Leaving her with her guard was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. The urge to protect her and keep her with me at all times overwhelming rational thought.
As soon as I make it to my bike, I pull out my phone and press call.
“Boss,” Kenji’s voice comes through the phone.
“I want a protection detail on Cleo at all times. I prefer it be you, but when you need to switch off, use Kado.”
“Of course. What level?”
“I don’t trust her family. She doesn’t speak well of them. Keep your distance but stay as close as you can. If she touches another man, I want to know. If anyone hurts her, I want you to detain if possible. I will gut them myself.”
After a few beats of silence, “Fuck, Kai. What happened?”
“She’s mine. That’s all you need to know.”
I hang up before he can respond. Climbing on my bike, I watch as Cleo drives by with her guard. I pull out behind them, keeping my distance.
She’s about to become my obsession. My newest addiction.
I won’t let her go.
* * *
Callum Brennan,twenty-five years old, born in Ireland. Father listed as Liam Brennan, mother unknown.
“Interesting.” I mumble to myself as I read the background report that I pulled myself.
I want to know everything about those who spend the most time around Cleo. While I have an ever-changing report on her father, I knew next to nothing about Callum.
Does he take her safety seriously?
Does he have an ulterior motive?
Setting aside the report on Callum, I pick up the one on her mother. The woman is a complete mystery. She hasn’t been seen or heard from for several years. Either she’s dead or good ol’ Shane has her locked up somewhere.
A knock at the door has me picking up the papers, tucking them away in my desk.
“Come in.”
Kenji slips through the door, shutting it behind him.
“How’s my girl?” I ask.
“As far as I know she’s fine.” He says, sitting down in the chair across from me. “I followed her from the time I took over from you all the way home. I watched Callum walk her inside. Her bedroom window faces the driveway, and she went straight up and stayed there most of the night. Her curtains were open, giving me a clear view. She left the room twice but came back within minutes.”
“She’s a homebody.” I say more to myself. “Kado with her now?”
“He is.” Kenji nods.
“Good. Keep me updated if you see anything.”
“Always.”
Turning toward my computer, I pull up an email. “Have you seen this?” I ask, turning the screen toward him.
Kenji skims the message, nodding. “Yes, I planned on stopping by on the way home.”
“How many girls is this now?”
