Chapter 9 - Terms 2

"As you may not be aware, I prefer something more substantial than a verbal agreement- I'll have Hayato send over the contract." He said coldly, more like a businessman selling a house than a father-in-law intending to marry off his only daughter.

Thinking of this Alex swallowed uncomfortably, "very well." His expression indifferent, not wanting to show that he was affecting him.

Yuki who sat up straight, unlike her previous slovenly behaviour looked at the both of them before saying.

"So I'll be working with Mr. Auclair in France? Boss what about young miss's safety during that time?" Reminding him about how the hell was she going to play dual roles, while living in France.

"I assume that the operations will be done later on, after the wedding and we'll have Yuki sent over to see her grandparents during that time."

Listening intently Yuki sighed, the pair of black leather gloves wrinkled as she clenched her hands.

Nico smirked evilly at the kid, unable to wait for the suffering he was going to force upon him.

Standing straight she walked unhurried towards Alex and rolled her eyes, clenching her jaw as she extended a hand.

"I'm Z. It's a pleasure to work with you." With an indifferent tone.

"Likewise." His large callused hand reaching out to take the mans hand.

Holding Alex's hand filled her up with disgust, especially the way he wanted to suppress her with a handshake- as if trying to warn her. Grabbing his hand she smirked, Alex unable to tell by the mask covering her face, as if trying to wrench water from a towel she let go soon enough. Not wanting to attract attention.

'He's a son of bitch alright. But we can sort that out later, if he's really good how can I entice the guy to stay?' Glancing at the red marks left on his tan skin. Reminding him of the large hand prints he'd left on Yuki, feeling an ounce of guilt.

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Yuki guiding them to an empty store room, borrowing the pass from a guard on standby led them in, telling them to wait as she filtered through the long rows of metal shelves.

Looking at her confused as she held two small black boxes in her hand, they sat impatiently a little annoyed.

"What the hell is this guy doing? He's your boss now-so you better stop with the bullshit!" Nico said haughtily with his chin raised and pointing his meaty fingers at him.

Slamming the boxes on the table in front of Nico, she gave him a long and cold look. Trying to say with her eyes, if he were to spout more shit she would cut off the finger of his that were pointed at her.

Causing him to gulp nervously and make Alex raise an eyebrow.

"What the hell is this?" Picking up one of the black boxes.

"Communication devices", she explained in a professional manner. "I'll only be acting as your bodyguard during the remainder of your stay. Because I'm on the night watch, I'll be required to guard you and have been assigned the suite in tandem to you."

'This squirt looks like he's done this before..'

Because Yuki looked like a fresh faced teenage boy, despite actually being 24 years old.

Unknowingly she had become a 17 or 18 year old kid, only reaching under Alex's shoulder blades (who was around 6ft something) with insoles on in her all black Doc Martens.

"How are you going to guard me with no weapons?" With a condescending look in his eyes, pulling out a shot gun from inside his belt.

"If this is me getting shot," he explained pointing the gun at Yuki who listened attentively with her hands behind her back. "What are you going to do about it- tell me through an ear piece to get out the way?"

Gripping his hand tightly as if intending to pull the trigger.

Nico who was influenced by Alex's provocation added for effect, "Have you even killed a person before? - You were probably just the leader in the operation, right?!"

Tilting her head to the side, she looked down clicking her teeth. "Who needs a gun when I can just take it?"

Without warning she lithely approached Alex to the side with a clenched fist forcing it down on his wrist, making him lose the grip he had on the gun. Kicking one of his legs from behind so he'd lurch forward, she caught the gun with one hand and slid out the unsheathed Wakizashi (small sword) from within her sleeve. Locking him in place with the gun placed on his back between his shoulder blades and the knife, holding it horizontally so the cold blade was in direct contact with the skin of his neck. Holding him tightly in her embrace.

Alex who was stunned hid his amused grin, as if expectant and raised his hands up in surrender.

Looking over his shoulder at Nico with a blood thirsty gaze she said, "Do you understand?"

Standing up a little anxious he replied hurriedly, "Yyes!"

Letting go of him she moved to the side, not showing him her back in case he wanted to start something. Holding the barrel of the gun so he could take it back by pulling on the grip.

Pulling back the sleeve of her silk shirt, revealing the sleeve of her black turtleneck and a piece of torn fabric tied tightly around her wrist, she slid the knife back in place. Nico watching her with interest.

Smiling happily at her, she cursed him under her breath as he came up to her and patted her head affectionately. "Kid you're good, how old were you when you started this business- you must've been young?"

'Kid?-Did this guy just' Yuki thought before shoving his hand off his head.

"What does that have to do with me being your bodyguard?" She asked annoyed.

"I have to know your character before I can trust you", explaining with a frown.

Not wanting to think about bad memories of her past she ignored him and changed the subject. "Are you going out or staying in the hotel?"

Remembering something Nico said unsure, "Boss tonight at the-"

"Right. I'll inform you when the time comes- but I need your phone number." Alex said patting his body for his phone, taking it out from the inside of his blazer pocket.

After exchanging numbers between the three of them, they left the store room but Alex received a phone call so she was immediately left alone to supervise their surroundings. Nico beside him gloated at her despite not being a current member of their gang.

Dressed in complete black, her posture straight with her hands behind her back. He found the kid or the man to be funny, like a school kid being told to wait outside the classroom for being rude.

Yuki was a professional. Although she knew that Alex was a handsome man, it didn't faze her at all. In fact she hated him, but she knew through training in medical school to prioritise your priorities.

She knew she hated Alex because of his betrayal in the past, which left a huge scar on her physical and mental health. Leaving her with chronic insomnia, which had started when she was a child but gradually had gotten worse as she grew older and understood her nightmares.

However, she cared about her fathers decisions and knew that he wouldn't ever try to hurt her. It was to her advantage that she managed to distract Alex into thinking she wasn't the person he was looking for, thinking he must be the type of person to look for undeniable evidence. Otherwise it would be all speculation, however for what she knew there wasn't any. Even if he did find proof, she could say she doesn't know him because of amnesia.

Always making sure she was at least a step away from Alex, or at least where he couldn't touch her. She asked as he walked towards her, "Boss are you going out?"

"That's right" He grunted with a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth, "We need a car." Coldly eyeing her, planning to manipulate the kid into staying with them, when he returns to France.

Ultimately, even if the kid wasn't totally as talented as he was made to believe. He found the kid amusing like his grandmothers old cat, that would hiss and scratch if it was doted upon by anyone else other than its owner.