Vanguard Security

by S. J. Bishop

  What if she didn’t feel the same way?

  What if I was making a mistake?

  Still, I had to tell her.

  “I love you…” I whispered.

  For a moment, nothing happened, but then a bright smile flashed across her face. “I love you, too.”

  My eyes widened. “Really?” I couldn’t believe it. I had expected a slap on the face.

  She nodded. “And I’m sorry.”

  I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Why are you sorry?”

  “I treated you like trash. You didn’t deserve that.”

  “You were just being cautious.”

  “Maybe. But I should have just listened to my heart. If I had, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” She seemed like she was going to start on a rant, so I leaned forward and kissed her ever so gently.

  This time, when we pulled away, she smiled. She was glowing, her cheeks pink and adorable.

  Then, all of a sudden came the slap I had expected.

  “Fuck. What the hell was that for?” I rubbed my cheek, groaning in pain.

  “For selling me to some sadistic freak. Don’t you ever do that again.”

  I frowned. “I’m sorry… I don’t know how you’ll ever forgive me for that.”

  “Will you promise never to run away from me again?” she whispered, taking my hand and squeezing it tight.

  “I promise,” I answered without hesitation. “I just felt so… trapped.”

  “I know,” she said with a nod. “I’m not saying I would have done the same thing, but I can kind of see where you were coming from.”

  “So… you forgive me?”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Cassandra laughed. “You did almost get me killed. You’re going to have to do quite a bit to make it up to me.”

  “Rescuing you doesn’t count?”

  “Not when you were the one who started the whole thing.”

  I sighed. “You’re going to hold this over my head, aren’t you?”

  “Yup.”

  “Maybe I should have just died…”

  She frowned. “Don’t say that. Please.”

  The look on her face broke my heart. I knew, in that moment, that she really did care about me. “I’m sorry. It was just a joke.”

  “Good because you’re stuck with me for the next three months while you recover.”

  “Huh?”

  “VanGuard wanted to put you in an assisted living situation, but I said I would take care of you myself.”

  I smirked. “So, you’re going to be my nurse?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Does that mean I get to see you in a sexy nurse’s costume?”

  She punched my arm.

  “Ouch!” I griped.

  “You had better behave.”

  “Oh, come on, you’d look sexy as hell in a short skirt and tight blouse, with one of those cute little caps on your head.”

  “Well, keep dreaming because in your condition, you won’t be fucking anything for a while.”

  I groaned. “Really?”

  “Yup, that’s what the doctor said.”

  “Well… can’t we break the rules or something? I don’t know if I can wait that long for you.”

  “Don’t worry. It’s only three months.”

  “Only? That’s an eternity!”

  She just laughed.

  26

  Cassandra

  Three months later.

  “Fuck!” I threw my head back and moaned. “Calm down, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

  “I don’t care,” Emil mumbled, his head buried in my chest. “The doctor gave me clearance.”

  “He still told you to be careful.”

  “I am.” He grinned. “I’m being careful to make you moan.” With a devilish grin on his face, he wrapped his tongue around my hard, little nipple, flicking back and forth until I was moaning even louder.

  As he did so, his fingers dug into my ass, holding me against the wall, our hips locked together. He was in such a frenzy that I could practically smell his lust.

  It was intoxicating. Unable to help myself, I leaned forward, kissing his neck, immediately finding his sweet spot and sucking on it as my teeth nipped at the skin.

  He groaned in pleasure, grinding against me.

  Already, I could feel his hardening cock against my thigh. I giggled as it twitched with excitement.

  We had waited so long for this. Tonight would be a night we wouldn’t soon forget.

  Emil switched nipples, sucking even harder this time around.

  I arched my back, my body begging for it. Between my legs, a fire blazed. My juices were soaking through my panties. I wish he would stop teasing and just get it over with. I wanted to feel his big, hard cock plunging inside of me, fucking me fast and deep.

  But I knew he would toy with me until I was ready to beg for it.

  I moaned as he bit the side of my breast, leaving behind a love mark that would last all week long.

  He looked up, our eyes locking. He smirked, his eyes shining with a naughty glint.

  Oh, I would have my hands full with him tonight. Literally.

  Suddenly, he threw me on the bed. A second later, he had my hands pinned above my head as he kissed my neck, decorating it with kisses before focusing on my collarbone, knowing just how much I loved it.

  “Emil… don’t tease me like this… don’t you think we’ve both waited long enough for this?”

  He did not answer me. Instead, his lips traveled between my cleavage down to my stomach. There, he lingered for a moment while his hands roamed the rest of my body, feeling my every inch like he wanted to commit it to memory. In the end, one hand settled on my left nipple and the other on my right thigh.

  My breath was already shaky, trying to prepare myself for the pleasure to come. The last time we’d fucked, he had blown me away. I had no doubt that this time would be a thousand times better.

  Fuck. I wanted him so bad. But he seemed bent on torturing me.

  Slowly, his middle finger moved up and down my wet folds.

  Moaning, I lifted my hips into the air. “Emil…” I whispered.

  He responded by pinching my clit between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it back and forth.

  I moaned even louder, my eyes rolling and my toes curling. God, it felt so good.

  He didn’t stop there. While my hips were still in the air, he grabbed my nipple, twisting it.

  I screamed, “Fuck!”

  He grinned, a satisfied look on his face before he pulled away, leaving me wanting. I was about to start begging when he grabbed me by the hips, hoisted my ass off the bed, and pressed his lips right up to my pussy. Instantly, his tongue darted out, disappearing inside of me, lapping at my juices like an addict. His hands were on my thighs, squeezing them, while my legs hung over his shoulders.

  My chest heaved, trying to keep up with the excitement, but it was difficult when he was so goddamn sexy. Already, I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge, and he had only just begun his little game.

  His tongue swirled all around me, twisting this way and that. He knew exactly how to please me.

  I feared that if he kept it up any longer, I would go insane. I clutched at the sheets, my thighs quivering.

  He continued to eat me out with vigor, almost like he didn’t plan to stop.

  Unable to control myself, I came hard, my juices flowing over his face. He slurped up all that he could before pulling away, licking his lips. “How about you return the favor, baby?” he smirked.

  It took me a moment to compose myself before I grinned at him. “Be careful what you wish for.”

  “Oh, I know I’m playing with fire, but that’s exactly what I want.” He pulled me into a kiss, the taste of my pussy still lingering on his lips.

  When he pulled away, I took my chance, turning the tables and straddling him. “Now, you’re mine,” I smirked, my hands on his chest and my nails running along his skin, making him shi
ver.

  “Do as you wish,” he said, lying back.

  I was just about to get between his legs when he stopped me. “No.”

  “Hmm?” I tilted my head.

  All of a sudden, he grabbed my hips, pulling my small frame onto his body, my pussy near his face. I expected him to start eating me out for the second time, but instead, two of his fingers plunged inside of me.

  I moaned, my back arching in pleasure, but before I could get lost in the ecstasy, I leaned down, taking him into my mouth. Effortlessly, my lips wrapped around his thick girth, my tongue already teasing his tip as my hand reached down to cup his balls, giving them a little squeeze. As I bobbed my head up and down his length, I rolled them back and forth, loving the sounds of his pleasure. So I sucked him even faster – harder.

  He rocked his hips into my mouth, and I gave him exactly what he wanted, all while he fingered me so fast that I was already shaking.

  Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed by my second orgasm.

  I had no doubt there were plenty more to come.

  27

  Emil

  I woke up with the sun shining on my face. Wanting to avoid it, I tried to bury my head in the pillow, but instead, I felt something much softer against my cheek, followed by the scent of freshly picked strawberries.

  Ah.

  I smiled.

  Cassandra.

  My arms tightened around her, pulling her close, our bodies locking together like a couple of puzzle pieces. I knew that now that I truly had her as my own, I would never let her go.

  Gently, I ran my fingers through her hair, brushing it out of her face so I could see those angelic features.

  She was perfect.

  I was just about to kiss her when my phone started to buzz atop the nightstand. I snatched it up quickly so that it wouldn’t wake her up.

  Still a bit sleepy, I glanced at the screen. The name instantly woke me up.

  Mavis.

  But… he was dead.

  My heart quickened.

  It couldn’t be… could it?

  Quickly, I slid my arm from underneath Cassandra’s body and headed out of the room to take the call.

  “Hello?” I whispered hesitantly, pacing around the kitchen.

  For a few prolonged moments, there was no answer. I thought that maybe it was just a fluke or something, but then came the raspy voice I had been dreading. “Well, hello. Have you missed me?” I shivered, picturing that sinister smile on her face. “Cat got your tongue?” she teased.

  “What do you want?” I hissed.

  “Rude.”

  “Roxanne, I’m not here to play games with you.”

  She laughed. “I don’t play games, Emil. You know this.”

  “What do you want?” I asked once more.

  “I need you to come see me.”

  I scoffed. “What kind of a fool do you take me for? I’d be walking right into a trap.”

  “You can’t fool me. You can play the good boyfriend all you want, but deep down, you were never meant for that sort of life. You belong on the edge of society. You’re a misfit, just like me, Emil. Admit it.”

  My fingers tightened around the phone. “I’m nothing like you.”

  “People don’t change. Once a criminal, always a criminal. You’re just too much of a coward to face who you really are.”

  “Ironic, coming from a woman who’s been in hiding for the past three months.”

  “It’s not hiding – it’s strategic divergence.”

  “Call it what you want, but you still ran out with your tail between your legs.”

  She was quiet. “Are you going to meet me or not?”

  “Burn in hell.” With that, I clicked off the phone.

  When I looked up, Cassandra was standing in the door, tilting her head to the side, wearing nothing but my shirt. “Who was that?”

  “Roxanne,” I said, my voice heavy.

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  I nodded. “She wanted me to meet with her.”

  “What did you say?”

  “No, of course.” I walked up to her and took her hand in mine. “Trust me, Cassandra, that part of my life is gone. I’ll never go to that dark place again. Now that I have your trust, I’d never do anything to jeopardize it. I love you way too much,” I said, kissing the top of her head.

  She smiled, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a hug. “I love you, too.”

  When we pulled away, I could see that Cassandra was already coming up with a plan.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “We need to call Ned.”

  In no time at all, Ned had traced the call, finding the exact location where it was made. There was a discussion about the whole scene being a trap, but we were prepared. The gun pressed against my chest felt heavy and cold. In a way, it was almost like I was back on the force, about to go on a mission. It was both terrifying and exciting. I was just glad to have Cassandra by my side.

  As long as we were together, nothing could defeat us.

  We arrived at the abandoned building. “You ready?” I asked, looking at her.

  “Let’s end this once and for all,” she said. “I’m done looking over my shoulder.”

  I nodded, and together, we advanced toward the building, weapons in hand. I walked a few steps ahead of her, prepared to defend her by any means necessary. My instincts had kicked in, the alpha inside of me coming to the forefront. It was time to protect my mate.

  Inside, the building was filled with cobwebs and broken lightbulbs. It was hard to see, but still, we continued, navigating through the maze of halls.

  I stepped on a floorboard, which groaned under my weight. The sound made me jump, my finger tightening around the trigger. I remembered my time on the battlefield, my muscles locking with the flashbacks.

  Gently, Cassandra placed her hand on my back, urging me forward. “Come on. We have to keep moving.”

  With her words, I found the courage to continue.

  It seemed like we were walking around in circles. “Are you sure this is the right way?” I asked her.

  She nodded.

  Then, all of a sudden, I heard footsteps behind us. I turned around quickly, but there was no one there. “Be careful,” I warned.

  We continued forward, slower now.

  My heart was beating so fast that it threatened to deafen me.

  Thump. Thump. Thump.

  Again, the sound of footsteps. This time, I stopped completely.

  “What is it?”

  “There’s someone following us,” I whispered, pulling Cassandra behind me. I squinted into the darkness, but it was impossible to see further than a few feet. Whoever it was, they could ambush us at any moment.

  Bang!

  28

  Cassandra

  At the sound of gunfire, I ducked down, rolling to safety. To my relief, Emil was already by my side.

  “Are you okay?” we both asked at the same time.

  “Yeah,” he answered.

  “Yeah.” I nodded.

  Bang!

  I jumped, the bullet piercing through the floor only a few inches away.

  Emil grabbed my hand, hoisting me to my feet. Ever so faintly, I could make out a figure in the gloom.

  Roxanne. It had to be.

  “Come out. I want to play,” she taunted, firing another bullet, this time into the ceiling.

  We looked at each other. “We have to rush her,” he whispered, so low that I could barely hear him.

  I nodded.

  “I can hear you…” she called out. “And I have plenty of bullets to spare.” She laughed, the sound deranged. She had completely lost her mind.

  Suddenly, Emil shot forward, tackling the woman to the ground.

  They grappled, but Roxanne was in a frenzy like I had never seen before. Even in the darkness, I could see the veins spiraling across the whites of her eyes.

  She managed to kick Emil in the crotch, incapacitating him. He gro
aned, rolling to the side.

  Roxanne sprang to her feet.

  I took my chance, running forward to meet her.

  She grabbed me by the wrist, shoving me into the wall, but I grabbed her at the last moment, bringing her with me. We crashed, creating a hole in the wall. Pain shot through various parts of my body, but I ignored it, knowing that even the tiniest lapse of attention could cost me my life.

  With her long, red nails, she went for my eyes, but I acted quickly, jabbing my elbow into her side.

  She gasped, winded.

  From behind, Emil grabbed her, his arms wrapped around her in a bear hug. He picked her up off the ground while her feet kicked hard.

  I snatched the gun off the ground, emptying the chamber.

  “Let go of me!” she screeched. “I swear to God, I will kill you both! Mark my words!” She spat venom at us, but Emil held her tight, carrying her outside where members of VanGuard had just pulled onto the scene.

  Technically, we were supposed to have waited for them, but we had jumped the gun.

  At least all’s well that ends well.

  Carefully, Emil placed the irate woman on her feet.

  Instantly, she tried to make a break for it. She was quickly surrounded, handcuffed, and pushed into the back of Cruz’s car. There, she screamed, banging against the thick glass. Clearly, something was wrong with her. She needed help. Medical help.

  “You two should have waited,” Cruz chided. “You could have gotten hurt.”

  “Sorry, boss,” I said.

  Cruz shook his head, running his fingers through his dark, curly hair. “Just don’t do it again. I can’t afford to lose some of my best agents.”

  “Wait… agents?” I repeated. “As in, plural?”

  Beside me, Emil looked just as surprised as I felt.

  Cruz smiled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a badge. “Welcome to the team, Emil.”