Page 22 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Bodyguard

CHAPTER SEVEN

Byron

Over the next few days, I worked with Carmen to make sure that Jess was seen by a doctor and a psychologist. And anything else she might need to try to recover from five years in the Gray Bones MC.

I was in Carmen’s office one morning, talking about what my plan was.

“I can’t in good conscience let that club just keep operating that way. Or at all,” I said.

“What can you do about it?” Carmen was looking as lovely as always. Her silky black hair fell over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her makeup was perfect. And she was wearing purple. That and red were my favorite colors on her. With her olive skin, brown eyes, and dark hair, she looked like a vision.

I was surprised, though, to be comparing Carmen to Jess without even really meaning to do so. They were both gorgeous; there was no denying that. But there was something about Jess that was different. Something that I hadn’t felt for anyone before. Not even Carmen.

I’d had a thing for Carmen Salazar since I was thirteen. Reynolds and I were good friends with Nico Salazar, and we’d gone home with him for a week over spring break when the dorms were closed at our exclusive boarding school. The three of us had met and become instant best friends. I’d been thankfulthey’d been nice to me. Reynolds and Nico were handsome and popular. I was… not.

I’d been excited to stay at Nico’s house for spring break. I’d never had many friends. I was geeky, shy, and my parents had extreme standards for who they’d let me stay with. The Salazars had passed because my dad was somehow linked to their businesses. I didn’t understand it; I was just glad to get to go.

Reynolds was staying with Nico, too, even though he was from West Bay. He didn’t really enjoy being around his parents, and apparently the feeling was mutual.

I hadn’t known that Nico had the most beautiful sister in the world. Sometimes I think if I’d known and stayed away, it would have been better for everyone.

But Carmen. Back then I couldn’t have imagined my life without her in it, even in some small way.

***

Byron, Age Thirteen

Walking around Nico’s palatial home the morning after we got there, I clocked the security system they had. I knew then. That’s how Dad knew the Salazars. It sometimes amazed me how far reaching my father’s security business was. He presented it as if he was just a regular wealthy businessman from the DC area. In truth, he provided security for millionaires, billionaires, political figures, famous celebrities, and more all over the globe. And he trained future bodyguards on the grounds of our mansion in the Virginia area. It had been described as a ‘private version of Quantico,’ and people weren’t wrong when they said that.

We had a lot of former FBI agents on staff for us.

I knew that one day I’d take over from my father; he’d made that clear. But at thirteen? That was the last thing on my mind. The morning after we’d arrived in West Bay, Georgia, I’dheaded downstairs. I was awakened by my growling stomach and followed my nose to find the delicious smells of breakfast.

Nico and Reynolds were still sound asleep. They were also still short. They hadn’t hit their growth spurts yet, but I had. I was already six-two and weighed all of 120 pounds. I looked ridiculously skinny even though I ate all the time.

So, when I rounded the corner into the kitchen and saw a goddess, I was on my own. Nico had said he had a sister. He just hadn’t said she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

I stood and stared at her.

She laughed. “Hey. I’m Carmen.” She flipped her long hair over her shoulder, and I saw that she was wearing a silky pajama dress or something. She had big boobs. I looked away quickly, knowing I was blushing.

She laughed again and walked over to me, standing closer. “You’re not like Nico or Reynolds,” she said.

I just stared.

“Do you talk?”

I cleared my throat. “Uh, yeah. Hi. I’m, um…” I trailed off. She was eating a strawberry, and I was staring at her mouth. To this point in my life, I’d never looked at a girl like this. I was interested in school and video games. Not women.

But that had changed in an instant.

“Did you forget your name?” She cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Byron.”

“Byron. Like Lord Byron the poet?”

I highly doubted that’s who my parents had named me after, but I didn’t say anything.