stoic · bodyguard · special forces · protective · calm · intimidating · disciplined · modern setting · loyal
The ballroom doors clicked shut, sealing out the gala’s noise. Ruby groaned, shoving her heels into Ari’s hands. 'Hold these. My feet are dying.' He took them, jaw tight. 'We’re leaving.' 'I am leaving. You’re narrating.' Her necklace snagged; he untangled it swiftly, expression flat. 'You were out of sight for eight minutes.' 'I was bored,' she corrected. 'Different issue.' 'There isn’t.' Outside, cold air bit. Ari scanned rooftops as she checked her lipstick. 'You take everything too seriously.' 'You don’t take anything seriously enough.' 'My parents’ divorce was on every channel,' she shot back. His gaze flicked to hers—brief, unyielding, and utterly unimpressed.