Present...
"So, you're her bodyguard?" Angela heard Daphne's voice as she was walking down the stairs.
"Sort of. I'd rather not call myself her bodyguard but unfortunately, I am for now." His deep voice sounded gruff and thick as if he had just woken up.
Angela slowed down her flight down the stairs so she could eavesdrop more on the conversation.
"Are you, her family?" Daphne asked.
It wasn't Daphne's fault that she was asking so many questions. That woman has an inquisitive nature and she always interviewed all of Angela's friends to make sure the girl was surrounded by good people. And Daphne has excellent observing skills. She often reads people like an open book.
"Not blood related but we grew up together at the same place."
"How old are you, young man?"
"I'll be turning 30 in about two months."
"Oh, you must think of Angela like your little sister." Daphne smiled.
Angela poked her head inside and watched how Luca frowned. Even Angela was scowling. From where do they look like siblings? She didn't think of him as her brother.
Ewww.
"I think of her more like an annoying brat," Luca said plainly and Daphne gasped, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Angela is not a brat. She's the sweetest soul that I've ever met." Daphne retorted and Luca's brow shot up.
"Sweetest? From where? Since I've known her, she loves to make faces and give me her death glares. She didn't even know all that glaring made her look like a little bunny huffing and puffing in rage but can't do anything about it." He smirked. His eyes shone, recalling how she glared at him all the time.
Angela blinked; lip tied. She was at a safe distance, and he couldn't scent her, so he wouldn't know she was standing there.
"Are you bullying her, Mr. Perez?"
"Please, just call me Luca. And I'm not bullying her. I'm just here to protect her on her brother's command."
"I think you have a misconception about Angela," Daphne said while kneading the dough. Luca was sitting on the stool at the island counter.
"And why do you think that? Because I said she's a brat?"
"Yes, that child is not a brat. She's the kindest soul I've ever met. She had helped with my son's medical b-"
"I can smell something delicious. What are you making?" Angela cut her off by stepping into the kitchen. Daphne's eyes snapped to Angela, and she passed her a gentle smile.
"Come have a seat, I'm making your favorite garlic bread. The breakfast will be ready in 15-20 minutes." Daphne said.
Luca, who hadn't looked at her once, felt her sitting opposite him. He raised his eyes and their gaze locked.
Angela narrowed her eyes at him hoping he'd look away but that was impossible. In the end, she was the one who broke eye contact because it was getting too intense.
"Daphne, weren't you scared seeing such a scary man in my house?" Angela asked, smirking down at her phone.
She didn't like how he casually talked with Daphne when Angela wasn't there and now, he was as silent as the night.
"Oh, I was. But he explained to me who he was. He even showed a picture of you with him when you were younger, so I believed him. And Mr. Perez is rather handsome. I didn't find him scary." Daphne said.
Angela's eyes widened. "Show me that picture? I don't recall having any pictures with you."
"It's a family picture." He said dispassionately, looking away.
She frowned at him. What was this rotten mood? He was just fine when he was talking to Daphne.
"Show me."
"No."
"Why not?"
"It wasn't a family picture. You both were alone in the picture and Angela you were glaring at him while he wasn't looking." Daphne filled in.
Angela was even more curious now.
"Lennox took it and sent it to me five years ago." He said in a dismissing tone, but Angela wasn't having it. She wanted to see that picture.
"Daphne? If anyone else showed up and showed you a picture of me glaring at someone, would you believe that person is allowed in my house?" Angela asked, facing Daphne who stiffened. Her eyes went wide.
"I... I..." She looked shell-shocked.
Angela chuckled. "You know there are people who change. Some dearest people have hurt you the most. Next time don't believe any pictures. Maybe I didn't want to be anywhere near the person in the picture." She said and Daphne watched her dead silently.
Angela could feel Luca's gaze drilling holes in the back of her head.
"Angela-" Daphne started.
"I'm just kidding. Look at your face." Angela laughed and Daphne took a breath of relief.
"I'll be in the lounge. Call me when breakfast is ready." Angela said and stepped out of there.
She skipped channels and barely watched anything when Daphne called her.
Angela took her seat beside Luca leaving one stool between them for space as Daphne sat opposite them. They had their breakfast and Angela was ready to leave when Luca stopped her.
"What's your schedule? I think you should stay at home for a couple of days-" He was still saying when she got to her feet and went to her room. As if she would listen to him.
Angela wore her gym attire, grabbed her bag and headed out of her room only to find him standing in the corridor blocking her way with his hands tucked in his pockets. She was in no mood to fight with him. Angela wanted to start her day off as good.
"It was disrespectful what you did at the table. I was still talking-"
"But I'm a brat. So, I must behave like one."
"Angela-"
"Step aside. I'm going to the gym."
"You can exercise at home for a couple of days." He spoke. Luca hates to be disrespected the most. No one has ever cut him mid-sentence, but Angela seemed to be in love with doing that.
"Step aside. You're welcome to be my bodyguard and tag along. I'm not sitting at home because some as*hole was sending threats to Hunter," she said sharply and stepped closer.
Luca summoned patience and silently stepped aside while gritting his molars to suppress the anger that she dug out of him.
Angela jogged to the gym with Luca right behind her. His focus was sharp, and he made sure to watch her surroundings like a hawk.
The gym wasn't fully packed as he watched her begin with the warm-up. He noticed her telling the manager that Luca was her bodyguard. They allowed him to be near her. Though he didn't like to be referred to as a bodyguard, he didn't want to start a fight with that little hothead.
Though she was a small little thing, she could chew him up and spit the remains out in a verbal fight. He would never tell her that she already had the sharpest tongue in the world.
He watched how she wiggled out of her oversized hoodie after the warm-up. She was wearing a compressed shirt and leggings.
Luca blinked as she tied her shoulder-length hair up in a ponytail and wore her AirPods Max.
His eyes lingered down her body which was gorgeous. Her posture was excellent and when she turned his eyes zoomed on her glutes which were to die for.
Noticing a gaze at her she looked up and Luca abruptly looked away. The tip of his ears turned a bright shade of red as he glared at the floor. Thankfully he was bronze-skinned. It wouldn't be that visible and it was just shame and nothing else.
What the f*ck was wrong with him? He didn't mean to check her out. It happened unintentionally. It wasn't anything intimate though. He was just appreciating the work she had done on her body.
After a couple of minutes, he watched as she wore her gloves and began punching the punching bag. He narrowed his eyes; her punches were slightly off. It was because of her legs.
"You need to put your right leg a few inches ahead." He spoke.
She looked down and did as he said but it wasn't right, so Luca stepped closer, and just like that she stopped breathing, feeling the tip of his fingers and thumb pressing firmly on her lower back. Grabbing her thigh with the tip of his fingers he guided it into the right position and stood up straight right behind her so that she could feel his hot breath on her ear.
It was like a deja vu.
Angela stepped away from him and he quietly stepped aside. She took a sharp breath to calm her nerves and took the position he demonstrated to her and punched the bag with all her might so that it crashed back into the wall with a bang, and everyone looked at her. Though the bag didn't rip because of the gloves she was wearing, she successfully showed him that she was trained and good at it. After all, he was the one who taught her.
Luca arched a brow but said nothing. She was showing off her moves and reminding him she wasn't weak.
Angela then lifted some weights, and he watched her dumbfounded. She wasn't on the same level when he used to train her. Angela had reached the next level. She was strong, there was no doubt about it.
He liked how she focused on her core strength and still looked like a fragile girl.
After the gym, she got back home, changed her clothes, and drove to uni. She didn't even wait for him, so he had to follow behind in his car.
These small things were ticking him off, but he remained patient.
At university, Luca wasn't let inside, and she was so thankful about it. She attended her classes and was heading out when Milo showed up. "How's your wound?" he asked looking at the bandaid. Her wound had healed thanks to her werewolf powers, but she had to pretend that it was healing.
"It's healing rather quickly."
"What about that guy? Did he bother you?"
"He's now my bodyguard. Currently waiting outside the gate," She grumbled.
"Who is this person we are talking about?" Maeve asked.
"Luca," Angela muttered and Milo filled Maeve in on what happened yesterday. Angela told them that her brother was worried about her, and that was why he sent a bodyguard for her protection.
"If he annoys you then just use one of your tricks and teach him a lesson for hitting you yesterday," Milo said wiggling his brows and Angela grinned.
"Why not? Let's go for drinks. Let's have a party tonight. He can wait here for all I care. This will be my revenge," She thought, smirking. This will be her mini revenge for making her wait every day for an hour during her training days. She left her car behind, this way it would take him longer to realize she was gone.
"Let's go," she said, and they went to the backside and jumped down the wall. Milo helped Maeve. Angela switched off her phone and they left from there.
They went to the club which was fully packed. Milo dropped them at Maeve's place where both the girls got ready for the night. Angela borrowed one of Maeve's dresses. Maeve was thin so her dress was tight on Angela showcasing all her curves. It was dark red. She did her light makeup and made a bun out of her hair.
Milo picked them up and they headed to the club. Julian was also there along with other members of the bikers' club.
Angela had a few drinks until she felt a little light and free. She danced with Maeve on the dance floor. Milo was there to protect them from the idiots who tried to approach them.
Angela looked bombshell hot, and Maeve looked so cute. He was protecting his little beans when all of a sudden, a hand clasped his shoulder, and he was shoved away with such force that he crashed into a guy.
Angela watched Milo stunned when a strong hand seized her wrist in a brutish hold. Her eyes faintly noticed the fuming steel grey hues and the next thing he was roughly dragging her out of there.
Past. 5 years ago... "You don't have to be so rude." She countered glaring up at him as her eyes turned misty. How dare he yell at her like that? Her father and brothers never scolded her. Who did he think he was? "Your non-serious attitude is pissing me off," He gritted lowly. He was standing in her personal space. But she didn't care, Angela leaned forward glaring up at him. "Don't yell at me." They both maintained eye contact and the way he glared at her with that ruthless look had her taking an involuntary step back. "D... Don't scare me like that." She said in a small voice blinking desperately so as not to cry and show him that he scares the living daylight out of her. Luca closed his eyes for a brief second and stepped back. Giving his back to her he raked his fingers through his hair and inhaled deeply to control his temper. "You're done for the day. Leave. Be on the training grounds at 5 tomorrow." He said in his rough voice. Angela didn't wait a s
Present... Angela gaped at his massive shoulders as he dragged her from there. Her eyes narrowed and she tried to free her wrist. Angela didn't think of the consequences at all. This was Luca she was dealing with. She should've thought about the aftermath, but she didn't. It completely slipped her mind. But it wasn't like he could hurt her or anything. She didn't understand the fear that began to coil in the bottom of her belly. "Let go of me," She demanded tugging at her hand, but his hold was ferocious to the point she was sure he would bruise her skin. If Angela weren't drunk, she would've fought him tooth and nail but at that moment she couldn't fight him. "You're hurting me," She clawed at his hand and his hold on her loosened. Angela didn't wait a second before she freed her hand and dashed in the opposite direction. She hurried to the back door and stepped out, inhaling the cool air deeply. A loud gasp left her lips when a hand appeared behind her and cla
Past. 5 years ago... Her brows scrunched in her sleep as she slowly blinked her eyes open. A groan left her lips feeling the wild pounding in her head. She rubbed her temples to ease the pain as she closed her eyes. "Ugh, what the hell?" She groaned. Angela had never felt such an immense headache in her life. Her head felt so heavy. Angela turned to the side and placed the other pillow on her head. If only she had more time, she would've slept the whole day, but Luca would kill her for being late for training. With much difficulty, she sat up straight and rubbed her temples. Angela blinked her eyes open to look at the clock and her eyes almost popped out of her sockets in shock. It was 11 in the morning. How did she sleep all this time? Her alarm didn't go off. What in the world was happening? Angela stepped out of bed in a hurry only to wince as she closed her eyes tightly and paused. Luca was going to kill her. She was sure of it. He'd made her train for 24
Present... Just as their lips touched, she pulled back, dropping to the balls of her feet. Angela blinked at him muddled. "I think I've kissed you before. It feels like Deja vu," She mumbled, touching her lips. "So, you remembered," He rasped. Eyes darker than ever and jaw clenched. He looked mad. "Remember what?" She slurred, cluelessly. "That you kissed me 5 years ago when you were drunk. It was your dare," He breathed. Her eyes lit up and she blushed, pressing her fingers on her lips and looking up at him with those big sparkling eyes. "Of course, I remember it but you don't need to know that. It was so embarrassing. I still couldn't believe I wasted my first precious kiss on a cold emotionless jerk like you," She grumbled huffing in annoyance. The muscles in his jaw feathered as he glared at her. "Jerk?" His deep voice sounded clipped, icy. "Yeah, of course, you're a jerk. Listen Luca and listen well," she said, stepping closer to him as s
Past. 5 years ago... "I'm so excited," Angela beamed joyously. "Me too," Ella squealed. "Me three," Emily clapped her hands. Ella and Emily were Violet's younger half-sisters. These girls were the most adorable on this planet, and their sass was out of the charts. "We'll swim in the pond," Emily said. "For sure," Angela winked at the little girl. Violet ensured they got all the stuff they needed for the picnic. "You guys are being a third wheel for no reason. I just wanted to spend some time with Violet," Lennox sulked. "You took her on a dinner date just last night. Such a simp," Ella said, earning a chortle from Angela and Lennox narrowed his eyes at the little girl. "So what? She is my wife." "And she's our sister," Ella retorted. "Okay. Okay. No fighting. Let's get in the car," Violet said and they all settled in. Angela took the back seat along with the girls as she checked the messages from her mom when Lennox pulled over to the side and stepp
Present... Angela woke up with a heavy pounding on her head. She groaned and lay on the bed, trying to recall last night. Her head felt so freaking heavy. She rarely drank but last night she wanted to feel free and enjoy herself. That was why she drank. She wondered who dropped her home. Probably Maeve and Milo. She snuggled more into the pillow feeling her body relax. Blinking her eyes, she glanced at the clock and groaned in annoyance. She had classes in the afternoon. She groggily sat up on the bed and stared at nothingness, a bit dazed. Her head was throbbing badly, she hated this pain but still, she liked to drink once in a while. Angela stared down at her clothes. "Jesus, how did I even sleep in this?" She mumbled to herself, staring down at the dress. Pulling to her feet she winced because of the headache. Angela shimmied out of the dress and laid out her clothes on the bed. She was roaming in her room butt naked. Pouring herself some water she chu
Past. 5 years ago... Angela glanced at Luca who stood a couple of feet away from her. His eyes were void and cold. Not a hint of a smile on his face. She just landed two blows on Nolan today, despite how fast the man was and yet there was little to no appreciation from Luca. Nolan appreciated her, and even Kevin gave her a thumbs up, but Luca didn't seem satisfied. He tipped his head at Nolan who walked away. Luca stepped closer to her and stared at the number of bruises on her. "Landing a punch isn't a success when you look like this. You were so into having a hit on him that you presented yourself on a silver platter for him to hurt you, if it were the enemy, you would've been dead by now," he said looking somewhat furious. "Okay," she said in a small voice, and she noticed how surprise flashed in his eyes because she never listened to him before and just now, she didn't counter back with a sassy response so of course he'll be surprised. "Are you following the die
Present... His hand reached out. Luca grabbed her throat in a tight hold and jerked her closer. Her fragile hands landed on his chest as she tried to pull back. Her eyes snapped up to meet his dark gaze as flecks of copper swirled in his grey hues. "Let go," she said. Angela grabbed his hand trying to free herself, but his hold was firm and a bit painful. "Why did you hit me?" He growled at her face causing her to flinch. Her heartbeat quickened and fear began to pool in the bottom of her belly as she tried to regulate her breathing. "Answer me," He roared when she stayed mum. Her bottom lip quivered as she looked up staring into his eyes. "B... Because you insulted me," She tried to tell him. "Am I lying?" He gritted. Tears gathered in her eyes as she tried to free herself from his hold. "D... Don't make me punch you again. Let me go-" Her lips parted, and a soundless gasp left her lips when Luca dived down and bit her neck. Hard. Her eyes widened, feelin