Aria's Second Chance

10_Duties

Aria

“She’s a magnificent girl,” I say when Dahlia disappears into her room. “She told me about her past. You did an excellent job raising her. Despite everything, she’s still light-hearted and happy.”

“Even though I failed her more than once?” He sighs heavily.

“That’s not on you,” I say indignantly. “You aren’t responsible for other people’s choices. You have been her saviour every time, Harvey. She loves and respects you. In her eyes, you are the best dad in the world. You did not fail her.”

“Thank you, but it doesn’t feel that way,” he wipes his hand over his face, and he looks tired. “When I found her, I swore that no harm would ever come to her again. And now, twice …”

“You did not harm her,” I say adamantly. “You have saved her twice from other people.”

“Tell me about you,” he changes the subject. “Are your parents here with you?”

“They died ten years ago in an accident,” I say stiffly. Honestly, I hope he does not want to dig too deep into my past. There are things that I am not ready or willing to share. “It’s just me and my sister.”

“And she’s here with you, I assume,” he lifts an eyebrow. “You did mention people waiting for you last night.”

“No,” I shake my head. “I have a son.”

“How old is he?” Harvey asks curiously and instantly I know he has a soft spot for children.

“Three,” I smile as I picture his face. “He’s my entire life.”

“The father?” Harvey asks and I lower my gaze. This is the part I do not wish to talk about.

“No longer relevant,” I say after a moment of silence.

“I see,” he taps with his fingers on the couch’s armrest. “Why did you leave your pack? It’s abnormal for your kind to be on your own.”

“I don’t want to discuss that,” I mumble and look through the windows at Las Vegas.

“I do background checks on all my employees,” his words make my heart skip a beat. “You don’t need to tell me; I will find the answer myself.”

Panic rises in me. I have had zero communication with anyone from my pack since I left. By now, Bradley will know I killed Bruce, and I am certain there is a price on my head. What if Harvey digs that up and hands me over? As much as I hate it, it will be in my best interest, to tell the truth.

“I married my mate when I was nineteen,” I keep my gaze on the skyline and my voice is barely audible, but I know as a vampire, he can hear every word. “In the beginning, he was loving and compassionate, but hate and jealousy drove him insane, and he became abusive. It was during one of those incidents that I killed him. I took my son and fled. If my pack ever finds me, they will put me on trial and kill me for his murder.”

“Does the pack not know about the abuse?” he asks confused. “It was faint, but I did notice the bruising last night.”

“They did,” I laugh humourlessly. “But my mate was the alpha’s twin brother. That doesn’t count in my favour.”

“And nobody knows you’re here?” he asks and for the first time, I look him dead in the eye.

“No,” I say sternly. “Not even my sister.”

“In that case,” he smiles gently at me. “I won’t compromise your position and do a background check. I will take your word as the truth.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely and swallow the emotion that is creeping up inside me. I might not be a business tycoon like him, but I do have the common sense to realize that he is taking a huge risk trusting a stranger like me. “It means a lot that you’re trusting me. I know it’s not standard practice.”

“You’re welcome,” he gives me a devilish smile. “My heart might not be beating, but I still do possess one.”

“You’re terrible,” I cannot help but laugh.

“Terrible?” He clasps his heart and pretends to look hurt. “All this time I thought I was charming.”

“We’re getting off track,” I lift my eyebrow and suck up my laughter. Around him, I would have to be on full alert. Because he is right, he is charming. And I have not had the pleasure of spending time with a man like him in years. This is not good for my libido.

“You’re right,” he says seriously. “I need you to protect Dahlia. She refuses a bodyguard. But you are young and will easily pass as just another student.”

Frozen, I stare at him. When he said security last night, I thought I am guarding an ATM or patrolling the parking lot. Like security at the mall or something. Not a personal bodyguard for his daughter.

“Listen, Harvey,” I finally manage to speak. “I haven’t trained in years. I might have a slight upper hand against humans, but if I can’t shift, I don’t know how much protection I will be.”

“I’m aware,” he nods. “You will have an assessment today and we will act accordingly. Regardless, I need protection for Dahlia, and I need you to start today.”

“Why?” I eye him suspiciously. “Why the urgency? I get that you’re rattled after last night, but you have the culprits. They cannot try to finish what they’ve started. Why are you in such haste that you’re not telling me?”

His facial expression tells me I have hit the spot. There is a reason why Dahlia needs protection immediately and it is not because of last night.

“Fine,” he sighs as his fingers push through his hair. “Dahlia is a target. I don’t know how or why, but last night was not the first time. I’m still working on the guys from last night for information, but they either don’t know or don’t want to talk.”

“Are you referring to when she was five?” I frown. That was a long time ago and I cannot think that it is related to last night.

“No,” he shakes his head. “Dahlia went out with friends to a club a few nights ago. Frank escorted her. He noticed a couple of guys following her the entire time. Frank phoned for back up and they were caught before Dahlia even noticed them. According to them, there’s a contract out for Dahlia’s capture. Ten million to whoever brings her in alive.”

“That’s terrifying,” I say softly as my heart reaches out to him. He looks so lost, and I can sympathize with him. If anybody dares threaten Evan, I will kill them first and ask questions later. “Do you know who’s behind this?”

“No,” he replies brusquely, and I receive the message. That information is needed to know, and I do not need to know.

“What are my hours?” I ask. As much as I like Harvey and his daughter, my son comes first. There is no way that I will take this job if it means seeing Evan for only an hour or two.

“Nine to five,” he smiles as if he could read my mind. I know he said he could not but how does he knows what I am thinking?

“Relax, Aria,” His laugh is deep and low. “Your face says it all. You’ll be horrible at playing poker.”

“So, basically, I’m only accompanying her at campus?” I ignore his words, but I feel a blush creep up from my neck to my ears.

“Yes,” he nods. “My men will take care of the rest.”

“And I assume I must wear what students wear,” I say with pain. Being a stay-at-home mom for so long, I have lost track of the latest fashion and traded it for comfort. Running after a toddler in heels is no joke. And I do not have the funds to spruce up my cupboard. I need furniture more than new clothes. And taking into account that Dahlia is used to only the best, I will look homeless next to her. I will not blend in.

“Dahlia will take you shopping,” he smiles like he is Santa Claus bearing gifts.

“I hate shopping,” I scoff as I fold my arms in front of me. Well, I did not use to hate it. But shopping and trying on clothes with Evan was so exhausting, that I gave it up.

“Dahlia loves shopping, you better get used to it,” he grins at my discomfort.

“Whatever,” I grunt. I hate that he enjoys this more than I do. “When is my training?”

“Daily from five to seven in the mornings,” he explains.

“That will not work,” I shake my head. “It’s too early, I have a three-year-old, remember?”

“I will send a nanny,” he stands up and walks to a desk in the corner where he pulls out a big envelope. “She will care for him until you’re back from training to finish up for class and take him to daycare.”

He hands me the envelope before I could respond.

“This is your contract,” he explains. “Everything is stipulated. Including your salary and benefits. Which includes a company car.”

With trembling fingers, I page through the document which is as thick as the Bible. I am going to need a lawyer to help me get through this. I do not want to sign away my soul to this handsome devil.

When I see the salary, my eyes widen.

“This cannot be right,” I look at him in shock. “This is too much.”

“For a waitress, yes,” he agrees. “But believe me, you’re going to earn every cent the hard way.”

I stare at the figures on the page. As tempting as it is, there is plenty of risks involved. Dahlia is a target, and it is a given that I will be risking my life at one point or another. What will happen to Evan if I get injured or worse? But it is either this or unemployment.

“This is huge, Maya.”

“I agree,” she replies. “Don’t sign it until you’re sure. We have enough money to last us four months. You should be able to get something else in that time.”

“Fine,” I say after a moment of deliberation. “I will accompany Dahlia today, but I will only decide tonight whether or not I’m taking the job.”