Page 49 of The Protection Agreement

“Yes, I am, and I think you need to rest.”

“No, I want to get drunk, so I don’t remember.”

I see the pain in her eyes, and instantly know something happened. “Remember what?” I ask in a subtle tone.

“That fucking Eric assaulted me today.”

My scowl is immediate, even as I grab her when she stumbles and laughs hysterically. “But he didn’t know I’m no longer the girl he used to date. He didn’t know Amrit has trained me, so I gave his balls a good knee and a cool upper cut to his face.” She’s back dancing again, like she didn’t just raise my fucking blood pressure. I decide to ask more questions and hide my anger.

“Where was Ice when you were getting assaulted?”

“Bathroom, I think he ate something that didn’t agree with him. He wanted to call for Smith, but I told him he didn’t need to.”

“Did you tell Ice about this assault when it happened?”

“ No, no, no, no,” she stresses. “No” she burps “need to worry, Ice. I told Eric, Ice will come for him, and he just might break Eric’s creepy fingers, you can’t tell Jonah either. He hates Eric.” And I fucking want to break both his hands for touching her.

“I won’t tell Jonah, if you tell me why Jonah hates Eric.”

She is dancing all around the room, and her steps are wobbly. I stay close to her, fearing she might fall.

“Jonah made me break it off with Eric when I told him how Eric pushed for—” she puckers her lips out “even when I wasn’t ready, and after he got away with it.” She winks like I should know what she means.

“Okay,” I say.

“Eric kept pushing me and forced himself on me when I said no multiple times.” She staggers and I catch her. “Promise me you won’t tell Jonah and Ice,” she pleads.

“I won’t,” I answer, glad she has no idea that I’m more lethal than both men combined. “You are so cute,” she slurs, roughly cupping my face. “Jonah made me spend hours memorizing every inch of your cute face, body and height, so I would recognize you. Now, you live in my mind. I feel like I know you,” she slurs, the alcohol is really kicking in.

“I think you know me,” I say to her.

“I can feel your presence.” She gently strokes my face. “Did you know that I get this calm when you are around? Like nothing can touch me; I’m always home with you.” She tries to pull out of my arms and stumbles. I catch her, holding her waist tight. “So strong.” She giggles, examining my biceps and laughs.

“Can I tell you a secret?” she giggles

“Yes, please, tell me a secret.” I laugh along with her. “Eric hated the fact I need Jonah’s permission to …” she nods off

“Jonah’s permission to what?” I gently shake her

“Jonah he’s my—"She falls asleep in my arms.

I shake her but she just mumbles. I carry her to my room, remove her clothes down to her underwear that’s nothing sexy, yet my body reacts. I quickly dress her in my T-shirt and cover her up. I’m taking the sofa tonight. I step out of the room and exhale my anger. I call fucking Ice. He answers on the first ring.

“Bring your ass up here right now!”

“Is everything okay?” he asks, shocked by my tone.

“Her fucking ex assaulted her under your watch,” I sneered.

“On my way boss.” I’m still trying to control my anger when I hear the door open. “She was drinking because her fucking ex assaulted her when you were meant to protect her!” I yell at him the moment I see him.

“I didn’t know boss. I ate something at lunch, and I kept running to the bathroom. I wanted to call Smith, but she said no. She doesn’t really like being around him.”

“Why! What the fuck did he do?” I ask, my voice louder.

“Nothing, she just said she doesn’t feel comfortable with him.”

“Next time you can’t do your job, fucking call me. Do not leave her vulnerable. Call Malik and get me everything on this Eric guy. He has forced himself on her before, and I’m guessing Jonah warned him off, but he seems to have forgotten the message. My message will be etched into his memory for as long as he lives,” I whisper shout, even as I try to hold in my anger.