“You’ve got to be afraid of something?”
“I’ve been an orphan ever since I was young. I’ve got no family or friends. All I had to do was look after myself. What was there to be afraid of? If anything, I’m scared of failing my mission and having the rest of the troops laugh at me.”
‘This is the first time I’ve encountered someone this tricky. I have a hunch Keenan doesn’t think of Bonnie that way. He is just trying to keep her safe.
‘That’s the only reason I’m letting someone as insolent as him keep breathing.’
“I’ve had it up to her, guys.”
The more they argued, the worse her headache got. ‘I think I know why Jim picked Keenan to take his place. He’s quite a skillful fighter, but more importantly, he’s as stubborn and headstrong as Jim.’ “You don’t have to stay in the same room as me when I’m sleeping, Keenan, nor do you have to guard my bedroom door. You can stay in the room next to mine or across the hallway.”
“I can’t do that. If we lived in different rooms, it would impede my ability to save you. What happens if you’re in a pinch if I can’t get to you in time? Is it because you don’t believe in my integrity?”
Then, he raised three fingers and swore an oath. “I swear I won’t harbor any dirty thoughts toward you. If I so much look funny at you, then may the Heavens send down a great thunderbolt and strike me so I may die a horrible death.”
“That’s not enough.” Ivor chimed in, “You’re not bothered by death. So, why would you be afraid of a thunderbolt? Or, for that matter, why would you be bothered by a horrible death?”
“Well. What would you have me swear?”
Ivor pondered on it and directed his gaze downward as he stared at Keenan. “Let’s do this the right way. If you have dirty thoughts about Bonnie, then you won’t be able to get it up anymore. How about that?” Keenan remained quiet for a few seconds.
“How’s that the right way to do it?”
Holding her forehead, she rubbed her eyebrows. Her expression grew stern when she looked at Keenan.
“Keenan.”
“Yes, ma’am!” He stood up straight and wore a solemn expression.
“I’ve never liked being followed. I believe he told you about it before you came here. Also, I only agreed to let you be my bodyguard because of him. Secondly, I didn’t want to put yout in a difficult position.
“Now that you know I put myself in your shoes, I hope you can do the same. I need you to give me some freedom and not smother me.”
Bonnie used the classic
carrot-or-stick technique on Keenan. He wasn’t as experienced as Jim, so he couldn’t use such a persuasive technique. At the next moment, he yielded and gave in to her wishes.
“Alright, then. I’ll live in the room next to you, but you must promise to inform me when something goes wrong.”
“Don’t worry about…” Before she could finish, Ivor’s voice drowned hers out.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to sleep right next to Bonnie on the same bed. She’ll be fine.”
She didn’t know what to say for a moment there. “When have I agreed to it?”
“I made the call on your behalf.”
After dinner, she returned to her room, closed and locked her door immediately, and then went into the bathroom to shower.
She was scrubbing her body when she heard a commotion outside. It sounded like somebody had gone into her room.
‘Really? I know I locked the door.’
She was puzzled but swiftly wrapped a towel around herself and opened the bathroom door. At the next moment, she was stunned by what she saw.
Ivor was taking off his clothes while sitting on her bed. Then, he noticed her looking at him. Not only was he not guilty, he lied on his side and wagged his finger at her seductively, beckoning her to get close
