7.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Ren was back in the hall standing at her post like always, and I was in my room on FaceTime with Rina, both of us getting dressed for a party. She was delusional as hell, rambling about how she wasn't gonna drink too much tonight, how she was just coming to "vibe" and "people-watch."

"Girl, be so real," I laughed, applying some clear lip gloss in the mirror. "You say this every time, and every time, you end up damn near carried out."

Rina gasped, putting a dramatic hand to her chest. "First of all, bitch, that was one time—"

"Lies."

"—okay, maybe three, but who's counting?" she smirked, fluffing out her curls. "And I really mean it this time! I got work in the morning."

I hummed, clearly not convinced. I knew my girl. She was gonna get lit, lose her purse at least once, and probably start flirting with somebody's man just to be messy—it was just who she was.

I turned to check myself out in the mirror. I looked too good. I had on this short-ass, tight-ass dress that hugged my body just right, showing off every curve. My makeup was flawless, my hair was laid, and my heels were sitting pretty next to the bed, ready to be slipped on.

"So, how's lover girl doing?" Rina teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes, already knowing who she was talking about. "Ain't nobody worried about Ren."

Rina busted out laughing. "Now why you lying? You stay throwing ass in her direction."

I pouted. "That's not true."

"Uh huh." She squinted at me through the screen. "And I bet her fine ass is right outside your door, huh?"

I glanced over at my open door, where I could see Ren posted up in the hallway like always. Dressed in her suit, arms crossed, eyes scanning the hallway like she had no idea I was even staring at her.

Rina caught the way my eyes flickered. "Bitch. You are so down bad."

"Shut up," I mumbled, looking away.

"Mmmhm." She sat back on her bed, chewing her lip in thought. "I bet she's all professional and shit, acting like she don't wanna bend you over the balcony."

I squealed, throwing a pillow at the phone. "RINA!"

She was dying laughing, kicking her feet. "I'm just saying! That lady wants you, and you know it!"

I bit my lip, sneaking one more glance at Ren.

She wasn't even looking at me—but I could tell by the way her jaw was clenched, by the way she stood so still, so focused—she was fighting something.

And honestly?

I loved that shit.

I finished getting ready, my beat was flawless, my outfit was snatched, and my hair was laid to perfection. I was feeling myself heavy as I grabbed my little bag and strutted out my room, my heels clicking against the marble floors of the estate.

Ren was already outside, standing by the car, keys in hand.

Of course she beat me to it again.

I pouted a little but didn't say anything as I slid into the passenger seat, adjusting my dress. Rina had already texted that she was ready and waiting, so we were about to scoop her up.

The drive to her place wasn't long, and as soon as we pulled up, Rina practically jumped in the car, already hype as hell.

"Bitch! We look so good!" she gasped, grabbing my hand and squeezing it dramatically. "Tonight is our night, I feel it in my spirit."

I laughed, feeling the energy shift as soon as she got in. Rina always brought that chaotic best friend energy.

"You better not get too drunk," I teased, glancing at her through my lashes. "I ain't carrying you to no damn Uber."

"Me? Drunk? Never."

"Mmmhm."

Ren hadn't said a single word, just focused on the road, her jaw tight, hands gripping the steering wheel like she was keeping herself in check. I peeped.

Rina peeped too.

She leaned over to whisper in my ear, "Girl, she is so sick of us."

I giggled, covering my mouth. "She love us."

Rina smirked. "She love you."

I turned my head dramatically to look at her. "Don't start."

She just shrugged, all smug and knowing, before turning up the music. The bass boomed through the car, and soon enough, we were rapping along, singing loud, vibing.

I stole one glance at Ren.

She was stoic, like always, but I swore I saw the corner of her lips twitch up for a split second.

She was so fighting it.

And honestly?

That just made me wanna go harder.

As soon as Ren pulled up to the party, I could already hear the bass shaking the ground. The street was packed, cars lined up on both sides, and people were outside, laughing, smoking, taking videos for their stories.

Ren put the car in park and got out first, walking around to open my door. Always on duty.

Perfect.

I took my sweet time, adjusting my dress, making sure my legs were crossed just right before stepping out. And when I did, I brushed my ass right against her.

Not an accident.

I heard the sharp inhale, that tiny pause in her breathing before she immediately straightened up. I smirked to myself. Oh, she felt that.

Rina caught it all, of course. She was already standing on my side, waiting, and when she saw what I did, her brows shot up, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"You're actually insane," she whispered, linking her arm with mine.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Ren cleared her throat behind us, stepping back to give us space, but I knew she was watching.

I made sure of it.

I walked in with my hips swaying, my heels clicking against the pavement, my dress hugging every curve. Too short, too tight, just how I liked it. I could feel eyes on me already, but I wasn't worried about them.

I was worried about one pair of eyes.

And when I glanced back over my shoulder, just to check, just to see—

Ren was still there, jaw tight, eyes locked on me like she was fighting something deep.

I turned back around, my smirk growing.

This was gonna be a fun night.

As soon as we got inside, the music hit different. The bass was deep, shaking my bones, and the lights were flashing all over the place, giving that hazy, chaotic glow that only parties like this had.

I barely even stopped to take it all in before heading straight for the bar. Priorities.

Rina? She was already on demon time. I barely even had to turn my head before I saw her walking off with somebody's man, giggling like she had no morals. I respected it.

I made my way to the bar, slipping between bodies, my dress riding up just a little as I leaned against the counter. The bartender walked up, eyeing me up and down before smirking.

"What you want, sweetheart?"

"Something strong," I purred, tilting my head slightly, my lashes low.

I barely got the drink in my hand before it was snatched away.

I blinked, turning sharply, already about to start cussing when I saw who it was.

Ren.

Standing there with that stone-cold expression, eyes steady, towering over me in that suit like she was somebody's FBI agent.

I put a hand on my hip. "Give me my drink back."

She didn't even hesitate. "No."

I scoffed. "Ren—"

"You're underage."

That made me pause. Underage? UNDERAGE?!

I stared at her, offended as hell.

"I am nineteen years old," I said, my tone full of attitude.

Ren's face didn't change. "Exactly."

Before I could even start arguing, she turned to the bartender and told him the same thing. And this fake-ass bartender, who was just serving me a drink with no hesitation, suddenly switched up.

"Damn, my bad, shordy" he said, grabbing a fat black marker and reaching for my hand.

I tried to snatch it back, but Ren was right there, watching me like she dared me to fight it.

This was humiliating.

I huffed, reluctantly letting the bartender take my hand, wincing as he dragged a big-ass X across the back of it.

I looked at it, then back at Ren, and glared.

"I actually hate you."

She didn't even blink. "That's fine."

I folded my arms, pouting like a brat. "You better be glad you fine."

I swore I saw her lips twitch, like she was holding back a smirk, but she stayed on her bodyguard bullshit, not saying a word.

This night was already starting off ghetto.

The music was hitting now. The type of bass that shook the floor, that made you feel it in your chest, in your spine. The type that had girls throwing ass like their rent depended on it.

I found Rina easily. Of course, she was already deep into some dude, dancing like she was trying to get chose. I rolled my eyes with a little smirk, but my focus wasn't on her.

It was on Ren.

She had posted up on the opposite wall, arms crossed over that broad ass chest, scanning the room like she was really working.

Boring.

I was feeling playful. Petty. Dangerous.

So I made sure to place myself right in her line of sight. Not too close. But close enough.

I pretended not to notice her at first, rolling my hips to the beat, swaying side to side, my movements slow, deliberate. Then, just when I knew she was looking, I bent over.

And when I say I performed, I PERFORMED.

I threw ass like I was getting paid for it. Slow and controlled at first, then quick, precise, hypnotic. I let my hands trail down my thighs, arching my back deep, giving whoever was watching a show.

And I knew she was watching.

I didn't even have to look to know her eyes were locked.

I kept going, pushing it, seeing how long she'd let me play before she broke.

It didn't take long.

One minute.

That's all I got.

One minute of taunting her before I felt a strong hand on my dress, pulling it down.

The grip was firm. Final.

I stood up slow, real slow, turning my head just slightly, just enough to see her out the corner of my eye.

She was right there.

Close.

Too close.

That same unreadable, stone-cold expression on her face, but I swore I could see something else. Something deeper.

"That's enough, Ms. Hill," she said, her voice low, even. Not angry. Just firm.

Authoritative.

It sent a shiver down my spine.

She let go just as quick as she grabbed, turning on her heel and going right back to her post like nothing happened.

Like she wasn't just this close to folding.

I grinned, biting my lip as I watched her go.

I loved every second of that.

Rina was in her own world at this point, taking shots with some dude I barely recognized. They were giggling, getting real close, and I was feeling playful again, so I walked over and plopped down on her lap, wrapping my arms around her like I had every right to be there.

"Hey, babe," I said sweetly, tilting my head and batting my lashes at her.

She looked at me, then at the dude, then back at me, glaring.

I knew that look.

The "you fucking up my chance" look.

I rolled my eyes and got up, dramatic as hell, tossing my hair over my shoulder before walking off.

Whatever.

I was barely ten steps away when she popped up again.

Curly head.

Apparently, my new stalker.

She stepped in front of me, blocking my path, her eyes wide and expectant.

"Dance with me again," she said, leaning in like we were cool.

I gave her a look.

"Fuck no. Catfishing ass."

She blinked, looking a little thrown.

Then, as if she didn't just hear me clearly disrespect her, she asked again.

I sighed, annoyed now.

"No."

I turned to walk off, but before I could even take a step, she grabbed my wrist—hard.

Too hard.

Her grip was tight, aggressive.

Who the fuck does she think she is?

I barely had time to react before she started talking, her voice low, threatening.

"You think you're better than me?" she spat, her fingers digging into my skin.

I was just about to cuss her ass out, maybe shove her, maybe scream—

But I didn't even get the chance.

Because before I could do anything, I felt her jerk back violently.

And next thing I knew—

She was in a fucking headlock.

Oh.

My mouth parted, my brain catching up to what just happened.

Ren had her locked up so fast I swore she teleported.

Her arm was tight around the girl's throat, her muscles tense, defined.

I had never seen her move like that before—fast, calculated, deadly.

Curly head was gasping, struggling, her hands clawing at Ren's iron grip, but it was no use.

Ren was calm.

Unbothered.

And when she spoke, her voice was low, but it cut through the noise like a warning siren.

"You got three seconds to let that shit go," she murmured in the girl's ear.

My heart was pounding.

The girl frantically nodded, her face turning red, and Ren—thankfully—let her go, shoving her back just enough to make her stumble.

Curly head gasped for air, stumbling away like she finally understood she fucked with the wrong one.

Ren didn't even look at her again.

Instead, she turned to me.

Her eyes dragged over me.

Checking me.

Making sure I was good.

"You alright, Ms. Hill?" she asked, her tone steady. Controlled.

I should've been shaken up.

But all I could focus on was the way she looked right now.

Her chest rising and falling.

Her stance, dominant, protective.

Her fucking hands.

Oh.

I was in trouble.

I nodded, exhaling deeply, and looked up at Ren.

"I'm ready to go," I murmured.

Ren gave me a sharp nod, then gently placed her hand on my lower back, guiding me through the party with zero hesitation.

I knew she was still in work mode because her grip was firm but not too much, her other hand close to her side, probably ready to react to anything.

But me?

I was still lowkey flustered.

Like—what the fuck just happened?

I mean, I had seen security detail get physical before, but never for me.

Not like that.

Ren snatched that girl up so fast, had her gasping for her life, and then just walked off like it was nothing.

That was...

Kinda hot.

Anyway.

I shook the thought out of my head and went to go find Rina, spotting her still wrapped up with the dude she had been dancing on all night.

I tapped her shoulder, and she turned around, grinning.

"You ready to go?" I asked.

She shook her head, laughing.

"Taking an Uber, bitch," she said, grabbing her phone out of the guy's hands.

I nodded, smirking.

"Don't die, bitch."

She blew me a kiss. "Love you, slut."

I rolled my eyes, grinning.

I love my bestie downnn.

Ren didn't say anything as she led me to the car, but she did open the door for me like she always does, waiting until I got in before closing it behind me.

I leaned back, exhaling, but then—

"Who was that?"

I turned, surprised.

Ren actually said something?

I blinked at her. "Who?"

She gave me a look. "Your 'stalker.'"

I let out a small huff, shaking my head.

"Some girl from another party a while back, I gave her a dance, and she been on my ass ever since."

Ren chuckled a little, shaking her head as she started driving.

"Yeah, I don't really wanna kill anyone my first month into the job."

My eyes widened, and a giggle slipped out before I could stop it.

Did she...

Did she actually make a joke?

I looked at her for a second, but she was focused on the road, her face back to neutral.

But still.

Ren?

Making jokes?

Interesting.

The car fell into silence after that, though—not awkward, but not exactly comfortable either.

Like something was still hanging between us, unspoken.

Or maybe it was just me.

Either way, I turned my gaze to the window, watching the city lights blur past.

My phone buzzed in my lap, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I glanced down, already knowing who it was before I even unlocked my screen.

Wyatt: You excited for our date tomorrow?

I sighed, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before I finally typed back:

Me: Yep, babe. So excited.

As soon as I hit send, I grimaced, my stomach twisting at the words.

I almost threw up in my mouth.

Why was I even doing this?

Oh, right.

Daddy.

If he would just accept the fact that I like girls, I wouldn't even have to be in this situation.

But no—he was so dead set on keeping up appearances that I had to sit here, pretending.

I stared at my screen, Wyatt sending back a heart emoji, and all I could feel was resentment.

It wasn't his fault.

But still.

I turned my phone face down and stared at the ceiling, mind drifting back to the first time I ever told my father the truth.

I was sixteen.

Still naive enough to think that because my daddy spoiled me rotten, he would also love me unconditionally.

I had sat him down in his office, nervous as hell but determined.

"Daddy, I need to tell you something."

He barely looked up from his laptop. "What is it, babydoll?"

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding.

"I like girls."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

For the first time in my life, I saw true anger in my father's eyes.

Not the frustration he'd get when I spent too much money.

Not the sternness he'd show when I did something reckless.

This was different.

"No, you don't," he said, his voice low.

I swallowed hard. "I do."

His jaw clenched, and he stood up so fast his chair scraped against the floor.

"Don't play games with me, Yanna. I didn't raise you to be confused."

My throat closed up.

I had never been scared of my father before.

But at that moment, I realized something—

There were conditions to his love.

"I'm not confused, Daddy, I—"

"Enough."

His voice boomed, making me flinch.

He glared at me, hands clenched into fists.

"I swear to God, Yanna, if you keep up this bullshit, you can get the fuck out my house."

My heart dropped.

I couldn't breathe.

I had never—never—imagined my daddy saying those words to me.

I was his baby.

His princess.

But in that moment, I was just another disappointment to him.

And so...

I swallowed it down.

Forced my face into neutrality and shrugged.

"Nevermind."

His eyes narrowed. "What?"

I forced a laugh. "I was just playing, Daddy. I'm straight."

The tension in the room shifted immediately.

His shoulders relaxed, and he exhaled, running a hand down his face.

"Don't play like that, babydoll," he muttered, shaking his head.

I nodded, smiling like it didn't kill me inside.

"Sorry, Daddy. Won't happen again."

He patted my cheek before sitting back down at his desk.

"Good."

I nodded once more before walking out of his office, holding my breath until I got to my room.

Then I collapsed onto my bed, tears streaming down my face.

That was the day I learned how to lie to survive.

And now, three years later, I was still doing it.

I blinked, snapping back to the present, my phone screen lighting up again.

Another text from Wyatt.

I ignored it, staring at the ceiling.

I was so tired.

Tired of playing pretend.

Tired of lying to myself.

But most of all...

I was tired of not being enough for the man who was supposed to love me no matter what.

Ren pulled into the estate's long, private driveway, the car moving smoothly through the gates before coming to a stop in front of the house. The ride had been mostly quiet, aside from the faint sound of the radio and my occasional texts back to Wyatt—each one making me want to gag more than the last.

She put the car in park, turned off the engine, and got out before I even had the chance to react. I sighed, still a little in my feelings from earlier, but I followed her lead, stepping out into the cool night air.

Ren was already ahead of me, walking toward the door, her broad shoulders looking even broader in the moonlight. She reached up and grabbed a different set of keys off the wall near the entrance, her movements smooth, practiced.

That's when I realized—she wasn't staying.

My brows furrowed, and before I could stop myself, I called out, "Where are you going?"

She barely glanced over her shoulder. "I'm off. I'm going home."

I don't know why I was expecting a different answer.

She had a life outside of guarding me.

But still... something about her leaving right now—after tonight, after the energy between us—rubbed me the wrong way.

I swallowed my disappointment, shifting on my feet. "Oh."

Ren must've caught something in my tone because she actually looked at me this time. I wasn't sure if she was searching for an attitude or a reason to stay, but either way, she didn't linger on it.

Instead, she gave me a nod and said, "Goodnight, Doll."

Not Ms. Hill.

Doll.

I damn near melted on the spot.

It was small, barely a slip-up, but it was the first time she'd called me something more personal.

Something less professional.

I opened my mouth to say something—anything—to keep her here a little longer, but she was already stepping off the porch, walking toward her car with that same unreadable expression.

And just like that, she was gone.

I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the empty driveway, my mind racing.

I should go inside.

I should go to bed.

But all I could think about was how bad I wanted her to stay.