🔥 Read 15 Chapters Ahead! 🔥
Join my Patreon and get:
đź“– 15 Advance Chapters
đź’¬ Early updates
❤️ Directly support the story
One subscription unlocks everything.
Thank you for supporting!
đź”— Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TemporalPhantom
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was no point in everyone remaining there. Hank crossed the living room in long strides and headed toward the couch.
For the moment, he could only give a few basic instructions. Many issues would have to be handled the next day.
However, while they spoke, several people frequently glanced in Ethan's direction.
Hank made another call and, a few minutes later, motioned for Ethan to join him.
Hank remained silent for several seconds, organizing his thoughts before continuing, as though he were about to say something difficult.
He glanced toward the couch. Taylor remained seated between Chloe and Megan, wrapped in a blanket, although she never took her eyes off them.
—Until we find out who did this, we can't fully trust anyone in her circle —Hank added—. We need to ensure her safety.
Ethan began to understand where the conversation was headed and slowly shook his head.
—I don't like the sound of that.
—The Department has agreed to assign her additional protection —Hank continued, ignoring the comment—. Perry has already spoken with command, and they all believe you're the best option.
—The best option for what?
Hank held his gaze.
—For staying by her side.
Ethan frowned.
—You want me to become her bodyguard?
—Personal protection —Hank corrected him—. You'll accompany her everywhere, clear every location before she enters, and make sure no one approaches her without your knowledge.
Ethan gave a short, incredulous laugh.
—I refuse. You know me. I'm not good at that kind of work.
He was good at chasing criminals and even better at taking them down when circumstances required it. Protecting someone, however, meant remaining on the defensive, anticipating every move, and waiting for the enemy to decide when to strike.
A single distraction could be enough for everything to go wrong.
—I don't have the patience to follow someone around all day, carry her bags, and open the car door for her —he added.
—No one is asking you to carry bags —Hank replied—. Just keep her alive.
Ethan regarded him without amusement.
—That doesn't make the proposal any better.
Hank had agreed that Ethan should be the one chosen. No matter who wanted to hurt Taylor, they would have to get past Ethan first.
The perpetrator had already demonstrated that he could manipulate staff members, smuggle objects into secured locations, and anticipate the security team's movements.
The only way to break that advantage was to place someone outside Taylor's circle at her side, someone the attacker had not had time to study.
Ethan was that person.
Furthermore, after seeing how he reacted to the explosion, Hank knew there was no one better suited for the job. Ethan had covered Taylor with his own body without stopping to consider the consequences.
To reach her, the stalker would have to go through him. Without an assault team, that would be practically impossible.
—No —Ethan replied firmly.
He shook his head again before looking toward the living room.
—It would only be for three days —Chloe interjected quickly.
She approached them as though she had been waiting for the right moment to join the conversation.
—Three days from now, Taylor's concert and all her commitments in Chicago will be over. After that, we'll leave the city.
—Cancel the concert and leave tonight —Ethan suggested—. It would be much safer.
Chloe pressed her lips together.
—It isn't that simple. There are contracts, sponsors, thousands of people working, and tens of thousands of fans who have already bought tickets. Canceling everything would have enormous consequences.
Chloe looked toward Taylor and took a deep breath before continuing.
—But she refuses to let that man decide when she can perform, where she can go, or how she has to live. That's exactly what he wants: to control her through fear.
Ethan did not respond. They were using his own words against him.
—After those three days, we'll leave immediately, whether you've caught that sick man or not —Chloe continued—. We'll also replace some of the staff and investigate everyone in her circle. Until then, however, we need to guarantee Taylor's safety.
She stepped closer to Ethan and lowered her voice.
—We don't know who we can trust. The perpetrator could have someone inside our team. It could be one of the guards, a driver, an assistant, or anyone with access to her itinerary.
—That hasn't been confirmed yet —Hank pointed out.
—But it's a possibility, and we can't ignore it.
Chloe looked back at Ethan.
—No one expected you to be here tonight, and the perpetrator hasn't had time to watch you or anticipate your movements. That gives you an advantage none of our men have.
Ethan remained silent.
He understood the logic. That was precisely why he did not like it.
Accepting would mean staying beside Taylor day and night, becoming the final barrier between her and someone who had already proven willing to mutilate animals, build explosives, and kill to reach his target.
—For these three days, we want you to take personal responsibility for protecting her —Chloe continued—. You won't have to do it alone. Megan and the rest of the team will continue assisting you, but you'll make all decisions concerning her security.
—I'm not accustomed to working with private security.
—They'll follow your instructions.
Megan, who had approached in silence, nodded even though the proposal clearly made her uncomfortable.
—If you accept, you'll have authority over the entire team —she confirmed—. No one will approach Taylor without your authorization.
Ethan looked at Hank.
—Do you expect me to believe that too?
—I expect you to remove anyone who doesn't obey from your path —Hank replied calmly.
Chloe intervened before Ethan could refuse again.
—Of course, we don't expect you to do this without appropriate compensation.
She paused before naming the amount.
—Fifty thousand dollars for the three days. Does that sound acceptable?
The amount made it clear that the offer was serious.
Chloe had witnessed everything Ethan had done since arriving at the house. She had seen how he identified security flaws the hired guards had overlooked, how he remained calm amid the panic, and, above all, how quickly he reacted when the package exploded.
He had not hesitated or tried to save himself.
He threw himself over Taylor and used his own body to protect her from the explosion.
The bloodstained patch covering his shoulder blade was proof of that.
To Chloe, that reaction was worth far more than any résumé, recommendation, or previous experience in private security. Ethan had already proven that if another attack occurred, he would not abandon Taylor to save himself.
That was why she was willing to pay fifty thousand dollars to keep him at Taylor's side for the next three days.
—Thank you, but no.
Ethan rejected the offer without stopping to consider it.
Chloe blinked in surprise. She clearly had not expected anyone to hear that amount and respond with such indifference.
—Isn't the money enough?
Ethan gave a brief smile.
—It's not about the amount. I'm simply not interested.
—Besides, I'm not short on money.
—One hundred thousand dollars —Taylor said.
Her voice carried across the room before Chloe could respond.
Everyone turned toward the couch.
Taylor had risen to her feet and kept the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She was still pale from the explosion, but her gaze remained fixed on Ethan.
—I'll pay you one hundred thousand dollars a day —she added—. Half now and the rest when this is over.
She did not want to experience anything like that again. She had seen the bloodied body of one of her security men, felt the explosion shake the room, and could still remember Ethan's weight covering her while fragments struck his back.
The idea of remaining under the protection of the same team that had allowed the bomb to reach her was unbearable.
That was why she increased the offer without hesitation.
Although she still trusted Ethan, her expression turned slightly colder. She had interpreted his refusal as a matter of money and was now trying to show him that she was willing to pay whatever it took.
—I'm not negotiating —Ethan clarified.
Taylor tightened her grip on the blanket.
—Everyone has a price.
—Maybe. But this isn't mine.
Hank held his breath when he heard the amount.
One hundred thousand dollars for each of the three days would amount to three hundred thousand dollars. Most Chicago police officers would have accepted the proposal before Taylor even finished making it.
It was difficult to imagine a better offer.
For a moment, Hank thought Ethan was only refusing to drive up the price. He immediately dismissed the idea, however. He knew Ethan well enough to understand that money was not the problem.
Ethan owned a house worth several million dollars, drove vehicles no detective could afford on his salary, and never seemed concerned about his expenses.
Three hundred thousand dollars might represent a fortune to any of them, but to him, it was merely a convenient sum.
Hank could not blame him for hesitating either.
He had presented the proposal at Taylor's and his superiors' request. Everyone agreed that Ethan was the best option, but the final decision belonged to him alone.
That was why Hank did not try to persuade him.
He did not mention the money, invoke his authority as a sergeant, or try to make Ethan feel obligated to accept. If Ethan was going to remain beside Taylor for the next three days, he needed to do it willingly.
—The decision is yours —Hank finally said.
Ethan gave him a brief, appreciative look.
Taylor, however, never took her eyes off him. Fear and exhaustion were beginning to overpower the coldness in her expression.
For her, this was no longer a negotiation.
It was a plea she still could not bring herself to voice.
Ethan sighed, preparing to explain himself further.
—Please.
Taylor interrupted him. Her icy blue eyes were filled with tears.
—I need your help.
—I'm going to be honest.
Ethan spread his hands, trying to make her see reason.
—This is the first time we've met. You don't know anything about me, and you shouldn't trust someone you've just met so easily.
—That's exactly why I need you to be a stranger —Taylor insisted—. You're not part of my team, you didn't know my movements, and you have no reason to hurt me.
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.
—Being a stranger doesn't make someone trustworthy.
—No, but you're a detective.
Ethan belonged to the Chicago Intelligence Unit and had arrived there with Hank after Commander Perry requested their help.
His background could be verified, and because he was not part of her usual circle, it was practically impossible for him to be connected to the stalker.
But that was not the most important thing.
Taylor could not forget the way Ethan had reacted during the explosion.
He had not hesitated, tried to find cover, or frozen like several of the guards. The moment he understood what was happening, he threw himself over her and used his own body to protect her.
Since the threats began, Taylor had lived surrounded by bodyguards, assistants, and security personnel. Yet after everything that had happened, none of them could make her feel safe.
Ethan was different.
Although she barely knew him, his presence gave her a sense of security she no longer felt around the people she had seen every day for years.
That was why she had spoken with Chloe and asked her to try to hire him to protect her for the next three days.
At first, Taylor had believed Ethan rejected the fifty thousand dollars to raise his price. That had irritated her enough to harden her attitude and double the offer without thinking.
Now she was beginning to understand that she had been wrong.
Ethan was not negotiating.
The money did not interest him.
Even so, the sense of security he gave her had not disappeared. On the contrary, knowing that he would not accept solely for the reward made her trust him even more.
—I'm not asking you to trust us —Taylor said, lowering her voice slightly—. I'm asking you to let me trust you.
Faced with those expectant eyes, Ethan remained silent.
Taylor held the blanket tightly around her shoulders. She was trying to maintain her composure in front of everyone, but the slight trembling of her fingers betrayed the fear she still felt.
Chloe waited beside her without intervening. Megan kept her lips pressed together, aware that the decision could substantially reduce her own authority. Hank said nothing either. He had already made it clear to Ethan that no one would force him to accept.
For several seconds, every gaze remained fixed on him.
Ethan slowly released his breath.
—If I accept, there will be conditions.
Taylor straightened slightly.
—Whatever you want.
—If something actually happens, you'll have to obey my orders —Ethan warned—. You won't be able to stop and argue with me or wait for an explanation. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to get down, you do it. And if I decide a location isn't safe, you won't enter, regardless of who's waiting or how much money is at stake.
Taylor listened without looking away.
—Agreed.
—I'm not finished.
Ethan pointed at Chloe and then at Megan.
—I'll have full access to your itinerary, I'll know who enters and leaves every place where you stay, and I'll be able to change plans without asking permission. No one will approach you without my knowledge, not even someone from your own team.
Megan appeared ready to object, but Chloe gave her a look that silenced her.
—You'll also have to do exactly what I tell you, even if you don't like it —Ethan continued—. My job will be to keep you alive, not make you comfortable.
Taylor nodded without hesitation.
—Of course.
Ethan studied her expression, searching for any sign of doubt.
He found none.
—Then I'll do it.
Taylor's shoulders lowered slightly, as though an enormous weight had just been lifted from them.
—Thank you.
—Don't thank me yet —Ethan replied—. The next three days aren't going to be pleasant.
For the first time since the explosion, a faint smile appeared on Taylor's face.
—As long as I'm still alive at the end, I can handle it.
After seeing him relent, Taylor quickly nodded.
—One more thing. If you don't agree, I won't do it.
Ethan pursed his lips slightly.
—I'll accept the money. One hundred thousand a day, and that barely covers the cost of my involvement.
He paused.
—But there's something important: I'm not your subordinate.
Taylor silently watched him.
—I don't work for you. You're not going to tell me how to do my job. Are we clear?
His words were quite arrogant, and combined with his expression of complete reluctance, they made Megan clench her teeth in anger.
Taylor hesitated for a few seconds.
—I agree.
She had finally accepted a rather unreasonable condition.
Ethan was slightly stunned.
He had not expected her to actually agree.
All he could do was look at Hank with a helpless, almost defeated expression.
Hank rolled his eyes. From his perspective, Ethan had just landed one of the easiest jobs in the world.
With the matter settled, Hank prepared to leave as well.
For the next three days, Ethan would effectively be on loan to Taylor's team. The task of locating the suspect would remain in the hands of the Intelligence Unit.
Erin still appeared somewhat confused when she saw that Ethan was not moving.
But when she heard Hank's explanation, her eyes practically lit up. Her envy and jealousy could be sensed from several yards away.
Ethan looked at her and shrugged.
Erin nearly gave him the finger, but after noticing the people around them, she simply turned on her heel and walked away with obvious resentment.
If not for her professionalism, she probably would have already asked whether they needed free security.
As long as three meals a day were included, of course.
Ethan watched her walk away, smiling and shaking his head. Now that things had calmed down, he could finally take in the luxurious living room—or rather, what was left of it after the exploding cake had left much of the room in ruins.
Fortunately, everyone who had been partying there earlier had already left; otherwise, keeping the incident a secret would have been practically impossible. Those still in the house were members of Taylor's team, and Ethan assumed they had all signed nondisclosure agreements. A large enough settlement would make anyone think twice before talking.