Guarded: Worth the Risk

Chapter 1

                                                                                        Natalia

                                                                                    5 years later

            4am had come quickly. Most people would be sleeping, but for me it was time to start the day. I pulled on a pair of my favorite high waisted leggings with matching sports bra and running shoe before heading downstairs for my morning run.

            In the foyer, Lorenzo, my bodyguard is waiting for me. I have become accustomed to having a bodyguard over the years. After all, being an heiress to a multibillion-dollar corporation requires these sorts of things.

            “Good morning, Ms. Mezzanotte.”

            “Lorenzo” I nod acknowledging his presence. “Just a quick jog around the grounds, then my morning yoga.”

            “Understood ma’am. The men are finishing up their patrol as we speak so, you should be clear to go about your run.”

            I flash a sweet smile before walking towards the door but stopping to speak one last time. “Oh- an Lorenzo. What did I say about calling me ma’am or Ms. Mezzanotte? You’ve known me for how long? It’s Natalia.”

            Two hours later, we were finally ready to head to the office. While making my protein shake, I ran through the daily numbers my father had sent over, as well as answered some very important emails that I had put off the night before. I walk to the foyer to see Lorenzo waiting for me.

            “Lorenzo. Ready to go? We have a pretty busy agenda before thirsty Thursday today.”

            Lorenzo nods his head in silence as we make our way out to the parked car. Vincent, as always, is at the ready holding the door open.

            “Good morning Vincent. Straight to the office please”.

            I slid into the back seat, Vincent closing the door behind me while Lorenzo gets into the passenger seat. As we begin the hour drive into the city, I begin to respond to even more emails soon pulling myself away after reading an emailed subjected: Lorenzo’s Retirement. I had been so busy with everything that I had almost forgot Lorenzo was retiring today.

            Lorenzo has been like an uncle to me for as long as I can remember. He’s my father’s best friend and most trusted employee. For 27 years he’s been the head of security here at Mezzanotte Industries, and now it’s an end of an era.

            “So, Lorenzo- I hear that today is going to be your last day with me. Have you heard any news from my father as too who will be replacing you?”

            “Not yet” He smirks.

            “Well, whom ever it is has some big shoes to fill” I smile in return.

             We arrive at the office and before I can reach the handle to let myself out, Vincent is already a step ahead. I climb out of the car and take a deep breath as I do every morning, repeating the mantra: ‘You’re a bad b***h’ in my head. I walk towards the building plastered with a giant sign Mezzanotte Industries at the top of it.

             My office is on the 58th floor of the building, a building in which my parents have owned since I was a young girl. I remember spending most of my childhood with my brother in this building, and now I’m spending my entire career here as well. The company was supposed to be my brother legacy, but when he was murdered tragically, my father passed down the company to me to enjoy a cushiony retired life in Florida. To say I was not scared shitless is an understatement. I had been groomed for this my entire life, but each day I go into a deep panic on the drive in. I have a lot to prove and I was not going to let anyone see me sweat. 

            I step off the elevator like hell on wheels “Dimitri, get my father on the line ASAP.”

           “Well, Good morning to you too sunshine” he jokes.

            “I’m sorry- good morning” I take a deep breath to relax myself as he places a cup of coffee into my hand.

            Dimitri my assistant and one of my best friends since pre-k has been by my side since the beginning of my career. We went through all of grade school together, undergrad and even internships here at Mezzanotte Industries before settling into the roles we are in now. He always manages to keep me relaxed and centered.

            “You must need to get laid.”

            “Excuse me?” I choke on my coffee a little. “We are in a work environment here.”

            “What, it’s true. You’ve been irritable ever since Mr. you know who broke up with you.”

            I cannot help but roll my eyes, knowing that he’s sort of right. Relationships and I haven’t been the best combo ever since my divorce. You can say it’s because I have trust issues, but deep down it’s much deeper.

            “Ugh- you know me so well. However, I need you to have my father on the phone, like yesterday and not worrying about my s*x life. We have a bodyguard issue that needs to be resolved by 11:59pm tonight.”

            “Right- on it boss lady.” He says as he prances out of the room.

            I take a seat at my desk, staring at the computer screensaver as I wait for Dimitri to have my father on the phone. It’s a picture of Leo and me a few months before the incident. It’s an everyday reminder to me why I’m here and doing what I’m doing.

            “I have your father on 50 line1.”

            I pick up the phone ready for whatever lecture he had planned for me today. My father retired 2 years ago after Leo’s death and my mother’s unexpected diagnosis with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He said it was time for him to focus on the love of his life, my mother. However, when my mother passed away my father being my father found ways to cope with his pain and that was lecturing me about the family business.

            “Natalia Anastasia Mezzanotte, why must you start your mornings off so early?” he scolds.

            Seriously, like he has any room to talk. He used to be up and out the door heading for the office by 3:30 every morning.

            “I learned from the best I suppose. Plus, if I didn’t, then nothing would ever get done.”

            I cannot help but notice my father’s chuckle coming from the other side of the phone, “I’m sure you’d fine sometime. You procrastinated all through University, so I know you can make anything work. Plus, the business dealings are flourishing beautifully under your control darling. So, take a chill pill.”

            Easier said than done.

            “Yeah, well I dedicated myself to this company and plan to keep up with it all as well as you did. After all, I have a lot to prove, you know with being a woman and all. You are forgetting that I must work hard to earn the respect and fear of our competitors. It’s not just handed to me like it was when you took over from Pop and Leo took over from you.” I take in a deep breath gathering my thoughts. “Now onto more pressing matters. Have you found a replacement for Lorenzo?”

            His silence has me worried. Did he hang up?

            “Um, Hello?”

            “Sorry dear- Yes Lorenzo has suggested his replacement and he will be arriving tomorrow morning.”

            “I thought Lorenzo had no one lined up?” At least that’s what he has told me this morning.

            “Well, he only wanted the best for you my dear. And he has found the best. You will meet him soon enough. Now stop stressing and go over todays dealings for me.”

            And just like that we were back to what my father wanted. He always had a way of getting what he wanted. From picking the right staff, to changing the subject back to business. I admired him for that, however, it could be annoying at times. I just hope that I can live up to the family name. All eyes were on me now and I cannot afford to fail.

            “Well look who had finally decided to grace us with her presence” Kara, the other half to our trio and my personal stylist squeals. “Dimitri- How many times have I told you that you have to share her?”

            “I can’t help it if she likes me better” Dimitri laughs.

            Dimitri, Kara and I have been best friends since pre-k. We were basically the three musketeers. I guess you could say they both gravitated towards me. With their strong leo personalities, I always ended up being the buffer between the two of them. You could say it was mainly due to me being a libra and a bit of a people pleaser who hates conflict, but it never bothered me. I know they would take a bullet for me if they had to, as I would do the same for them.

            I try to make it to our annual thirsty Thursday’s at Magooby’s Pub as much as I can. The tradition started after Leo’s death, but it was a continuation of what he and I would do after a long day at the office. Kara and Dimitri kind of just joined in over the years and now they never let me live it down when I miss it. To say I have been a s**t friend recently would be accurate. I’ve been so busy playing 5 years of catch up, that I’ve neglected it all.

            “Alright you two. Can we please have one thirsty Thursday meet up without you two bickering?” I can’t help but contain my laughter. This was just how they were.

            Changing the subject, Kara puts on her best devilish smirk. “So, are we partying it up tonight?”

            “Sorry to disappoint you-it’s a two-drink limit tonight. It’s Lorenzo’s last day on the job- he’s retiring, and I told him that I would get him home to his family at decent hour tonight.”

            “Boo, you w***e” Kara pouts. “Oh sweet, sweet Lorenzo. How I will miss your sexy, hot, ruggedness” she sighs while stealing long glances in Lorenzo’s direction.

            “I’m going to have to agree with Kara on this one” Dimitri adds.

            They both had a point. Lorenzo was an older gentleman, my father’s age to be exact. However, you would never know it. The man was jacked and hot at that.

            “Alright- Alright. Down girl, down boy. He’s like an uncle to me and both of you googly eyeing him is nauseating.” I grab the shot sitting in front of me and raise it. “A toast to Lorenzo. The best bodyguard anyone could have. Who also isn’t too hard on the eyes” I wink at Kara.

            “Hell, I’ll cheers to that” Kara smirks.

            “To Lorenzo!” Dimitri yells out.

            By 8:30pm, I had broken my “Two-drink” rule. Every time I turned around Kara kept feeding me shots, followed by the constant stream of beers Dimitri kept ordering me. Those two certainly had a way of being bad influences on me, but it never stopped me from hanging with them. I slammed back the last shot Kara had ordered and chugged the beer Dimitri had just handed me. It was for sure time to go; I was beginning to see double and slur. 

            “Alright you guys- I have to go. I promised to let Lorenzo off at a decent time and I’m starting to see double. Its time.”

            “Fine. Be a party pooper. See you in the AM, boss lady” Dimitri teases before going back to flirting with the bartender.

            I gave Kara a quick squeeze before making my way to where Lorenzo was sitting. I gave him a little nod letting him know I was ready to leave before making our way to the vale.  On the way home I can’t help but wonder whom or what my new bodyguard would be like. I he handsome? I change my focus to my phone trying to distract my mind but quickly divert it to Lorenzo.

            “Sorry for getting you out of here so late. I did not plan for those two, to get me drunk.”

            “It’s no problem Ms.-I mean Natalia” he returns a friendly smile.

            “If you don’t mind me asking- what’s my new protectors name and who is he to you?”

            There is a long silence between the two of us. In fact, if I were looking at him face-to-face, I’d swear I’d see the gear inside his mind turning,

            “His name is Nicholas, but we call him Nico. He’s my sister’s youngest son.”

            Lorenzo’s extended family. Our families have been close for as long as I could remember. He has been apart of my family’s company since the beginning. However, I never knew he had a sister.

            “Nico-“I pause for a moment to gather my thoughts. “So- where does this Nico live?”

            “Idaho. I’ll be picking him up and bringing him to the house first thing tomorrow morning.”

            I can’t help but share a sweet smile with Lorenzo, however, I can’t help my curiosity from growing with more questions. I turn to look out the window, keeping the multiple questions I have to myself.

            “Welcome to Chicago” I blurt out in a slurred voice.