Page 14 of Nemesis

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said in an easy voice, attempting to dissipate the taunting strain humming in the room.

Slipping my mask back on, I cleared my throat and turned my attention back to Victor. “I told you I didn't need a bodyguard,” I said, challenge dripping in my tone.

Something I knew I would later come to regret.

From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a flash of hurt flickering across Theo’s face at the sound of my dismissal, causing a pang of guilt to ripple through my gut. I pushed it down, forcing myself to ignore it before it bled through.

“This isn’t up for discussion, Olivia.” Victor snarled through gritted teeth, leveling me with his stare as his jaw clenched at my small defiance. He turned his attention back on my new bodyguard, his arm leaving my side to step closer and grip Theo’s shoulder.

“Mr. Alvarez, please excuse my wife,” he apologized. “It’s probably that time of the month. Now, let me show you where you’ll be staying for the length of your contract.”

My head whipped around once the fact that he would be living here registered.

“What?” I asked louder than I’d intended to, thinking I'd misheard.

“What is it this time, Olivia?” He frowned, visibly annoyed by my outburst.

Knowing the outburst would probably cost me later, I scolded my tone back to the sweet, innocent one I’d perfected. “He’s staying here?”

“Mr. Alvarez took a full-time position. I don’t think you realize the gravity of the threat on your life,mi amor. I promised you nothing would happen to you,” he answered with finality, the expression on his face indicating he was now expecting me to stay quiet.

I stared between the two of them, my nails digging into my palms to dampen the urge to argue further. I nodded like the obedient wife I was supposed to portray.

There was no point. I’d have to adapt.

“I’m glad we’ve managed to reach an understanding.” He nodded to himself, appeased. As if he hadn't just reached theunderstandingon his own.

“My staff is currently prepping the guest pool house, which should be ready by tomorrow. You can take the rest of the day to coordinate with Jaxon, my head of security, and come back in the morning.”

Theo nodded, extending his arm. “Lead the way, sir.”

With that, Victor moved to the door and stepped out into the hallway, Theo following closely behind. I watched his back, waiting for him to leave, but he looked over his shoulder, meeting my gaze one more time, a hand resting on the doorknob.

My heart slowed and crackles of electricity hummed beneath the weight of his gaze.

“Mrs. Morales.”

“Mr. Alvarez,” I replied, nodding in his direction.

When the door of the office clicked shut, dread sank deep in my stomach as their footsteps slowly faded away.

¿Qué diablos acaba de pasar?

Being the only person I ever let get close, he'd always been a threat. He was a dangerous distraction, one I couldn’t afford. Which was why I’d left without saying goodbye.

Theo’s presence would complicate things, making this little game of mine a bit more difficult, but when did I ever back down from a challenge?

I’d done my best to keep tabs on his whereabouts throughout the years, convincing myself it was to make sure he would never come too close to finding me. He’d spent months on end on unsuccessful solo party searches before the bureau reassigned him to another case and he was forced to let me go.

But had he moved on or did he still care for the girl he’d protected all those years ago?

I need to keep my distance in case he’s still looking for her.

CHAPTER6

THEO

She was fucking beautiful. The pictures barely did her justice.