It’s weird. 

Having Silas here, him sitting across from me in my office. He seems so out of place, but it makes me realise he is out of place. He shouldn’t be here, but I need him here. I also want him here… There’s that, too. 

He’s like the silver lining in all of this.

“Who do you think wants you dead?” Silas breaks the silence, fixing his gaze on me.

I glance over at Eugene, hoping he will answer the question for me. Instead, he keeps his eyes locked on Holly while she is busy staring at me. Of course, he isn’t going to be much help with a pretty girl in the room with us. Sometimes I wonder how he is even my friend. 

“I don’t know.” I admit, sighing softly, “bastard has managed to evade us.”

Holly raises an eyebrow and I’m certain that she must think that we are crazy since we should know who wants to kill us. What else can I say? We don’t normally have these kinds of problems.

“We’ve had no problems with anyone.” Eugene finally adds in, “this is all very surprising.”

Opp. Bad choice of words.

“Surprising?” Holly turns towards him, looking at him like he is crazy, “we’re in the mafia world. How could you not know your enemies?”

“We are not your typical group.” I explain, hoping that they can understand where I am coming from, “we do have enemies, but they can’t hurt us. We’re worth more to them alive, so we all cohabit peacefully.”

“Well, someone thinks differently.” Holly retorts it in a matter-of-fact tone that reminds me so much of Silas, “who do you think that might be?”

Holly waits for me expectantly to answer but I have nothing. So, I say nothing.

“What he thinks doesn’t matter.” Silas grumbles, causing the both of us to look at him, “the fastest way to end this is to find out who the mastermind is.”

Silas stands up from his seat and goes to watch outside through the glass wall. His dominating aura fills the air, making me want to jump him. I really don’t know how he is so sexy.

“It seems he is smart enough to remain incognito. Until we find out who that is, we’re going to focus on protecting you.” Silas continues as he turns back to look at me, “which means you’re going to have to listen to everything I say.”

I groan internally. Oh, fuck me.

I really hate taking orders. The only person who orders me around and I listen to is my mother. Since Silas looks nothing like her, I don’t plan on following all his orders. I’ll follow some of it, I’m not suicidal in case you haven’t noticed. But I’ll still put up a fight one way or another. But I know I need to do my best to remain on his good side.

“Silas, you-“ I start to say, but he cuts me off.

“It’s Gray.” He growls, gesturing towards my office, “we’re going to start with you moving to a new office.”

What? I glance at Eugene. He’s too busy staring at Holly… Once again. Well, at least his taste in women isn’t that bad this time. That’s something at least.

“I’m not changing my office.” I protest, rising to my feet, “there’s no need to.”

“It’s made of glass,” He points out the obvious, “all it’ll take is a good shot and a nice gun to kill you from any one of those buildings.”

“This is the highest building around here, and I’m on the top floor in case you didn’t notice.” I argue, crossing my arms across my chest, “also, no one can see into the building. The glass can only be seen out, not in. No one is going to shoot me that easily.”

“Lennox is right.” Holly adds in which surprises me, “I think he is the safest here.”

“What about his home?” Eugene asks, pursing his lips, “is he safe there, too?”

“He’s not.” Holly disagrees, which surprises me that I’m not, “Silas broke into his house. Even though most killers are not as good as he is at breaking into houses… I think Silas has confirmed that Lennox’s house is penetrable.”

“Where am I going to stay then?” I ask, confused more than anything.

Dammit, I hate this. Could this get any worse? I can’t stay at my house anymore. Is that the real answer? Where am I going to stay? A hotel? I don’t like that idea at all.

“You could stay at my place.” Eugene offers like he isn’t afraid, “it should be okay.”

“There’s no way I’m putting you in danger, Gene.” I tell him, not happy that he would even suggest that, “they are after me.”

Even if I die, Gene should live to take on my work.

“You don’t know that! Maybe I’ll be next.” Eugene tries to reason with me, “they could be after all of us.”

Well, God, I hope not.

“Still, you can’t protect me.” I murmur, knowing it is true, “I might have to-“

“I can.” Silas cuts us off, looking like he is getting annoyed with our bickering back and forth.

We all turn to look at him.

“I’m not going to prison.” He explains, walking forward and sitting back down in his seat, “so, you’ll be staying with me.”

I choke. Literally.

Eugene comes to my side to pat me on the back. What is happening?!

“I’m okay.” I whisper, staring at Silas now.

“Um, I guess that would be the safest place he could stay in for now,” Holly murmurs, looking as surprised as I am about his offer.

It came out of nowhere. I don’t know whether to be happy, or to just cry. I’m sure I’ll be over the moon when I’ve calmed down enough but right now, I am just freaking out. Staying with Silas… What will happen?

“So, that’s settled then.” Silas continues as if it is something so insignificant, “we’ll pick up your stuff tonight.” 

I remain speechless as he turns to Holly.

“We’ll go check out the security around here.” Silas murmurs, just deciding to do what he wants.

Okay then, go ahead.

Holly nods. He walks to the door with Holly trailing behind him. Alessia opens the door, but they don’t acknowledge her as they walk out. Alessia walks in, a frown on her face, making her look older than she is. My cousin is just a few years older than I am, and trust me, I’m not even old. Not even close.

“What’s Silas Gray doing here?” Alessia asks curiously, “I didn’t expect to ever see him here.”

Damn, I really wish Silas wasn’t so popular. She glances back at the door, a look of curiosity on her face. I hope she isn’t interested in him because I have already staked a claim to him. Alessia is beautiful and it makes me wonder why she hasn’t settled down with anyone yet. I know she is more than good enough to be with someone.

“Is something wrong, Lennox?” She wonders as she places a hand on my arm, searching my face for a sign of distress, “something is off about you.”

I just smile to cover it up. I look over at Eugene who is behind her, and he shakes his head slowly. He’s telling me not to tell her about Silas and I agree. I don’t want to put anyone in danger than they probably already are. She is my cousin, and I really don’t need her in harm’s way.

“I’m fine, Sia.” I reassure her, taking her hand in mine, “I hired Silas as my bodyguard.”

I’m still telling her the truth; she just doesn’t need to know the whole details. I trust her with everything. Well, almost everything. I don’t trust her to not tell my parents. I know how worried mom would get and I don’t want that for her. So, I’ll just keep it a secret until the threat is gone and I’m safe.

“You guys wanted me to get one, so I did.” I tried to make a joke about it, “he’s the best of the best.”

“But everyone knows that Silas Gray doesn’t protect anymore?” Alessia disagrees, raising an eyebrow at me and I should have known it wouldn’t be so easy to fool her, “why would he protect you?”

I just laugh, trying to brush it off, “really? Well, I guess I am an exception then.”

Alessia doesn’t look happy about that. I can tell Alessia knows there’s more to the story. I just hope she doesn’t push it. After what feels like forever, she finally nods, letting it go. I knew she would thankfully.

“Fine, as long as you are fine.” She murmurs, giving me a smile before looking over at Eugene, “just came to inform you two that Blue Eli is ours. They signed the contract today.”

Alessia is a marketing genius. She can sell anything, and as much as Eugene and I have put a lot into developing the company, she has, too. Especially with getting us business with other mafia gangs. We’re lucky to have her. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her.

“Wow, that’s great, Sia.” I tell her honestly, “I know you could do it.”

“It’s impressive.” Eugene agrees, making Alessia blush.

“Well, just doing my job.” She murmurs modestly like I knew she would, “I’ll get going then.”

I nod, giving her hand one more squeeze before letting go. She walks to the door but then suddenly stills as she turns to look at me. I can’t read the expression on her face which is a bit scary.

“I’ll see you on Sunday for dinner?” She asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

I just nodded again, “of course.”

She walks out, shutting the door as she will head to her own office. I relaxed a little bit, glad that she didn’t push it too much. I should be happy that she trusts me to know what I am doing.

“You don’t want me to tell her about Gray.” I murmur to Eugene, seeing how he is looking around nervously, “why?”

“No, and you already know that.” Eugene grumbles, as if it is obvious, “she would flip out and tell your parents.”

Before I could say anything else, Silas and Holly walked back in. I don’t know if I like the expressions on their faces. Of course, I am captured by Silas’ intense gaze once again.

“What did you guys find?” Eugene asks them, evading our former conversation. 

“Your security is shit.” Holly states plain and simply, “do you guys even care about your lives at all?”

“We have security cameras everywhere.” Eugene tries to reason with her, “they see everything.”

“Yeah, but can they shoot?” Holly fires back, “kick someone in the butt? You’re literally defenceless!”

“We didn’t need to defend ourselves until now.” Eugene murmurs, a little miffed by her comments.

“I’ll have some of my men come here.” Silas tells me, being in charge like usual, “I demand that your employees treat them with respect. They work for ME, not you.”

“I’ll handle it.” Eugene promises, being the little puppy once again.

“I’ll come with you.” Holly offers, not noticing how Eugene perks up, “you could give me a tour of the place while we are at it. You guys are the reason I’m missing my vacation anyway.”

I just frown. 

“What vacation?” Eugene whispers to me, and I shrug.

I have no idea what she is talking about.

“It wasn’t a vacation, Holly.” Silas growls, making Holly smile.

“They don’t know that.” She giggles, “and I told you it was a vacation for me at least.”

Holly really is a strange one. The whole situation has just taken a turn. Holly is now showing us her real self after observing Eugene and me. And it seems like I was way off about her. Interesting. She comes towards us, probably thinking that she is hot shit. She is smiling at Eugene with the kind of smile that would make him weak in the knees.

“Come on, we don’t want me to get lost, do we?” She murmurs, placing her hand on his arm.

I can tell Eugene blushes. God. Holly moves along towards the door, and Eugene follows behind like a lost puppy. They would honestly make a cute couple.

“I doubt your camera will find me.” She continues to tease him.

“They’re called security cameras.” Eugene mumbles, but he is still blushing.

“I think I’ve made it clear that they don’t do much securing.” Holly replies, rolling her eyes, “you should give them another name.”

They both walk out of the door. Their voices become muffled by the sound-proofed office. Silas and I are together alone again. I turn to look at him, and I go incredibly still. He’s staring at me. I feel my skin burn, and my palms are sweaty. Just like the night he tried to kill me, but I think I’m reacting because of a more different reason now. How on Earth am I going to live with this man for even a day without pouncing on him? I think I might go crazy.

“Do you have coffee?” He asks me, breaking my lustful thoughts. 

“Uh?” I know he said something, but my brain really didn’t comprehend it.

He raises an eyebrow like I’m crazy, “I asked if you have coffee?”

“Oh, coffee…” I look around, but there’s no coffee machine in my office.

I’m not really a fan of coffee. I do have a few wines in my cabinet, but I doubt he will take that instead. I try to remember where the closest one is instead.

“Um, yeah, I think there’s a coffee maker in the break room.” I murmur, wondering why he leaves me so frazzled.

He nods. He strolls past me, his cologne filling my nostrils for a few seconds before they dissipate. He gets out of my office in search of his coffee, the one I know now that he loves to drink with cream. I hope he knows where the break room is. I finally get around to sit behind my desk. Drawing in deep breaths to calm myself as I spin on my chair, trying to clear my mind. What a morning. If it weren’t for my mom’s warning about me turning into an alcoholic, I would have opened a bottle of wine. Taking out my phone, I update my list of things that I need to buy. I added a coffee machine to the list to appease Silas.

Silas is going to be here for a while. It won’t be fair to have him going to the break room every time to make his coffee. I’m also doing it for some selfish reasons. He gets his coffee. I get to have him never leave my sight.

Overall, it’s a win-win situation.

I don’t know if Silas would have agreed with me.