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“Archer, I mean it. If there are issues, I want you to call me.”
“Yes, sir.”
I nodded at the guy delivering the car, ignoring Gunner’s sigh. “Hang in there, kid. Things will get better.”
“Of course. I’ll check in tomorrow.”
I’d have to do a daily check-in like any other job we did. Not sure how much I’d be reporting on, though. Thea didn’t have a job and seemed to spend her days lying out by the pool or getting her hair and nails done, according to the report I’d read on her last night.
We hung up, and I accepted the key and signed the documents to make the car mine for as long as I was here. Gunner hadn’t skimped when it came to my ride. The black BMW X5 started with a purr, and I noticed it had done less than a thousand miles.
Maybe this assignment wouldn’t be so bad after all.
The traffic was flowing, making the trip easy. It probably helped that it wasn’t peak hour.
It became clear as soon as I spotted the ocean on my way to La Jolla Farms that their suburb was one of the more expensive ones in San Diego. Driving past mansions and manicured lawns, I wondered how Thea had ended up here. I would have never imagined her living in a place like this. She used to make fun of people who flaunted their wealth, but she seemed to have happily joined them.
Did I ever truly know her?
Making my way up a winding road, I ended at a property protected by high walls and a gleaming gate. Pushing the intercom as instructed, I announced myself.
The person who answered didn’t check my ID or make sure I was who I told them I was. Instead, the gate opened as soon as I said my name. I’d have to make sure there were better security protocols in place.
Making my way up the long driveway and past perfectly trimmed bushes and trees, I turned a corner, and the house became visible.
The monstrosity in front of me was a level of wealth I had never been confronted with. Even our rich clients didn’t have a castle on a few acres with their own helipad in San Diego.
Parking off to the side, I got out, grabbing my bag from the back seat. Nobody had approached me yet, another thing that needed to change.
If there was someone after the owners of this mansion, then we had to take precautions and use every tool at our disposal, including getting a visual to confirm whoever came up to the house was really who they said they were.
Knocking on the door that was almost as wide and tall as a garage door, I took in the intricate carvings and golden handle.
When the heavy door finally creaked open, I wasn’t prepared for Thea to be standing there, hair in a messy bun on her head, her curves barely covered in tight yoga pants and a workout bra.
I was glad I was wearing sunglasses, because my eyes greedily drank in every inch of exposed skin.
“Archer,” she breathed, her beautiful eyes wide. “What are you doing here?”
“Mrs. Barlowe,” I greeted her, grateful that my voice sounded normal, hiding the turmoil inside. “I’m your new bodyguard.”
4
THEA
The breakfast Williamhad forced me to eat this morning sat heavy in my stomach, and my eyes seemed to have lost the ability to blink.
Archer was here. Standing in front of me. And he’d be staying. Keeping me safe. I hadn’t realized how afraid I’d been since getting back home. But hearing Archer say that he’d be my new bodyguard unsettled me as much as it made me feel safe.
I stepped back, hoping the cursed door wouldn’t slam shut accidentally. It was so heavy, I usually avoided opening it, using the small one leading into the garage instead. “Come in.”
He took his sunglasses off, giving me a glimpse of his narrowed eyes. Seemingly unimpressed by our entrance hall, he looked back at me. “If you point me in the direction of where I’ll be staying, I’ll drop my bag and then get started.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming. But if you give me a minute, I’ll get Carlotta to get a room ready.”
I didn’t usually open the door, but had been on my way to the gym when I heard the knock. Now I wished I’d just ignored it.
“No need, darling. The pool house is ready for our guest,” William interrupted my fumbling, complete with flushed neck. I didn’t flush on my face like a normal person. Oh no, I went red from the top of my boobs to under my chin instead.
