“I’d like to say thank you to Brand. It’s nice of him to protect me when I’m not a Silverman.”
“Argh, Stephan’s right. You don’t listen. I told you in the car you’re a Silverman now.”
I chuckled at Derick.
“Little bit, Derick’s right. You’re a Silverman and extremely important to me. I’m glad Brand protected you. He would have been in trouble if he didn’t.”
Mum kissed Jade’s cheek. “Stephan and Derick are right. You’re a part of this family now, Jade, which means our bodyguards protect you with their lives too.”
Jade didn’t say anything for a while and I enjoyed having her in my arms. My mum left, and Derick turned on the TV flicking through the cable stations
“Why haven’t I seen your bodyguards before?” Jade broke the quiet.
“They’re hidden. We don’t have them follow us at the school. The school has high security. We have a lot of high profile kids so we put money together and the school is very high tech. Did you notice we have the high fences around it with wire at the tops? We also have cameras everywhere.”
“How can you have all that in a public school?”
“The cameras and safety things are what parents have provided. The government hasn’t spent any money. They did look at building a private school, but with all the costs and maintenance it works out cheaper and easier to change the school. Everyone has been grateful for the extra safety and all the better quality things they get. It’s why the school gets the best teachers and with the parents on the richer side we have the best of everything, so the lower income families get the goods too.”
“Everything you’ve said makes sense I suppose. I guess I need to take more notice of my surroundings. I never really noticed what you’re saying.”
I shrugged. “You’re not meant to notice. You’re a student so you wouldn’t have been questioned by any of the undercover bodyguards.” I didn’t want to scare her more than she’d already been scared but I wanted Jade to know she was safe. “You’re safe at the school. We’ve never had any incidents where we’ve needed the security. It’s all just a precaution. I’m sure tonight was nothing and you were just caught in some gang fight.” I was lying, but I didn’t want Jade to worry.
“If you say so.” She hugged me and I held her tight, calming my ragged nerves. I couldn’t let anything happen to her ever again. I wouldn’t let anything happen.
*****
It was late and I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to let Jade go.
“We have school in the morning. I still want to go. But…well…can I sleep with you…in your bed? I um…I’ll be wearing a nighty and…er…you could put me back in my own bed once I fall asl—”
I was so shocked Jade asked to sleep in my bed it took me a moment to respond. “Jade of course you can sleep with me. You know, I would have had you back in my bed as soon as you got here almost a week ago.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m doing it tonight because I was scared and you make me feel safe. I need that tonight.”
I was willing to take her, however, she was willing to come to me. Jade eased off my lap and stretched, pushing her shoulders back and her chest out—tempting me. . My body ached, reminding me it had been weeks without any satisfaction. But oddly enough I didn’t care. All I cared about was making sure Jade was happy and cared for. When she was ready it would make it all the better.
Jade walked toward the stairs and I got up to follow. She went into her room and I walked to my own putting in my code and leaving the door open for Jade. I went to the bathroom and did my business, coming back to bed, stripping and getting into the covers. Jade came in not long after in silk pink shorts and a white cotton tank top. Her hair was in a plait and she had a fresh clean face. She went to the opposite side of the bed from me and climbed onto it.
“Please tell me when I get in you won’t be naked?”
“Can’t do that. I haven’t slept with clothes since I reached puberty.” I yanked the covers off and gathered her to me. She squealed and closed her eyes. I chuckled. “You’re clothed. So you’re safe.”
“Ha, I’m in bed with you, Stephan. The clothes I have on couldn’t stop you.” Her legs settled on either side of me and she laid on me, her arms resting on my arms.
I stroked her back. “I know you’re not ready. I promise I’ll wait for however long you need to be ready. You’re important to me, Jade, and I want you happy and safe.” She sighed and snuggled against me. I loved the feel of her against me. I wished we were skin to skin but I knew she wasn’t ready and Jade was worth waiting for, I was sure. “Right now I want you to lie down and sleep.