Page 7 of Broken

Fuck, I had never seen anything so beautiful. In walked this tiny little fireball with curves in all the right places. Her long shiny black hair almost glistened a bluey colour in the light. When she cocked her hip to put her hand on it, trying to look fierce, all it did was make her tight little arse stand out and my jeans got a bit tighter. Then there is her tight old band t-shirt that is clinging to her chest in a way that I could only ever dream about. I know some guys like big tits, but they’re not for me. I like a more natural look. As my mates say, a handful is just enough for me and by the looks of her stretched fabric, she has slightly more than a handful. It made my mouth water. What really tipped me over the edge is when I looked at her face. She seems like a bit of rock chick to her and I love that. I cannot stand high maintenance girls. If it takes an hour to put your face on, I'm not interested. Ava looks like she hardly has any make-up on and when I looked into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes, I can see why. She doesn't need anything. Her eyes shine all on their own and honestly, they light up her face. But the way she looked at Grant put the most sexy fire in her eyes and turned them almost black. It made me wonder if they turn black when she gets all hot and bothered too. Could I make them go completely black when she cums? Woah, can't be thinking those sorts of things while I’m trying to work. Definitely don't want my dick on show when I'm sitting next to Vic, who I'm pretty sure was fondling his gun and wondering if he should be shooting Ava. Or anyone for that matter, he really doesn’t care who. Then there's also my boss and her dad, two people who you most definitely do not want to be getting a hard on in front of. So, I casually adjusted myself and tried to remain as neutral as I could. But when I looked over at Grant, he seemed to have noticed the same things about Ava that I have and it makes my skin crawl. The thought of that slimy piece of shit even looking or thinking about someone as perfect as Ava is disgusting. She may be a lower socio-economic class than him, but my God, herbeauty is so far out of his league, they are not even playing the same sport.

I looked over at Ava and noticed her surveying the room, trying to take in the situation, but if she was scared, she didn't show it. She tried to look tough and it was actually pretty adorable. There's no way anyone like her would need to look tough because people should always protect beauties like her. I know I would protect her. I watched as her gaze travelled over Vic and I knew she could see him caressing the edge of his gun and her breath seemed to catch. Now she realises the gravity of the situation. She took a subtle step towards her dad and amazed me even further. This tiny excuse for a girl was willing to throw herself into a potentially deadly situation just to save her father. What she didn't know is that I would never let that happen. We were there as a threat and nothing more. Given that Manny was sitting there with a terrified grimace on his face and shuffling on the seat like he was about to piss himself, I think we have achieved our goal. Grant just needed to lock the deal up with one last warning and we could get the hell out of there.

For some strange reason, I felt like I had to get us out of the house and as far away from Ava as possible. I feel this protective urge over her, which is crazy because I hadn't even spoken to her, and given the way she was shooting death glares at Grant, she didn't look like she needed my protection. But I wanted to and that thought made me laugh. Some fucking mobster bodyguard I am! I don’t let my mind go down that route. I am what I am and I can't fucking change it. So we needed to make the best of a bad situation and get the fuck out of the house, and far away from the beautiful siren that made me think strange thoughts.

I looked over at Grant to give him the nod, signalling that it’s time to wrap things up. We had done what we set out to do, so let's go. We have a routine and we do it this way every time. When I’m sure the target is adequately informed of the situation and understands the gravity of the shit hole they have got themselves in, I signal for us to leave. Sometimes I have to wait until Vic has done a little roughing up, but we all know that isn't happening with Manny. He’s scared shitless of us, the problem is that his addiction overpowers his fear.

I gave the signal but realised I may as well not have bothered because I don't think Grant was aware anyone else was in the room other than Ava. He was looking at her like she’s a shiny new toy and I cannot stand it. I know that shitty little weasel too well and I could see the cogs going over in his head. He was planning something and that’s bad. Normally, Grant acts impulsively and irrationally out of anger or greed. It’s normally something that he has not given any real thought to and once he calms down, I’m able to talk him out of doing something stupid. This time, I don't think that’s going to help. He is plotting something to do with Ava and I can feel my blood start to boil and my pulse race. I have to stop him, but I don't know how. He is my boss and I have no choice, I had to be here.

Watching him convince Ava to come to his country residence to be the live-in cleaner was soul destroying. I wanted to warn this beauty that she needs to run away. She’s walking into the lion's den and she will never be able to get out. I know his place because I practically live here. Whenever Grant is at the big house, the boss' security team takes over, I'm only called in if needed. So I live in the country house the majority of the time and I’ve noticed over the last month, he has been doing renovations but when I asked him about it, he just said he was giving the place a face-lift. I left him to it, I didn't even look at what they were doing. As long as it didn't affect my room or the movie room, I was fine. Then he installed a massive indoor swimming pool that I was able to use and I couldn't have been happier, I love to swim. However, that feeling of suspicion never went away. Particularly when he increased the security team and made the perimeter fencing more secure. I thought he was paranoid about people getting in, but as I watched Vic drive the car in through the gates, I looked in the sun visor mirror and Grant’s smile changed to a shit eating smirk, I realised he was never planning to keep people out. He was planning to keep Ava in. The worrying thing is that I thought he only met Ava for the first time today, but these renovations have been going on for around six weeks.

How the fuck did I not realise he had created a special room just for a woman? My job is to see things, to be observant, and to monitor what the fuck is going on in this place and I failed. I got distracted by the work the boss asked me to do, but now Ava's life could be on the line. I have to protect her.

After well over an hour, Grant comes strolling into the living room looking like the cat who got the cream. He slumps himself down onto the comfy chair that he always uses and drapes his arm across the back, like he is king of the world. I am suddenly filled with a rage I have never felt before and I feel like my skin is prickling as my blood boils. All I can think about is the idea that he might have put his filthy psychopathic hands on that beauty. Fuck, there's no way I am jealous. I never get jealous. But right now, I am, that's the effect the little fireball has on me. I need to put that out of my mind. I’m here to do a job and that is what I am going to do. I may not like the job and I may lie awake at night thinking of different ways that I could inflict pain on the dickhead that is Grant, but truthfully, I work for Alan, the big boss. He is the one who recruited and hired me. I originally worked his security detail for a short time until he saw I managed to get on with his son. This was something the majority of other security staff hadn't been able to do. They all hated Grant and the way he treated people, but mostly, it was his unpredictability they hated. It's hard to keep a man safe when you have no idea what he is going to do. There have been numerous times I've ended up bloodied and bruised because that bastard had started on the wrong people and then just expected us to pick up the pieces. For some reason, he is different with me. Grant sees me almost like the friend he’s never had. He talks to me about what's on his mind and he actually asks my opinion on things. Since I am quite fond of living, I play along in an effort to get him to trust me enough to share any crazy ideas he has, which is why I’m so fuming right now.

"What the fuck is going on, Grant?" I yell at him, while he just sits there lazily. I can feel myself getting more and more worked up.

"What do you mean?" he asks cockily, and I literally have to take some deep breaths because I can feel my hands balling up into fists, ready to pound his stupid head.

"You know exactly what I mean. What the hell is she doing here and how long have you been planning this?" I screech in a tone that is definitely not something you should hear out of a man's voice. That is literally how perplexed I am by this shithead.

“Listen, Ryder. I am your boss. I am the one who makes the decisions and you go along with them. What I have planned for Ava is none of your concern. You do what you are told, like my father pays you to do. Understood?” He really is peacocking at this moment, with his chest puffed out to reiterate the fact he is the boss. But I can’t just accept that. Not where Ava is concerned. I need to try a new tactic.

“I understand, boss, but I was talking to you as a friend. You have never been like this over a woman before, why is she different?” As I talk to Grant through gritted teeth, I am trying to sound respectful and like I genuinely care about him. Whereas in my head, I am picturing whipping my gun out of its holster and shooting him in the face. Daydreaming about that has become a regular pastime and helps me deal with being near Grant.

“Sorry. I guess I’m just temperamental when it comes to talking about her. I know you will be on my side, but I know my father will not approve. I disobeyed his orders and I guess, I was just thinking you were going to report back to him,” Grant explains. It’s actually quite laughable that this grown man who is being groomed to take over one of the largest criminal enterprises in the world is still afraid of his father. I mean, I have met the guy since he is my boss and I am not going to lie, he’s a scary dude. I guess, I stupidly thought that since Grant is actually rebelling against his father's wishes, for the first time ever, he’d actually grown some balls and was not afraid of the consequences. Turns out, he is afraid and this makes me happy. It means the old man will not be happy about this and will shut it down. Hopefully, I can have Ava home safe in a few hours because I know some of the other staff work for the old man and get paid extra to keep him informed of Grant’s stupidity. So chances are, he already knows.

“Come on, G, you know I’m always on your side. Yes, your father pays my wages and hired me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not loyal to you. However, I can't say the same for everyone on staff. You are obviously going against the old man for a reason, why is she so important?” I ask, hoping I can pry the information out of him. The more I know, the easier it will be to keep Ava safe.

“It's hard to explain, without sounding strange. Just trust me when I say I need Ava. I’m gonna ask her to do things she won't want to do but she will. My father will be unhappy, but that's the plan. I can’t tell you more than that, I’m sorry.” His statement causes me to falter and makes me even more anxious. He knows what he is doing will piss off a whole bunch of people, yet he is doing it anyway and he doesn’t want to discuss his reason with his only friend… I smell trouble with a capital T.

“Sounds like you have it all planned out. So what’s your plan to win her over?” I ask, hoping I will be able to help him not make a cock up of this.

“Well, we are having dinner soon. I am hoping that she will be able to see how much I have to offer her, but I’m going to make it very clear to her that when she agrees to my deal, I will not only wipe off Manny’s debt but I will also buy that shithole they call a house. I might even sweeten the deal by agreeing to give Manny a monthly payment that he can gamble and piss up the wall. All she has to do in return is marry me and be the good little wife I need her to be. You don’t need to know why it has to be Ava, but just know that it does.” Fuck, did he just say marriage? He actually does have it well thought out and there's no way Ava can say no to that. She is all about caring for her father and doing everything she can to look after him. But will she give up her own life and happiness, just to protect him?

I mumble out congratulations to Grant and tell him that it's a good plan, but really my heart is racing and my head is spinning. I know he said there was a very good reason why he chose Ava, but I have to know what it was. As my head is spinning, Grant stands to take his leave.

“I need to go and get ready for dinner. I trust this information will remain just with you, as always,” he states, like he always does. He’s paranoid that people are reporting back to his father about him, which I am sure that they are.

After Grant has gone, I use the time I have to scout out the house again, armed with the knowledge I now have, I need to find out what secrets he has been keeping from me.

Chapter Eight

Grant

As I leave Ryder in the living room, I feel a lot more confident now that he knows my plan. He’s always the sensible one, the planner, and so if he thinks a plan is good then it's because there is no better one. Just as I am about to head out of the room, I remember what he said about my father. I can’t believe I ever had the nerve to suggest Ryder isn’t loyal to me, I know he is. But it’s important for me to keep all of my employees on their toes, including my best friend. He did tell me that even if he doesn’t report this back to Father, someone else might and I need to know who. So I turned back to face him.

“Ryder, before I go, you mentioned that there are people who will be quick to report my actions to Father. Do you know who these people are?” I ask him as casually as I can but inside, I’m seething. I handpicked and hired every person who works in this building. They work for me and have nothing to do with Father or his business. So, he obviously has approached someone in my employment and has turned them into his spy. I need to find out who they are so I can get rid of them. I don’t need him ruining my plans before they have really even begun.

“Not for sure, no. But I know what your father is like, he will have eyes and ears inside this place for sure,” Ryder replies.

“Yeah, well, I can't have him knowing my business. I want you and Vic to interrogate every person I have on staff and have Eli perform deep dives on their bank accounts. I need to know if any of them have any contact with my father or any of his known associates. When you find out who it is, I want to speak to them. Ok?” As I am passing on the instructions to Ryder, I feel a vibration as my phone goes off in my pocket, indicating a message. Reading the message causes my heart to race and it feels as though my stomach has sank. He knows.

“Put a rush on that, Ryder. Someone has already informed Father. He is requesting our company at the big house tomorrow morning at ten. He says to ensure you are there as he wants to discuss bringing us both onboard for the next shipment.” I can see Ryder's eyes go wide on hearing this. While my father has been saying for a while that he is training me to take over from him and that he wants Ryder trained as my right hand man, he has never made good on this promise. He has never included us in any major plans, only low level shit. Well, not since I fucked up the last piece of training he took us to. So this is big. I am just worried that the only reason he is saying I can be a part of a shipment is because he wants to have something to barter with. It’s like hanging a carrot in front of me and saying that I can have it as long as I give Ava back.

“Fuck, G, that’s big news. Being involved in a shipment and getting more access into how the business runs is what you have been working towards, well, what we both have. This is a big day, man. Why don’t you look happy?” Ryder asks with an obviously fake, forced smile on his face.

“Come on, Ryder. You and I both know my father does not do anything as a nice gesture, particularly after I have disobeyed his orders. I went against his instructions by bringing Ava here and I knew he would not be happy. I expected he would call me in for a bollocking, but this is a whole new level of mind play. I have no idea what’s on his fucking mind. We have to be ready for anything and everything tomorrow, Ryder. You prepare and I am going to win over the girl. I won't need you until the morning. See you then,” I say as I walk away. Using the fancy app Eli set up on my phone, I make sure that the door to Ava’s room unlocks so she can come down as instructed. I have security everywhere, so if she eventhinksabout trying to run, I’ll know. That’s why I can confidently sit here and wait, knowing she will be here soon.

---