Chapter 65: I’m your body guard.

Nerissa’s POV.

I haven’t seen Lysander since breakfast yesterday.

And honestly? I’m grateful for it.

After the way he looked at me when Victoria was dabbing my lips with a napking. I have no desire to find out what kind of mood he’ll be in the next time we cross paths.

There was something in his eyes.

Jealousy, maybe.

No.

That would be ridiculous.

I shake the thought away and turn my attention back to the mirror. Today has nothing to do with Lysander.

Today is about ice cream.

And Victoria.

Right now, I’m standing in front of my mirror, deciding what to wear to Victoria’s ice cream shop. Victoria owns an ice cream shop, and she invited me to come see it.

I love ice cream.

So why not?

I finally settle on something simple and comfortable. I get dressed, fix my hair, apply a little makeup, grab my handbag, and take one last look at myself in the mirror.

Good enough.

I leave my room and make my way downstairs.

I have no idea how I’m getting there.

I stare down the long hallway.

Right.

I’ll figure it out.

I don’t know my way around this house properly yet, let alone the roads outside it.

But the earlier I familiarize with rhe place the better.

Even if I get lost...Which is very possible.

I make my way toward the kitchen to find the older woman Linda. She might help me

I find her standing by the counter, preparing something.

"Linda?"

She turns around.

"Yes, child?"

"Good afternoon....I need a car."

She pauses and looks at me.

"A car?"

"Yes."

I smile innocently.

"I’m going out."

She studies me for a moment. Then she looks toward the doorway.

"Ye hold up."

She wipes her hands on the towel tucked around her waist. Then she takes a deep breath and screams.

"Michael!"

I nearly jump.

Then she shouts even louder.

"Michael! Mete tu culo aquí dentro!"

*Michael! Get your bum in here.*

I blink.

Okay.

I definitely need to learn some Spanish.

Because whatever she just said has someone moving through the house like the devil himself is chasing him.

A few moments later, a large, bulky-looking man walks into the kitchen.

And when I say bulky, I mean bulky.

The man looks like he gyms twenty-four hours a day. His shoulders are wide, his arms are huge, and his shirt stretches across his chest like it’s struggling to contain him.

He could probably pick me up with one hand.

I immediately decide that irritating him is probably not a good idea.

He stops in front of Linda.

"Estoy aquí, Linda."

*I’m here, Linda*

Linda points toward me.

"La joven señorita necesita salir."

*The young miss needs a ride out.*

Michael immediately turns his head toward me.

Okay. So whatever Linda said definitely involved me.

He gives me a polite nod.

"Good day, miss. I’m Michael."

He says like I didn’t just hear his name being yelled a moment ago.

"Hi, Michael."

I smile.

"You can just call me Nerissa."

"Okay, miss."

I stare at him.

He heard me, he simply chose not to listen.

Interesting.

"I hear you need a ride?"

"Yes. I need a ride."

"Okay. I’m your designated driver and bodyguard."

My eyebrows shoot up.

"Bodyguard? I don’t need a bodyguard."

Michael’s expression doesn’t change.

"I’m just following instructions from the boss, miss."

Of course.

The boss.

I don’t even have to ask who he means.

"If you tell me where you want to go, I’ll drive you there."

"I can drive myself perfectly well."

"Understood, miss."

I narrow my eyes and he gives me the faintest smile.

"Let’s go."

I sigh.

Following him outside I wait near the front steps while he walks toward the garage.

I expect him to bring out an ordinary car.

Something that doesn’t scream I belong to a billionaire mafia family.

Instead, a few moments later, a car rolls toward me.

I stop breathing.

"What the hell?"

It’s a Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail.

I know enough about cars to know that this thing is ridiculously expensive.

The car glides to a stop in front of me and I slowly walk toward it.

I’ve seen expensive cars before.

But this? This is another level.

Yep.

Lysander has a thing for expensive cars.

I open the door, climb inside and sink into the seat.

Okay.

This is comfortable.....Very comfortable.

I shake my head. I am not allowing myself to become impressed by Lysander’s ridiculous collection of cars.

Michael gets into the driver’s seat and starts the engine.

He looks at me through the rearview mirror.

"Location, miss?"

I give him Victoria’s ice cream shops address.

He nods and pulls away from the house.

I settle into the back seat, watching the scenery pass by.

For the first few minutes, everything is quiet.

I stare out the window.

I don’t need a bodyguard, I can take care of myself.

I’ve spent years taking care of myself.

I’m not some fragile little wife who needs someone holding her hand every time she leaves the house.

But apparently, Lysander doesn’t see it that way.

I sigh.

Maybe I should be angry.

Actually, I am angry a bit.

But there is another part of me that knows exactly why he’s doing this.

I’m on Sanchez territory.

Half the people here probably wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me simply because of my last name and considering everything that has happened between our families, maybe having someone around isn’t the worst idea.

Still.

He could have asked, that would have been nice.

I cross my arms and continue staring outside.

I’m going to Victoria’s ice cream shop. I’m going to eat as much ice cream as I want and most importantly, I’m going to enjoy myself.

For a few hours, I don’t want to think about Lysander.

And maybe if I’m lucky enough, I’ll get an ice cream that will erase the taste of Linda’s tea from my tongue.

I can still taste it on my tongue even though it’s been hours since I took it.

I shudder at the memory.

Michael catches my expression through the mirror.

"Everything okay, miss?"

I look at him.

"Yes."

I pause.

"Just remembering something horrible."