Hired to Protect Page 6

  “Sorry to disappoint,” she chirped, taking a seat next to him and propping her foot up on the table with a thud.

  Hiding his laugh behind his mug, he leaned back and threw his arm over the back of her couch, his scent washing over her.

  “So, what’s the plan for today?”

  “Shopping,” she responded with a grin, wagging her eyebrows at him.

  Chuckling, Ethan shook his head at her.

  “Are they shops that you frequent? Do you go there on the same days? Will Adrian know to look for you there?”

  Smile slipping away, Penny was brought back to why Ethan was here.

  “Ye-yes. I was going to go to my usual ones first, then hit the ones I missed yesterday if it wasn’t too late.” Sinking into herself, she said, “He’s going to be waiting for me, isn’t he?”

  Looking up into Ethan’s eyes, she saw the truth there though he tried to reassure her. Leaning forward he took her hand in one of his as he gripped her chin with the other to keep her head up.

  “That’s what I’m here for, but we don’t want to make it easy for him if he is. Why don’t we go to the ones you missed yesterday first, then maybe he will get tired of waiting where he expects you to be. Even going at a different time will help keep him from finding you.”

  Nodding, Penny sighed and stood up.

  “It’s not like the stores will sell out before I get there if I go on a different day, I just get excited to see the new stuff. We can go to the places I missed yesterday and a few others that are close to them. After lunch I’ll go to the shops I usually hit in the morning, and I’ll rearrange the rest of the week too.”

  “I think you should take a cab too. Save your ankle the stress.”

  “There’s no real reason to. I understand your concern, but all of the shops are along the same street. It would take longer to get in and out of the cab than it would to walk to the next store. If it gets to be too much, I’ll take a break or we’ll quit for the day.”

  Penny could tell he didn’t like her answer, but he let it drop, standing to follow her to the door.

  15. Ethan

  Sighing for the millionth time that morning, Ethan stood by the door and watched the top of Penelope’s dark head as she searched through rack after rack of clothing. He had thought following her around to protect her from her stalker would be more… interesting.

  Ethan was used to coordinating the other guards at The Haven as well as dealing with the studs who invariably got into some kind of pissing match almost daily, though it rarely became physical. He wasn’t used to a lot of downtime, and he was finding himself not enjoying it as much as he had thought he would.

  Keeping an eye on the people passing by the little shop was the most action he was getting, and Ethan found himself wishing Adrian would show up just so he would have something to do. He had started out following Penelope around as she shopped but realized about the fourth time he got caught on a rack that these stores weren’t designed with Alphas in mind.

  He started simply checking the store when they entered and then waiting by the door. The most likely time for Adrian to strike would be when they were walking between shops, when he would hope to catch her without witnesses, so Ethan wasn’t too worried about letting her peruse the store alone.

  Looking out the front window, he let his mind drift. It was weird to him to see so many people walking around. He had been at The Haven long enough to be used to seeing women, but there were a limited number. Alpha-camps were crowded, but he hadn’t lived in one of them for a long time, so seeing the near constant stream of people passing by was a bit of a shock.

  Catching the scent of jasmine close by, Ethan turned and watched Penelope take the last few steps to where he was waiting.

  “I don’t think I need anything here. I took a few pictures, that’s good enough for now,” she said.

  Giving her a nod, Ethan adjusted the bags on his arm and pushed the door open for her, watching for any sign that she was having trouble getting around again. Reassured that she didn’t seem to be limping any more than she had that morning, he began scanning the street as she took his arm and led him to their next stop.

  He tried to hide the relieved sigh he let out when they stepped into a restaurant instead of another clothing store, but by the mischievous smirk Penelope shot him, she heard it.

  “Are you not having fun Mr. Cirlee?”

  “Oh, I’m having loads of fun. And stop calling me Mr. Surly. That’s my father, and he is just as grumpy as it sounds.”

  Laughing, she turned to face the hostess, asking for a table for the two of them. Eyeing him warily, the hostess leaned nearer to Penelope.

  “Is he… safe?”

  The woman had tried to whisper the question, but Ethan still heard it, all mirth draining out of him. Flaring his nostrils, he could tell the woman was a beta, and apparently believed the way society tried to paint Alphas was true, since he could scent her fear.

  “Considering he’s my bodyguard, he’s probably the safest person in here,” Penelope stated with a huff, glaring at the woman when she turned back to face her.

  Mumbling, “Sorry”, the woman motioned them to follow her. She led them to a table in the corner farthest from the door, as if she was afraid his presence would scare off patrons if they walked in and saw him.

  Sitting down with his back to the wall, Ethan tried to ignore the sour feeling in his stomach. He knew it wasn’t really the woman’s fault that society viewed Alphas as dangerous. They were all taught in school to beware of Alphas, and to hope they didn’t present as one because their lives would be ruined.

  Lifting the menu to find something to eat, he was surprised to feel Penelope’s small hand stroke the back of his.

  “I’m sorry about that,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze over the menu.

  Putting it back down on the table, Ethan shrugged.

  “It’s not a big deal. Alphas are dangerous.” Shrugging again he said, “That’s why you hired me.”

  He realized that was the wrong thing to say when she pulled her hand back and looked away. Reaching out to catch it, he held her hand in both of his.

  “That didn’t come out right. It’s nothing to be sorry about. That’s what we’re all taught. She was just being cautious,” he said once she met his gaze again.

  Giving him a small smile, she sat back, and he released her hand as a waitress approached them. Glancing at the menu, he ordered the first thing that caught his eye. Once the waitress left, Penelope looked back at him with a curious expression.

  “What was that like? Being told your whole life that Alphas are a menace and knowing how they are treated, only to find out you are one.”

  Taking a deep breath, Ethan looked up at the ceiling and tried to think of how to answer.

  “It’s… a shock. You grow up being told Alphas are dangerous, Alphas can’t be trusted, Alphas are less… Then suddenly that’s you. You’re dangerous. You’re not worth the same as everyone else. You’re shuttled off to one of the training camps, crammed into barracks with a bunch of other newly presented Alphas that can’t control themselves, taught to behave, or else… You can’t leave your barrack, much less the camp. You can’t see your family unless they come during specific times. You lose all of your freedom. Your dreams die, because you no longer have a chance.”

  Looking back at Penelope, he noticed the shocked look on her face and the glassy sheen of tears. Realizing that he may have been a bit too honest, he tried to backtrack.

  “I mean, it’s not all bad. You don’t have to worry about college, or bills since you live in the camp. You always have a bed to sleep in and food to eat, even if it usually sucks.”

  Shrugging, he tried to give her a smile, but he could tell she wasn’t convinced.

  “I’ve always thought the mandates were too harsh. That the old stories were embellished to make people more afraid.”

  “Maybe. There are certainly times when Alphas can be dangerous. A beta lose
s his temper and hurts a few people… An Alpha does and kills them. Being larger and stronger means needing more control, and that others should be more cautious.”

  “But you’re still human! You shouldn’t be taken from your families and enslaved simply as a precaution because others are scared.”

  Shaking her head, Penelope looked down at the table and fell silent, obviously wrestling with her emotions. Ethan studied her, surprised that as an omega, she was standing up for the dynamic that had hurt hers more than any. The more time he spent with her, the more he could see that she had a big heart, and she was the last person that deserved what had happened to her with her ex.

  16. Penelope

  She had never really thought about what it must be like to present as an Alpha before, and the picture Ethan painted was a dark one. Ripped away from family, locked in a strange place without any support, she was surprised more Alphas didn’t become psychotic.

  Trying to shake away the depressing thoughts when the waitress returned with their lunch, Penny focused on eating. Stealing little glances up at Ethan, she tried to think of something to break the silence that had fallen between them.

  “So, the next few stores I need to hit are on a different block, about three streets over. They are all close together, and there’s a gym on the corner if you want to go there instead of standing around while I shop.”

  “No. I can’t protect you if I’m not with you.”

  “I know, but you’re bored and probably tired of following me around.”

  Ethan shrugged.

  “It’s fine. It’s no worse that standing around at The Haven.”

  “Tell me about working there. Anything interesting ever happen?”

  “You have no idea!” he said, rolling his eyes.

  For the rest of their meal he told her stories of times he had been called on to help with a situation. Laughing along with him, a little voice in the back of her mind kept telling her how serious things could have become if security hadn’t been there to stop what was going on.

  Finishing up their meal, Ethan helped her to her feet and picked up her bags.

  “Where to now, boss?”

  Smirking as they walked out the front door, Penny hummed.

  “I am your boss, aren’t I? What would you do if I told you to put the bags on your head and hop on one foot?”

  Raising his eyebrow, Ethan stared down at her in silence.

  “Okay, fine. That’s a bit too silly. How about…”

  Looking around, Penny was surprised when Ethan gripped her chin and forced her to face him. Head tipped back as he leaned down towards her, her breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked on his firm lips. Heart racing, she would have fallen into him if he hadn’t maintained his hold on her jaw.

  “You may be currently employing me, but that does not mean I am going to do anything you tell me to. You, on the other hand, will do whatever I say. Immediately.”

  The soft undercurrent of a growl in his voice sent shivers down her spine and caused slick to seep from her core. Still waiting for his lips to lower to hers, it took a moment for his words to sink in.

  “Wait, what?”

  Pulling away from him, she blinked up at Ethan.

  “Why would I do what you say?”

  Still crowding her space, one side of his lips tipped up as his nostrils flared. Knowing he could probably scent her arousal, Penny felt heat creep up her chest to her cheeks.

  “Because it’s my job to protect you, so if I give you an order, I expect you to follow it immediately. If you don’t, you may get hurt.”

  Not sure if he meant he would punish her for not listening, or if she would be hurt some other way, her lips parted to ask but the words got stuck in her throat. Lost in his gaze, she admired how his iris reflected the green of her dress, seeming to make his eyes glow.

  She was freed from his spell when he straightened and looked away, scanning the street. Shaking her head, she pulled her shoulders back and smoothed her hands down her thighs.

  Clearing her throat, Penny pointed to the right.

  “We need to cross that street and head south.”

  Giving her a searching look, Ethan nodded and offered her his arm. Hesitantly wrapping her arm around his and placing her hand on his forearm, she couldn’t help gripping it a little tighter than necessary to feel the muscles beneath his jacket. She had yet to see him in anything less than a long-sleeved button down, but she could just imagine the way his body looked from the way his jacket stretched across his shoulders and the few times she had touched his hard body.

  Trying to distract herself from the direction her thoughts had taken, Penny looked around the street, trusting Ethan to lead her where she had directed. It took a moment of staring at a familiar silver car for her brain to click.

  Immediately stopping, Penny was almost yanked off her feet by her grip on Ethan as he continued walking. Stumbling forward, he turned and caught her elbow to stabilize her, he gave her a questioning look.

  Eyes locked on the car waiting on the side of the road ahead of them, she couldn’t move or say a word as she tried to figure out if it was really the same car. It had no distinguishing features, and she had never looked at the plate number during her escape two days ago.

  Backing towards the wall of the building beside her, Penny began to shake her head, finally forcing out two words.

  “He’s here.”

  Ethan’s head jerked up, eyes following where Penny was staring. It was impossible to see through the side windows, and the car wasn’t running, but she knew he was in there.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I-I think so,” she whispered.

  Logically, she knew there were other cars like his. She didn’t want to seem like she was overreacting, but the sight of that car had her heart racing. Still staring at it, her back hit the wall, hands splayed beside her over the wooden siding.

  “Stay here. Don’t move, Penelope. I’ll go check it out.”

  Wide eyes cut to his as she let out a whimper, shaking her head harder.

  Putting a hand on each shoulder and leaning down to look directly into her eyes, he whispered, “I’m not leaving you. I’m going to go see if he’s in the car. It looks empty to me, but I need to be sure. I’ll be right back.”

  Whimpering again, she finally gave him a quick nod. Watching Ethan jog across the street towards the car, Penny kept her back glued to the building, the rough texture under her hands keeping her grounded as the sound of her heartbeat drowned out the sounds of the city around her.

  When the car started and pulled out into the street seconds before Ethan would have reached it, she let out a gasp. Air rushing from her lungs, her chest sucked in, muscles refusing to allow them to refill. Darkness creeping into her peripherals, Penny pressed a hand to her chest, willing herself to breathe.

  Still staring after the car, she didn’t notice Ethan returning until his scent washed over her. Looking up, she threw herself into his arms, barely containing the sobs that wanted to break free.

  17. Ethan

  Holding Penelope in his arms, he cursed to himself. He had to admit that he thought she might have been a little melodramatic, seeing a similar vehicle and just assuming it was Adrian. The fact that the car was sitting exactly where she would have been walking past, and that it started up and took off at his approach, confirmed in his mind that she had been right, and he felt a little guilty at doubting her.

  Running his hand down her back, Ethan was surprised that she hadn’t broken down in tears. She was trembling, but once again Penelope was proving how strong she was. Forcing down the growl that wanted to rip from him, he finally pulled back and tipped her chin up to look at him.

  “You need to report this. They can’t really do anything, but it’s good to have it on file just in case.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, she pushed against his chest and he reluctantly let her go. Digging into her purse, she found her phone and lifted it to her ear. Briefly ex
plaining what happened, she was putting the phone away again much sooner than he had expected.

  “That’s it?” he asked.

  “They said to wait here. An officer is close by and will come take my full statement. Yours too.”

  Ethan snorted at that, turning his head when her questioning eyes met his.

  “I’m not sure they’ll believe an unbonded Alpha. I doubt they’ll even speak to me. I have enough trouble with Alpha Control when I have to deal with them at The Haven.”

  Laying a hand on his arm, she was about to say something when a man dressed in the Force’s dark grey uniform turned the corner and walked towards them.

  “Are you Penelope Praine?”

  Nodding, she turned to face him, placing her body slightly in front of Ethan’s as the officer glanced at him.

  “This is my bodyguard Ethan Cirlee, hired from The Haven,” she said quickly.

  Knowing people tended to jump to conclusions about Alphas before bothering to ask questions, he appreciated her trying to mitigate any issues before they started but wasn’t sure it would help.

  The officer pulled a small tablet out of his pocket, asking Penelope to tell him what happened. Detailing the incident for him, even Ethan could tell it wasn’t much, but it was always better to have it on record in case something else happened. It would give them more ammunition against Adrian if it was needed, but watching the officer’s face, Ethan could tell he thought they were wasting his time.

  “So, all you saw was a silver car that looked like the one your ex was in two days ago, drive away from the curb when an Alpha approached it?”

  Seeing Penelope’s face fall at the officer’s tone, Ethan couldn’t stop the rumble of warning that rolled from his chest.

  “We saw a vehicle, matching the description of the one that the man, who she has a restraining order against, was in two days ago when he attempted to kidnap her off of a street not far from here. The vehicle was parked and not running, in an area he knew she would have to pass, until I attempted to approach it, at which point it started and took off up Sixteenth Avenue. It’s logical to assume it was her ex, possibly about to make another attempt since his first failed,” Ethan told the man, barely refraining from a full growl.