Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
KAYLANI
The guest suite was beautiful, curated with a deliberate emphasis on comfort. Every detail seemed designed to make you relax, and to strip away any lingering unease.
The walls were cream, lit by crystal lamps, and fresh flowers sat on the dresser, as if someone had been expecting this moment. The large four-poster bed, complete with sheer curtains, looked untouched. It resembled a glamorous magazine spread, but I still felt like I was being watched.
Goran closed the door behind us and immediately began checking for cameras, listening devices, and hidden access points.
He examined the windows, walls for seams, and behind the framed portraits.
He inspected the closet and underneath the bed.
Then he moved the furniture before whipping out his phone and running an app to check whether the room had been bugged
My curiosity was on overdrive.
How did someone train to become this thorough? It was on the verge of paranoid. I would never have thought to do half of what he did on pure muscle memory.
When he finally confirmed the room was safe, he turned to speak.
I folded my arms, already knowing what he was going to say.
“You’re not standing outside in the hallway all night.”
He moved to the balcony doors, testing the lock a second time before pulling the drapes closed.
“Yes, I am.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes. I do.”
I stepped closer. “This isn’t my father’s house.”
He lifted a single brow. The look made me feel smaller than if he had called me a fool outright.
“No. It isn’t.” His voice was even, but it still felt like a reprimand. The weight in the statement made my stomach tighten.
“This is ridiculous,” I whispered. “Father’s men aren’t going to break into the guest room.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” he said, stepping closer.
“Then what are you worried about?”
He shook his head and locked eyes with me, shutting the door on the conversation. I hated that he wouldn’t elaborate. Hated that he still wore the same calm expression he did at home. The same bodyguard mask when it was just us.
“You don’t trust them?”
“No. Do you?”
“No. But I doubt the Wintertons will charge in here and hurt us. They aren’t mafia. They’re just pompous and entitled.”
“There is no difference. The guns and the guards are the only things missing. The mindset is the same.”
“Do you really think that Mr. Winterton would try something when he so clearly wants me to marry Dylan?”
His jaw flexed. “I do. Especially the father.”
I shivered.
“Please sleep in here…with me.”
His eyes darkened for a fraction of a second before discipline slid back into place.
“Kaylani, I love your boldness and your determination to live fearlessly. But you need to trust me and let me do my job. I’ll be right outside the door.”
I lowered my voice. “You’re not just my bodyguard.”
Goran’s expression didn’t soften.
“While we are on this property, I am.”
That hurt more than I expected. My eyes dropped, and he lifted my chin, forcing my gaze back to his. He leaned closer, voice low and controlled.
“Kaylani. If something happens, I need to be between it and you. Not in bed with you.”
My throat tightened. “I hate that you still talk like that. Like I’m your assignment.”
“You are. You’re the only one that matters. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t survive. Do you understand?”
He pressed a kiss on my forehead.
“Lock the door behind me,” Goran ordered.
Then he was gone.
Three hours later, I was still staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
At 2:07 a.m., I gave up and slipped out of bed, padding toward the door. My hand hovered over the knob when I heard low voices outside.
I pressed my ear lightly against the door.
“…unnecessary,” Mr. Winterton was saying. “This is my home. There is no threat here.”
“My duty doesn’t change based on location,” Goran replied.
There was a faint, quiet laugh.
“You think I would allow harm to come to a guest?”
“I don’t think you’d allow it. I think you wouldn’t see it coming.”
Silence.
“Are you implying something, son?”
“I’m stating that my position remains unchanged.”
“You don’t need to guard her door like a prison warden.”
“She’s not a prisoner, but I will guard her door.” Goran’s voice stayed calm.
“Then you can relax. You can sleep in the room next door.” Mr. Winterton sounded polite, though it was odd that he was lingering outside my door so early in the morning.
“I don’t relax, and I don’t need sleep. But thank you.” Goran’s tone was courteous, but an edge sharpened every word.
Mr. Winterton’s voice lowered slightly. “I would hate for her to feel watched or uncomfortable in my home.”
“Ms. Mikhailov is used to protection. She feels safest when I’m close.”
Hearing him say that made my stomach flutter. A quiet exhale left my lips.
“Well, far be it from me to interfere with your job.”
Footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing softer as they retreated.
I leaned back against the wall, my pulse racing. What would have happened if Goran wasn’t here? The thought made my stomach twist.
His words echoed in my ears. “Sometimes you just need to trust me and let me do my job.”
What made it more complicated was that he still had to present himself as hired muscle. I was his duty. His assignment. He was my protection.
But he was so much more. He was my everything.
The hallway fell silent. I seized the moment and opened the door.
Goran checked over his shoulder immediately.
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the room.
“What’s going—”
I cut him off with a hard kiss. No explanation. No hesitation.
Goran made a low sound in his throat before I released him. His eyes were darker now, and a faint curve tugged at his mouth.
“Go to bed, you evil temptress.”
I gave him a knowing look.
“You and your duty are insufferable.”
“Yes. I am.”
He stepped back into the hallway as if nothing had happened. I closed the door, leaning against it, breathless.
Wandering over to the bed, I flopped down, curling into the blankets. Sleep finally claimed me.
The next morning, breakfast was already set when Goran and I entered the kitchen.
The nook looked out toward the barn. White linen covered the polished wood. Fine china, gleaming crystal, and silverware, so clean it sparkled, were placed at every seat. The table was laden with pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit, eggs, and hash, as if we were staying at a luxury hotel.
Dylan dabbed his mouth and stood as we approached.
“Good morning. Sleep well?”
“Well enough,” I replied.
He pulled out my chair.
“Thank you.” I sat, noticing how his hand lingered on the back of my chair longer than necessary.
Goran stiffened behind me, and I gestured to one of the empty seats.
“Goran, please sit and eat with us.” I thought he would refuse, but after a few moments of awkward silence, he finally sat.
“Coffee,” Dylan asked.
“Please.”
He poured it himself for the two of us, but set the pot down for Goran.
Of course he did. Jerk.
“You should see the new foals before you leave. We’ve had exceptional success with our breeding program. The imported warmblood stallion semen has produced our best foals to date. Phenomenal bone structure, attitudes, and spirit.”
My interest flickered despite myself.
“What bloodlines?”
His mouth tilted into a smug grin.
“I thought that might get your attention.”
Goran sat to my right, silent but ever watchful.
“We’ve got a colt out of a Dutch mare and The General, that moves like liquid.
Only five months old, and he jumped the paddock fence like it was nothing.
You’d appreciate him. There are two fillies from our thoroughbred broodmares that we paired with Ferrero’s Night. I’ve never seen better, anywhere.”
“I’d love to see them.”
A stud farm had always been a part of my dream. I wanted to breed and sell horses while competing full-time. And even though Dylan was an ass, talking to someone who appreciated strong bloodlines and shared the same passion was exciting.
“Good. Perhaps I could take you to a small gathering tonight. A few riders. Some sponsors. Influential people. Nothing formal. We were already planning to get drinks, and I know they would love to meet you.”
A date disguised as networking. At one point, I would have gone. Now I saw it for what it was and had no interest in being trapped at a social engagement as Dylan’s date.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline. Maybe another time.”
He gave me a curt nod.
“Yes, of course.”
He leaned back, studying me, before standing.
“Enjoy breakfast. I need to get to the stable. I have five to ride today.” He dangled the appeal of this life in front of me like a carrot. “Once you come down, I’ll show you the foals.”
“Thank you.”
Goran watched Dylan leave while quietly eating.
I took in Goran’s appearance. Faint shadows rested under his eyes, the mark of someone who hadn’t slept. And yet Goran remained sharp and focused.
How did he do that? How did he stand guard all night and still look like he could dismantle a man before breakfast?
Mr. and Mrs. Winterton joined us, and we stayed to finish eating with them. I didn’t want to appear as if I were running from their company. Once I finished, I excused myself.
“Thank you for breakfast, but I need to check on Atlas.”
“Of course, my dear. You’re free to do as you please in our home,” Mr. Winterton said.
It didn’t feel that way, but I gave him a polite smile.
“I’ll meet you at the front door,” I told Goran before heading down the hallway and nearly colliding with one of the servers.
It was the same girl from last night.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Fine.”
Her eyes lowered, and she slipped past me like I would bite.
I watched her go and shook my head. Goran was right, this house didn’t feel safe.
When I rejoined Goran near the front entrance, he scanned me as if expecting to see blood and bruises.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
As we stepped outside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this house held secrets larger than the guest rooms. I was grateful beyond words that Goran had stood outside my door all night.
Even if he insisted on calling it duty.