CHAPTER 3
Scarlett
Since the reluctant deal I’d come to with my dad a few days earlier, I’d been frantically trying to organize my trip. With money no longer being an issue, I didn’t really have to plan the whole four months travel in one go. Consequently, I decided to just get to Europe, graciously knowing Daddy’s Amex Black card would handle the rest.
The first thing I did was determine which of my friends weren’t still studying, knocked-up, or already working full-time. Surprisingly, even with the promise of a no-expense spared luxury trip, only a few showed interest. I tended to forget that considering the expensive schools I’d attended, many of my friends came from families even richer than mine. So naturally, they weren’t nearly as impressed or excited about the little getaway I was so thrilled about. They’d been there and done that already.
Luckily, I’d managed to find two who were at least somewhat interested in joining me on my adventure—Raven and Lonette. I’d managed to persuade them by promising it would be a chance to meet some handsome foreign men who’d undoubtedly be willing to show us a good time.
That caught their attention, as I knew it would.
In reality though, I mainly wanted to experience new cultures, see the sights, and try the food. If a little romance happened along the way, that would just be an added bonus.
“Shit,” I muttered at my huge suitcase. I slumped down on my bed in defeat, wearing nothing but underwear and an annoyed expression. I’d been daydreaming while packing and hadn’t realized my suitcase was already stuffed to capacity.
Resting my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands, I contemplated whether it would be acceptable to pack a second suitcase.
I’ll be gone for months, I reasoned. Certainly, that warrants a second suitcase. After all, I’d hate to be away from home and discover that I’d forgotten something…
Deciding another suitcase was the only logical answer, I got up, feeling better. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I smiled.
“This is going to be fun,” I told my reflection.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts and reminding me that I wasn’t dressed.
Great timing, I thought.
I’d done quite a bit of online shopping in preparation for the trip, so I figured it was one of my deliveries coming in. Not many people other than mail carriers made it past the guards at the front gate.
Tossing on my big fluffy pink dressing gown, I hoped the packages contained the cute bikinis I had ordered. I ran down the large spiral staircase, lightly gripping the handrail.
When I opened the door, I found myself staring chest-level at a hulking figure filling most of the doorway. Muscles bulged visibly beneath a too tight black t-shirt.
I raised my gaze. My visitor stood with his arms politely held behind his back in a military-like pose. I wasn’t particularly short at 5’6”, but this guy was a good foot taller than me.
Ah…so this must be the bodyguard, I realized.
But then it occurred to me that the guards at the gate wouldn’t have had a chance against this guy, so there was really no telling who he was….
I swallowed nervously.
“Ma’am,” the figure nodded, his calm and soft deep voice oddly hypnotic, “you must be Scarlett. Sorry if I, ah, got you at a bad time. Your father said you’d be in. So, here I am.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other and I could tell by his posture that he was favoring his left knee. I then noticed a scar running down one side of his face as he frowned. “Shit. Sorry,” he continued. “I’m going to be your bodyguard. Guess I should have started with that.” His frown softened. “Ain’t too good at this bit. The protecting part, though—that’s the part I excel at, ma’am.”
No shit. You look like you could shrug off bullets, I thought.
I did my best to regain my composure, remembering that this guy was going to be working for me. I looked at his arms again.
Hell, a second suitcase wasn’t going to be a problem for him, judging from the size of those biceps…
I cleared my throat. “Please, stop calling me ma’am. Scarlet is just fine.” I crossed my arms, feeling slightly defensive for some reason. “I’m not sure why my dad sent you so early. I’m not nearly ready yet. I haven’t even booked a flight.”
His hand was suddenly in front of me, held out in greeting. How such a big man moved so quickly was astounding.
“Pleased to meet you, Scarlett. I’m Travis. Travis James.” I shook his huge hand briefly, the exchange slightly awkward due to the size difference. “And that’s fine. I’m on retainer, fixed fee. I’m ready whenever you are. Need anything done, just ask. Or you need me to fuck off into the shadows, same goes. Any sign of trouble though, you won’t need to shout. It’ll be over before you know it.”
I looked again at the figure standing awkwardly in front of me. A brief moment before the handshake, I’d thought I’d seen a flash of softness in his eyes—a glimpse behind his well-rehearsed ‘I’m a badass’ facade. But now it was gone, leaving me to assume I imagined it. Still, I suspected there was a normal guy in there somewhere.