The CEO And Her Bodyguard

1: Close Call

“Find her! Don’t let her get away!”

The men’s voices tore through the building, rough and impatient. Staff members huddled together in corners, some crying, others whispering prayers. Their fear was obvious...wide eyes, shaking hands, lips pressed tightly together as if even a breath might get them caught.

I crouched low near a service corridor, forcing myself to stay still even though my body screamed to run. My heart hammered against my ribs, every beat sharp, every inhale too shallow.

“Rebekah Grant!” one of them bellowed. “Come out now, or we’ll make sure this ends badly for everyone in here!”

My staff flinched at his words. One of the younger assistants had tears running down her cheeks, her hand clutching another’s arm so tightly her knuckles were white. The sight made my chest tighten. They weren’t supposed to be dragged into this. This was about me.

I pressed my phone to my ear, my fingers trembling so much I almost dropped it. The call connected.

“Rebekah?” His voice came fast, urgent. “Where are you? Are you hurt?”

“I’m hiding,” I whispered, my throat dry. “They... they’re inside. I slipped away. I’m near the service stairwell. Please, Michael… come now.”

Michael didn’t miss a beat. “Stay put. Don’t make a sound. I’m almost there. I won’t let them take you, do you hear me?”

I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself with the sound of his voice. “I hear you.”

From down the corridor, heavy boots thudded against the floor. My body tensed. I pressed myself tighter into the corner, gripping the phone so hard it dug into my palm. The men weren’t just shouting anymore; they were searching... opening doors, kicking carts aside, checking every room.

“Where is she? Check the kitchen!” another barked.

My staff scattered like startled birds. A tray crashed to the ground, metal clanging against tile. My breath caught. I wanted to scream at them to run, but the words stuck in my throat. One wrong sound from me and it was over.

Michael’s voice came again, steady but filled with tension. “I’m pulling up outside. Don’t try to get out on your own. Stay hidden until I say.”

“I’ll try,” I breathed, though my pulse was racing too fast for me to believe it.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass panel of the fire door beside me. My hair was a mess, makeup smudged, my designer gown torn along the seam from when I’d ripped myself free of their grip earlier. I didn't recognize the woman staring back at me. This wasn’t the perfect, untouchable CEO the press loved to photograph. This was me, stripped down to fear and instinct.

“Check the stairwell!” someone ordered.

My stomach twisted. That was exactly where I was.

I moved quickly, staying low, sliding down two steps at a time until I reached the bottom door. My hands shook as I pushed it open and slipped out into the night. The air hit me, cold against my damp skin, but there was no relief. Not yet.

I scanned the empty back street. No sign of them. No sign of Michael either.

I whispered into the phone, “I’m outside now. Back exit. Hurry.”

“I see you,” Michael said, and I turned toward the sound of his voice. His car screeched to a stop a few yards away, headlights cutting across the pavement. He jumped out, jacket thrown over his shoulders, his tie loosened like he’d come straight from a late meeting.

“Rebekah,” he said, his eyes sweeping over me as he rushed forward. His hands gripped my arms firmly but carefully, checking me over. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” I said, though my voice broke. “They tried, but I got away before...”

A loud bang cut me off...a gunshot from inside the building. My body jerked at the sound, and Michael immediately pulled me closer, shielding me with his body.

“Don’t look,” he muttered, his voice low in my ear. “The police are almost here.”

The wail of sirens began to build in the distance. Relief pushed at the edges of my fear, but my chest still heaved with every breath. My fingers clutched the fabric of Michael’s jacket as if letting go would send me falling back into the danger.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and worry. “They came too close tonight. This never happens again. Do you understand me? Never again.”

I swallowed, nodding, though my throat ached. “I… I understand.”

The sirens grew louder. Red and blue lights flashed as the first police cars turned into the street. Michael’s arm stayed around me, steady and firm, until the officers rushed forward.

“Miss Grant?” one of them asked, scanning me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said automatically, though I didn’t feel it. “They were inside… armed. They wanted me. But I… I got out.”

Michael’s hand tightened on mine, his voice sharp as he addressed the officers. “They were prepared. This wasn’t random. I want every inch of this place searched. Now.”

The officers moved quickly, storming inside while more arrived to block off the street. I leaned against Michael, my strength finally giving way. My knees felt weak, my chest still rising and falling too fast.

He lowered his voice just for me. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

I took a hard, painful breath. Michael’s grip on me tightened as the officers fanned out. His voice was low but cutting.

“You can’t keep doing this, Rebekah. You think you can handle it on your own, but tonight proves you can’t. These people aren’t amateurs. They’re organized, and they won’t stop until they get what they want.”

I lifted my head, trying to meet his eyes, but mine burned with tears. “What they want is me gone so they can tear apart everything my mother built. She trusted me with her company, her legacy, and they hate me for it. They’ll never stop.”

Michael’s jaw flexed. “Exactly why you need someone who can stop them before they ever get close again. Not a driver doubling as security. Not a few guards at the front desk. A real professional. Someone whose job is keeping people alive.”

“I have you,” I whispered, clinging harder to him than I meant to.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “I can’t be everywhere. And tonight...” his voice cracked slightly, a rare slip for him... “tonight I almost lost you.”

The sirens still sounded around us, officers shouting orders, but all I could hear was him. The truth in his words cut deeper than the fear I’d felt moments ago.

Michael leaned closer, his tone final. “Tomorrow, we’re hiring the best. If you don’t agree, Rebekah, you won’t make it to the end of the year. And I won’t risk watching them win.”