Chapter 4

Idris chuckled. Despite her anxiety, she must confessed, even his laughter sounded sexy in her ears. “You seemed so eager to hit them, Miss San Valentin. Only a few people in the world have those blades. When the right time comes, if you want, I can give you one.” He glanced at the bread knife on the table. “Do you know how to use a knife in a combat?”

“No.”

“Give me thirty days to prove my worth then, Miss San Valentin. I will teach you how to fight the Vampires. I will also tell you everything you need to know about them. I will prove to you that while you are with me, no Vampires could ever approach you. If you can beat me after thirty days, I will resign on my own. But if you failed,” He glanced at her lips. She saw her Adam’s apple moved. “I will stay here. How about that?”

Talia was taken aback. There was a certain glow in Idris’ eyes as if he planned to do more than just staying. Being with Idris was a risk for both her sanity and for her body. “I’m curious. Why would someone like you want to be a bodyguard?” she asked instead.

When Idris smiled, it was as if his eyes smiled with him, too. “Believe it or not, it’s a mystery for me, too.”

Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I can give you a lot of reason, Miss San Valentin. But enumerating them one by one would be pointless without action. For the meantime, let me just tell you this. I am here because I can do it. I can protect you. You can trust me and I will prove that to you.”

Talia did not know how it happened but Idris’ words reached her heart. She felt like the man sitting in front of her was just as mysterious as the Vampires. But the tenderness in Idris’ eyes made her want to try having him around her. His knowledge about the Vampires and the conviction in his voice as he told her he could protect her was a big factor.

While looking in his eyes, she had realized how exhausted she had been in facing this Vampire thing on her own. The idea that there was finally someone she could rely on and someone her age whom she could talk about her fears was reassuring.

And for that, Talia would like to take a chance. She had been on her own for so long. Maybe she needed this. Maybe she needed him. She wouldn’t know unless she try. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Let’s do it, then.”

Idris stood up and offered his hand. “It’s a deal then, Miss San Valentin.”

When Talia accepted Idris’ hand, she felt him squeeze her hand. His hand was warm and big. And the effect his touch had on her was still there. She could feel it down between her legs which made her pull back her hand from him.

Talia’s heart raced as their gazes met. She knew that instant that it was the beginning of the many changes in her life, changes that she could not believe she looked forward to.

“YOU MEAN you really are working as the Breeder’s bodyguard right now? The most arrogant Vampire Prince in the world is now acting as a human’s servant? That was one hell of a career change, brother! The rumors are right, after all.” Idris heard his brother chuckle on the other line. “I can’t believe how the mighty have fallen.”

“I couldn’t believe it either,” Idris said before drinking the remaining wine in his glass while staring at the painting that was hanged in the middle of the living room inside the mansion of his fiancée who also happened to be his Boss now. The painting was about the little girl at the swing. She was looking at the empty space beside her at the swing as if she was waiting for someone. Behind that scenery was a beautiful mansion. It was as beautiful as the one Talia was currently residing in. The painting made the entire place appear solitary. Maybe because it was exactly what the owner felt all these time.

But now that Idris was back from his assignment, he would make sure that Talia would never feel lonely again.

There were two framed pictures inside the living room. The first was the teenager Talia with her father and the other one was her in a corporate suit together with Martin Bennett, the dupe who let her got away. But he was grateful. He could not make a move on her until she was twenty-eight. That was specified in the contract which Talia’s father had signed after she was born.

Martin’s foolishness made Idris glad that he didn’t have to snatch her away from anyone anymore.

“So, how does it feel chasing after a woman for the first time in your life?” Khalil asked while still laughing his heart out.

“It’s terrible.” Trying to hold back when all he wanted to do was kiss Talia and make love to her was probably the most difficult thing he had ever done in his whole life. “And I can’t wait for you to experience it soon, brother,” Idris shot back while grinning. “Don’t forget to call me the moment you hear about Tanner.” His expression hardened as he remembered the guy. “I will be expecting your call.”

“Right. I heard about the news. Tanner is back and he will make his move soon. He’s done paying for his punishment. We can’t stop this now. Sooner or later, the Breeder has to choose between you and him, Idris.”