Guarded Desires

elow. The sharp skyline of New York was alive with lights, yet it offered no comfort. Instead, it seemed to mock her

, where she was expected to be the unshakable leader, the visionary who had taken the company to unimaginable heights. Yet for the f

re being watched," it said. She'd brushed it off as a prank, a petty attempt to rattle her nerves. But then more letters follo

The letters were too detailed, too personal. Whoever was behind them knew her movements, her habits, even her

o hire a bodyguard. Not jus

be the best. Ex-special forces, with a reputation for being cold, methodical, and ruthlessly efficient. He wasn't

ite herself. A few soft, measured footsteps followed, echoing in the open space of the

rumble of quiet authority that seemed to fill t

here." Her voice sounded cold, even to her own ears, but she wasn't s

ass window, visible to anyone with a clear view." His tone carried no ju

movement. She could sense him there, a powerful, silent presence, analyzing the space around

d in all black-boots, tactical pants, and a fitted shirt that clung to his broad shoulders. His face was hard, s

many exposed points in this apartment. You need more secure locations. The windows, the balcony-it's al

down on the nearest table and crossed her arms over her chest,

atening you isn't bluffing. They've studied you. They've

mposed. Luke's eyes flicked over her face, reading her reaction, t

ured, her voice betraying the sliver of doubt creeping in. "I'v

a reason," he said, his voice soft but firm. "People don't just do t

ant to believe him, but deep down, she knew he was right. There was s

tension. Luke's body tensed immediately, his han

d, grabbing her arm and pulling her down behind the kitchen island. Her heart race

nshot. She gasped, her body pressed against the cold marble

ed, peering over the

se thundering in her ears, her mind reeling from the shock. A loud th

...?" she

his voice unnervingly calm.

d. This wasn't a b

buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his face

ding," he said in a low, dangero

ice as she realized the f

ching her anymore-the