Chapter 1

"A babysitter gig? You must be joking." I slammed the file onto John's desk with a loud thump, sending his monitors rattling.

A sane person would never speak to their boss like that, but in our field, where we all put our lives on the line more often than not, hierarchy didn't matter. Being honest and open with each other made all the difference between life and death.

I was a goddamn security and protection expert, for crying out loud; part of the best in the business in the UK. My track record spoke for itself—I had neutralized more criminals and defused more dicey situations in the past four years than most agents did in a decade, which was why John's competitors tried to poach me frequently. Hell, even the MI5 had tried recruiting me.

That was precisely why I was pissed that he wanted to give me this guy as my assignment. Again.

John swung around in his chair, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips despite his attempt to look stern. "Always straight to the point," he said with amusement. "I get you are pissed off. He is...particular." That was one way to describe the giant pain that Adam Smith was in. "But he is considered an up-and-coming tech genius."

"But why me? Give him one of the newbies."

Fighting was my forte. Top-notch combat skills, sniper precision with guns, and a knack for strategy—that was me. Handling danger and protecting others has always been my calling in life. And yet, he wanted me to be a glorified babysitter for a rich, spoiled guy who was probably receiving threats from his lovers and ex-wives again. Hadn't Adam learnt his lesson the last time we protected him?

"Mr Smith has money and influence, so I cannot turn him down or be seen as offering him anything else than our best. That's you, Riley," John continued. Did he think that flattery was going to change my mind? "Come on—it will be an easy job. All you need is to accompany him to this meet-and-greet this afternoon and make sure that no man lays a hand on him. Deal?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No."

I wanted to wipe that smug look off John's face. But the bastard was right. As always. "Fine. But if he even looks at my butt again, he'll need protection from me next."

Lines pulled up at the corner of his mouth enough to reveal a quasi-smile. "That's my girl. Go say hello next door, Boswell. He is waiting there."

Zen, Riley, zen. No choking the client in the office.

Pushing open the meeting room door, a wave of sugary sweetness hit me first. Adam was sprawled in his chair, a doughnut from his almost-finished Krispy Kreme box halfway to his mouth. His loud munching broke the room's stillness as he obviously scrolled through his phone, powdered sugar dusting his designer suit.

How was this guy a genius? At the rate he was going, he was probably en route to developing diabetes before he even made it big in the tech world.

He embodied the nouveau riche stereotype - designer clothes, a flashy red Lamborghini with the license plate 'PL4Y B8Y', and a penchant for broadcasting his every move in London on social media as if anyone cared.

That last part made my job all the more annoying as someone who needed to keep him safe from supposed perpetrators. The man was oh-so-clever that he would regularly end up posting photos with his latest lover. Sometimes I wondered if this was his way of speeding up the divorces from his ever younger-looking new wives. Not that they complained—it was clear what they were after.

Genius, my arse.

Grunts filled the room as he tried to squeeze out of his seat before swagging toward me with a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Riley, baby," he exclaimed, bits of doughnut flying. "I've missed you. Life is no fun without you by my side."

"Hi, Adam." I did my best to look as genuine as possible when I stuck a polite smile on my face. Damn John and his favors. "I see that not much has changed since I saw you six months ago."

"No, baby. I need you in my life. Sure you don't want to become the next Mrs Adam Smith?"

Ha, over my dead body. "I think I am more interested in women, so pass."

"But we could have so much fun together. Maybe I'm just the bloke to remind you what you're missing, eh?" He grinned, taking a step towards me.

It was taking all of my inner strength not to punch him myself. But that didn't mean I couldn't remind him not to play with fire.

"Hey, Adam, ever heard of Krav Maga?" I smirked, getting closer to him. His eyes glazed in confusion. "It's the world's most dangerous martial art, and I'm a black belt. So, for both our sakes, stop pulling your sleazy moves on me and all other girls when I am around."

Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and by the way he quickly dropped his cocky attitude, I knew my words had the intended effect.

He straightened his t-shirt with long, nervous strokes and nodded in agreement, but, to be honest, it wouldn't be him if he didn't try to get the last word in. "Crikey. Happy to have you on my side, then."

Two hours later, we arrived at a bustling tech meet-up in Shoreditch, where the meet-and-greet was taking place. Adam had recently developed a new coding software, and tech geeks seemed to be all over it. The room was mainly packed with young guys and girls, all hoping to be the next Steve Jobs. Or rather, the next Adam Smith.

The speeches dragged on forever. By the time we hit the mid-event reception, the mood in the room had shifted, eager entrepreneurs and wannabe ones mingling, their ambitions and anxieties almost palpable. I, on the other hand, was ready to be over and done with this job.

That was when she stormed over, rage twisting her face. I thought about whether to stop the tall young woman, but I was pretty sure I knew what was coming. She was far from Adam's first pissed-off lover. Or his last.

"How could you?" she exploded, wagging her finger at him. "You fucked my sister while I was at the spa. I left my fiance for you, you prick." Her eyes burned with fire, the kind that reminded you why a woman scorned was a dangerous woman.

Before Adam could even react or say a word, she grabbed the phone from his hand and lifted it above her head.

"Nononono... not my mobile," he pleaded, yet it was too late.

The cracking of his smartphone was the only sound in the dead-quiet room when she smashed it on the floor and stomped it with her foot. All eyes were on the star of the night, taking in every moment of the unfurling drama.

The numerous clicking sounds of the journalists' cameras snapped the woman out of her rage. She swiveled around, satisfied with the scene she had caused, and left the reception hall as quickly as she had shown up.

To my surprise, Adam tried to stop her but found himself tumbling backwards when she pulled her arm out of his grip and ran away.

"What the hell, Riley? You are supposed to keep me safe." His breath was reduced to an erratic rasp as he lay on the floor, unable to get back up without any help.

"From actual threats to your life or well-being," I clarified.

"What the fuck do you call this, then?"

"Your own stupidity. And I am not paid to protect you from that. Next time, don't post on Instagram where you are for all of your girlfriends to see."

Adam's face flushed. "Some bodyguard you are."

"Hey." I shot him a narrow look. "I promised John that no one would lay a hand on you. No one did, so I am still good on my promise." I stretched my arm out and offered him a hand to help him stand up.

But before he could retort, my combat instincts roared to life, sensing the threat coming in at six o'clock milliseconds before I heard the assailant.

"You are a thieving git! You've nicked my idea, and now you will pay for it."

I didn't even have the time to think about who said that and what he wanted. My sole focus was the client that I had to protect.

Adrenaline surged through me at the sharp click of his gun's safety. I spun around to face him, my eyes locking onto the weapon. In one fluid motion, I ducked under his raised arm, my hand snatching the gun from his grip. The man's surprise was evident as I disarmed him with practiced ease, although he didn't exactly seem like a pro. Leveraging my hips and weight, I twisted his wrist until he crashed down to the floor in seconds.

"Shit, that hurts. I surrender," the attacker said while I scanned the room for other attackers.

The shocked attendees clapped and whistled as if I had won a match at some boxing game. But a tall blonde guy stood out at the back of the room, different from the others. There was something about his gaze, even if he seemed unfazed by what had happened. An intensity that seemed oddly familiar, like a distant echo of a dream.

And then he smiled.

Full-on smile, as if I had made him proud, and I had to suppress the nagging urge to smile back, as if we shared an inside joke. Except, I had never seen the man before.

Probably just another weirdo that I've come across before.

Adam groaned behind me as he got up. I had to push him to the ground to save his life, and I most definitely didn't feel bad about it.

"Guess tech's not so safe." He let out a nervous laugh in a vain effort to play it cool, yet his hands were trembling despite the bravado. "Thank you for saving me, Riley."

I nodded in response and turned to find the blonde man again, but he was gone.

With Adam's attacker safely handed over to the police and my client checked by the paramedics, I escorted Adam home, itching to finally hand him over to the gorillas guarding his house. Next time he needed to get one of them to protect him. At least they were used to all the stupidities coming out of his mouth.

It was already late when I headed home, but I had to clear my head after the long day. The evening was fresh and pleasant, the full moon glowing in the sky, so I got off two tube stops before my usual one and walked the rest of the way to my place.

Moonlight cast a silver glow over the Putney road, the cool night air tingling against my skin, making my stroll even more enjoyable. I have loved the area ever since I moved here. All the trees and gardens always made me feel free, even though we were in the city—like I could breathe easier—and reminded me of my parents' home in Berkshire.

Yet, my enjoyment was cut short. The hair on my neck stood up, my body tensing as I walked down the street. I knew by now what that meant—someone was following me.

My gut was indispensable in my line of work, and it was also what made me superb at my job. Somehow, I always sensed impending danger before others. But for once, there was no sense of dang—just...a weird creeping feeling.

I spun around. Nothing but shadows and the silent hum of the city night. Still, I double-locked my door once inside. Safe in my house, the strange feeling faded once I was out of the shower and in my pajamas.

Then I heard it. A lone, haunting howl sliced through the quiet. It wasn't quite a dog, too mournful. More like a...wolf. Which was obviously ridiculous to even think. There hadn't been any wolves in the UK since they were all hunted down centuries ago. Yet, something compelled me to look outside.

What was I expecting to find there? I had no idea, but not him. Standing on the other side of the street was the blonde guy from the event who stared at me once again.

A chill shot through me. How the fuck did he know where I live?

This guy had some nerve following me home. I was ready to march out there and give him a piece of my mind, to show him what happens to creeps who stalk women.

My fingers itched for action, but then...I blinked, and his form blurred and twisted in the dim streetlight, flesh giving way to fur. My breath caught in my throat when a magnificent black wolf stood in his place, eyes burning amber and fixed on mine.

Impossible.

This was Putney, not some wild forest. And men turning into wolves? That was stuff in stories, not Friday nights in the city.

Blinking hard, I half-expected him to revert to human. But no, when I looked again, the street was eerily empty, with no traces of the man or the beast. Just the pavement under the streetlight's sterile glow, mocking the absurdity of what I thought I'd seen.

I rubbed my temples, trying to make sense of it. My mind struggled. Was I hallucinating? The adrenaline rush after a long day?

But the echo of the wolf's howl still rang in my ears, and those amber eyes? I couldn't shake off the hunch that I knew them. And somehow they knew me.