Page 19 of The Protection Agreement

Lexi

We arrived at his office. I’m not exactly sure what to expect. All I know is I’m safe with him and trust he won’t put me in harm’s way either. I’d zoned into my puzzling till I started feeling tired and tried to sleep. I barely slept last night. The floor was uncomfortable, but it was better than the comfortable bed with fear gripping my every thought or me crying my eyes out for the loss of my friend. So, I’d returned to the floor in his room only to barely get any sleep. Earlier, I thought maybe a nap during the day would keep the monsters in my sleep away, but nope, they came calling soon as I closed my eyes, and this time, more vicious. I must have screamed because Ice came barging into the room and he tried to hold me and I responded by yelling at him to “get out.” I must apologize to him; that’s not me but for now I follow Bruce.

His assistant seems friendly, but I sense that Bruce has warned him to stay away from me. I’ve tried not to look at Bruce as we talk. He seems to always draw me in; there’s something swirling between us that I can’t explain, but I feel the force of it. I must avoid and push back with everything I’ve got, just as Jonah has warned me. A guy like him would have a girlfriend or a line of casual fucks that fulfills his needs. I need to remember that he’s forbidden for me.

He’s now leaving me for a meeting. My heart races in fear. What happens if they come for me again when he’s locked up in a bunker like room? He wouldn’t hear me; he has told me how far and I’m sure I can make that if all hell breaks loose. I nodded to him like it was fine, but inside I’m losing it. I hold it together with a straight face and a feigned smile. He leaves and I can’t help but pace in fear.

Grayson soon knocks and comes in. He looks like he already saw me pacing like a mad woman. “Would you mind if I join you in the puzzle?” His voice is gentle.

“I wouldn’t mind,” I say with a smile and move back to the sofa.

“I see you’ve moved faster and got all the edges done.”

“The edges are always a good starting point, then a few pieces together,” I say.

We sit and start to fill in the puzzles.

“So, you are staying with boss,” he states. I hear a surprise in there.

“Yes, for now.”

“That’s cool. Boss never opens his space to anyone,” he casually says.

“My staying with him wasn’t planned. I’m sure he’s going to get me a place of my own soon,” I reply, though my heart races at the thought of Bruce kicking me out.

“Nah, he won’t. That’s not his style,” he jokes.

“What’s his style then?”

“Let’s see if you can decode his style,” he challenges.

“Okay,” I say, accepting the challenge, but I know I won’t be watching out for his style. My staying at his place is temporary. I know that.

He’s pretty good with puzzles and keeps me laughing with his jokes. He hums tunes of Cole A’s song, and I hum along with him.

“So, what’s your favorite song?” he asks.

“I can’t say I have a favorite song right now, but I have a playlist that’s a mix of Afro-beats, some hip hop, and any beats I like.”

“I like Burna Boy too,” he says with a wide smile.

“Cool, I have a few artists that I like.”

“Maybe we should share our playlists and see whose is more fun. Just don’t tell boss.”

I laugh.

“Why don’t we share some other playlists that are close and we go from there?”

“Cool, we could start there.”

We keep working on the puzzle and he looks at his watch.

“I’ll be right back,” he says, leaving.

I’m now calm as I keep puzzling. A few minutes later, Bruce walks in, avoiding me. He’s at his desk and I sense his broody mood, but I keep my eyes on the puzzle before he calls out to me, saying, “We are heading back home.”

I nod as I pack up my puzzle. “Home.”