Page 8 of The Protection Agreement

She just got here and this is happening. I hope Jonah finds whoever is after her soon.

She is Jonah’s girl, I remind myself. I’m going to start needing more reminders.

She finishes her food as a loud burp escapes her. “Excuse me,” she says, chuckling. I smile at her.

She gets up and grabs the plate.

“Leave the plate, the chef will grab it.” I say

She nods.

“Please, do you mind staying with me till I fall asleep?” she asks, but all I heard was skepticism and fear.

“I don’t mind,” I say. Much as I don’t want to cross any boundaries, I also sense she may not sleep if I don’t stay with her. I get up and follow her. She climbs into the bed and pulls the sheet and her backpack close to her.

“Thank you, Bruce, for agreeing to protect me. Jonah wasn’t sure you would say yes,” she says.

“You are welcome. Go to sleep, and if you need anything, my bedroom is next door.”

She nods and closes her eyes.

I exhale a ton of weight, at the fact that I’d sat at the foot of the bed and watched her sleep. What the fuck just happened to me? She is Jonah’s girl.

Chapter five

Lexi

I awake startled; the nightmares are back and I didn’t take my sleeping pills. I take a moment to get a sense of my surroundings. Bruce left, which is expected, but I have two choices, sleep and face my monster or find Bruce and stay next to him. I choose Bruce.

Grabbing my backpack, pillow, and blanket, I move quietly towards the next door to mine where he said his room is. I don’t know what time it is. I quietly open the door, the hallway illuminates a bit into the room, and I see his sleeping form in bed. I move quietly to the side, put the bag and pillow down, wrap myself in the blanket, then lay on the carpeted floor. I lay there, listening to the sound of his breathing. His presence calms me.

I long for Amrit, my eyes tear up just thinking of him. Nights when I'd drift off to the gentle cadence of his snores. He always stayed with me, never judging or questioning when I had nightmares. A dependable, trusted friend. I try to stifle my sobs. My mind floats to our laughs and joys on the streets of London. I remain awake for a while, listening to the rhythm of Bruce, realization dawning that Bruce's proximity brings me safety. A calming conviction that he would fight for me, and he will protect me.

Jonah was right to have chosen him, but he warned me that I must keep my last name and pictures of my dad from Bruce. When I tried to ask why, he didn’t give me an answer, but warned that it’s best that way and I should make sure Bruce doesn’t know who I am. I promised Jonah that I would keep my true identity from Bruce.

I do trust Jonah and, frankly, he’s all I have. So, I really pray nothing happens to him while he tries to find the person that’s after me because I can’t lose him too. I really cannot.

I eventually fall asleep. When I wake, the room is bright and decorated in similar pattern to my room. Bruce is not in bed. I’d hoped to be up and out before he woke up. Now I must explain to him why I snuck into his room. I grab my backpack, pillow, and blanket and return to my room, tossing the items on the bed. I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth with the spare toothbrush from the plane and wash my face before heading to the living room, where I find Bruce and Ice talking.

“Good morning. Coffee?” Bruce says to me.

“Good morning. Yes, please.”

Bruce is dressed in a black suit, blue shirt, and tie, a complete switch from yesterday’s casual clothing of cargo pants, T-shirt, and Harrington jacket. Today, he’s dapper, formal, and radiates authority. Ice is casual like yesterday and stands like a brick wall next to Bruce, blocking my pathway. He avoids me as I move past him to grab a mug that’s set by the coffee machine and pour myself a cup, add cream and sugar.

“The lady will be here in about an hour to discuss your clothing and other needs.” Bruce sounds formal, like he’s trying to put distance between us. I shrug internally, not knowing how to explain my sleeping in his room.

“Thank you. I would also need a phone and laptop. Where can I get one?” I ask.

“I’ll have one delivered to you soon. Ice is staying here with you. Let him know if you need anything else.”

I nod.

He sets his mug down and heads out the door, leaving me with Ice. We remain quiet for a little bit. I open the fridge and see strawberry yoghurt. I grab one and turn to Ice.

“Where are the spoons?” I politely ask.

He moves around me and opens a drawer of cutlery. I take a spoon and lean on the countertop and start to spoon the yoghurt.