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8.2 Vivienne
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2024-10-29 19:42:56As they stepped inside, Alexander Hardison Sr and Grace Hardison – Liam's father and mother – greeted them with warm smiles and cheerful greetings. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Hardison were the very picture of sophistication and affluence, their presence commanding respect and awe. It was no wonder that they’d both been featured on the front page of TIME magazine as a purportedly ‘perfect’ couple. Looking at them from the outside, Vivienne understood the appeal. Hardison Sr was an impossibly successful lawyer and the sort of silver-haired fox that appealed to both older and younger women. Grace Hardison was flawlessly beautiful, her skin only slightly wrinkled with age, and she owned a successful line of criminally expensive designer clothing brands. Together they had been the Hollywood power couple of the 80s.
It was just too bad that they were shitty people. No matter what, they were still Liam’s parents, and thus th
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My Alpha, My Bodyguard 9.1 Vivienne
The atmosphere in the parlour room was markedly different from the earlier tension that had filled it before, Vivienne noted when she walked in. Liam and his father were seated on plush chairs, glasses of whisky in hand and a half empty bottle of something that looked expensive on the table between them. It was a squat glass thing, reminding Vivienne more of a laboratory volumetric flask than anything you ought to drink out of, and covered with a matching glass stopper in the shape of a crystal diamond. The air was sour with the scent of alcohol, which mixed badly with her husband and father-in-law’s colognes to create a noxious that put Vivienne in mind of rotting trees and trash. Not that they noticed, as their conversation was completely dominated by boasts about their various real estate investments, and neither of them even noticed when Vivienne pushed the door open and stepped over the threshold. Marcus was by the door, looming there so silently that Vivienne d
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 9.2 Vivienne
In the comfort of her own room, Vivienne quickly changed out of the peach pink dress and into the worn band T-shirt and shorts combo that acted her coziest set of pyjamas. As she stripped and dressed, she tried her best to push thoughts of the evening, Marcus, and the menacing threat of the Hardison family out of her mind. Slipping beneath the covers of her bed, she tried to focus on the mundane details of her surroundings—the soft glow of the bedside lamp, the familiar scent of her room, the gentle rustling of the curtains in the night breeze. Yet as Vivienne settled in, the reality of the situation began to sink in and a single thought struck her with the dizzying intensity of a baseball bat to the back of the skull. For the next several weeks or even months, she was going to be completely alone with Marcus. It would be just them, alone, secluded away from either of their lives in the city. A frisson of heat shot down Vivienne’s spine. The thought both excited and terrifie
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 10.1 Marcus
The soft, golden light of dawn filtered into the guest room where Marcus had spent the night. He stirred awake, his senses sharpening as he rapidly transitioned from the realm of dreams to that of reality. Though it had been years since he’d left the army, there were some things that you never forgot and instincts that never left. That was why Marcus was almost always awake at the crack of dawn, though he was a little surprised by his own punctuality this time as he had spent most of the night both agonizing over hurting Vivienne and trying to pacify his inner bear who was not happy with the scent of misery pouring off their mate. Mate?! Marcus scolded himself once again. She is not our mate. We don’t have a mate anymore, remember? As he lay in the quiet room, feeling the too-soft mattress on his back and the roughness of the duvet, the man couldn't help but think about Vivienne and the situation they were both in. The one
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 10.2 Marcus
After exchanging a few more empty pleasantries, Marcus ended the call, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension. As soon as the man hung up the phone, he heard the subtle rustle of movement coming from the upper floors of the mansion; foosteps pattering over carpeted floors and then the dragging noise of a rolling luggage bag. Vivienne had woken up clearly, and he was glad that – even though she didn’t want this – she was being suitably proactive about their imminent departure.Marcus wasted no time and moved with purpose, grabbing an empty duffel bag from his own suitcase and began clearing out Vivienne's bookshelf. Although they were in a rush, he handled each book with care, stacking them atop one another according to size and tucking them into the bag alongside her important notes and personal items. These books were a part of her, a collection of texts that represented a dream that she hadn’t renounced in spite of Liam’s abuse.Wi
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 10.3 Marcus
Three years earlier, Marcus had been in a very different state of mind and a very different set of circumstances than he was now. At the time he had been fresh off his last official job with the Warrens, he had been bloodied and bruised from a particularly intense skirmish between several anti-shifter groups, and the loss of his handler had left him beyond shell-shocked. Damien had tried to cheer him up, to get him to the Warren’s in-house medic, but Marcus had only shrugged him off and wandered out into the night. Disoriented and disconnected from the world around him, he hadrifted through the city streets, following the siren call of alcohol and the promise of greasy meat. His steps had led him to a seedy bar; a dimly lit establishment where the air was thick with the scent of spilled liquor and the raucous laughter of inebriated patrons. Marcus had paid little attention to his surroundings, guided only by an instinctive need to find relief in the bottom of as man
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 10.4 Marcus
Startled, the woman had turned around to see who had stopped her, honey-brown eyes widening as she took in the man who had pursued her. Realizing exactly what he had done, Marcus instantly felt like a creep and pulled back his hand to his side. In the dim light, he could see the uncertainty in her gaze, a mixture of surprise and wariness set in a concerningly youthful face framed by a mass of gorgeous brown curls. Beneath the chalky makeup, the scent of honey and wildflowers hit him like a freight train, and the shifter inhaled it down into his lungs like he would suffocate without it. She was beautiful, even more so up close, and as much as he regretted frightening her Marcus also found himself momentarily breathless in her presence. "Uh, I...I just wanted to say," he began, his words stumbling over each other as he struggled to find the right ones. "That you have an incredible voice. I mean, you were…very good up there. I liked it." ‘I liked it?’ M
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 11.1 Vivienne
The car hummed steadily along the winding road, having long leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Vivienne stirred from her nap, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dimming light outside. She glanced around, momentarily disoriented by the change in scenery and the bumping of the road beneath the car wheels before the realization settled in that they must have been on the road for hours. The woman stretched her arms above her head, yawned and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the heavy weight of fatigue that clung to her limbs. "How long have I been asleep?" Vivienne asked, her voice still laced with drowsiness. Marcus glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, meeting her gaze with a curt nod. "A couple of hours," he replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "Traffic’s been light so we've made some good progress on the road." Covering her mouth to hide another yawn, Vivienne settled back into her seat and returned her gaze to the partly open win
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 11.2 Vivienne
Marcus parked the car and turned off the engine, and Vivienne wasted no time in pushing open her door. Her sandals, not meant for anything more strenuous than a walk down a neighbourhood avenue, sank into the soft grass but she didn’t care. The wind whipped her hair in all directions as she took a moment to absorb the beauty of their new surroundings. Past the farmhouse, behind the two-story building, fertile meadows met the forest's edge, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene that felt like a world apart from where she had just come from. "Wow," Vivienne whispered, her gaze fixed on the farmhouse and its surroundings. "It's...it's amazing! Like something out of a fairytale!" Carrying her luggage bag over one shoulder, Marcus glanced at her with a faint smile, appreciating her awe. "I thought you might like it," he said, his voice carrying a touch of pride. “Still,” Vivienne couldn't help but voice her surprise as she carefully manipulated her sandals across the grass before eve
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My Alpha, My Bodyguard 19.1 Marcus
Red hot annoyance simmered beneath the surface of Marcus's face as he practically dragged Vivienne away from Damien. Luckily she was quite adept at noticing his moods, and simply followed along meekly, not putting up a fight as he led her across the room. Her high hels clicked against the marble floor, before becoming muffled by the soft carpet that covered the exit corridors. As they crossed the border, Marcus's grip shifted, pressing the hard edges of her bracelet into her skin. Vivienne hissed, more out of surprise than actual pain. Marcus, who had all this while been too wrapped up in his thoughts, suddenly halted at the sound. He turned around and looked her over with concern. "Are you okay? Did that bastard-" "I'm fine," she stopped him, and then turned her arm over to show the pale pink imprint left behind by the clear stones. Marcus could tell that they weren't real diamonds, they didn't have the same lustre or the aura of blood that always stuck to precious gems mined in f
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 18.2 Vivienne
After wandering around a bit more, Vivienne finally chose to linger near the walls where someone had set up a gallery. Vivienne wondered if the art pieces were always present, or if they had been set out specifically for the masquerade, decorations meant to adorn the richly decorated space. The artwork seemed to vary widely in style and substance, reflecting the eclectic tastes of the person who had donated them. As she examined the pieces, she couldn't help but be captivated by the wonders that adorned the walls. One particular painting stood out—a masterpiece that seemed to come alive with textured strokes and vivid colours. It depicted a moonlit forest, where shadows and light played in a mesmerizing dance. The impasto technique added depth and dimension, the thick smears of navy and chartreuse making the trees practically leap off the canvas. Vivienne marvelled at the skill of the artist, the brushstrokes revealing a passion and mastery that she was almost envious of. Adjacent to
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 18.1 Vivienne
The grand ballroom of the Red Moon Hotel unfurled before Marcus and Vivienne like a magnetic dream. The air was infused with the heady aroma of flowers, and the soft strains of music enveloped them as they stepped into the heart of the masquerade. The room glittered with the glow of chandeliers, the marble floors catching the streams of light and tossing them back into the air like teardrops. Couples in elaborate masks twirled on the dance floor, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale. Marcus, dressed in his impeccable black suit, kept a protective arm around Vivienne as they entered the enchanting space. Her scarlet gown swirled with each step, and the mask she wore added an air of mystery to her allure. As they surveyed the festivities, Vivienne felt the fingers around her waist tighten with an almost palpable sense of possessiveness, and she bit back a smile. There was her protector, determined to keep her safe in this sea of unknown faces. However, their idyllic entrance w
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 17.2 Vivienne
On the day of the pivotal meeting with Damien, Vivienne decided to indulge in a moment of luxury. The secluded farmhouse had witnessed more than its fair share of tension, but tonight, she wanted to relax. She loved the woods, the smell of petrichor, moss, and fresh-cut wood, but right now she wanted to pretend. She craved a touch of elegance. Something that made her feel powerful and desirable. With those thoughts in mind, she rummaged through her limited wardrobe, eager to find the perfect gown for the occasion. She hadn’t exactly packed her bags with the goal of appearing on a runway, but there were one or two dresses she had hidden at the bottom of her suitcase. Not because she’d planned to wear them, but because they were clothes that she’d bought for herself or been given as gifts, and there was no telling what Liam might do with her belongings once she was out of the way. The man seemed to lack object permanence, where if his wife wasn’t in visible vici
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 17.1 Vivienne
The next few days passed in a whirlwind of unspoken tension, a palpable silence hanging heavy in the air between Vivienne and Marcus. It wasn't the kind of silence born out of anger or resentment; rather, it was a quiet storm of restrained emotions that seemed to swirl around them, growing more and more tumultuous with each passing moment spent without acknowledging the obvious tempest. Marcus had taken to patrolling the perimeter every morning and night, leaving Vivienne alone with her thoughts throughout the day. The haunting echoes of his footsteps as he treaded the familiar path outside the farmhouse became a constant reminder of the walls he erected around his emotions. Vivienne hated it. It reminded her too much of her parents. They’d never argued, but she’d often wished that they had. Coming home to the silent home, afraid to walk through the house for fear that one wrong move would shatter the false peace that mom erected every time dad couldn’t control his fists. Keep your he
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 16.2 Vivienne
The tension that lingered from the previous night seemed to dissipate further as they shared a light-hearted moment, connected by the discovery of unexpected common ground. Vivienne continued flipping through the pages of the tattered romance novel, her eyebrows raised in mock skepticism. "You know, if I were the main character of this story, I would have made a run for it the first night. Kidnapped or not." Marcus chuckled, leaning against the bookshelf. "Oh, trust me, the love interest would have easily caught you, bunny. He’s a shifter too. We’re much faster than humans." “Is that so?” She shot him a haughty glare. "Well, I'd like to think I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Like poison." The look Marcus levelled her with was equal parts amused and disbelieving. "You think an adult shifter wouldn’t be able to smell their food being poisoned?” “Who said anything about food?” Vivienne replied coyly, covering the bottom half of her face with the book an
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 16.1 Vivienne
Vivienne awoke the next morning with a headache, hair stuck to the corner of her mouth, and the uncomfortable sensation that she had done something shameful last night.It didn’t take long for the memories to crash upon her like a tidal wave, bringing with it the taste of Marcus’s tongue in her mouth, the feel of his hands wrapping around her thighs to manhandle her like she was little more than a doll. The weight of his body trapping her against the car-seat, their panting breaths fogging up the window and making it abundantly clear was had been happening inside.The way he had held her, crushed her in his embrace, it wasn’t anything she had expected from the stoic, professional veneer Marcus wore. Last night he had been the one to cross the lines, to tear off the mask to reveal a yawning chasm if insatiable hunger. If that car hadn’t driven past, he definitely would have…A whine escaped Vivienne’s lips as she clapped her h
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 15.2 Marcus
The tension had escalated until Marcus, unable to bear the strain any longer, made a decision that surprised even himself. In a sudden, sharp motion, he jerked the car to a halt on the side of the deserted road. The black tires screeched against the asphalt, and the vehicle shuddered to a stop. Vivienne's eyes, still glowing with rage, went wide. Her body, briefly airborne and cradled safely by the seatbelts, came down hard on the leather cushions. There was no time for her to recover as she was immediately pressed back against the car door with Marcus looming over her. The abrupt stop had caught her off guard, and now her pulse raced with a mixture of fear and defiance that he could smell rising off her skin. Mingled with the scent of his clothes and the racing of her pulse, it was an intoxicating combination. “Marcus?” The man towered over her with his broad muscular chest. He stares down at you sternly with his deep brown eyes, his solid arms stretched acr
My Alpha, My Bodyguard 15.1 Marcus
The car cruised along the main road, the engine providing a low humming backdrop to the song of bullfrogs and crickets singing in the trees. Marcus allowed himself to enjoy the moment of calm as mentally he counted down the seconds until Vivienne – figuratively chewing on the meeting and pathologically unable to contain her curiosity for an extended period of time – unleashed a storm of questions. To the man’s surprise, she lasted a good five seconds longer than he had expected. The car actually made it a few yards from the edge of the forest before the interrogation began. "Alright, ‘fess up,” the woman twistedaround in her seat to pin him with a scowl, dark eyes searching his face for any hint of evasiveness. “What the hell was all that? How do you know the Warrens and the Apollyon Organization? And who is Amy?" The barrage came quick and fast, hitting like stones being flung from from a well-trained trained sling. Marcus puffed out a sigh, glancin
