Chapter 1 #2
“You rush me home and now you want to prolong the announcement. I’m not sitting down, because the suspense is so unnecessary, Dad. Please, just get on with it!” I tossed my hands into the air.
“This is difficult for me to say, Sunni. The simplest way I can say this is . . . you’re in danger.”
“Huh?” Confusion covered my features as I stared at him.
Sonny Stone was in his early fifties. His salt-and-pepper beard and thick black eyebrows were the only hair on his round head.
Dad was bald, but it fit him well. His skin was a rich brown with the same freckles that covered my nose and cheeks.
I was his twin, which was why we shared a name.
I was the junior before he had a junior.
“You know I come in contact with a lot of powerful and dangerous men. A few months ago, I put the leader of a mid-level mafia crew in prison on a double life sentence. His family and followers are not happy about it. We got word a few hours ago that his second-in-command has put a bounty on your head in retaliation of what I did.”
I laughed deep within my belly. The humor in his statement consumed me until I glimpsed at his face. There was no laughter in his eyes. His words were serious, which sobered up my amusement quickly.
“Wait. You’re serious?”
“Unfortunately, I am very serious, princess. Very dangerous people are out to kill you.”
I blinked. “Why me? I have nothing to do with anything. I’m literally just a girl.”
“I know, baby girl. It’s out of both of our control. They want to hurt me. You are my sole reason for living, so hurting you will hurt me more than any torture they could put me through.”
I was silent as I listened to his words. A man I had never met had put a hit on me, and now a group of unknown men were trying to kill me. Whoever had my voodoo doll must have been bored as hell to come up with this type of storyline.
“So let me get this straight. There are men who are trying to kill me?”
He nodded. “Correct. When we first got word, they had posted the bounty on the black market. There is a seven-figure number attached to the confirmation of your death. Anyone with access to the database is a potential hitman.”
This couldn’t be my life. This had to be a sick joke.
“So what am I supposed to do? Hide out at the manor for who knows how long?” I finally took the seat that was offered to me upon my arrival. I placed my elbows on my thighs and folded my fingers together. I couldn’t stop the incessant tap of my foot against the hardwood floor.
“No. I know neither of us would survive you trapped here against your will. I don’t want your life to stop completely. Instead, I have hired the best of the best in terms of security. Noble Nash has come highly recommended and will be your bodyguard until we handle the situation.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “A man in prison is orchestrating a bounty on my head, and you’ve got one man watching me? You want me dead?”
“I can assure you he’s the best at what he does. His success rate is unlike anything a team of men are capable of. He will be with you at all times. He should actually pull up shortly for you to meet him and go over your schedule with him.”
I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my father’s mouth. If I didn’t respect him, I would have screamed a slew of curse words at him. How could he put my life in danger? Why was I roped into elaborate schemes to punish my father? Was my life not important? Did I not deserve a chance to live?
I was only twenty-six years old. I had done a lot of side quests but never found my purpose in life. Would I ever get to figure out why God put me on this earth? Would I ever settle down and have kids of my own?
“Please don’t let me die, Daddy.” My lip quivered.
The weight of the situation had settled on my heart, and my emotions got the best of me. I didn’t want to appear weak, but I was terrified. This was all new to me.
“I promise I’m doing everything in my power to keep you safe.
I’ve pondered over every scenario possible, and this one was the best I could do to ensure you still had the freedom to live your life while also being protected while you did so.
You have a solid foundation in Cade’s Cove, so I didn’t want to put you in witness protection and uproot everything you’ve built thus far. ”
“This isn’t fair, Daddy. I’m scared.”
Daddy pulled me into his arms and rubbed my back. I broke down completely in his arms. I couldn’t fathom the reality of the situation. He rocked with me until my sobs subsided and the tears ran dry. I grabbed a tissue off his desk and dabbed at my eyes and cheeks.
“So, who are the men in black?” I asked as I gestured toward the seven men in the room with us.
“I will station these men around the manor, my job, and your house. They will take out all threats as discreetly as possible until the bounty disappears.”
I nodded. “Okay. You hired a team to keep the manor and your job protected. That’s smart. Then you hired a solo bodyguard for me so I have the freedom to continue to live my life. I guess that makes me feel a little better. Still going to need some time to process this.”
“Take all the time you need.”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound startled me. My heart pounded against my chest as the office door opened. The man who walked in was something straight out of a wet dream. His chiseled jawline and low-cut beard were the first things my gaze noticed. Then my eyes traveled across his broad shoulders and firm build.
My goodness.
This man was attractive as hell, with his deep brown complexion and dark eyes.
“Sunni, let me introduce you to Noble Nash. Nash, this is my daughter who you will be protecting.” Daddy introduced us.
Noble eyed me intently before he extended his hand. Even his hand was sexy. I tucked my lip between my teeth and extended my hand for him to shake. His grasp was firm, strong, and confident as hell.
“I’ll protect you with my life, Miss Stone.”
My pussy jumped. I had to have lost my mind because there was no way I was openly ogling this strange man after the news I’d gotten just a few moments prior.
“Please call me Sunni.” I batted my eyelashes at the man.
His gaze was stoic and unmoving. “I prefer to keep things formal. It keeps the lines of this contract clear.”
“A man who respects boundaries. I like it.”
“Don’t get in this man’s way. Let him do his job, Sunni.” Daddy chimed in.
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” I replied.
Maybe.