Dangerous protection

Under His Watch

Maya's pov

I slammed my bedroom door shut and leaned against it, my chest rising fast. My hands curled into fists. I hated it, hated the way Damian had caught me as if I were some weak little girl who couldn’t even walk on her own. And worse, I hated how his deep voice still rang in my head.

This is one of the reasons you need me.

I pressed my hands over my ears as if that could silence it. My father probably thought it was “caring,” hiring a stranger to shadow me. But he didn’t understand. He never did. Since my mother died, his version of love had been money, guards, and rules. Not time, not warmth, not listening.

I dragged myself toward the tray of milk the maid had left earlier. I picked up the glass and drank slowly, trying to calm myself. The warmth slid down my throat, but it couldn’t wash away the fire inside me.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

That was when my phone chimed. Immediately, I grabbed it and glanced at the screen.

A notification appeared from a w******p group I hadn't muted.

Kingston University Alumni Group.

I clicked on the notification and checked the messages.

Even after graduation, nobody had left the group. The chats were still as chaotic as they had been during our university days.

Annabelle: "I hope everyone is actually coming tonight."

Almost immediately another message appeared.

Harold: "Some people better not act too important to attend."

I rolled my eyes.

Typical.

Those two never changed.

Another notification popped up.

Annabelle: "Especially Maya Coker. She's probably too busy being a billionaire's daughter."

I laughed under my breath.

Some people graduated from university but never graduated from jealousy.

Before I could reply, Sandra's message appeared.

Sandra: "Relax. Maya will be there. I'll be with her too. Stop worrying about other people and focus on yourselves."

My smile widened.

Sandra had always been like that.

Fearless, Protective, and Loyal.

Before I could reply, there was another knock at my door. I frowned, wondering who was knocking this time.

Another maid stepped inside, bowing slightly.

“Miss Maya, your breakfast is ready. And Mr. Coker is about to leave.”

I nodded without a word, and she left quietly.

I pulled myself up and walked out of the room. At the bottom of the grand staircase, my father stood with Damian by his side.

I tightened my jaw. The sight of Damian still standing so firm and unreadable irritated me. I gave him a killing glare. To my annoyance, he only smirked, as if enjoying the game.

My father cleared his throat. “I’m leaving for a business trip now. I’ll be gone for some days.” His eyes shifted to Damian. “I want you to do your job well. Protect her with your life.”

Damian inclined his head slightly, his voice calm. “You can trust me, sir. I will not fail.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course, my father ate up that little performance.

“Dad,” I snapped, my voice rising, “what are you saying? I told you, I don’t want a bodyguard! I’m not a baby.”

My father’s gaze hardened. “Maya, you don’t get to choose. I am your father, and you will respect my decisions. Your safety comes first. End of discussion.”

He looked at me with the same expression he used during board meetings whenever someone challenged him.

Cold and Final.

"Maya, you are the future of the Coker Group.... You are my only child."

"I refuse to gamble with your safety."

His voice softened slightly.

"And don't forget.....Monday's executive board meeting starts at nine, I expect you to be there, No excuses."

I sighed.

Before I could argue, my father's personal driver, dressed in a black suit, entered and bowed.

“Mr. Coker, the car is ready. We should leave soon.”

My father gave a short nod and turned to me. “Behave yourself, Maya.”

Then he walked out, his polished shoes clicking against the marble until he disappeared from sight.

Within seconds, several bodyguards followed him outside.

I stood there, watching him go, my heart tight with frustration. When I turned back, Damian was still there, silent, watching like a statue.

“I told you to name your price,” I hissed at him. “I don’t want you or any other bodyguard.”

He didn’t move. His eyes only gleamed with that same quiet confidence.

Just then, my stomach betrayed me by grumbling softly. I sighed, realizing I was already hungry.

I glanced toward the dining hall. The long mahogany table was already set, silver cutlery gleaming beside a fresh flower vase, and a plate of creamy pasta was waiting for me.

I walked toward the dining hall and pulled out a chair before sitting down, forcing my anger into each movement. I picked up my fork and began cutting into my food, trying to ignore the man standing just a few feet away.

But as I looked up, I saw Damian walking slowly toward the door. His hands were tucked casually into his pockets, his posture relaxed, his steps measured, as if he owned every space he entered.

The arrogance made my blood boil. I bit into my food harder than necessary. But suddenly, the piece stuck in my throat. My eyes widened. I tried to swallow, but it wouldn’t go down. I started coughing, my body jerking forward.

Damian turned at once. Without hesitation, he strode back across the room. He picked up the water jug, poured it into a glass, and placed it firmly in front of me. “Here.”

I grabbed it and drank quickly, relief flooding me as the food finally went down.. My coughing slowed, and I set the glass back on the table, breathing hard.

He stood beside me, smirking. “Hmm. Maybe I shouldn’t just be your bodyguard. Maybe I should be your nanny too. Seems you can’t even eat without help.”

My mouth dropped open. “What did you just say?”

Heat burned my cheeks, my anger rising at his words.

“Hey, jerk,” I snapped, darting my eyes up at him. “I didn’t tell you to help me with water.”

He tilted his head slightly, the corner of his lips curving again. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his steps slow, his posture effor

tless.

I clenched my fork, my breath uneven.

I hated him.

And I already knew having Damian around was going to be a nightmare.