Her Bodyguard.

Chapter Three.

♡♡Amelia's Pov ♡♡

A groan escapes me. "Emily, you literally just said those people don't attend parties. They don't mingle. They live in shadows. I know a few by name, but trust me, they're not the kind of men you want to have connections with. They're dangerous, Ruthless. Half of them are tied to the underworld."

Emily shrugs, totally unfazed. "And?"

I blink at her, incredulous. "And? And?! Emily, I'm not looking to end up in some underground deal or be owned by a man like that."

Emily tilts her head, "Oh, come on. You don't have to belong to him, Amelia. You just need someone Hudson can't touch. Someone who makes him think twice before breathing in your direction."

I exhale hard, "This isn't a game, Emily. These are men who kill reputations for sport."

"Exactly.." she cuts in. "That's why you'll be untouchable." Her eyes glint with mischief

"Hudson can't bully what he fears. You get yourself someone powerful enough, and I promise, he'll back off before he dares to move."

A humorless scoff slips out. I sink into the couch. "You're insane."

Emily shrugs, unfazed. "Insanity keeps you alive in this circle, babe."

I laugh dryly. "Right. And You think they hang around on dating apps waiting for CEOs with stalker exes?"

"You'd be surprised who's watching you, Amelia."

That makes me pause. My brows knit. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Her smile turns mysterious. "You're Amelia Stone, beautiful, smart, cold as ice in the boardroom. Don't think the shadows aren't watching. Sometimes the kind of man who can protect you... has already noticed you."

I roll my eyes, but something in my chest tightens. I hate that her words get under my skin.

Because yes, I have a stalker that's been messaging me for weeks now. But, that's something I don't want to bring up.

"You're impossible. And this won't work." I mutter, standing and walking toward the window.

The city lights stretch endlessly, glittering against the glass.

"Hudson won't leave your back.." Emily mutters. "That fucker's like a leech, and he seems he is obsessed with you."

"I can't do it.." I sigh, pressing my fingers to my temple before sinking back into the couch. "I'll just handle it the way I always do."

"Handle it?" Emily frowns, setting her glass down. "Girl, that psycho won't stop. Besides, what's stopping you from getting one of those men?"

A long breath escapes me. "Because a woman can only get close to one of those families if she's on their level. And I'm not."

Emily's quiet now, watching me. Then, suddenly, it click to me.

"Wait.." I say, frowning. "You said there were five stages. You only listed four."

"Ah, the fifth. The Untouchables." She sat up, lowering her voice like she was telling a secret. "Unknown wealth. Invisible influence. No one talks about them because no one even knows who they are. The impossible ones. That's why I skipped it. They're... above everything. Above everyone."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, sounds like a fairytale. If you ask me, I'll stick to none of this. Getting a powerful man to deal with Hudson sounds tempting, but it'll just end in a trap, another unwanted agreement or relationship I can't escape. My mind's already too messed up for that."

Emily exhales, studying me. "I know... I just thought you deserve someone better. A hot guy though." She smirks. "Someone who'll actually love you. You're gorgeous, Amelia. Strong and sexy as hell. Hudson's nothing but trash."

I let out a tired chuckle. "A trash I got rid of, but still stinks around me."

Emily bursts out laughing. "That's my girl."

Then suddenly, her eyes widen, that wicked glint returning.

"Wait."

I look up from my glass. "What?"

Her smirk spreads slow "How about you get a bodyguard?"

"A bodyguard?" I blink at her, thinking I must've misheard. "Seriously?"

Emily grins, "Well, yeah. That bastard won't care about a restraining order. We go physical this time. A bodyguard. Strict, Maybe ex-military, so he knows how to handle men like Hudson."

I groan. "I don't know, Emily... a bodyguard? Wouldn't that be too personal? You know how much I love my space."

She rolls her eyes. "Do you prefer Hudson in your space or a man who'll protect it?"

Touché.

I sigh. "This is too much."

"You're worried. Fine. I'll take care of it."

My brows knit. "Take care of what?"

She smirks. "Do you want to give me any preferences?"

"Preferences?" I echo, confused.

Her grin turns wicked. "You want him hot, right? Six feet? Muscular? A little danger in his eyes? An ex-military guy would definitely check all your boxes."

I glare. "I just want someone to keep Hudson off my back."

"Trust me.." she says, already heading for the door, "I'll find the one who'll make you forget Hudson ever existed."

She pauses, glancing back with a teasing glint. "Maybe even make your kitty drip...kidding!"

"Emily!" I shoot her a look, but she only laughs and walked out the door.

Silence fills the place again. I let out a long breath and rub my temple.

Is this even a good idea? I just want Hudson gone.

But... could Emily be right?

A man higher than Hudson, someone he's scared of, would change everything.

No. No, that's ridiculous. I want none of that, not even the bodyguard she recommends.

I shake my head, pressing my palm to my forehead.

God, maybe I just had too much wine.

♣︎♣︎♣︎

♡Third Person Pov♡

The room is cloaked in shadows, thick, suffocating, swallowing sound and light whole.

Only a single monitor glows.

On the screen, Amelia sits on her bed, she is busy working on her laptop, her eyes really focus on the laptop screen.

A glass trembles in his hand. Whiskey swirls, the crystal catches the monitor's glow, scattering shards of gold across tattooed, scarred knuckles.

His grip tightens until the glass creaks, the urge to crush it warring with the stillness of his body.

He doesn't blink. Doesn't move.

He only watches.

Every flick of her hair. Every curve of her mouth. Every rise and fall of her chest as she breathes in that world where she thinks she's alone.

Where she thinks she's safe.

A vibration breaks the silence. The phone on the desk buzzes once before he answers without looking away.

"Safe. No one's come near her." a voice reports.

A pause. The whiskey tilts, as his gaze stays fixed on Amelia's face.

Click. The call ends without a word.

The phone drops onto the table with a dull thud.

All that exists now is the screen, The girl who doesn't know her life has already been divided in two..

the world before his eyes found her, and the one after.

He leans back into the leather chair, the darkness swallowing him whole.

The whiskey twirls lazily in his grip, his other arm stretching across the chair like a silent claim.

"Amelia..." he breathes throwing his head back.

His eyes shut, but the tension doesn't fade. It deepens.

"You are my sin." he murmurs.