Page 5 of The Protection Agreement

“What happened that triggered Jonah sending you here?” His tone is tactful. The question surprises me and simultaneously opens my wound. Not like the loss of Amrit is closed yet, but it’s now gushing out.

“Amrit,” I choke up saying his name, “my bodyguard, said he had noticed someone was following us in the last few weeks, so we changed our usual patterns. He asked me to be alert and be ready to run at the first sight of danger.” I take a second to breathe, never mind my quavering voice. “I was sleeping when he suddenly woke me and told me to grab my go bag and run.” I pause to wipe the tear that’s slowly trickling down. “The break-in happened and he snuck me into the passageway and told me not to look back. I kept running to the next spot. The lady there drove me to the airport and bought a one-way ticket for me. Jonah met me at the next spot and started making plans for me to come here.”

“How long ago did this happen?”

“Four days ago,” I sniff.

“And Amrit?”

“Jonah said he died protecting me.” I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he whispers. I hear the other two in the car mumble their condolences.

“Thank you,” I say, voice shaking, body trembling.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-six,” I answer quietly.

“How long have you known Jonah?”

“I met him when I was fifteen.”

“I agreed to keep you safe. I will do that, but you must obey the rules and not lie to me. If you sense anything suspicious, you tell me right away.”

He commands, and I nod.

Jonah said you have a job at A J Lloyd’s office here in Chicago. What would your role be?

“I’m a Data Scientist. I’ll be working with some financial analysts to create a model that will help better understand the data and market changes.” My voice is toneless.

“Where did you study Data Science?”

“UC San Diego.”

“When do you start work?”

“In three weeks,” I answer.

“Good, then we get to coordinate your movements before then,” he says.

I nod and wipe my tears. I’m still grieving the death of my friend.

The ride is quiet. The buildings and streets are a blur as we drive. I’ve never visited Chicago. I grew up between Lagos and London, then California with Dad after Mom passed. Since Dad’s passing, my life is in danger. Jonah thought getting me out of California and going to the UK would be fine, but they still came after me. I’m nobody. My mom made sure of that. But with my dad’s passing, it seems the shield mom had covering me is now removed and I’m exposed.

We pull up to the building, and I pull my backpack close to me as I follow Bruce and Ice into the building. They show IDs and some information, and the security lets us all in. As we ascend in the elevator, Bruce positions himself so close I can feel the warmth of his body radiating against mine, a sensation that cuts through my weariness. I must resist this guy. He’s not our friend. But he will protect you. Jonah’s words reverberate in my thoughts.

On the tenth floor, we exit and head towards my unit. I don’t need to be told something is wrong, because the door is wide open like someone ran out in haste.

Bruce instantly puts me behind him and Ice is behind me. I’m sandwiched between them as we enter the unit to see ripped furniture and broken items.

“Smithy’s gut was right,” Ice’s deep voice expresses.

“You can’t stay here. You will come and stay with me.” I hear him, but my lungs are closing. I can’t breathe. I’m staring at him, but I don’t see him. There’s stillness in the air. My mind is screaming breathe, but I can’t get the air out. My legs feel boneless, but his hands on my shoulder keep me from falling. My mind starts to automatically recite the periodic table. I slowly get the air out.

“Do you have stuff here that you need?” His voice is a quiet boom.

I shake my head.