Esme's POV

It's been a week since the engagement, and Asher and I have been texting a lot.

Yesterday he texted me saying he needed my help in a mission. So, I'm about to go to his house in another thirty minutes.

They needed my help with a shipment they were getting.

I was on assassin duty today. That means that I get to play.

After informing my siblings, I set out to Asher's house.

I gave my name to the guard at the gate, and Asher was waiting for me in the driveway and opened my door as soon as I stopped.

"Esme, it's so good to see you," he said, hugging me as soon as I stepped out.

"Bitch please, it's just been a week," I said, hugging him back nevertheless.

After shutting the car door, he followed me inside, with his hand around my waist.

"This feels weird," I said, taking his hand away and putting it around my shoulder.

"Well, get used to it sunshine. We've got pretenses to keep up, right?" he whispered, bending down to my ear, his lips brushing against the shell of it.

I sucked in a breath at his boldness.

"Sure," I drawled and followed his lead.

When we crossed the threshold, I kept spinning around in an attempt to take in the beauty of the house.

Ancient, but modern. Old but new. Cold, but filled with so much warmth. Big but filled with immense love.

In short, everything my house wasn't.

This was a home. Mine was a house.

Shrugging off the thoughts, we stepped inside the living room, where his parents and brother were waiting.

"My my my, aren't you a sight to behold," Valeria said, walking over to envelop me in a hug. "You're so beautiful sweetheart," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind my hair. "Asher's gonna have a hard time trying to keep other men away from you," she laughed.

"Esme, you've met my mama. This is my father Alaric Ezekiel Raymond, and this is my shithead of a brother, Aaron Malachai Raymond," he introduced.

"Esme, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you from Asher," his father said, walking forward. "Pleasure to meet you too Mr. Raymond. I've heard stories of your legacy sir," I said, forwarding my hand.

He looked at my hand and then pulled me into a hug. "You're family sweetheart. We don't do handshakes. Also, it's Alaric to you. Mr. Raymond makes me feel old," he said. "Okay," I mumbled, still not used to the huge amount of niceness that this family held.

His brother was next. "It's so nice to meet you, sis. I've always wanted an elder sister," he said, hugging me, rocking us both side to side. "Oh, and please call me Aaron, or Malachai, or whatever you want. It isn't a hassle," he said.

After he let me go, I turned to them. "Well, since we're doing introductions, I'm Esme Kelly Octavia Knight, and it's a pleasure to meet you all," I said with a smile.

Soon, we headed to the meeting room, where Asher and his dad briefed us on the plan.

When we arrived at the docks, we had to part ways. I was on assassin and sniper duty, while the others took care of the groundwork.

"Alright, this is where we part. Stick to the plan, and in case you improvise, inform before acting," Alaric said.

"Be careful tesoro," he said, kissing Val's forehead, and leaned his forehead on hers, whispering, while I turned away to give them privacy.

Asher came up to me and took my hands in his. "Don't think alright. Shoot first, ask questions later. If at any point you wanna get out, just say 'blueberry'. I'll come and get you out, alright? Be safe sunshine," he said, kissing my forehead.

My skin felt tingly under his touch.

Clearing my throat, I took a step back from his warm presence, overwhelmed by the closeness.

"I will. You be safe too, alright? Just holler if you need help. Come back in one piece," I said, patting his bicep.

Goddamn, is it made of steel?

"Aww, do you care about me sunshine?" he asked with a teasing smile.

"No. I care about my revenge asshole," I said, slapping him on his chest.

Again, is it made of steel? Dayum, this guy is ripped.

"Alright, jokes apart, take care," he said.

"Will do pretty boy," I said, turning and walking away.

Setting up the snipe, and tuning in the earpiece, I laid low.

Soon enough our party of interest was arriving and I heard Aaron over the earpiece.

"Esme, there should be no problems with the deal, but we had intel that they were gonna try to kill Asher and dad. Keep an eye on the shadows, and also on mom. She is with our other guys. Just in case they try to take her, be cautious," he warned.

"You guys are in good hands Malachai... Haven't you heard the reputation of the Fox yet?" I said with a smirk, looking through my scope simultaneously.

"I see movement at your dad's twelve. Check it out," I told him, zooming in, at the same time.

"Esme, you may have to take care of it. It's our guy, but he's somewhere where he shouldn't be. Be careful, keep watching your back too," he said.

"Will do cutie," I replied.

Just as I said that, I felt someone behind me, and rolled away just in time to dodge a damn kick.

Not wasting time, I pulled out my gun and shot them dead, and then asked Aaron, "Aaron, is anyone supposed to be on the roof with me? Like being my cover person or something?"

"No, why?" he asked. "I just shot a motherfucker dead. I just wanted to make sure I didn't shoot the wrong one," I replied, and all I got in response were his chuckles.

"Welcome to the family sis," he laughed.

The other guy rolled up with his cavalry, and I noticed Asher and Alaric switch to their business stance.

"Esme, I already see six at my nine, and three at dad's twelve. Be ready to get trigger-happy," came Asher's voice, startling me for a moment.

"Sir yes sir," I replied, waiting for the people on Alaric's three to fall into line.

They were discussing the deal, when I saw one among the three raise his gun at Alaric.

Whoosh

One down, two more to go.

These three weren't hard to take out.

I turned the scope towards the men near Asher, only to find two already dead.

"Val, are you alright?" I asked.

"I'm all good. I took out two... You take out two, I'll finish the remaining. Make it as quick as possible. They shouldn't know what hit them," she said, moving behind one of them.

"Val, give me a sec. It's too damn dark down there," I said, and just as I was thinking of ways to produce lighting, one of the men took his phone out and turned the flashlight on.

"Oh, thank god. I thought I was gonna have to get down there," I sighed with relief, and shot the other one first, before shooting the flashlight guy.

By the time Val and I were done with them, the deal was done and they had finished up with the shipments too.

Packing up my equipment, I jumped down from the crates and met with the others near the cars.

Asher approached me as soon as he saw me, leading us both behind a crate for some privacy.

"You alright? I heard a gunshot," he asked.

"Yeah. I'm good. The other guy tho, has a bullet through his head, with his brain matter coating the crate," I smiled.

"Good job," he said, taking my face in his huge ass palms and kissing my forehead again.

I closed my eyes for a moment, and let myself be gathered into his warm hands, resting my face on his chest, feeling safe.

"Who are these guys by the way?" I asked, pulling away from the warmth.

I can't get attached. Not again.

"Bastards. It was the Davidsons. They thought we wouldn't know about the dogs they sent. Bloody bitches," he seethed, visibly upset.

"Tell me if you wanna kill them. I'll do it," I offered.

"Nah. I can't do anything without them provoking me. It'll cause a war," he said, shaking his head.

"Stay the night at our house. You can use the guestroom," he offered.

After a moment of thought I nodded, and we came out from behind the crate.

Alaric hugged me as soon as he saw me.

"Thank you for keeping us safe princessa," he said, his strong embrace giving me the utmost sense of protection. "I'm glad to have you as my daughter," he said, kissing my forehead and releasing me.

Like I said, this family was entirely too nice.

After he let go of me, I just nodded, not knowing how to react to any of this.

"Esme, gimme a piggyback ride," Aaron came running from behind and jumped on my back.

Shaking my head with a soft laugh, I carried the big baby to his car.

The moonlight caught the ring and it shined in the darkness, reminding me what this was.

A marriage of convenience...

A contract...

A thing that can end at any time...

I can't afford to get fucking attached...

These thoughts filled my head as I made him sit in Asher's car in the passenger seat, and buckled him up.

Come tomorrow morning, and none of this would matter to me.

At least that's what I thought...

A/N: Hey lovelies... Hope you're all doing good...

Opinions on the chapter??? Leave behind your comments and suggestions...

Until next time,

Love

Jeff ❤❤