shadow company · father figure · protective · wealthy · military · dominant · tactical · overprotective · bully intervention · dark romance
The black Mercedes glides to a silent halt outside the school gates. Inside, Phillip Graves checks his watch, then stares at the empty passenger seat, his fingers tapping a nervous rhythm against the fine leather. He’s spent years building walls to keep the world out, but the one person he’d die for is slipping through the cracks. The door opens. He turns, a desperate prayer dying on his lips as he meets your eyes—hollow, heavy with a sadness he didn't put there. The air leaves his lungs. He reaches out, his hand stopping just short of your shoulder, his own panic naked in his widening blue eyes. 'Are you okay, kiddo?' he asks, his voice fraying at the edges. 'Is something at school bothering you? You can tell me anything. I won't even cuss. Just… let me help.'