Shattered

EMMA

I'm in a taxi, heading to the airport, tears streaming down my face. I've never cried this much in my life. I'm hurting so bad.

Diablo's words, ~“I'm not in love with you, Emma. You're just my possession and business partner. Don't get it twisted.~

~“You'll never be more than that to me, got it?”~ are all I can think about.

I'm head over heels for a man who sees me as nothing more than a possession and a business partner. The pain I'm feeling is too much for my heart to bear.

Diablo is so tender when we make love that I actually thought he cared about me. Guess I was wrong.

Sure, all Mafia bosses are heartless jerks, but Diablo takes the cake. I'm not beautiful. Yes, I gave him my virginity, but that clearly doesn't mean a damn thing to him.

I'm hurt beyond words.

He's shattered my heart, stomped on it, and put it back in my chest in a million pieces. I hate that I let him have this much control over me and my heart, the only thing I had to give.

~I'm broken beyond repair.~ The thought just makes me cry harder. The taxi driver looks worried but doesn't ask any questions.

When I finally get to the airport, I see Carly and Travis waiting at the drop-off zone. I pay the driver and get out of the taxi, slipping on my sunglasses in hopes they'll hide some of my heartache.

Carly rushes over to me and immediately notices my tear-streaked face.

“What's wrong, B? Did you change your mind?”

“No, it's just hard saying goodbye,” I lie. I see Travis looking at me strangely. I turn to him and thank him for packing my clothes. I hug Carly and say my goodbyes.

I don't want to delay my departure any longer. I need to get away from New York as soon as I can.

I turn to Travis and give him the nastiest smirk I can muster. He looks confused by my expression.

To explain, I simply say, “Just wait until I get back, Travis. You and your boss won't know what hit you.”

With that, I turn, give Carly a sweet smile, and walk into the terminal. They're both standing there with their mouths hanging open.

~Screw this~. The old Emma died in that penthouse this morning. Diablo made sure of that.

It's a long flight. I'm annoyed, but I'm also excited to see Dean again. Dean is a twenty-six-year-old hunk and one of my best friends. He's tall, at least six-foot-three, with dark brown hair that's almost black, and bright blue eyes.

He's got connections everywhere: the police, Navy SEALs, the FBI, the CIA. The list goes on. That's why I reached out to him for help with this special training.

He leads a special task force in California and, like I said before, he had to pull a lot of strings to make sure I get the training I asked for.

I need basic gun training but ultimately, I want to be a sniper by the end of the eight weeks. Plus, I want to learn knife fighting, jujitsu, mixed martial arts, kickboxing.

And a few signature moves, like being able to do a split in front of someone and take him down from that position if needed.

It sounds impossible, I know, to achieve all of this in eight weeks. But, I'm a very determined person and I'll make sure I reach my goals during the eight weeks of training.

I want to be able to kick someone with my left and right leg at 110 miles an hour. Men who practice every day can kick at about 130 miles an hour per leg.

So, yeah. I've got my work cut out for me.

At the end of the day, considering the work I'll be doing for Diablo, I don't want to be kidnapped, raped, or killed without having a fighting chance.

The only people who will ever know the extent of my training will be Dean, the people training me, and whoever I choose to be my bodyguard.

I chose a life with Diablo, but I also need to make sure I can defend myself. I failed to protect my heart, but I won't dwell on that now. Now I have to protect my body.

I'm hiring a bodyguard because in the Mafia world, they all expect a woman to need protection. But he'll just be for show. If needed, he'll step in, but I want to earn their respect by defending myself.

I need someone on ~my~ payroll, not Diablo's, someone who reports to me and only me.

I'll teach them to understand a code that I've started developing since I met Diablo and agreed to this life with him. They'll need to learn my hand signals and number signs for every different situation.

They'll also need to be able to read lips (something I'll also need to learn) just in case. And ultimately, they have to be a killing machine.

This will all develop over time; first, I have to find the right person to trust with my life and secrets.

I know Dean has a secret crush on me. Truth be told, I had one on him a few years ago too—but then he met someone and they were happy. Crush over; simple.

When I get off the plane, I immediately grab a cart, collect my luggage, and make my way through customs.

I spot Dean right away. He's holding up one of those silly white boards with my name on it—as if I wouldn't recognize him with that killer smile on his face. He can be such a goofball sometimes.

When I finally reach him, I jump into his outstretched arms, and he spins me around. When he finally puts me down, I have to look up to see his face. He's a lot taller than me.

~Damn, he's handsome.~ His bright blue eyes are even bluer than I remember. They look like a pool I just want to dive into and get lost in.

I realize we're both just staring at each other. My hands are still on his biceps.

~Wow, he's buff.~ He's one good-looking man.

I feel a small pool of wetness in my panties and immediately change my train of thought. He's involved with someone, I have Diablo, and for heaven's sake, we're just friends.

“Hey Mr. Walker, long time no see. Where's the Mrs.?”

“We're not together anymore,” is all he says, taking my luggage.

~Damn, damn, damn.~

~Diablo, Diablo, Diablo, Diablo,~ I repeat in my mind as we head towards Dean’s Chevy Silverado truck.

He effortlessly hoists my luggage into the back.

~Lord, give me strength~, I silently plead, watching his muscles ripple beneath his skin. ~He’s a sight for sore eyes~.

Why does it have to be that I’m tangled up in...whatever this thing is with Diablo, just when Dean is single? If I’d known, maybe things would be different.

As we drive to his apartment, I decide to tackle the elephant in the room.

“Dean, we’re friends. Why didn’t you tell me you and your girlfriend broke up? We’ve known each other for eight years and we’ve never kept secrets.”

I say this fully aware that I’ve recently added a few secrets of my own to the mix. Hypocritical, I know.

“I didn’t want to burden you. You were busy with your degrees, and I was trying to get over her. We were only together for a year or so, you know. We broke up eight months ago, it’s not a big deal.”

“I would’ve been there for you, you know.”

“I know. But I also know how you feel about cheaters and office romances. I didn’t want you to hate her because of that.

“She cheated on me with an old friend while on assignment, and now she works for me. Isn’t that just typical?”

“Don’t you get to choose who’s on your task force?”

“Yes, but I was kind of forced to include her. Please, let’s drop it.

“When and if you meet her when we hang out after your training, I don’t want you to treat her differently because of our past, okay?”

“Fine, but I can’t promise I’ll hold my tongue when I see her. She ruined a good thing for a quick thrill. Stupid fucking bitch.”

“Wow, what’s with the sudden swearing and this attitude? This is new.”

“I know. I’ve changed a bit since we last saw each other.”

~You’ve changed a lot,~ he mutters to himself.

“So, when am I meeting these potential bodyguards, Dean?”

“I only have one for you to meet. His name is Levi Thompson. He’s a former hitman trying to go straight. I should be arresting him, but I can’t prove any of the rumors; he’s that good.

“He’s had a lot of combat training and I thought he’d be the best fit for you. We’ve become friends and I trust him with your life.”

“If I choose him, Dean,” I whisper.

“Why the sudden interest in training bodyguards and not to mention the change in you?”

“Dean, you know I’ll tell you everything, if necessary. I trust you with my life, but you don’t need to know this yet.”

“I’ll tell you when the time is right. Maybe during that week we spend together before I head home?”

“Fine! But I don’t like it one bit, Ems. You’ve changed a lot.”

We finally reach Dean’s apartment. Thankfully, it has two bedrooms, so he takes my luggage to the spare.

Dean is in the kitchen making coffee when there’s a knock on the door.

“That’ll be Levi. Can you get the door, Ems?”

I drag my weary self to the front door and swing it open. The man standing there is not what I expected.

Levi is taller than Dean, probably around six-foot-five or -six, with black hair, brown eyes. His eyes are devoid of life when he looks at me.

There’s a sudden dampness in my panties, and I realize it’s the second time today that a man other than Diablo has turned me on.

I practically have to squeeze my thighs together to stop myself from throwing myself at either of them.

Dean emerges from the kitchen holding two steaming cups of coffee, saving me from the staring contest I’m having with Levi.

~Another handsome man. Is the universe playing a cruel joke on me, or am I just a sex-crazed woman thanks to Diablo?~

Either way, I need to get a grip, and fast.

I step aside to let Levi in.

“Levi, Emma. Emma, Levi,” Dean introduces us.

Levi smiles at me, shakes my hand, and walks over to Dean to shake his. Then he hands me a folder.

“What’s this, Levi? Some evidence that’ll finally let me put you away?” Dean teases.

“No, Deany boy, in your dreams. Just some stuff I can and can’t do, kind of like my resume, if you will. You did say she needed a bodyguard, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

I start flipping through the folder. It’s very basic, doesn’t say where he’s from, no personal details. Just a list of his skills.

I guess he prefers a verbal interview rather than leaving a paper trail that could lead to his arrest.

I turn to Dean, making it clear that whatever Levi says is off the record and he can’t use it against him; otherwise, he needs to leave the room.

“We’re friends now, Ems. Don’t worry.”

I flash Dean one of my best smiles and turn to Levi.

“So, Levi, shall we begin? How old are you?”

“Twenty-five.”

“Where are you from?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Fine,” I mutter. “I take it you’re pretty good with a gun, given that you were a hitman?”

“You could say that, yes.”

“Well, let me tell you what I need. I need someone on my payroll, someone who can handle themselves and protect me if necessary. You must learn and understand my signals perfectly.

“I’ve created a special code that you’ll learn. You’ll sign an NDA with my employer-slash-boyfriend, but ultimately you and I will be working very closely together.

“You’ll need to understand my every emotion, facial expression, and most importantly, you’ll need to be able to read lips. I need to be able to trust my bodyguard with my life.”

“I need complete loyalty to me and me alone, is that clear?”

Levi simply nods in agreement. His answers are all short and to the point.

“So, any questions? Anything you’re unsure about in terms of what I need from a bodyguard?”

Levi takes his time before responding.

“I’m already good with a gun. I’m fiercely loyal to whoever I work for. I can read lips, too. It’s a skill I picked up in this line of work.”

“Trust and loyalty are things that grow over time.”

“Levi, do you think you’ll have any issues working for me?”

“That depends. Can you afford me?” He grins at me, a playful glint in his eyes.

“I can. And there’ll be bonuses from time to time, when I think you’ve earned it or when I’m just in the mood.”

“So, Levi, the question is, do you want to work for me?”

“Yes, Emma. I can be whatever you need me to be. I’ll take the job.”

Straightforward and to the point. That’s how I like things. I tell Levi to meet me at Dean’s place the Sunday after my training ends.

He agrees without a second thought. Dean and Levi chat for a bit, but I excuse myself to shower.

I need to talk to Diablo. Even though I said I wouldn’t call him, I can’t help myself. I miss him. I dial his number, but it goes to voicemail after six rings.

I try Luis next. He picks up right away.

“Luis, where’s Diablo? I need to talk to him.”

“He’s in a meeting,” Luis replies curtly.

“How long will he be?”

Luis is silent for a moment before saying, “All night.” My heart skips a beat. All night? I must have heard him wrong.

“Who’s he meeting with, Luis?”

“I can’t tell you that, Emma. You know the rules.”

I hang up as soon as he finishes his sentence. I really hope Diablo isn’t doing what I think he’s doing. Sleeping with Lauren.

I try Diablo’s cell again. This time a woman answers, and I can hear Diablo in the background.

“Who is it, Lauren?”

“Your little princess.”

The last thing I hear is “Fuck!” before I hang up.

My phone starts buzzing right away. Diablo’s name lights up the screen. I just turn it off, my heart breaking a little more.

There’s only so much my heart can take. ~Fucking asshole~ is my last thought before I fall asleep, tears staining my cheeks.

Dean wakes me up the next morning with a hot cup of coffee. I get dressed mechanically, packing only what I need for training, and leave my phone behind at his place.

When we get to the training site, he hugs me tight, wishes me luck, and gives me a soft, gentle kiss.

“See you in eight weeks, babe. Show them what you’re made of.”

And with that, my journey begins.