The Mayor had approved of it, though. He didn't care as much for his own safety, as long as Adele was kept sheltered. Did he realize the damn woman was headstrong and impossible? Really, Thian felt dealing with her deserved hazard pay. More than once, she'd came damn close to kicking him in the balls as he'd carted her over his shoulder to put her back in her place where he could keep an eye on her.
He had scratches on his lower back, and at least one bite mark on his ass cheek where she'd sank her teeth in after he'd removed her from the sun-room that had 360 degree open-access windows. He'd finally settled down to rest for the night when he heard her door clicking open once more.
Scowling, he stood, moving into the shadows by the stairway as he watched her tiptoe down the steps, glancing around as if looking for him before she headed for the back door off of the kitchen. Slung over her arm was a towel, and she was dressed in a bathing suit. She was headed for the fucking pool. Did the female listen to a damn thing he'd said?
Biting his tongue to avoid tearing into her for her foolishness, he followed her silently, keeping his senses alert. He could still scent the shifters, the tracks fresher now. They'd been here recently, within the last few days. He didn't know what they were looking for, but it was clear that the Mayor had gotten himself into some shit he couldn't easily extradite himself from. The woman was playing with her goddamn life. He could take on a few, if necessary, but if more were lurking in the darkness, he doubted he'd be able to handle them all. She didn't know what was after them, but shit, a bullet at this range would be even easier. She was a sitting duck as she walked from the main house to the pool.
Once she was safely in the pool house, he felt some of the tension relax from his shoulders. He could protect her better in an enclosed space, at the very least. Stubborn, fool-headed female. Slipping inside soundlessly, he watched as she sat the towel aside before she stepped into the pool. He shouldn't be here. He knew that, yet he couldn't force himself to leave. Watching her as she swam her laps, the way the water glistened on her skin... it was too much, and not enough.
Standing in the darkness, he spoke, knowing she wouldn't be able to pinpoint his location easily, as the pool house echoed. “Nice night for a swim, Princess.”
Her tiny squeal and muttered oath would have been humorous had the situation not had him so pissed off. Stepping into the light, he crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at her. She at least had the decency to look shamed that she'd been caught for a moment, before the familiar fire and vinegar look entered her expression.
“It is, I thought so myself. Seeing as how I'm on my own property and a grown ass woman, I figured... you know what would be nice? A swim. So I got myself dressed, and what do you know, I was able to walk myself out and take a swim. Funny how that works.”
She was going to be the death of him. Between her smart mouth and her looks, he wasn't sure which part of her beguiled him more. Shame that he didn't have time to enjoy the way she fought him, as it literally could be life or death.
“You don't seem to understand why I'm here, Princess, so let me make this absolutely clear. Someone has threatened your life. Now, you may not think that warrants much action, but I'm being paid to keep your smart ass alive. If you die, I don't get paid, understood? So I suggest you start taking this seriously. Anyone could have shot you coming from the house to the pool. They could have snatched you and no one would have heard you scream. Do you really want to test this?”
As her expression changed, he realized he'd misstepped. Clearly, she hadn't known the whole story. Sighing heavily, he sat on one of the pool chairs. Leave it to the Mayor to not fucking tell his daughter how much danger she was in, and expect Thian to simply anticipate her moves and deal with them accordingly.
No wonder she'd been acting as if this was a game... she thought it was. “He didn't tell you, did he?” At the shake of her head, he let out a low curse. Thian wasn't sure how much to tell her, but something had to be done now.
“Your father is facing some shit at work due to the recent disappearances. There have been threats made. Some have been against him, but others have been against you. For him to feel the way the parents are feeling right now, by going through what they are. Obviously, they were taken seriously enough to have me brought in. I'm not a regular bodyguard, Princess. I'm the last resort. For him to have called me in? Shit's gotten serious, and you need to take it as such.”
It didn't make sense, even to him. Why not bring in law enforcement? Regular security? Nah, this entire situation stank. The only thing he could figure was that the Mayor was dirty, and didn't want normal channels involved. How dirty, though? There was low-stakes dirty, and there was 'behind all of this shit' dirty. That's what he needed to figure out.
In the meantime, his job was to protect Adele. He didn't really
