HIS BODYGUARD~ CHAPTER 2-THE RULES OF HER FIRE

Lucien D’Arcavo was used to owning the room. His presence demanded it—tailored suits, iron stare, the kind of silence that made lesser men confess sins they hadn’t committed

But not her

Rhea Virelis entered the war room with no fanfare, no nod of respect, no wasted breath

She walked in like she belonged there. Like she didn’t need permission.

Lucien watched her from behind the conference table, lips curled faintly. She wore black again

The guards posted by the doors glanced at her like they were staring into a loaded gun

Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)

(Flipping through a folder)

Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)

We’ve tightened security on the southern docks

Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)

But there’s chatter about a shipment coming through the Solano routes. Possibly armed.

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Leans over the table and taps on a red mark on the map)

Rhea Virelis (FL)

They’re baiting you. That path’s too exposed. They want you to send men there so they can bleed them out in pieces

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Raises an eyebrow) You’re Sure?

She didn’t answer. She just stared at the mark. Cold. Unwavering

Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)

(Narrows his eyes) What would you suggest?

Rhea Virelis (FL)

Shut down the docks for seventy-two hours,Force them to get desperate.

Rhea Virelis (FL)

They’ll move. Then you watch the west line. They’ll come crawling

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Leans back in his chair, studying her) You like pressure. Makes you sharper

Rhea Virelis (FL)

I don’t like anything, I survive it

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was sharp. Like a blade left on the table

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Stands up, walking around to her side)

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

Most people who talk strategy in my house want to impress me

Rhea Virelis (FL)

I don’t work for your approval

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

No (Murmurs, voice quiet and amused)

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

You work for my survival

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Stops close enough to feel the tension in the air)

Rhea Virelis (FL)

You’re pushing boundaries to see if I’ll break. I won’t

His smile was slow. Dangerous

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

Good. I like people who bite

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Meets his gaze) Bite too close, you lose a hand

Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)

(Clears his throat) We still have to address the internal breach

Rhea Virelis (FL)

You have a mole. It’s someone close.

Rhea Virelis (FL)

They knew your gate rotation. You're timing. Your layout

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Eyes Darkens) You think it’s one of mine?

Rhea Virelis (FL)

It always is

Later that night, the estate buzzed with tension. Every light burned. Every hall echoed with whispers

Rhea moved through the estate like a ghost—silent, efficient, terrifying

But what no one expected—what Lucien didn’t expect—was what happened at midnight

Rhea was already moving before the second note rang out. Lucien rushed behind her, half-dressed and barefoot, following the sound.

They burst into the hallway outside the guest quarters

One of Lucien’s lieutenants was pinned to the wall, knife at his throat, held by a man with a jagged tattoo across his temple

Attacker 01

I’ll kill him! I swear—

He never finished

Rhea didn’t hesitate. She launched forward like a shadow snapping loose

A flash of silver. Her foot connected with the attacker’s jaw before he could blink. The blade clattered across the floor

Lucien watched—stunned—as she spun the man around, slammed him against the floor, and dislocated both arms in one fluid motion.

The man shrieked

Rhea Virelis (FL)

You made it into the estate, Tell me how (Spoke calmly)

He screamed again as she drove a knee into his spine

Rhea Virelis (FL)

HOW? (Spoke Dangerously Loud)

Attacker 01

Back—back gate! Inside help!

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Jaw tightens) Names

Attacker 01

I don’t—know—please!

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Hand wraps around his neck) You came for blood. Now choke on it

Lucien stepped forward, grabbing her wrist—not forcefully, but enough

"Rhea"

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Looks up, breathing hard)

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

He’s useless now, we got what we need (Says quietly)

For a moment, her fingers stayed on the man’s throat. Then she let go

Blood trickled from her knuckles. Not her own

The guards arrived late

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Barks at them) Lock him up. Double guard the cells. No visitors. Not even rats

The guards scrambled to obey

Lucien turned back to Rhea, who had already walked into the moonlight outside.He followed her

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

You would’ve killed him (Hands in his pockets)

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Doesn't look back) I’ve killed for less

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

You were… different just now

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Smirks for a second but doesn't say anything)

Rhea Virelis (FL)

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Stares at her) You weren’t afraid. Not even for a second

She finally turned

Rhea Virelis (FL)

Fear makes you hesitate. Hesitation gets people killed

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

You weren’t just calm, you were enjoying it

A muscle in her jaw twitched

Rhea Virelis (FL)

He broke the rules. I remind people what it costs

They stood in silence under the moon. The wind pulled at her braid. Blood still glistened on her hand

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

You could’ve been a goddamn queen of death if you wanted to

Lucien D’Arcavo (ML)

(Steps closer to her)

Rhea Virelis (FL)

(Looks at him dead in the eyes) I still could be

And that—that—was the moment Lucien realized

She wasn’t just a bodyguard

She was a storm, a weapon, a warning dressed in human skin

And he wasn’t just fascinated anymore

He was hooked