The bodyguard she didn't ask for

“Say you’re mine, Riri,” Charles whispered, his breath hot as it brushed against her lips. They were so near, she could feel his heartbeat pounding like a drum against his chest. Riri’s mouth went dry. “I’m yours, I—” Before the words could even leave her mouth fully, a sharp whistle cut through the air. A silver dagger flew between them, grazing the fabric of Charles’ jacket before landing on the wooden beam beside them. Charles staggered back, his face drained of color. “What the f**k?” Riri, however, didn’t even flinch. She already knew the person who could've pulled that stunt. “Stay here” She told Charles. Her jaw tightened as she stormed outside. Couldn't she enjoy a simple meet-up with her boyfriend. Her gaze darted right and there he was. A man leaned casually against a tree, dressed head to toe in black, as if throwing a knife between lovers was a normal thing to do. Damien. His eyes caught hers in the dim light. Riri clenched her teeth as she stormed toward him. “I know it was you.” The man didn’t move at first. He just stood there, composed, before rising to his full height. He was so tall she had to tilt her head up, and the way he slid his hands back into his pockets made it all the more infuriating. “Let’s go home, Riri,” his deep voice said. “I’m not going home, okay?” she snapped. “I was having a good time with my boyfriend before you pulled that stunt.” Damien didn’t answer. His silence only fueled the heat burning in her chest. Her jaw tightened. It had only been twenty-four hours since they’d moved to this stupid city, and already her life felt like hell. She didn’t even know why her dad kept having them relocate over and over again. This time had been worse, she had walked away from her final year of school. The only reason she wasn’t completely miserable here was because Charles was in this city. Charles, and her two best friends. Without them, she would hate this place even more. And now her father had the nerve to hire a vampire prince to be her bodyguard and babysitter. Finally, Damien turned his head, those silver eyes locking on her. “Let’s go home, Riri.” Her hands balled into fists. “Do you know that dagger could have gotten into his eyes?” she shot back, her voice shaking with anger. Damien just looked at her. “I wasn’t aiming for his eyes. If I was, it would have gotten into his eyes.” “What is wrong with you?” She scoffed. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Your boyfriend is a jerk.” “No,” she snapped, tilting her chin up. “You’re a jerk.” “Let’s go home, Riri.” His voice came calmly, so calm and deep it made her heart race. Riri planted her feet into the ground, arms crossing tightly over her chest. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” His silver eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression stayed unreadable. “It’s almost seven. You shouldn’t be out at night.” “I don’t understand. Why can’t I be out at night? I’m not a child. I’m twenty years old. I will not listen to everything you say.” “Let’s go home, Riri.” “NO!” That was when he moved swiftly and his hand cupped her face, tilting it up to his. His silver gaze bore into hers, and the world around her seemed to blur. “Riri,” he murmured, his voice sinking into her mind. “Let’s go home.” Her chest rose and fell in protest, her lips parted to argue but her feet betrayed her. She felt herself moving, one step, then another, even as her mind screamed against it. It wasn’t her will. It was his. Damien walked forward, and Riri found herself following helplessly. “Good girl,” Damien said softly, turning as Riri trailed behind him. “This is your doing. You cast a spell on me,” she snapped. Damien paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Vampires don’t cast spells, Riri. Witches do.” Then he turned back and kept walking, his hands still casually in his pockets. “Well, you did something to me. Stop it,” Riri pressed. “I only compelled you,” Damien replied flatly. “Look, this is so weird,” Riri muttered, glaring at his back. “Fine, I’ll walk. Just free me.” “No.” Damien said instantly, still walking ahead. “Free me, okay?” she blurted as he walked. “I’ll walk by myself. I won’t try to run away, I promise.” The words came out in a rush. Damien finally paused, then lowered his hand. The pressure in her head eased and control returned to her fingers and knees as if someone had flicked a switch. Riri’s lips curved into a smirk. She took one sideways glance at him, then turned to run back inside. Damien didn’t look surprised. He reached into his pocket and brought out two gleaming daggers, flipping them effortlessly between his hands. The blades flashed under the lights as he juggled them, his gaze still on her. “I always carry daggers with me,” he said casually. “Go back inside, and I won’t hesitate to use them on him this time.” His thumb brushed the blade. “You wouldn’t dare,” Riri managed, though her voice trembled. “I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t dare if I were you, Riri.” He flipped the daggers once, then slid both blades back into his pockets. “Let’s go home.” The order was soft, but that didn't stop it from sending shivers down her spine. Damien got to the car and opened the door. She groaned loudly and climbed into the shot-gun seat, shooting him a look that could kill. Damien didn’t even glance at her. His eyes were fixed on the road as he started the engine and pulled away from the area. In the car, her phone chimed. She snatched it up, unlocking the screen to see a message from Nyx: ‘Meet us at The Nexus club today, 9 p.m.’ The address followed beneath. Riri’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Don’t go out at night, my foot,” she thought smugly, locking the phone and hugging it to her chest.