CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Cora moved her hips to the beat of the song playing loudly through the two big speakers that had been set up. The laughter of her friends was contagious. She was having the time of her life. Cora had invited a lot of people but only a few friends had showed—her close friends. The ones Cora knew would always be there for her.

The song ended, making her let out a loud breath. Her feet were starting to ache. A girl could only dance in killer heels for so long! Cora tugged the gold sequin dress down as she walked towards the table that had been set up with snacks and drinks. The yard was big enough to hold at least a three hundred people, but since so little people had showed up, they decided to move the party over to the patio.

Glancing up, her eyes instantly fell on her father stepping out of the house. It was rare to see him home this early. Excitement filled her. He made it to her birthday party so he was going to be celebrating along with her. Thankfully they hadn’t eaten the cake yet. Her steps flattered when a tall muscular man stepped out behind him. Cora was close enough to get a good look at the tattoos covering his arms and hands. His long, dark hair was tied back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. The man was hot and probably around her father’s age. Her excitement instantly died down. Cora’s shoulders sagged when she realized her father was probably about to send all her friend’s home.

Cora was curious to see what her father’s client looked like up close. There was just something about the man. Maybe it had something to do with the difference between him and the usual men her father always did business with. Those men were around the same age as him or they were short and round with bald patches and grey hair.

Her father glanced around and then spotted her. Cora’s heartbeat increased when her father headed right in her direction with the man hot on his heels. She met them halfway with a bright smile that wavered when her eyes locked with the man’s bright blue gaze. The unusually bright colour made her suck in a breath. His eyes were beautiful, but so cold.

“Cora,” her father said softly, “I need to talk to you please. Let’s go inside.”

Cora pouted up at her father. “I can’t just leave, dad. I have guest I need to attend to.”

Andrew frowned at her. His displeasure was written all over his face. She widened her eyes and blinked up at him. She knew it would work on him, it always worked and got Cora exactly what she wanted. But this time he seemed to be fighting that effect. In the end Andrew sighed and reached out to stroke her cheek. His lips pulled up in a small smile.

“Of course dear.” He dropped his hand and turned so he could face the man hovering behind them. “Cora this is Vlad De Luca, your new bodyguard.”

“Bodyguard?” Cora gasped. “What do you mean bodyguard? I don’t need a bodyguard.”

Andrew glanced around, making Cora follow his gaze. Colour flooded her cheeks when she realized her friends were all staring at her. They looked curious. It took all but two seconds for Cora to realize that the music had stopped too. They had heard her clearly. She gave them all a forced smile before turning to face her father.

“Let’s talk inside.”

Andrew nodded, and gripping Cora’s upper arm, he gently steered her towards the house. Cora glanced over her shoulder to make sure that the man was following them. Their eyes locked, making her turn back around. His cold eyes unnerved her.

What was the need for a bodyguard?

They entered her father’s office a few seconds later. Once the door had firmly closed behind them, Cora shrugged off her father’s hand and turned to glare at him. Her lips parted but the words died down when a cell phone started ringing. All eyes turned to Vlad as he pulled his phone out of his jeans. He glanced at the screen, made a face and then turned towards them.

“I really need to take this call, please excuse me.”

Andrew stayed silent until the door had closed behind the man again. He reached out and gripped Cora’s upper arms once again. Their eyes locked and the fear she saw in his eyes left her speechless. As she looked at him closely, Cora realized just how tired he looked.

They barely saw each other since he worked long hours and by the time he usually got home, Cora was already fast asleep. When she woke in the morning, he had already left for work. Communication between father and daughter where minimal and usually done through the housekeeper. Now as Cora stared up at her father she wished that they had more time to spend together.

“You know I love you right,” Andrew said softly. “You know that I would do anything you ask me to do. I need you to do something for me.”

“What?” Cora asked.

“I need you to allow Mr. De Luca to be your bodyguard.”

“You’re joking right?” she questioned. “I don’t need a bodyguard!”

Andrew muttered something under his breath as he turned away from her. “I don’t have time to argue with you Cora. Mr. De Luca has already been hired. You will—”

“Why do I suddenly need a bodyguard?” Cora yelled, throwing her hands up in the air. “There was never a need for one! Not that you ever really cared.”

“I’m a business man Cora. I make enemies on a daily basis.” He turned to face her again. “It would make me feel better knowing that you have someone there to protect you if something goes wrong.”

Her eyes trailed over his aging face. Cora had a feeling that he wasn’t telling her the truth. The danger of enemies was an excuse to cover up the truth. She might not spend much time with her father, but that didn’t mean that she knew nothing about him. He was after all blood related to her. His left eye twitched whenever he lied—something the housekeeper had pointed out to Cora.

“I don’t want nor do I need somebody following me around all day.”

“I don’t care what you want or need,” Andrew muttered. “Vlad De Luca has been hired as your body guard, and that’s final.”