Page 10 of I Don't Need Your Protection

After I’m done, I step back. When my grandfather’s staff helped me pick out my clothes, I thought they’d change my style. But they were very cool about it and let me buy whatever I wanted. I was okay with a couple of outfits, but they insisted I buy more, which is why my closet is pretty much filled to the max.

Should I use the other closet? Maybe I’ll have a roommate after all. It’s best I stick to my side of the room.

The knob to my room turns and then the door is shoved open. I back away, wondering who in the world has a key to my room.

Caleb walks in, shutting the door behind him. His fierce blue eyes latch onto mine and he gives me a once over, maybe making sure I’m not damaged?

I inch closer to him. “You’re not allowed in my room. How did you get in here?”

“Iamallowed in your room. Everywhere you go, I go.”

I gape at him. “So…you have a key to my room?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll barge in here whenever you want?”

He sighs, pushing his fingers through his dark hair. “Am I here to attend classes or am I here to protect you?”

I throw my hands up. “I don’t know. I don’t even know if you’re really a teenager or an adult pretending to be one.”

He blinks at me. “I’m sixteen, same as you.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I never heard of a sixteen-year-old bodyguard.”

“Family business. Your grandfather’s family has been our client for generations and he needed someone your age for this job. I was trained specifically for that.”

“Oh. But you’re a student here, too?”

He dips his head. “Yes, but that’s a cover story. I already finished all my schooling and can focus all my attention on you.”

“So you’re not just my babysitter, you’re my prison ward,” I mumble.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. I’m safe now, so you don’t have to stay here.”

He folds his arms over his chest. “Like I said, wherever you go, I go. I’m taking my job very seriously and you should, too. Your life is in danger.”

“I know. But you saw the security around here. No one will harm me.”

He scoffs. “I don’t trust the security.”

“Many of them are undercover agents watching over me, too. Ones my grandfather hired.”

He holds my gaze, not blinking once.

“You don’t trust them, either?”

“I trust myself and my abilities. Now go about your business and don’t mind me.” He drops down on a chair and keeps his gaze on me.

I turn toward my last suitcase, then twist around to face him. He hasn’t taken those icy eyes off me.

“Um…” I pull at my hair. “Are you just going to sit there and watch me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have to?”