2. Jack
Chapter 2
Jack
The reminder echoes in my mind as I slide into the driver’s seat of the sleek silver Genesis G-70, the car Holly’s father gifted her on her last birthday.
She’s only twenty-one. And my boss’ daughter.
The words hang there, a warning that clashes sharply with the inappropriate thoughts nudging the edges of my mind. She’s old enough to make what I want to do to her legal, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. My job is to protect her, not indulge in fantasies. And yet, every time I catch a glimpse of her in the back seat, the temptation is harder to ignore.
I think back to the first time I laid eyes on Holly Kemp. She was sitting cross-legged in the oversized leather armchair of her father’s sprawling library, a hardcover book balanced on her knees. She didn’t notice me at first. Hell, no one did. Her father’s staff moved like ghosts through the halls, making sure to stay out of sight and out of trouble. That was how he liked it—control. But Holly? She didn’t seem like the kind of person who could be controlled, even then.
I stepped into the room, scanning my surroundings like I always did, taking in the exits, the windows, anything that could pose a threat. That’s when she looked up, her gaze locking on mine. And just like that, my world shifted.
She wasn’t what I expected.
Nineteen, maybe, with blonde hair that caught the afternoon light filtering through the tall windows. And those eyes—hazel, with a mix of green and gold that seemed to see straight through me. She didn’t look at me like I was just another of her father’s hired hands. She looked at me like she wanted to figure me out, like I was a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve. It threw me off balance.
“You must be the new guy,” she said, her voice soft but edged with curiosity. She set the book down, tilting her head as she studied me.
“Jack,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. Professional. That was the job, after all—stay sharp, stay loyal, stay out of trouble. Especially when it came to the boss’s daughter. “Your father hired me to oversee security.”
Her lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course he did. Dad loves his security. You’re probably the third or fourth one this year.”
I didn’t respond to that. It wasn’t my place to comment, even though I already didn’t like what I’d seen of Victor Kemp in the few hours I’d been here. The man had power, no doubt, but he wielded it like a weapon, and I could tell it extended to his family. The way the staff avoided eye contact, the way his wife seemed to shrink under his gaze, even the clipped tone he used when speaking to his son—it all left a sour taste in my mouth.
And here was his daughter, looking at me with defiance and curiosity, like she was daring me to crack the polished mask she wore.
“Do you read?” she asked suddenly, nodding toward the shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books that looked like they’d never been touched.
“Not much time for it,” I admitted, leaning slightly against the doorframe. I kept my stance casual, but my instincts were on high alert, cataloging every detail about her—her relaxed posture, the way her fingers toyed with the edge of the book, the faint trace of rebellion in her smile. “You?”
“All the time,” she said, her voice softening. “It’s the only way to escape when you’re stuck in a place like this.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. Hell, what could I say? She wasn’t wrong. This place was a gilded cage, all marble floors and crystal chandeliers, but it was suffocating in a way I couldn’t explain. And if I felt it after only a day here, I couldn’t imagine what it was like to grow up in it.
“You don’t like it here,” I said quietly, not really a question.
Her gaze flickered with something I couldn’t quite place—pain, maybe, or resentment. “Does anyone?”
The honesty in her voice caught me off guard, but I didn’t let it show. I wasn’t here to make friends. I wasn’t here to connect with her. My job was to keep her safe, nothing more. And yet, as she stood and stepped closer, something shifted into place inside me, something I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.
She was too young. Too innocent. And far too off-limits.
“You’re different,” she said, stopping a few feet away. She wasn’t smiling anymore, and her tone had lost its teasing edge. “Most of Dad’s guys are… colder. You don’t seem like them.”
“You don’t know me,” I said firmly, my voice harder than intended. I needed to shut this down before it became something it shouldn’t. “And you shouldn’t try to.”
Her lips parted as if she was going to argue, but then she stopped herself, her expression softening. “You don’t like him, do you? My dad.”
I didn’t answer, which was answer enough. Instead, I straightened, shifting my weight off the doorframe and back onto my feet. “I’m here to do my job, Miss Kemp.”
“Holly,” she corrected, her smile returning, though it was smaller this time. “If we’re going to be stuck in the same house, you might as well call me Holly.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Instead, I nodded once and stepped back into the hall, putting as much distance between us as possible without making it obvious. But even as I walked away, her voice lingered in my mind, soft and teasing and far too dangerous.
That was the first time I met Holly Kemp. And even then, I knew she’d be my undoing.
“Behave,” I tell her, now as she stares stubbornly out the windshield. “Don’t pout, and don’t make my job harder than it already is. I didn’t ask to be your bodyguard.”
She lets out a sound—part frustration, part annoyance—but I know better than to expect any kind of agreement from her. We both know this arrangement isn’t what either of us wants. I’m just here to drive her to her doctor’s appointment, bring her back home, and pass the shift off to Eddie in the evening. My nights are spent in the pool house, a stone’s throw from her father’s mansion, close enough to reach her within minutes if needed. And yet, that proximity feels like a blessing and a curse, especially with the woman herself so often crossing my path.
Why has Victor Kemp suddenly assigned me to Holly? For two years, I’ve been a cog in the well-oiled machine of his empire, a silent shadow tasked with guarding his interests. I’ve handled security for his shady meetings, vetted his high-profile guests, and dealt with threats he barely acknowledged. Not once in all that time did he seem to care who watched over his daughter. So why now?
The question gnaws at me, setting off alarms in the back of my mind. Victor isn’t the kind of man who does anything without a reason. Everything he does serves some agenda, some carefully calculated game he’s playing. And if he’s moved me into Holly’s orbit, it’s not because he’s concerned for her safety. No, Victor doesn’t do concern. He does power plays, manipulation, and strategy. Whatever this is, it’s not as simple as keeping his daughter safe.
I glance at her from the corner of my eye. She’s still staring out the window, her profile illuminated by the afternoon light. Tension bleeds into her posture, a quiet defiance that I’ve come to recognize as her default when it comes to her father’s decisions. She doesn’t like this arrangement any more than I do, but she doesn’t realize how deep this rabbit hole might go.
Victor’s enemies aren’t the kind of men who give warnings. If they’re after Holly, it means Victor has made yet another move to piss someone off—only this time, he’s used his daughter as collateral. My stomach tightens at the thought. I can’t protect her properly if I don’t know the full story, and Victor isn’t exactly forthcoming with details.
Holly shifts in her seat, breaking into my thoughts. “Why are you so quiet?” she asks, her voice softer now, almost curious.
I shake my head, forcing my features into a neutral expression. “Just focused on the job.”
Her lips press into a thin line, but she doesn’t push further. She has no idea how hard I’m trying to stay professional, to keep my thoughts from straying into dangerous territory. I remind myself that my loyalty is to her father, even if the man makes my skin crawl. But as I glance at Holly again, her blonde hair catching the sunlight, I know my loyalty has instinctively shifted—to her.
Victor Kemp is playing a game, and Holly’s life is the bargaining chip. The knowledge echoes in my mind, cold and sharp. My years as a SEAL honed my instincts, and I know it in my bones. Whatever he’s done, whatever mess he’s dragged her into, I’ll ensure it doesn’t touch her. Even if it means standing against the man who hired me. Even if it means breaking every rule I’ve ever followed.
Because the moment I stepped into that library two years ago and met Holly Kemp, something inside me changed. And as much as I’ve tried to fight it, I know one thing for sure: I’d burn Victor’s empire to the ground before I let anyone hurt her.
The drive is quiet, the city blurring by in the usual rush of noise and movement. I glance in the rearview mirror at her, watching as she leans back with a defiant expression, arms crossed, her lips set in a stubborn line. She doesn’t want to be here any more than I do, and for some reason, that look of rebellion stirs a sense of protectiveness in me I didn’t expect.
“I know having someone hovering over you twenty-four-seven isn’t easy for you,” I say finally, breaking the silence. “But I’ve got your back, okay? I’m here to protect you from whatever comes.”
“Fine,” she mutters, still looking away, her arms tightening over her chest.
I know a pout when I see one. I force myself to look forward, hiding the hint of a smirk that creeps onto my face. At least I’ve gotten through to her, if only a little.
“Just get me to the doctor, then take me home,” she adds in a flat voice.
Yep, Miss Pissy Pants is alive and well—and it’s my job to keep her that way.
A glance at the clock tells me it’s three in the afternoon. We still have plenty of time before her 3:15 appointment. As I steer us down the main road, the usual hum of city life surrounds us—a comforting routine masking the subtle tension that lingers between us.
We pull up to the clinic, and she hesitates before opening her door, glancing at me with a mix of trepidation and irritation. She’s not stupid—she knows her father’s decision to assign me as her bodyguard means the threat against her family is real.
“Do you have everything you need for your appointment?”
She nods, lowering her eyes. “Yes. It’s just a routine check. My father likes to control every aspect of my life, including my health. My hymen means more to him than any discomfort or embarrassment I might experience.”
I’m shocked at her words. What the fuck? It’s another black mark against the man who wields such devastating control over his daughter.
“Man or woman?” I ask through gritted teeth.
She frowns. “Huh?”
“Your OBGYN,” I clarify.
“Oh. Dr. Warren. A woman,” she clarifies. “Why?”
Because if it were a man, I’d have to chop his hands off and rip his eyes out. No one touches or sees what’s mine.
The thought tumbles through my mind unbidden. I want to slam the car into gear and drive away from this place as fast as possible.
You work for her father.
I repeat the mantra until I almost believe it.
Instead of answering, I push down my conflicting emotions and offer her a reassuring nod. “I’ll be waiting once you’re done.”
Holly nods briskly, slipping out of the car and making her way inside, shoulders back, head lifted like she’s ready to face whatever lies ahead.
I follow, keeping a respectable distance. The brief walk into the clinic feels longer than it should, each step heightening my awareness of her presence.
My gaze strays to the way her clothes hug her curvy frame—jeans that fit her heart-shaped ass just right, emphasizing the sway of her hips, and a sweater that clings to her large tits. Her thick, blonde hair falls in soft waves down her back, catching the light with every movement. She radiates a blend of strength and vulnerability that’s impossible to ignore, and I can’t seem to look away.
The doctor’s office is bustling, filled with patients of all ages. The nurses shuffle between stations, calling out names. Muted conversation and the occasional child’s laughter fill the air.
Holly is called in first, and I sit in the waiting room, scanning the faces with interest. A mother comforts her toddler, a couple exchange worried glances, and an elderly man sits hunched over with a solemn expression. The scene reminds me of the fragility of life—of how each of these people has their worries and their own stories.
I try to shake off my thoughts and focus on my surroundings, but my mind keeps drifting back to the woman behind the exam room door. She’s young, yes, but she has strength—a resilience I admire. Despite her attitude, she’s handling this threat against her father with surprising composure.
I’m pulled back to the present by the receptionist calling out a name. I think it’s mine for a moment, only to realize it’s another man named Jack. I shake my head, silently chastising myself. I have to stay focused and keep my attention sharp if I’m going to protect her properly.
When Holly’s appointment ends, I meet her by the exit and lead her back to the car. We don’t speak as we drive out of the parking lot, and I sense her drifting into her thoughts.
We’re minutes from her father’s mansion when a dull pop shatters the quiet, sending a chill down my spine. A split-second later, the rear window shatters, and a bullet embeds itself in the backseat, inches from her head.
“Get down!” I shout, reaching back to push Holly’s head down as another shot rings out, striking the rear of the car. In the rearview mirror, I glimpse an SUV with its window down, a pistol gleaming from the driver’s side.
Without hesitation, I floor the accelerator, my gaze darting between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. We need to get back to the mansion. With the extra security there, we have a better chance of holding them off.
“Hold on tight,” I call to Holly, adrenaline flooding my system as I tighten my grip on the wheel. My protective instincts flare hotter than ever, driving out every other thought. “We’re going to lose them.”
I take a sharp right down a narrow street, the city whirling by as I push the car’s limits. My mind races as I scan for escape routes, the chaos around us blending with the hammering of my heart. The urgency of the moment leaves no room for hesitation.
Ahead, a red light threatens to slow us, but I spot a side street that cuts through the city. I don’t hesitate, cutting sharply onto the street and slamming on the brakes as I reach the end, forcing the SUV behind us to swerve wildly. It skids, its tires squealing as the driver fights to stay on our tail. I grit my teeth, sweat beading on my forehead as I swing the car around a tight corner, trying to maintain our lead.
The weight of the situation presses down on me. Holly’s life is on the line.
Her breaths are shallow as she lies in the backseat. Her hazel eyes are full of fear, but she’s holding it together. She hasn’t fallen to pieces. She’s tougher than she looks. Something fierce blooms in my chest, and it only fuels my resolve.
As the SUV closes in again, I spot a driveway up ahead, a last-ditch escape. I swerve into it, pulling the emergency brake and putting the car in neutral. Before I know it, I’m out of the car, gun drawn, firing a quick shot that shatters the SUV’s windshield. The driver loses control, crashing into a fence with a jarring screech of metal on metal.
I dart back to the car, heart pounding, knowing I have only seconds to get us out of here. Throwing the car into reverse, I maneuver us around the SUV, then jam it into first and accelerate toward the mansion. Holly is silent and shaken, her body flattened to the backseat.
As we near the city's outskirts, I see a dark column of smoke rising from the direction of her father’s estate, thick and ominous against the skyline. My stomach drops as we approach the mansion gates, only to find flames licking at the edges of the property, devouring the facade and sending plumes of smoke skyward.
“What the hell is happening?” Holly gasps as she sits up, her fingers digging into my arm with desperate strength. “My family…My home…Call for help!”
I shake my head, gritting my teeth as I assess the situation. Now isn’t the time for panic. My priority is keeping Holly safe. “I’m sure your family’s fine,” I reply, though doubt gnaws at the edges of my words. “Right now, I need to get you out of here.”
My mind races as I think through the options. The estate security will have contacted emergency services—reinforcements will arrive soon, but I can’t risk waiting. The flames are spreading too quickly, and the attackers are likely nearby.
“Holly, we need to leave. Now.” I inject as much authority into my voice as possible, sensing her panic rising beside me.
Her eyes are wide, reflecting the terror churning in her heart.
Then, her expression shifts to quiet determination as she scrambles into the passenger seat beside me. “Let’s go,” she whispers, the tremble in her voice betraying her fear even as she tries to hold it together.
I take a breath, making a quick calculation. We can’t head back into the city—that will only lead us into more danger. I need a place to lie low. Somewhere we can regroup and stay hidden.
Alpha Mountain. I have a cabin there that no one but me knows about. My bolt hole in case the need ever arose. Like now. Holly is my charge. My duty. And she’s something else, something I’m not ready to put a name to yet. I have to protect her, whatever it takes, and where better to hide out than in the mountains?
Decision made, I slam the car into reverse and get the fuck out of Dodge. The city blurs behind us, the landscape shifting to open roads and distant trees as we speed away from the flames and chaos. I glance at Holly, taking in the pale cast to her face and the way her hands clench around the seatbelt. Her gaze holds mine for a moment, and the trust in her eyes nearly undoes me.
“Hang on,” I say quietly, forcing a note of calm into my voice. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nods, the tiniest hint of relief flashing across her face.
I can’t afford to let my guard down. We still have a long way to go, and I know, deep down, that I’ll do anything—even lay down my life—if it means keeping her safe.