Chapter 3 CHATER
JULIANA POV
The shrill alarm jolted me awake. I groaned, fumbling for my phone to silence it. Today was the day. Vienna. The biggest work opportunity of my career was finally happening.
I pushed the blankets off and stretched, my mind already racing with thoughts of the upcoming hotel launch. This wasn’t just any event. It was the event. The owners had personally requested me—not my employees, not an assistant. Me. They said they wanted the best, and I wasn’t about to disappoint. No budget restrictions. No limits. I could create something truly spectacular.
This was going to be fun.
Well, except for him.
The thought of my new security detail soured my excitement. I had been fine with Matthias and Sebastian. They knew when to step in and when to back off, allowing me the freedom to make mistakes, get drunk, and date the wrong people. My father wasn’t thrilled, but as long as I was safe, he tolerated it.
This new guy, though? I already hated him.
I didn’t need a damn bodyguard. My father had made sure of that. I was trained, skilled with firearms, and knew how to throw a punch that could knock a man twice my size to the ground. I could handle myself.
Still grumbling, I swung my legs out of bed and padded to the bathroom, twisting the faucet until steam began to fill the room. I grabbed my toothbrush.
“Alexa, play Queen.”
Freddie’s voice blasted through the speakers, making me grin as I undressed. But just as I stepped under the warm spray, the doorbell rang.
“Shit.”
Of course. Someone always had to interrupt at the worst time.
“Alexa, stop the music.”
I grabbed my robe, cinching it tightly before rushing to the door. Peering through the peephole, I froze.
A man stood on the other side. Tall. Broad. Imposing.
Sharp suit. Dark hair. Strong jaw. Piercing eyes. A presence that made it impossible to ignore him.
I yanked the door open without hesitation. “Wrong flat.”
He didn’t move.
I went to shut the door, but his foot jammed into the gap, keeping it open. His hand pressed against the wood, pushing it back effortlessly.
“Hey! I said wrong flat!”
I shoved a hand against his chest, but it was like pushing against a damn wall.
“I’m in the right flat, princess.” His deep British accent rolled smoothly off his tongue.
My eyes narrowed.
“I’m Simon Linden. Your father hired me.” His gaze didn’t waver, sharp and assessing.
I exhaled sharply. Of course.
“Come in.”
Simon stepped inside, and instantly, the space felt smaller.
Jesus. He was huge.
I’d always liked tall men, but this was ridiculous.
“Take a seat.” I turned on my heel, heading back to my suite. “I won’t be long.”
As I stepped into the bathroom, I let out a slow breath. I hadn’t realized I was holding it.
This was going to be interesting.
I showered quickly, scrubbing my hair, then wrapped myself in a robe and began my skincare routine. Halfway through rubbing moisturizer into my face, I heard voices.
Loud ones.
Frowning, I stepped out, my towel still wrapped around my damp hair.
“What the hell is going on?”
I stopped dead.
Simon had Tobias by the throat, pinning him against the wall.
My stomach dropped.
“Put him down!” I grabbed Simon’s arm, yanking at it.
Simon let go, and Tobias collapsed, coughing violently.
I dropped to my knees, rubbing Tobias’ back. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, his breath still ragged. “Yeah… but who the hell is that?”
I shot Simon a glare. “New bodyguard.”
Tobias scowled. “What the fuck?”
I helped him to his feet. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom in a second.”
Tobias hesitated before walking off, rubbing his throat.
I turned back to Simon, arms crossed. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Simon’s expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked amused.
“I’m here to protect you.” He said it like it was the simplest thing in the world. “He didn’t announce himself.”
I scoffed. “He’s my fiancé, you idiot.”
Simon’s smirk didn’t fade as I stormed off after Tobias.
SIMON LINDEN’S POV
I watched her go, my smirk dropping the second she was out of sight.
Of course, I knew exactly who Tobias Fischer was.
I knew everything about him.
I hadn’t slept last night, going through every detail of the people in Juliana’s life. And Tobias? He wasn’t exactly Prince Charming.
I had a file filled with disturbing things about him.
The women. The gambling. The excessive drinking.
The kind of man who hid his true colors behind expensive suits and a charming smile.
What I didn’t know yet was whether he actually cared for her… or if he was just using her.
But I would find out.
Because I always did.
And something told me this was just the beginning.