I want to hear what he wants, not drink coffee with him like we are old buddies. I don’t know why he thinks that he can act cute because I don’t like it one bit and it makes me hate him at this point. I don’t like playing the games, it just pisses me off more than I already am. He just nods, probably realizing that he is treading on thin ice.

“Straight to business, I see.” He murmurs, but I say nothing, “I want you to protect me.”

If I could laugh, I would.

If only he knew the number of ways that I have tried to kill him in my mind today. Let’s not mention that I literally pointed a gun at him yesterday. What is he thinking? Does he honestly think it is going to work like that because I can assure him right here and now that it won’t happen. I’m not the kind of person who will just let this slide. I don’t protect people; did he forget this? He is really testing my patience now.

“I don’t protect people.” I remind him, wondering if he hit himself on the head between last night and now, “I kill them.”

“I know that.” He whispers, fiddling with his fingers, “it’s just…”

“Do you?” I ask him, a little fed up with his ignorance, “I don’t think that you do. I’m not a bodyguard, and if someone tries to kill you right now, I’ll gladly watch them do it.”

Lennox takes in my words for a few moments as he should. There is no way on Earth that I’ll be his bodyguard. I have shit to do. I can’t watch him twenty-four seven. I’ll kill him myself an hour into it. I don’t know why he thinks that I owe him anything. If there weren’t so many people, I would have shot him where he stood. He’s too cute to be bloody though.

“You’re going to have a hard time proving that the video is fake, Silas.” He tells me, folding his arms across his chest, “so you might as well work with me.”

“It’s Gray.” I growl at him, irritated, “and I would watch what you say.”

Only a few people can call me Silas and he isn’t one of them. He sips his coffee, not seeming to care. I don’t do anything with mine. I’m not getting that bitter taste in my mouth. I’m mad about a lot already for today, I don’t need something else bringing me down. This man is pissing me the hell off.

“If anything happens to me, the cops will get the video.” He continues, making me realize then precisely what he was going to use that video for, “you don’t want to go to prison for murder, and I don’t want to die. So, I need you to protect me.”

“I’ll get a good lawyer.” Is all that I can tell him.

“The cops are interested in you. The only reason that you’re a free man is because they don’t have evidence.” He plainly states, knowing he is right and there is nothing that I can say about it, “I bet they are going to dig up all the old cases. Even if you do find someone to prove the video’s authenticity, you’ll still go to prison for several other charges because you and I both know that the only thing fake about the video is the gunshot.

I continue to stare at him blankly, willing my face to show no emotion. I can’t afford to serve any time in prison. As much as I hate to admit it, Lennox is right. I am being backed into a corner, and I despise it. It is imperative that the video does not fall into the hands of the police. The little bastard is smart.

“You’re one of the best in what you do. Everyone in the Mafia world knows that.” Lennox adds simply, shrugging his shoulders as he lounges back, making sure that I’m not going to be able to fight back against him, “you said that whoever is after me will send more people. If anyone can fight them off, it is you.”

Lennox is desperate. 

I see that now. Like everyone else, he doesn’t want to die. From what Holly has told me, he is one of the good guys. It is rare to see one of those around here. When he took over as the Boss of the Black Vipers, he totally reinvented it. They are not involved in selling drugs or trafficking anymore. If this was just anyone, he would have been killed, but Lennox brought something different into the Mafia world.

Security. Something that people desperately do need.

Every dirty secret, every offshore account, every amount of money the gangs make is controlled by him. They trust in him to secure their everything, and he does. In turn, he gets security for him and his family. Like I have said before, no one dares to kill him. He is too useful to them alive. No one dares to cross him either. He holds all the cards, and now, he has the perfect way to hold onto me and use me in any way that he sees fit.

I hate it.

“I’ll protect you.” I promise him, knowing that I don’t have much of a choice.

His expression changes and his eyes shine like a kid in a candy store. He is way too readable. His smile returns, making his expression much more beautiful. I have to put a damper in it before he ends up affecting me.

“I’ll also find out who is out to get you so this contract can be over as quickly as possible.” I also tell him, hating that I have to be a bit vulnerable in this situation, “I don’t want to be dealing with you more than I have to. I hope you understand this.”

“You really don’t know who is trying to kill me?” He asks in this soft voice, like he is not too sure about it, “isn’t it weird that you don’t keep a collection of that data?”

I snort, wondering now if he is really that much of an idiot, “you already know the answer to that since you had my website hacked yesterday. You weren’t that sneaky, I’m afraid.”

He blushes. Way too readable.

“I’ll pay you.” He clarifies, thinking that it could be the solution to everything, “don’t worry about that.”

I’m more confused than anything, and a little miffed, “what?”

“I’ll pay you for your services.” He explains, raising an eyebrow slightly like I am the stupid one, “if money is the issue, then I have no problem with compensating. You will be doing me a favour.”

I take in a deep breath to stop myself from reacting to his words, “let me make this clear. The only reason that I am offering to help you is because you are blackmailing me. I don’t need your money, nor do I want it. After this is done, I get the video, and we go our separate ways. That’s it. I want you out of my life.”

“Okay.” He nods, not even trying to fight me, “I will draft up a contract.”

“Good.” Is all I can say to start out with.

I start to stand up so I can get out of here. We are done here. Strangely enough, Lennox gets up with me. Is he thinking about following me? I’m going to lay down the law with him.

“I’ll start tomorrow. Until then, don’t stay in places like this.” I give him my best pointed look, letting him see that I’m not kidding, “you could easily get shot and die. I don’t need you screwing everything up already more than you already have.”

“Got it.” He whispers, his cheeks turning a little red, “I will do it.”

I walk away from him and head back to the main dining area. I wish that he would leave me alone but of course, he isn’t going to let it happen that way. I have to give him some credit, he does have some balls.

“Thanks for everything!” He yells after me, making me feel more and more odd, “I’ll see you later, Silas!”

I sigh. I dread this already.