, I gave up and lay on my back, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The power had come back on during the dinner, and the housekeeper—Miss Cherry, as she introduced herself— had shown me to my room. It was massive, easily the size of my old apartment. In the center stood a king-sized bed adorned with floral curtains that hung like something out of a medieval Castle. Purple floral wallpaper covered the walls, and white marble tiles gleamed beneath my feet whenever I dared move. The bathroom felt like a separate wing altogether, with its size and luxury. Aside from the bed, the room was sparsely furnished—a single dresser stood against one wall, its oversized mirror bordered by elegant lights that looked like they belonged in a movie star's dressing room. At first, I'd been awestruck
A dull ache throbbed in my head as I blinked my eyes open, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was lying on a familiar couch, the rich aroma of brewing coffee filling the air. The intricately carved pillar in the corner of the room, along with the centerpiece on the gleaming glass table, told me everything I needed to know about where I was. I lifted a hand to my head, trying to recall yesterday’s event. Fragments of memory came back—the press conference, the ambush, the deafening crack of gunfire—and then nothing. The rest was a blank. Memories of how I'd gotten here, who brought me back, and what exactly had happened during the ambush were all lost to me. Sharp pain flared in my temple as I pushed myself upright. I leaned back into the couch, easing into a seated position, and closed my eyes. My mind felt hazy, as if crucial details were trapped just out of reach. I could remember the moment the first gunshot had shattered the quiet evening—the way it sent our driver spiraling
The nagging feeling in my chest that someone was following me lingered even after I returned to the city. I wanted to drive straight home, search through my things, and confirm if the ring that had fallen from my jacket was what I thought it was. But the idea of unknowingly leading whoever was tailing me to my house made me rethink.My eyes darted to the rearview mirror for what felt like the fiftieth time. The cars behind me seemed normal, but paranoia clung to me, refusing to let go. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I briefly considered heading to the academy, but it was Saturday morning, so the place would be deserted. Besides, the thought of Reid waiting there for me to show up was ridiculous—he was probably still shaken from yesterday's ambush No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off the growing tension in my chest, like a rope being pulled tighter with each passing second. Missing fragments of memories from what had happened during the ambush still gnawed at me,
"...mhmm...bet. Aight, you know how messy them joints get, so I'd 'preciate it if you could...you know how it goes, man." Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "Gotchu. Yeah, for real, I know you got me, just slide me that piece I'm asking for, and I'll take care of the rest. Mmm...Good lookin' out. Bet." I stared at him blankly as he hung up the phone. This was the first time I'd ever heard Marcus talk like the black American that he was. It was…kind of attractive. Ew. No. “So?” I asked, lifting my hands in a questioning gesture. I had no idea what he'd discussed, especially with how thick his accent had gotten. “Well, good news and bad news.” He stuffed his phone into his pocket. His expression neutral. “Okay, start me with the bad news,” I said, folding my arms to brace myself. “We still don't have a lead on the ring….yet.” I nodded, though my mood sank a little. “And the good news?” “Apparently, the ring has nothing to do with Klaus. My guy says, based on the descripti
The warmth coursing through me was something I never wanted to end. My pulse quickened, my heart drumming softly as I tried to savor every fleeting second of this moment.Reid's lips brushed against mine—again and again—the sweet taste lingering like an unspoken promise. His hands tangled in my hair as he guided me back against the wall, his mouth never leaving mine.For a moment, it felt endless. Heck, I even dared to hope the kiss might lead to something more. But just as I was melting into the warmth of his body, the gentleness of his hands, the mingling of our breaths—he pulled away. His forehead rested against mine as I opened my eyes, the ghost of his kiss still tingling on my lips.Disappointment threatened to creep in, but his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, silencing any protest.“I've been wanting to do that since after our first training session,” he murmured.My gaze searched his, lingering on the way his eyes softened as he spoke. His own drifted to my lips before meeti
Kira sat stirring her drink absentmindedly, her eyes widening with every bit of tea I spilled. I'd left out the details about going undercover as a bodyguard, replacing it with a vague story about why he was at my house. I'd also kept Reid's name out of it, but the look on her face told me she still found the gist as interesting as I'd expected.“Okay, backup, sis. You've been secretly training with some guy in the janitor's closet for what, like two, three days? And now he shows up at your place, kisses you, and says he's ready to take things slow as long as you're interested?”I sipped my drink. “Mhmm. It seems unreal, which is why I had to spill. I don't know if I should trust him and go with the flow or just…” I shrugged.“Are you kidding me? If a hot guy who's super nice tracked me down just to ask me out, I'd totally say yes. I mean, it's giving old-school love, and I'm here for it, girl.”I laughed. Kira had a point. What Reid did was kind of understandable, given that I lied.
“Marcus, I'm about to do something really stupid, but right now, I don't care. I'm sharing my location with you—just in case things go south and I need backup.” I ended the call and threw the phone onto the passenger seat of the rental car I hadn't returned yet.My grip tightened on the steering wheel, my foot pressing harder on the gas pedal as I picked up speed. I didn't have a plan, just a burning determination not to let the Windsors push me around.At this point, I didn't care about who I was confronting or their status. All I knew was that I was getting answers tonight—or all hell was going to break loose.The sun had set, darkness creeping in, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. Not when I had a pretty good idea who was behind the root cause of my problems.I made a sharp turn, the shimmering lake coming into view as the road straightened ahead. My jaw clenched at the sight of the Windsor mansion. It no longer felt intimidating—just infuriating.Pulling up to the front, I
I sank into my seat, regret flooding my chest as the reality of my actions hit me. Reid reached over, his hands covering mine where it rested on my lap.“Hey, it's going to be okay. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you,” he said softly.I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “This is all my fault. I should've thought it through before challenging someone like Klaus.”“No,” he said firmly. “It's not your fault. My dad can be…provoking. I'm sure whatever he did must've really pushed you to react that way and I get it.” He brushed away a tear slipping down my cheek, his thumb warm and steady, before resting his hand over mine again. “But now we've got to figure out a way forward. What I'm about to suggest might sound crazy, but it's our best option.”I turned to him, dread already curling in my stomach. I could guess what he was about to say.“No. Reid, there are about a hundred of them, and only two of us.”“It's thirty-five bikers,” he corrected. “and we're not taking all o
“Why did you come?” I asked the instant I shut the door. I'd wanted to see him, sure, but I didn't expect him to show up unannounced. It was almost as though he had read my mind.Reid gave me a condescending smile, strolling casually around my room with his hands in his pockets. “Aren't you going to offer me a seat?”I folded my arms and shot him a glare. “Not until you tell me why you're here.”“Fine,” he said, collapsing into the single chair in my my apartment. “Ask whatever you want. I'll tell you everything.”I eyed him warily. “And how do I know you'll actually tell the truth?”He shrugged. “I guess you'll just have to trust me.”“Trust?” I snorted. “Reid, it's exactly like Marcus said—Windsors don't get to use that word.”He chuckled, the sound sharp and humourless. “Speaking of Marcus, let's start there. What lies has he been feeding you? Come on, spill. I'm sure he's painted quite the picture of me.”“As a matter of fact, he hasn't told me a thing about you. From the way he r
The silence between us stretched thin as I tried to process Marcus's words. It was like staring at a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces jagged and mismatched, but I could see the faint outlines of a picture emerging—and I didn't like what it showed.“The person responsible for my family's death….is the one coming after Reid?” I repeated, my voice hollow.Marcus nodded. “That's what it looks like.”“Okay…and if I'm following you, you think Reid might be…?”Marcus nodded. “I know we don't have proof, but I’ve got this gut feeling that Reid has a hidden agenda, and I'm not about to wait to find out. So, we're leaving town.”I raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “Whoa, you don't get to make that decision for me.”“Come on, Osborn, what's there to think about? Would you rather stay knowing your life’s at risk? Or leave knowing you'll be safe?”I scoffed and opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out—only a short, incredulous gasp. “What about the academy? You're really going to give up all of tha
I swallowed hard, raising my hand in surrender. “Fine. I'll go with you. But for God's sake, put the damn gun away. You know I hate guns.”The pressure against my back eased, and I exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over me.“Sorry,” Marcus muttered, slipping the gun back into his waistband. “I just wanted you to come with me.”“Then, jeez, just ask,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair. “Instead of pulling this whole kidnap-the-kid routine.”He sighed, dragging a hand over his face. “I'm not thinking straight, Eugene. I just…I just know we have to get out of here.”“Okay, but at least tell me where we're going,” I pressed.Marcus opened his mouth, hesitating before clamping it shut. He shook his head. “You just have to trust me, okay?”I folded my arms and leaned back on my heels, scrutinizing him. If he'd said this an hour ago, I probably would've followed him without question. But after that conversation with Reid, trust wasn't coming as easily. I needed answers.“I want
The first thing I registered was the sharp scent of antiseptic, sterile and suffocating. My eyelids felt like lead, but I managed to crack them open, squinting against the harsh glare of fluorescent lights overhead. Everything was a blur—white walls, beeping machines, and the faint hum of voices. My side throbbed with a dull ache, and when I shifted slightly, a sharper pain shot through me, forcing a groan from my lips.I wasn't alone.The voices became clearer as I forced myself to focus. Marcus and Reid stood a few feet away, their sides partially turned toward me. They spoke in low tones, their voices charged with tension.“You know you're endangering her, right?” Marcus's voice was tight, each word cutting through the quiet.“I know what I'm doing, Marcus. With her in the mansion, things will be a lot easier,” Reid countered smoothly.“Yeah, easier for you.” Marcus sneered, jabbing a finger at Reid's chest. “Do you know what Klaus will do to her when he finds out?”Reid raised his
Marcus gave me a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, his gaze fixed on Reid as he answered. “Saving your ass, apparently. I didn't know we had company.” I looked between him and Reid, confusion prickling at the back of my mind. “Oh, I thought you two know each other? Reid is the reason I'm still alive, if I'm being honest.” Marcus didn't respond. Not a single word to acknowledge Reid’s presence. Instead, he shifted his attention to the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. Reid, seemingly unfazed, followed his lead, both of them watching the road for any sign of the remaining bikers. “I thought you two knew each other?” I asked, this time directing my question to Reid. “We do,” Reid said with a grin that could only be described as infuriatingly smug. “But I'm guessing he doesn't fancy seeing you alone with me, given that I'm exceptionally handsome.” I rolled my eyes at his audacity. “Please. Marcus couldn't care less. He probably just wasn't expecting to see you
I sank into my seat, regret flooding my chest as the reality of my actions hit me. Reid reached over, his hands covering mine where it rested on my lap.“Hey, it's going to be okay. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you,” he said softly.I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “This is all my fault. I should've thought it through before challenging someone like Klaus.”“No,” he said firmly. “It's not your fault. My dad can be…provoking. I'm sure whatever he did must've really pushed you to react that way and I get it.” He brushed away a tear slipping down my cheek, his thumb warm and steady, before resting his hand over mine again. “But now we've got to figure out a way forward. What I'm about to suggest might sound crazy, but it's our best option.”I turned to him, dread already curling in my stomach. I could guess what he was about to say.“No. Reid, there are about a hundred of them, and only two of us.”“It's thirty-five bikers,” he corrected. “and we're not taking all o
“Marcus, I'm about to do something really stupid, but right now, I don't care. I'm sharing my location with you—just in case things go south and I need backup.” I ended the call and threw the phone onto the passenger seat of the rental car I hadn't returned yet.My grip tightened on the steering wheel, my foot pressing harder on the gas pedal as I picked up speed. I didn't have a plan, just a burning determination not to let the Windsors push me around.At this point, I didn't care about who I was confronting or their status. All I knew was that I was getting answers tonight—or all hell was going to break loose.The sun had set, darkness creeping in, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. Not when I had a pretty good idea who was behind the root cause of my problems.I made a sharp turn, the shimmering lake coming into view as the road straightened ahead. My jaw clenched at the sight of the Windsor mansion. It no longer felt intimidating—just infuriating.Pulling up to the front, I
Kira sat stirring her drink absentmindedly, her eyes widening with every bit of tea I spilled. I'd left out the details about going undercover as a bodyguard, replacing it with a vague story about why he was at my house. I'd also kept Reid's name out of it, but the look on her face told me she still found the gist as interesting as I'd expected.“Okay, backup, sis. You've been secretly training with some guy in the janitor's closet for what, like two, three days? And now he shows up at your place, kisses you, and says he's ready to take things slow as long as you're interested?”I sipped my drink. “Mhmm. It seems unreal, which is why I had to spill. I don't know if I should trust him and go with the flow or just…” I shrugged.“Are you kidding me? If a hot guy who's super nice tracked me down just to ask me out, I'd totally say yes. I mean, it's giving old-school love, and I'm here for it, girl.”I laughed. Kira had a point. What Reid did was kind of understandable, given that I lied.
The warmth coursing through me was something I never wanted to end. My pulse quickened, my heart drumming softly as I tried to savor every fleeting second of this moment.Reid's lips brushed against mine—again and again—the sweet taste lingering like an unspoken promise. His hands tangled in my hair as he guided me back against the wall, his mouth never leaving mine.For a moment, it felt endless. Heck, I even dared to hope the kiss might lead to something more. But just as I was melting into the warmth of his body, the gentleness of his hands, the mingling of our breaths—he pulled away. His forehead rested against mine as I opened my eyes, the ghost of his kiss still tingling on my lips.Disappointment threatened to creep in, but his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, silencing any protest.“I've been wanting to do that since after our first training session,” he murmured.My gaze searched his, lingering on the way his eyes softened as he spoke. His own drifted to my lips before meeti