IN

Initial I

ust landed a major role in a new film, and my management team had i

imposing figure following me around everywhere I went. But my m

piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline. His dark hair was cu

limmer of warmth in his eyes. He was handsome, but it was more than that. He

low and smooth. "I'm Ethan. I'l

e awestruck. "Hi," I repl

corners. "Don't worry, Lexi," he said. "I'll

ef wash over me. Maybe having a bod

d, but with a dry sense of humor that caught me off guard. He was always

, protected. He was my rock,

thing else about Ethan. He was handsome, yes, but it was mo

past, his motivations. What had driven him to

Who was Ethan, really? And why was I so drawn to him? I couldn't

led, the way he moved, the way he looked at me. It was as if

ked at him. Who was this man, really? What

d my management team about Ethan's b

ey said. "He's been thoroughly vett

w more about Ethan. I began to ask him

estions, changing the subject or laughing them off. But I

e was intrigued by my persistence, my

ng to him, slowly but surely. And I was determined t

about his past. I asked him about his family, his c

sed tight and refusing to budge. But I could see

ething, I realize

sked Ethan about his scar, th

ession turning cold. "It's noth

eyes. I could see the memories t

Ethan's arm. "Tell me,

nd then, in a voice that was barely above

o the distance. "My parents were high school sweethearts, and they had me wh

as he spoke, and I could see th

truggled to make ends meet. My mom worked two jobs just to put food on t

ory. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like

with pride. "They worked hard, they sacrificed, and they inst

ne, and I could see the int

said. "I wanted to help people, to protect them, to serve them. S

n. He was a true hero, a man who had

ued. "I saw things that no human should ever have to see. I ex

whisper, and I could see

s in the hospital, recovering from my wounds. And

mine, and I could see t

ind purpose, to find meaning. But then I discovered my passion for p

n's story. He was a complex man, a man with

dyguard?" I asked, my voi

ne, and I could see the int

ct you," he said. "I wanted to keep you safe from

Ethan. I knew that I could trust him, t

I said, my voice f

mine, and I could see t

," he said. "I'll alw