THE BODYGUARD'S SECRET SERVICE

2

Alaric’s knuckles had been cleaned, but the anger in his chest still throbbed—far hotter than any physical wound.

One more day, he thought, staring at the slowly ticking wall clock.

Exactly at midnight, a soft knock sounded on his wooden door. It wasn’t hesitant, but rhythmic—a code he recognized as Maia’s. Alaric stood and unlocked the door.

Maia stepped inside with graceful ease. She was no longer wearing her stiff gray maid uniform. Now, she was dressed only in a thin black silk night robe that wrapped around her athletic figure. Her hair, usually tied neatly, now flowed freely over her shoulders.

“The main corridor doors have been secured, Master. Dominic is passed out drunk in his study,” Maia reported in a low, husky voice.

She knelt in front of Alaric, placing a digital tablet on his lap. “These are the details of the Thorne family’s hidden assets in Manhattan, ready to be reactivated under your name tomorrow morning. Their value reaches three billion dollars.”

Alaric didn’t look at the tablet. His gaze was fixed on Maia as she looked up at him. Her loyalty wasn’t just duty—there was something dangerously devoted in her eyes.

“You know that’s not what I want tonight, Maia,” Alaric said, his voice deep and heavy.

Maia gave a faint smile, one she showed only to him. “I know, Master. My body belongs to you, just as my life belongs to the Thorne Group.”

But before Alaric could pull her closer, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. The sharp sound of heels striking wooden floors. That was not a servant’s step.

Both Alaric and Maia froze.

“Alaric? I know you’re not asleep…” The voice belonged to Seraphina Vance—soft, spoiled, and demanding.

She stood right behind the thin wooden door, trying the handle, but Alaric had locked it from the start.

“Alaric, open the door. I brought a very expensive bottle of wine… and I’m bored of looking at my disgusting husband,” Seraphina whispered, her voice dangerously close to the crack of the door.

Maia glanced at Alaric, her hand instinctively reaching for the small knife hidden beneath her robe. She was ready to eliminate the woman if her Master gave the order. But Alaric slowly shook his head. He wanted Seraphina to feel a deeper frustration.

“Go to sleep, Madam. I’m tired,” Alaric replied coldly, deliberately letting his voice sound slightly hoarse.

“Tired? Or are you hiding something in there?” Seraphina let out a soft laugh, laced with suspicion and desire. “I can smell a woman’s perfume from your door, Alaric. Is that new maid serving you?”

The tension inside the room peaked. Maia stared at the door with pure hatred, while Alaric stepped closer and placed his palm flat against the wood—right where Seraphina leaned on the other side.

“What I do in my room is none of your concern, Mrs. Vance,” Alaric said firmly. “Return to your husband before I report this disturbance to him.”

“Go ahead, darling. He won’t believe you,” Seraphina challenged, though disappointment lingered in her tone. After a few agonizing seconds of silence, her footsteps finally faded, retreating toward the mansion’s main wing.

Alaric exhaled slowly. He turned—and found Maia already standing right behind him. She pressed her warm body against his back.

“She doesn’t deserve to touch you, Master,” Maia whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Only I should give you what you need.”

Alaric turned, gripping Maia’s jaw firmly yet with intensity. He was tired of pretending to be weak. Tonight, in this small room, he was the one in control.

Maia looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with desire and absolute obedience. Her lips parted slightly, her breathing already uneven at his touch.

“Yes, Master…” she whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling under his grip. “Use me. I belong completely to you tonight.”

Alaric pulled her closer until their lips were almost touching. He could feel the heat of her body through the thin silk. His other hand slid to her waist, pulling her firmly against him.

“You’re already wet, aren’t you?” he murmured just in front of her lips, his voice low and controlled.

Maia bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushing. She nodded slightly, unable to lie. “Since I walked in… just from seeing you, Master.”

A dark, hungry smile curved Alaric’s lips. With a swift motion, he pushed Maia back until her body hit the cold wall. Her robe parted slightly, revealing smooth skin flushed with desire.

He grabbed the silk tie and pulled it loose. The thin black fabric slipped to the floor, revealing her completely under the dim light. Her body was both athletic and feminine—firm curves, a slender waist, and tempting hips. Between her thighs, the evidence of her arousal was unmistakable.

Alaric lowered his head, kissing her neck with intensity while one hand gripped her chest firmly. His thumb brushed over her hardened nipple, drawing a long moan from Maia as her head fell back against the wall.

“Ahh… Master…” Maia gasped, her hands clutching his shoulders tightly.

His other hand moved lower, tracing her flat stomach before reaching between her thighs. He stroked her sensitive spot slowly, teasingly, before sliding two fingers inside her with ease.

Maia writhed, her hips moving instinctively with his rhythm. Her breathing grew ragged, a thin sheen of sweat forming on her skin.

“Master… deeper… please…” she begged, her voice breaking.

Alaric suddenly withdrew, making her whimper in frustration. He turned her around roughly so she faced the wall, lifting her arms above her head and pinning them there with one hand.

From behind, he pressed his body against her back, his arousal evident against her.

“You’re mine,” Alaric whispered into her ear, gently biting her earlobe. “Say it.”

“I’m yours… only yours, Master…” Maia replied, trembling, her voice full of surrender.

Alaric didn’t wait any longer. With one firm thrust, he entered her from behind. She gasped softly at the sudden fullness, her body tensing against the wall.

He began moving with a rough, deep rhythm, each motion forcing Maia forward. The small room filled with the sounds of their movements and her uncontrollable moans.

“Yes… yes… harder, Master…!” Maia cried out, pushing back against him with each thrust.

Alaric gripped her hips tighter, his fingers leaving marks against her pale skin.