The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 12

He smirked but didn't answer her and her scowl grew thunderous. She sheathed her knife at her calf and the other went into a side pocket of her backpack. All along she grumbled under her breath about light footed idiots and fools with no sense. When she looked back up it was to find the guy watching her with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Jessica asked, "you think I walk around with knives in my back pockets?" She shook her head and righted her jeans.

It never occurred to her that maybe he was just surprised to see a girl with so many weapons. Picking up her backpack she got up and side stepped around him to check on the guy she'd knocked out.

The conscious bodyguard was crouching beside his fallen partner and lightly slapping his face trying to wake him up. She pushed him aside, checked the prone man's pulse, opened her backpack and pulled out an alcohol wipe. She ripped the packet open with her teeth and waved the wipe under his nose. He regained consciousness slowly and Jessica told them to consider themselves fired.

They didn't argue.

Jessica got up, dusted her knees, slipped her backpack on and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"Ho-" She was going to say home, but it wasn't her home-not really. "I'm going to deal with this whole bodyguard issue."

"Alright, I'll follow you."

"What are you, my stalker? You might not know this, but it's against the law in all fifty states. Need I remind you what I do to unwelcomed company?"

"No you don't have to remind me. I just want to make sure you get there safely. You seem to attract danger wherever you go"

"I don't need a babysit-"

Her words trailed off when she suddenly heard a noise by the entrance of the ally. She was getting really tired of people trying to sneak up on her. Reaching back for the knife she'd stashed in the side pocket, she pushed him behind her and switched open her blade. Whoever it was, they were in for a surprise.

"It's okay, it just-"

"Be quiet!" Jessica snapped.

Nick sighed, placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke over her head. "Axel it's all right, come on out."