Callum gestures toward him. "This is Octavian. He'll be with you starting tomorrow. Driver, security detail, whatever you need. With you wherever you go."
"I don't need anything," I say, crossing my arms. "Especially not him."
Callum sighs, like this is all going exactly how he expected.
"We've been over this, Keira," Callum says, voice cold.
I turn my attention to Octavian, tilting my head as I look him over. Up close, he's even more imposing. The sharp lines of his face, the faint scar cutting through his left eyebrow, the way his suit jacket strains against his chest.
He doesn't flinch under my scrutiny.
"So," I say sarcastically, "you're the guy they imported to follow me around like a lost puppy?"
His expression doesn't change. "I'm the guy who keeps you alive."
"I've been doing fine on my own," I say.
"Until you're not," he replies, his tone flat. "And then it's too late."
I laugh, sharp and bitter. "Wow. You really know how to charm a girl, don't you?"
He doesn't say anything.
"He's familiarizing himself with your schedule tonight," Callum says, walking around his desk.
"I have plans tonight," I say.
"Not without me, Ms. Killaney," Octavian says.
I blink.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I miss the part where I asked you?"
He cracks his neck. "I don't need permission. Just cooperation."
I let out a laugh. "Well, you're off to a terrible fucking start, then."
Declan winces.
Octavian doesn't move. Just watches me like I'm a storm cloud he's already decided to walk through.
"Callum," I say, turning to my brother. "This is ridiculous. I don't need a shadow. Especially not one who looks like he moonlights as a bouncer."
Octavian steps forward for the first time.
It doesn't scare me, but it sure as hell pisses me off.
"You don't need to like me," he says, voice like steel. "You just need to be alive at the end of the night."
Cool. Another overgrown alpha with a God complex who probably has a knife fetish.
Callum clears his throat. "As I was saying, I've given Octavian your schedule. Covering security protocols for public events."
"Public events?" I say, my gaze shifting away from Octavian to Callum. "You mean the galas I run? The fundraisers that keep my foundation going?"
"Yes," Callum says. "And he'll be attending all those with you."
"Absolutely not."
