The girl boss

Under His Protection

The text came at 2am.

`Keep your son away from the Ashfords. Or else.`

I sat up in bed, heart pounding. The room was dark except for the glow of my phone.

Or else what?

I took a screenshot and sent it to Malik immediately. Even though we weren’t speaking after the lawyer meeting. Even though things were complicated.

His reply came in 30 seconds. `Where are you?`

`Home. With Leo.`

`Don’t open the door to anyone. I’m coming.`

20 minutes later, Malik was at my apartment. In sweatpants and a hoodie. Looking more dangerous than he ever did in a suit.

"Show me," he said.

I handed him my phone.

His jaw clenched. "This is serious, Siddiqa."

"I know that."

"No, you don’t." He paced my living room. "The Ashford family has enemies. Business enemies. And now they know about Leo."

"Are you saying my son is in danger because of you?"

"I’m saying my son is in danger because of ME." He stopped pacing. "And I won’t let anything happen to him."

"Then what do we do?"

Malik looked at me. Really looked at me. "We move you. Both of you. To the penthouse. Tonight."

"What? No. I can’t just—"

"You can." He stepped closer. "Siddiqa, I have 24/7 security. Bulletproof windows. A panic room. You think I’m letting my son stay in a place with no doorman?"

I wanted to argue. To be independent. To be the girl boss who didn’t need saving.

But the text on my phone.

The fear in my chest.

"Fine," I whispered. "But only until we figure out who sent this."

Malik nodded, relief flashing across his face. "Pack a bag. I’ll have my men here in 10 minutes."

2 hours later, Leo and I were in the guest room of the penthouse.

With 4 guards outside the door.

Malik knocked softly. "Can I come in?"

I opened the door.

He was holding Leo’s favorite stuffed bear.

"I thought he might want this," he said quietly.

"He will. Thank you."

We stood there in awkward silence.

"Siddiqa," Malik said finally. "I’m sorry. For bringing this into your life."

"You didn’t do it on purpose."

"No. But I’m responsible." He ran a hand through his hair. "Let me protect you both. Please."

I looked at him. Tired. Genuine. Scared.

For the first time, I saw past the billionaire.

I saw the father.

"Okay," I said. "But we do this my way too. I’m not a prisoner."

Malik almost smiled. "Wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Carter."

That night, I didn’t sleep.

Because for the first time since this contract started...

I didn’t want to leave.