My Alpha Bodyguard - Book 1

Shia Van Vernon.

A tremor in my assistant’s voice, a slight shake of fear, makes me turn around. My hand connected with the desk with a resounding thud, sending tremors through the wood. “What’s going on?” I demand.

“The Pearson Group is coming in with a better offer. Miss Lancaster thinks she has the upper hand.” My assistant Lindsey gulps.

Taking over from my father has been challenging. There are those who don’t think I am capable, but I’ve been ready for this since I was a child. He was a clever man, never showing others what he taught me, but behind those closed office doors, he taught me everything he knew.

“Miss Lancaster is all tits and no brains.” I bark out a harsh laugh. “Call Mr. Beaconsfield and relay my final offer. If he refuses, then he isn’t worth doing business with.” I have millions to invest in others, but that doesn’t mean my fingers won’t get burned.

“Yes,” my assistant backs out of my office.

Two hours later, she called me to say they accepted my offer and scheduled a meeting to finalize the paperwork. I sit back in my chair and smirk.

As the evening settles in, the warm glow of the setting sun basks over the city. My office is on the top floor of my building, which towers over the city, offering breathtaking views. I stand at the window, watching the fiery orb of the sun sink slowly below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. It is beautiful, and one reason why I love staying until this point.

The gentle knock on my door made me frown. My assistant left a long time ago, and I’m all alone. I didn’t expect anyone to be visiting at this hour.

I spin away from the window and walk to the door with purpose. As I open the door, all but an empty corridor stares back at me. That is when I notice a piece of paper on the floor. My heart quickens its beat as I bend and pick it up. Though I’m not easily frightened, I’m certain that after the last deal and securing it, someone will want revenge. The Pearson Group is one of the most ruthless companies out there, but they use Miss. Lancaster as the deal breaker because she uses her sexual prowess to win those mindless businessmen over. Me, on the other hand, I’m the bitch, but I deliver the promises I make.

The empty corridor, and the note has something eerie about it. I unfold it and read what it says.

You have stepped on too many feet, now it is your turn to be stepped on.

Great, just as I thought. They didn’t like that I got the deal. I scrunch up the threat and throw it into my trash. They have another thing coming if they think I am going to back down.

I grab my jacket and tuck my phone in my pocket before heading out. As I pass security on the way out, I ask them if they saw anyone.

“No, madam Vernon.”

“Strange,” I mutter.

“Perhaps I can check the security cameras?” He walks in step with me as I carry on towards the exit.

“Not necessary. I’m sure they covered all aspects of not being seen.” I bid him goodnight and stepped outside.

“Miss,” my driver Alfred opens the rear door for me.

I take a seat and tip my head back. The buzz in my pocket goes again. This time I checked the message.

We are watching your every move. Revoke your deal in the next three days, otherwise you are dead.

Oh, great. Alfred drives me home, and I go straight to where my father is lying in his bed. He doesn’t have long left. Cancer is a bitch.

“Hi Papa.” I kiss his forehead.

He opens his eyes and a lost gaze falls on me. I squeeze his hand and sit down next to him.

I’ve had threats before, but Papa has been there to deal with them. Now he has no strength left in him to fight them. I tell him of my day, and my victory over Miss. Lancaster.

“Shia,” his voice is a groggy whisper. “Don’t trust anyone.” A tear falls from his eyes. As I hold his weak hand, with what little strength he has, he gives mine a squeeze. “I love you Shia.”

A cough and a wheeze followed, then the private nurses rushed forward and helped him with oxygen and pain relief.

I sit and watch them, but his fading heartbeat bleeps on the monitor. Tears welled up in my eyes and I choked back a sob.

“Please Papa. I’m not ready for you to leave me.” I can’t hold back anymore and my tears rolled down my cheeks, dripping down onto my suit skirt and making a damp patch. Everything becomes a blur and I sob and the machine becomes one long noise.

“I’m sorry. I think he was holding on until you came home.” The nurse gave me a teary-eyed look and sniffed back her own emotions.

“Can I have a moment?”

“Of course.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. The other nurse turned the machines off, and the room went eerily quiet, save for the gentle whirring of the air conditioning unit.

The silence settles after they leave, and I sit and stare at the man who no longer resembles my father. The cancer has ravaged him, stealing away his strength and leaving only a gaunt shell of the man I knew and loved. Even with millions of dollars, money can’t buy you a new life.

“What do I do Papa?” Now he has gone. What evil people will come at me? I’m already getting death threats if I don’t pull out of this deal. “I love you Papa.” I need to be strong.

Wiping away my tears, I stand and say one last goodbye before I have to go deal with his funeral arrangements. He, of course, had everything in place.

The next couple of days go by with phone calls and meetings, all to do with my father’s closure and handing the business fully over to me.

Following the announcement of my father’s passing, I received an outpouring of condolences.

A week later, and it is the funeral. I decided to keep it closed, so only a few of those who my father did business with came. As I stepped out of the car and followed the casket to the patch where he was to be buried beside my mom, I could feel eyes on me. My heart was breaking for my loss, but it peaked several times as I stood mourning. A distinctive smell appeared behind me and a set of golden eyes stared at me.

Why the fuck is a werewolf at my father’s funeral? We never did business with werewolves. They were not trustworthy for a start.

Tears fell down my cheeks. I’m not embarrassed about showing my pain because I’ve lost my father. Once he is in the ground and the minister has spoken words, I gathered some soil and sprinkled it down over his casket, saying a final few words.

“Be at peace now Papa, and say hello to mom.”

The stench of the werewolf standing behind me makes me turn. I’m about to open my mouth when Mr. Winchester steps up.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Your father was an influential man.” He leaned in and kissed both cheeks.

“Thank you.”

A few more offer their condolences and leave. Then I’m left on my own, only the werewolf still hanging around.

“What do you want?” I turn and storm up to him.

“Watch it, little human.” He leans down, his tall frame dominating my space. “Your father’s request that we are here to protect you.”

“We? And what request? My father would have told me if he had hired some putrid werewolf?” I stumble backwards, trying to get out of his shadow.

He slides his hand in his pocket and brings out a letter. “I can’t say I’m too happy about doing this since you are being a little bitch, but here I am.” He hands me the piece of paper.

Glancing over the document, I see it’s a contract for a bodyguard to protect me for the next twelve months. “A year? A fucking year.” I scream, my voice cracking with anger, and shove the piece of paper back at him. “Get this into your head. I don’t need a fucking bodyguard.” I turn my back on him and walk away, but I can feel his eyes burning into my back.

By the time I reach the car, my driver is standing holding the door open. “Alfred, did you know about this?” My eyes are burning with new tears.

“Miss Vernon, your father put things into place to protect you after he was gone. I might only be your driver, but I was also your father’s friend.” He rests his hand on mine. “He had many enemies, but now they are yours. You need time to grieve, and it is why your father made the contract with them.”

“But those beasts killed my mother. Why on earth would I want one near me?” I couldn’t even look at him.

“This world is cruel, Miss Vernon. Life is not fair.” He is not wrong there. “You might not like them, but your father paid him to protect you.”

My shoulders sag under the weight of my exhaustion, and I steal a glance at the imposing figure of the man. He has kept a respectful distance. The black suit hugs his frame, highlighting the powerful muscles that ripple beneath the fabric. My cheeks burn with a sudden heat as his penetrating gaze, those golden eyes, pierces right through me.

He takes several measured steps towards me, his eyes fixed on mine, before pausing abruptly. His nose twitches, and his eyes widen, and with a snarl, he launches himself at me, his shadow engulfing me. Before I could react, the sharp ping of bullets whizzing past my head sent me scrambling for cover.