The Billionaire Bodyguard: Clean Billionaire Romance (DC Billionaires Book 1)
The Billionaire Bodyguard
DC Billionaires 1
Eliza Ellis
Contents
Website
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
THE BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD
Eliza Ellis
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, without the express written consent of the author constitutes a copyright violation.
THE BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD
DC BILLIONAIRES 1
Copyright © 2018 Eliza Ellis
Cover Art Designed by Victorine Originals
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
Summer 2019
Bendola
“I am not a child that you need to protect me,” Zuri Msongo seethed at Joqi, her father’s personal bodyguard. She appreciated Joqi’s diligent efforts to protect her father; he was the important one. However, her father had taught her to take care of herself, and she was doing just that. Zuri crossed her arms over her chest, lifted her chin, and stood an inch taller.
“On the contrary, it is because you are Bayo’s child that you need to be protected,” Joqi responded in a calm tone that did little but irk Zuri’s nerves.
“You’re a father, Joqi, so I understand your position. But Bayo Msongo is the one that’s going to lead us into the future. His safety is more important than my own.”
Zuri’s eyes swerved to her father, who stood at the planning table with his other advisors. They were still working on the logistics for a meeting with their allies. And it couldn’t come soon enough. When were they going to get out of this safehouse and see the sun again? They could do exactly that if they listened to Zuri. “I wish you’d stop treating me like a child and overprotecting me,” Zuri said, focusing her gaze once again on Joqi. “We have the Elite Guard on the run. We should make an appearance, now, when we have the chance!”
“We should wait until the moment is safe,” Joqi said in a disagreeing tone. “And right now, the streets are too hot. Your faces are everywhere. In papers, on the television, in social media. The guards are looking for you and your father. We cannot put you at risk.”
Zuri’s father caught her gaze, and she widened her eyes, tipping her head in Joqi’s direction in a plead for help. Her father just shrugged his shoulders.
“Really, Father? You’re not going to defend me at all?”
A short buzz sounded, declaring the back door of their safehouse open. Hopefully, it was David, who was always on her side. If her father wouldn’t speak up for her, then she could count on her oldest friend to back her up and insist that they attend the meeting.
Ever since her father declared on national television that the dictatorship dissolve and democratic rule reign in Bendola, he’d been a hunted man, with his daughter Zuri by his side. Years of moving from safehouse to safehouse, planning secret meetings with other influential people and young men and women ready to fight for their freedom, and creating partnerships with foreign allies. All came at a great cost. But both Zuri and her father, Bayo, thought it would be worth it in the end to see President Abdullah Gohi’s dictatorship toppled. The Bendolans were ready for a true democratic vote. They were ready to take on their destiny to be a free country where thought and religion wouldn’t be persecuted.
Bayo was at the center of it all. Without him, the rebellion might not survive; at least, that’s what Zuri told herself. It was important for him to be seen by the people to keep the fervor for freedom alive. To be televised on social media revolting, since television programs were controlled by the state. So far, producing videos in their underground bunker had been enough to stir up support, but they would need more than the Bendolan people could produce.
They needed international assistance.
Statesmen from countries including America and the UK had confirmed their attendance to the meeting via secret channels. If her father wasn’t there, they would back out and leave Bendola to handle its own affairs. The rebels would have to deal with President Abdullah Gohi, whose power woefully dwarfed their own.
David entered the room. He was followed by a tall, powerfully built blond with light eyes, whose gaze surveyed the room. Zuri ignored him and took hold of David’s arm.
“David, help me. Tell Joqi that it is imperative that my father attends this meeting. It is not up to him to decide for us.”
“It’s actually up to me.”
Zuri’s head snapped in the direction of the man with the piercing light eyes. Who was he? He smiled easily, his gaze swiftly taking in her form before settling back on her face. Zuri couldn’t read his expression beyond the cockiness he displayed as he walked past her to her father’s planning table. Did he just dismiss her?
Zuri’s sharp eyes landed on David, who shrugged his shoulders and nodded. “Is someone going to tell me who he is?”
Her father came over and cradled her face in his hands. “My Zuri.” He planted a swift kiss on her forehead before turning to the blond, who leaned against the planning table with his arms folded, watching the two of them with interest. “This is my daughter. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for providing your services.”
“What services?” Zuri asked quickly. “Who is this man? What could he possibly provide me?”
“Protection,” the blond said smoothly. “I’m Daemon Knight.”
Zuri cocked a brow at him. “Am I supposed to know that name?”
Daemon smirked. “Owner of Knight’s Shield. High-end protection service. Any mess, anywhere, we can get you out.”
“Even a gulag?” Zuri said sarcastically.
Daemon shrugged. “I don’t like to brag.”
“I do not need protection. We have it in place. Look around you, Mr. Knight. Thank you for coming all this way, but it was unnecessary. You can get back on the horse you rode in on.”
Daemon chuckled. “We’ve upgraded from horses to vehicles. Car, boat, plane, whatever you need.”
“What we don’t need is—”
“But you do, Zuri,” Joqi urged. “This meeting is too important to go in without the proper level of security. Please, Bayo, hear my words. We can not take this chance for granted.”
Bayo nodded. “I believe Joqi is right.”
“I know Joqi is right,” Daemon agreed. “The routes you have here”—he spread his hand over the maps—“you’re looking at way too many choke points where you could be eliminated.”
“Eliminated!” Zuri cried.
“Don’t mean to freak you out, Princess,” Daemon continued, “but
you should know the truth. You’re in hiding, after all. Things outside are dynamic.”
“I’m not a princess. Just because I’m from an African tribe doesn’t mean I’m royalty.”
“My mistake, Princess,” Daemon said with a wink.
“And I know the truth. And we are perfectly safe with our own guards.”
David shook his head. “I think we’ll need more. The presence of international statesmen will increase the threat. According to my sources, the Elite Guard is on high alert. The Americans and Brits will undoubtedly be followed everywhere. We have to be smart about this.”
“David’s right,” Daemon said. “You can be sure the guys will be riding with their own security details. That’ll attract attention. You don’t want to be the only ones without protection.”
“We will have protection. Joqi will be there and so will the people. The Elite Guard wouldn’t dare attack. It’ll be seen as an act of war by the other nations.”
Daemon chuckled. The eyes of everyone in the room vaulted between Daemon and Zuri. Zuri could’ve balked at her father’s smile. He looked as if he enjoyed the exchange between her and this foreigner, who walked in here like he knew Bendola and the situation.
“Princess—”
“My name is Zuri,” she snapped.
Daemon didn’t miss a beat. “Princess Zuri, you’re naïve to think that you won’t be attacked. The countries that’ll be in attendance might not see a need to wage war on your tiny country.”
“Tiny!”
“It’s ruled by a dictator who doesn’t play well with others. There’s nothing in it for them to try and mess with this region’s power structure. Remember, you’re surrounded by countries quite capable of defending themselves should they be attacked. President Abdullah Gohi knows he couldn’t possibly win unless he gets outside help. And right now, he’s pissed off a lot of leaders. The other countries are in good standing with the international community, and there wouldn’t be any serious vacuum of power. Unless Gohi’s men fight back.”
Every muscle in Zuri’s body tensed the longer she stared at the man’s confident smirk. His eyes challenged her. Everything he said was correct. “Sanctions, then.”
“Bendola hasn’t developed any serious trade deals with countries that could actually hurt this economy with those sanctions,” Daemon said smoothly. He showed his teeth. “In case you’re wondering, I’ve thought this through.”
And they were wasting time arguing. Or was that this blond knight’s plan?
Daemon sighed as if bored. “Mr. Msongo, you are the face of the revolution. You need protection now more than ever. We’re at a critical moment where, without you, the rebellion could fail. Again, I would advise against your present course of action.”
Zuri’s eyes shifted from Daemon to her father. Bayo nodded, his face grave. Once he eyed his daughter, his smile returned. “You two remind me of your mother and I when we first met. Couldn’t agree on anything. Still didn’t after we married.” He laughed softly. “I appreciate your guidance, Mr. Knight. I believe you are correct in your statements. However”—he winked at Zuri—“I did hire you to protect my daughter, Zuri. Joqi is my man. Whatever Zuri wants, Zuri gets.”
Zuri set a feline smile on Daemon. His narrowed eyes met hers. “You’re fired.”
Chapter 2
Daemon’s blood was on fire with both irritation and, strangely enough, passion. The woman before him smiled viciously, and he wanted nothing more than to back her up against the rough brick wall behind her and kiss that grin off her face. She needed taming, and he’d offer that service for free.
“Zuri, please reconsider,” David pleaded with the statuesque woman, whose upturned nose said she wasn’t hearing any objections. “Daemon is highly qualified. He knows what he’s doing.”
“Is he? Does he?” She didn’t give Daemon another glance. “I’ve made my decision. I shall be with my father and his guards. That should be enough.” She refused to look at him. “And what is he still doing here, anyway? I fired him.”
“Zuri…” David softly chastened.
Daemon rolled his eyes and turned back to the maps on the table. He listened intently as Bayo’s advisors suggested route after alternate route, times, nearby safehouse locations if needed, and alternative meeting locations should the original one become compromised before the meeting. They seemed to be thinking of everything except the threat.
Daemon had his own intel. It was one of the ways he was able to operate his business. He was hired by the most wealthy to protect anything from things to pets to people. For an additional fee, they would enter countries and extradite people, usually those who wanted to defect to the United States. He had substantial experience from countries all over Europe to the jungles of Africa and South America. Needed help finding a daughter kidnapped by terrorists? Daemon Knight could track her down, rescue her, and hand the terrorists over to authorities. He was good at his job.
He was good at everything.
And right now, he was going to keep Zuri alive, whether she wanted his help or not. So what if he was fired. He’d go to the meeting anyway. Her father had hired him; the way Daemon saw it, the contract wasn’t with Zuri. Princess could throw around her pretend authority all she wanted. In the end, she’d do exactly what Daemon would tell her, when he’d tell her, and how he’d tell her.
No resistance.
“Where did you find this guy anyway?” Daemon overheard Zuri ask David. “Do you know how dangerous it is to bring new people into my father’s circle? You know what happened the last time we trusted someone without question.”
“I do know,” came David’s grave voice. “That won’t happen with Daemon, I can promise you that. Your father hired him.”
“At your suggestion?”
“Yes!”
“Without consulting me? David, are we not the best of friends?”
“Yes, Zuri, we are. And I knew you would act this way, which is why I couldn’t say anything.”
“You should’ve. You owed that to me.”
“Zuri, please…” Daemon glanced over his shoulder to eye his friend’s worried expression. David laid a hand on Zuri’s arm, still crossed over her chest. “Give Daemon a chance. He is very good at his job.”
“So are my father’s guards.”
“Yes, but the threat is greater now. We don’t know who to trust anymore because of last time.”
Daemon remembered what David had told them about the assassination attempt on Bayo by an insider threat only a few months ago. The man had been with the group only a few short months. His story and passion of the cause went wholly unquestioned. The rebellion had been desperate for more men, with several key leaders being captured and tortured. Supporters disappearing in broad daylight. The people were afraid to commit to fight.
Every time they had tried to do a rally or event, President Gohi’s Elite Guard shut them down. It had seemed the military was one step ahead of them. David had suggested the possibility that someone was feeding the military information. Within a day, the man had made his presence known by what David had described as a desperate attempt to kill Bayo. The insider threat had known he was about to be discovered and taken his chance while he had it.
David was right to call Daemon. With billions of dollars at Daemon’s disposal, he could literally do whatever he needed to keep Zuri and her father safe.
“Sir, I’ve got to protest this plan,” Daemon cut in after another advisor insisted the route to the meeting location was sound. “In fact, I think you should scrap it all together.”
“You do?” Bayo asked.
Zuri made it to her father’s side in a blink of an eye. Those long, lean legs served her well. “What about ‘you’re fired’ don’t you understand?”
Bayo put a hand up. “Zuri, please. There is no need to be rude.”
Daemon wasn’t at all intimidated. He was used to dealing with entitled clients who thought they knew everything about his job—and how to keep the
mselves safe. The average person knew little and put themselves at risk in ways that were just asking for them to be taken advantage of.
“My intelligence states that—”
“Your intelligence?” Zuri scoffed. “Isn’t that an oxymoron for Americans?”
Daemon smirked. She needed to be kissed, and often. The tense energy he felt from her the moment he walked into the room told him she would only relax when she had no other option. Daemon loved a challenge. The more impossible, the better. And he was a glutton for punishment. He’d endured both Army Ranger School and Special Forces training. He could handle Zuri—in more ways than one.
“I’m a private firm,” Daemon said smoothly. “My experience and that of my employees is unmatched by any protection firm in the galaxy.”
Zuri sputtered a laugh.
“That’s right. I’m including space.” He wagged his brows. “My father owns an exploration company. We’ve got a number of satellites in the air right now. One over this area, in fact.”
“Which is how you found me without directions,” David said with a sheepish expression.
Daemon slapped David on the shoulder. “I’m always looking for my client’s vulnerabilities. And you have a number of them here.” He pointed to the map.
“We have been planning this meeting for weeks—”
“I get that, Princess, but I’m telling you to wait another week if you want it done right.”
Zuri’s cheekbones looked sharper than razorblades, her full lips twisting to show her displeasure. That mouth was everything right now, and Daemon tempered his desire it. He’d need all of his focus if he were going to keep this stubborn woman alive.