8. Jerome

Chapter 8

Jerome

T hings could be going better, but she was terrified. A man coming in and taking up space must fell like an intrusion.

"So, how long you been doing this? What made you want to become a bodyguard for rich people?"

"My time in personal security has taught me more than combat—it's about vigilance, understanding threats before they manifest. I'm trained to anticipate, to protect."

"Anticipation isn't always enough," Her gaze pierced through my calm exterior. "What about when a threat becomes reality?"

"Then I handle it. Decisively." There's no hesitation, no flicker of doubt—only the quiet confidence of a man who's faced down danger and walked away unscarred.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. For both our sakes."

I registered the challenge in Raven's stance. "I served two tours in Iraq. My unit specialized in high-risk protection and intelligence gathering."

"High-risk..." Raven echoed.

"Every mission honed my instincts for security and protection," I continued, reading the skepticism in her eyes. "It's not just about strength or firepower. It's about staying three steps ahead—knowing how to think like those who mean harm and neutralizing the threat before it escalates."

"Your confidence is... compelling, but being in the public eye as I am, the threats are not always as straightforward as a battlefield's."

"Which is why I'm here." My eyes softened imperceptibly. "You need someone who can protect you in every context—someone who understands that danger often wears a friendly face."

I'm not just a shield; I'm a watchtower.

Raven led the way into the grand living area.

"Is there someone in your life who worries about you playing the hero all the time?" Raven ventured.

My shoulder hitched, as if caught off guard by the personal nature of the question. "Family, yes, but they understand the importance of what I do."

"Must be hard, them not knowing if you'll come home at the end of a job."

"Occupational hazard," I replied, but there was a warmth in my tone now, a crack in the armor. "They're proud of me. That makes it easier."

"Sounds like they've got a lot to be proud of."

I battled conflicting emotions. Memories of our past came flying in my mind, reminding me of a time when our paths had intertwined in a different setting. Despite the years that passed, my crush on raven didn't fade, but I knew better than to let personal feelings cloud my judgement right now.

Professional boundaries. It was important to maintain a strictly professional relationship with Raven. Our history added another layer of complexity to the current arrangement, but I was determined to stay focused on the task at hand. I was here to protect her, to ensure her safety in the face of unknown threats. No matter how tempting it might be to let my guard down and succumb to the familiar pull toward her, I had to remain steadfast in my resolve.