Guarding the Insecure Billionaire

Chapter5

The blaring sounds of car horns and the constant barking of dogs being taken on morning walks dragged her out of a deep sleep. She opened her eyes slowly, immediately squinting against the harsh morning sun burning against her face.

People passing by stared at her, but it didn’t matter anymore. After one day living like this, she was already starting to adapt.

She turned away from the street carefully and reached beneath her clothes for the Glock tucked against her waist. After making sure the safety was on, she unloaded it carefully and slid it into her bag.

Then she picked the bag up and started walking toward the meeting point.

She was completely out of cash, and the nearest bank was too far away, meaning she had no choice but to walk.

Aceline moved briskly through the crowded streets, shoulders straight, steps sharp and disciplined like the soldier she was trained to be. People looked at her as she passed, but she ignored them.

None of that mattered anymore.

All that mattered now was survival. Getting the job. Taking her life back.

The meeting location turned out to be a five-star restaurant.

The last time she had stepped into a place like this was years ago. Macan had brought her to one on their first date.

She shook the thought out of her head immediately.

“Hello, ma’am. What’s in the bag?” a security officer asked, stopping her at the entrance.

“My belongings,” she replied, confused.

“You can’t bring a bag inside, ma’am.”

Aceline’s expression hardened instantly.

“I can’t leave my bag with anyone.”

“Then I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t come in unless you leave it in storage.” He stepped slightly in front of the entrance, using his body to block her path.

“Let her in.”

The voice came from behind her.

A man in a perfectly tailored suit walked toward them calmly, expensive Bruno Magli shoes tapping softly against the floor. His cologne filled the space before he even reached them.

He was tall, broad, fully bearded, and carried himself with the effortless confidence of someone used to power. When he smiled, a row of gold teeth flashed back at her.

“She’s with me.”

The security guard immediately stepped aside.

“Aceline, I’m Parker. We spoke on the phone.” He stretched his hand out toward her.

Aceline shook it carefully, still unsure.

He looked too flashy. Dangerously flashy.

Like the kind of man who smiled while ordering someone’s death.

“Come on,” Parker said smoothly. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

He led her into the restaurant, his cologne trailing behind him and blowing back into her face every few seconds. Without realizing it, she inhaled deeply, almost grateful for something strong enough to overpower the damp smell clinging to her wet clothes.

When they reached the table, Parker quickly pulled a chair out for her.

The movement accidentally knocked into a waiter carrying drinks, sending one glass spilling onto the neighboring table.

“Damn. Sorry about that,” Parker said quickly, immediately reaching over to help clean the mess.

.

Aceline watched him continue making the situation worse until a waitress finally stepped in and took over.

Then she found herself wondering why a man like him was acting that humble. It felt unnatural.

Maybe he was just clumsy.

“Sorry I kept you waiting. Let’s sit,” Parker said, gesturing toward the table again. The confident expression he wore earlier had been replaced with visible embarrassment.

Once they settled down, he leaned slightly forward.

“I already told you a little over the phone. My client is an extremely high-profile individual. Rich. Very rich.” He paused briefly. “Which means the pay is going to be great.”

Aceline stayed silent and listened.

“All you need to do is stay with him twenty-four hours a day. Don’t let him out of your sight. He’s a target.” Parker studied her carefully before continuing. “And I know a lot about you from your days in the SEALs. Captain Blake spoke highly of you. I’m counting on you.”

“You can’t count on me when I haven’t even accepted the job yet,” Aceline replied calmly. “That’s a little too forward.”

Parker leaned back slightly.

“You slept outside your own porch yesterday,” he said quietly. “You need the money.”

The look he gave her afterward felt sharp enough to cut through skin.

Aceline’s eyes narrowed immediately.

“You haven’t been following me around, have you?”

“Of course not,” Parker replied with a laugh. “I was simply keeping an eye on our person of interest. You’re someone we don’t want to lose. You’re perfect for this job.”

Aceline’s mind drifted back to the mansion immediately.

Had someone followed her from there?

The thought unsettled her.

“And who exactly is this client of yours?” she asked before taking a sip from her drink.

Parker smiled faintly.

“I can’t disclose his name yet. But he owns the biggest mansion in the city.” He paused dramatically. “The Black Fortress.”

Aceline almost choked.

“Taylor Spencer?”

Her eyes widened in shock.

Parker blinked in surprise.

“Yes. I thought you weren’t familiar with the city. How do you know him?”

“I might have met him before,” she replied carefully. “It’s a long story.”

Parker immediately leaned forward with interest.

“Well, I’m not going anywhere until we close this deal.” He pointed lightly toward her. “So please, tell me everything.”

****************

After Aceline finished telling him everything, Parker sat quietly for a moment, thinking carefully about what to do next.

The situation had suddenly become complicated.

“It’s honestly unbelievable that you did something like that,” he finally said. He cringed slightly afterward. “I wouldn’t exactly call it stupid. I just… don’t even know what to say.”

“It’s fine,” Aceline replied quietly. “Sorry for raising your hopes when this clearly isn’t going to work.”

Parker stayed silent for a few seconds before a dangerous smile slowly spread across his face again.

“What if you disguise yourself as someone else?”

Aceline frowned immediately.

“What do you mean?”

“You could disguise yourself as a stud. We change your identity completely.”

“No.” She shook her head immediately. “You should just find somebody else. I’m not putting myself through all that stress. And what happens if he finds out?”

“Lieutenant Diren,” Parker said seriously, leaning forward slightly. “I’ve seen your profile. I’ve read every report about you saving your teammates over and over again. I know the kind of leader you are.” He paused briefly. “Nobody can do this job better than you.”

Aceline looked away quietly.

“How about I increase your pay?” Parker continued smoothly. “You get half upfront.”

She sighed softly.

The money was starting to get to her.

“Half?” she asked slowly. “How much exactly are we talking about?”

“One million dollars.” Parker flashed his gold teeth again. “You get five hundred thousand immediately.”

Aceline stared at him silently.

Her scalp suddenly itched from stress.

That was an insane amount of money for anyone.

Only God knew what kind of danger Taylor Spencer was actually involved in.

“Deal?” Parker raised his glass slightly.

Aceline hesitated for a second before finally raising hers too.

“Deal.”

Their glasses clinked softly together.

Parker smiled brightly.

“I’m really happy you accepted this job.”

Aceline forced a faint smile.

“What exactly am I walking into?”

“Just stay in town,” Parker replied calmly. “I’ll call you.”

Right then, his phone suddenly rang.

“Excuse me for a second.” He stood up and answered it immediately. “Hello… yes… yes… alright. I’ll handle it.”

He ended the call and looked back at her.

“That was Taylor Spencer’s office. His lead security detail just got fired.” Parker pointed toward her lightly. “Looks like you’re starting immediately.”

Aceline blinked once.

“Oh. I forgot to mention something.” She took another sip from her drink. “That was technically my fault.”

Parker frowned in confusion for a second before suddenly bursting into loud laughter.

Aceline just stared at him blankly, already irritated by his strange hyena-like laugh.