The Agent's Blood

Chapter 18

Evander reported everything that had happened during his duty to his superior, and also to Julian. The man immediately drove to the villa, arriving close to midnight.

At that time, Elena was unwilling to sleep and just sat curled up on the sofa, with Evander keeping watch over her.

"How is she? Is she hurt?" Julian asked as soon as he entered the villa.

"Miss is fine, just still shaken and frightened," Evander replied.

Julian was silent, his gaze drifting to the sofa where Elena was lying. He walked over and knelt beside the chair, his hand gently stroking Elena's head.

"Sweetheart, are you hurt?" he asked.

Elena only shook her head in response. She had been thinking about the terrifying incidents. She hadn't even been Julian's wife for a full week.

"Is there anything you want to explain?" Elena asked, looking at Julian.

Julian frowned, not understanding.

Elena sighed. "In just a few days, I've faced two death threats, and in those two days, I've seen three deaths right before my eyes," Elena laid out. "Explain to me, do you have enemies?" she then asked.

Julian was stunned. He hadn't expected Elena to say that. He looked confused, which made Evander, who had overheard, start to feel suspicious.

"I have a few enemies, and it seems they intend to disrupt our marriage," Julian confessed, closing his eyes and avoiding Elena's gaze.

His wife immediately sat up, her eyes wide with disbelief at Julian. Evander, too, clenched his fists upon learning the truth.

"Disrupt, you say?!" Elena seethed. "They almost killed me, you know that?!" she shrieked, beating Julian angrily.

Julian remained silent, holding Elena's hands, letting his wife cry hysterically in front of him.

"You should have been more open about this with us, sir," Evander spoke up.

He was right. If he hadn't been prepared and quick to act, they probably wouldn't have survived. Especially during the incident on the mountain road. They might have ended up at the bottom of the ravine.

A threat with a firearm was not to be taken lightly. It was already attempted murder.

"I trust you can handle everything, Captain! That's why I'm keeping you as my wife's bodyguard!" Julian said with a broad, carefree smile.

This only fueled Elena's anger. "You've dragged me into your circle of demons, Julian! And you talk as if this is just a game!" Elena shrieked, her tears breaking free again.

"Do you think my life is just a toy?!" she screamed again, then collapsed onto the floor.

The thought of the life-threatening events enraged her. She, who knew nothing, had become the target of someone else's anger.

Evander stood silently in his place. He was angry too, but what could he do? All he could do now was protect Elena, even if it cost him his own life.

***

Julian tried to persuade Elena to go home, but his wife refused. She just lay curled up in a blanket, not speaking to him at all.

"Maybe she's still angry," he complained.

Evander was silent.

Who wouldn't be angry after just experiencing a life-threatening ordeal, Evander thought furiously.

"I want to stay with her, but I have business I can't postpone," Julian glanced at Evander. "Persuade her to go home later!" he ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Evander replied.

Evander followed Julian out to the terrace. Before leaving, Julian turned back to Evander, his eyes assessing the bodyguard's appearance.

Evander was tall, well-built, and handsome. His white shirt had bloodstains, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked a bit disheveled, probably from not having changed after the chaos.

But that just made Evander look even more charismatic.

Julian blinked. It seemed reasonable for him to have ill thoughts about his wife, especially after the rumors about Elena and Evander's closeness some time ago.

"Sir?" Evander frowned, seeing Julian lost in thought.

"Ah, yes!" Julian turned his face away. "I entrust my wife to you, Captain! I know she is in the right hands!" he said, then took a step closer.

"So, don't break my trust!" he added in a low voice.

Evander bowed his head. "Of course, sir!" he replied, not meeting Julian's gaze. Conceding.

Julian looked at Evander for a moment. "Change your car with the one in the garage later!" he ordered, turning away. He walked, putting on his sunglasses, and got into his car.

"Yes, thank you!" Evander called out. He stood watching Julian's car until it was completely out of sight.

Evander retrieved a change of clothes he always kept as a spare from the car's trunk, prying open the hood with a crowbar, a difficult task given the car's mangled state. The car was almost unrecognizable, but so far, the engine was still in good and intact condition. Volvo had always been his favorite for its strength and safety.

Evander took off his dirty shirt, leaving him in an undershirt and black trousers with an 'H' logo belt. His well-proportioned body was perfectly formed, not overly muscular but clearly solid and strong.

And this did not escape Elena's sight, who was watching him from her room's balcony on the upper floor.

The Captain seemed to be concentrating on examining the wrecked car. With a wrench in his hand and smudges of oil on his arms and face, the man looked rugged and even more handsome.

Elena felt a thrill run through her. Imagining her moments with Evander.

Evander sensed someone watching him. He looked up and saw Elena looking at him. Their eyes locked.

Then Evander smiled and turned his face away as Elena removed her robe, revealing a thin nightgown underneath.

His beloved was deliberately teasing him.

Elena chuckled softly, seeing Evander's flustered reaction down below.

A while later, Evander finished his work on the car. It would surely be junked, given its crumpled and dented body. People would think it was just scrap. But for him, it was a treasure.

Evander went to his room, intending to shower. His body was sticky with sweat and oil. So after locking the door, he quickly undressed and went into the bathroom.

He didn't feel the cold mountain weather, there was no need for warm water. Besides, cold water was more refreshing.

And more 'calming.'

"May I join you?"

Evander jumped in surprise at the voice. He instantly turned off the faucet and looked over.

Elena stood in the doorway, a meaningful smile on her face. And what made Evander hold his breath was that the woman was only wearing a towel.

"But I can't handle a cold shower," she said.

Evander smiled, then, without breaking his gaze, his hand fumbled for the faucet.

And turned on the warm water.