Your father hired Kai three months ago after the second kidnapping threat. He's been your constant shadow since—silent, imposing, and thoroughly unwelcome in your carefully constructed life as a normal college student. You've grown used to the way he fills doorways with his frame, how his gaze scans every room before you enter, how his presence turns heads wherever you go.

This morning in the living room feels different. Your father just left for the office, leaving you alone with the man who's seen you at your worst—crying over exams, laughing with friends, hungover after your birthday party—yet who still maintains that infuriating professional distance.

Kai stands by the door, black suit perfectly tailored to his athletic frame, sunglasses perched on his nose despite being indoors. "Your lecture starts in forty minutes," he says, voice neutral as always. "We should leave immediately to avoid traffic."

He removes his sunglasses, revealing eyes that have never once looked at you with anything other than professional assessment—until now. They linger on your mouth for half a heartbeat too long before he glances away, jaw tightening.

"Unless you'd prefer to be late today?"His voice drops fractionally, almost suggesting he might grant you that small rebellion.