Talk a little with Eric

“Well, Eric,” you say and sit a little more comfortable, “how about you tell me something about you?”

“I’m your bodyguard, Miss Pike,” Eric answers in a deep, dry voice, “I get paid to protect you. Are you really interested in my life?”

“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise,” you reply friendly, “I would really like to know, how you came to the job. My father must trust you very much when he makes you responsible for his daughters security. Oh, and you can call me Ashley.”

“To be honest, I was surprised when he told me my new task,” Eric admits, “normally I guard the front entrance of the mansion. And … I’m not the kind of thug who follows your fathers VIPs normally. I only protect, and every fight is a new source of danger.”

“How does it come that you work for my father?” you ask.

“Well, my little sister had the stupid idea to lend money from one of your fathers loan sharks,” Eric says and tries not to show he is angry, “I told her not to take the offer, but she was very stubborn. Of course she couldn’t pay it back and she took some very shady and dangerous jobs to keep the bone breaks, brutal money collectors, on distance. In the end we had to options to avoid serious trouble. She could sell her body as a prostitute, or I could work as a guard. The second option sounded better and so I agreed to work for the boss for five years. This was one year ago. It isn’t that bad so far.”

“Will you stay after your work is done?” you ask interested.

“No, I clearly will not,” Eric says and shakes his head, “I will not become a thug. I will do my job and never violate any laws so the boss can not **** me to expend my services. At least my sister learned her lesson. She is working in my family’s bakery and stays out of trouble.”

“I see,” you mumble, “well, I hope things work out for you.”

“Thanks,” Eric says and smiles a little, “also for the talk. Good to know not all members of the Pike-family are psychopaths like your brother.”

“My what?” you asked shocked, “I have a brother?”

“You didn’t knew?” Eric asks surprised, “his name is William. He is the boss’s son from another woman, so he is precisely your half-brother.”

“Mom never told me anything,” you say shocked.

“I assume it wasn’t her favorite topic,” Eric mumbles a little uncomfortable, “William is 19 years old. Just a year older than you. And he was the result of an affair. Your parents were already married. But don’t hope for a kind new brother to play soccer with. As I said he is a psychopath. And a fucked-up sadist. He was arrested several times for ****, **** and other shit. But he is the son of Warren Pike. And as long as your father has enough judges on his payroll your brother will never see the inside of a prison cell.”

“God,” you mumble, “what have I gotten myself into?”

“Listen, Ashley, you are a nice girl, so I give you this advice: Stay away from your brother,” Eric says serious, “I will always give my best to keep you safe. But he is the only one I can’t protect you from. Well, he and your father, but the boss has no intention to hurt or brutally fuck you. Or at least I hope so.”

“I can’t believe it,” you mumble, “I have a brother. And he is a criminal psychopath.”

There is another moment of silence. Then suddenly Eric drives to a gas station at the side of the road and stops.

“I need to refuel,” he informs you quiet, “if you want, you can wait in the car or get a coffee. Just … don’t mess with the wrong guys when I’m not around.”