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  The Starlet’s Bodyguard

  Royal Vampire Kingdom

  Ivy Banks

  Copyright © 2019 by Ivy Banks

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. For permission requests, email [email protected]

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events, businesses, companies, institutions, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Glamour, suspense, and shameless sex…the perfect combination.

  Contents

  Royal Vampire Kingdom Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Also By Ivy Banks

  About the Author

  Royal Vampire Kingdom Prologue

  Many eons ago, the first vampire came into existence when a great warrior named Atticus was given the gift of immortality from an almighty warlock. But with the gift of eternal life came great responsibility. As Atticus developed a thirst for blood, he knew he had to leverage his powers wisely.

  Over time, immortality became lonely, and Atticus embarked on a quest to form his own family. Choosing his “children” based on strength of character, fortitude and the ability to navigate an ever changing world for millennia upon millennia, Atticus created a clan that would be able to rule over all other vampires, creating order and hierarchy among them.

  The Vampire King gave sixteen worthy humans the gift of everlasting life. The chosen soon became the fifteen princes and sole princess of the vampire world. Together they became the Hanover family.

  From these original sixteen individuals, all vampires in the world were created. Though vampires now cover the Earth as rampantly as man and beast, the original Hanover clan remains the most powerful among them.

  This is the story of Baxter Hanover.

  Chapter 1

  Meadow Anderson’s hands trembled as she dropped her phone to the ground. Her manager, Caroline, looked at her with a concerned expression on her face.

  “It was him, Caroline. Somehow he got my new phone number. How? Who gave it to him?” asked Meadow as she picked up her phone off the hardwood floor in Caroline’s office.

  Caroline rushed over to Meadow and hugged her as tears streamed down Meadow’s face. Caroline reached across her desk, pressed the intercom, and instructed her assistant to call the police.

  Caroline had been like a mother to Meadow, who was only twenty-four. Meadow moved to Los Angeles when she was eighteen after her mother died, trying to escape the pain. After being discovered by a talent agent, Meadow soon rose to stardom as one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.

  “His obsession with you is deranged,” cooed Caroline. “I think he honestly believes you are a vampire. He doesn’t seem to know the difference between the movies and reality. He truly must be mentally ill.”

  “How does he keep getting my number? I’ve changed it four times in the last six months. I just don’t understand how he also knows my schedule, knowing when and where I’ll be.”

  Caroline stroked Meadow’s long, auburn hair. “What did he say?”

  Unable to control her sobs, Meadow was hardly able to voice what the man had said. “He…d…didn’t say much. He said he was going to find me, have his way with me, and drink my blood just like Drake did in Vampire’s Obsession.”

  “I think you’re right,” Meadow continued. “He doesn’t seem to get that its just a fucking movie!”

  The police arrived within fifteen minutes, and Meadow rolled her eyes as one of them tried to sneak a photo of her with his cellphone.

  Seriously? Some deranged asshole is stalking me and this cop is taking a selfie, she thought to herself, but remained quiet.

  She’d find a way to sue him if the photo ended up online. The detectives took her statement, but there wasn’t much else they could do. The stalker called from a burner phone.

  As the police were leaving, Meadow’s long-term boyfriend, Asher, stormed through the door and immediately swooped her into his arms. His familiar scent of pine and citrus filled her nose as she buried her face into his shoulder. Asher’s strong arms wrapped tightly around her small waist as he whispered words of protection.

  “Thanks for calling me, Caroline. I’m going to take Meadow to my house. She’ll be safest there,” Asher said in a brooding tone.

  Carline agreed. “That’s a good idea. Bring her back her on your way to work in the morning. She can stay with me during the day until we figure out the next steps. I’m making a few phone calls to hire a full-time bodyguard. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.”

  “I can protect her, Caroline.”

  “She needs someone with her all the time, and unless you plan on quitting your job, she needs someone else. You know she is leaving for Iowa in a few days to shoot her new film. Are you planning on taking three months off to visit the Midwest?”

  Asher wrinkled his nose, obviously averse to traveling to the middle of the country. His reaction made Meadow cringe as she felt her stomach tighten. Meadow was born in the Midwest and was excited to go to Iowa. She felt at home in small towns and she felt the people were so much nicer than Los Angeles.

  Meadow sat quietly as Asher and Caroline debated the plans for her safety. Meadow wanted the bodyguard, but instead of interjecting, she let Caroline persuade Asher. She didn’t want to make her boyfriend feel like less of a man for being unable to protect her from this menacing stalker.

  Asher finally relented. “Fine. Find a her a bodyguard, but tell him to stay out of my way.”

  Meadow hugged Caroline goodbye and then walked hand-in-hand with Asher to his SUV in the parking garage. Her knees were weak, still shaken by the words of her stalker. Asher noticed her stumble and placed his arm around her waist to steady her balance. He helped her into his black Range Rover and headed to his house in Brentwood.

  “I’ve got to go back to the office, babe. I have a meeting at three o’clock with a new client.”

  Meadow’s heart began to beat rapidly. He’s leaving me alone?

  “Seriously, Asher? Can’t you reschedule?”

  Asher was an entertainment lawyer, who had a barrage of A-list stars as clients. The familiar feeling of not being as important as his job made Meadow’s skin crawl, leaving her feeling empty and even more frightened.

  “Not today. It took me weeks to get this meeting.”

  “So, you’re saying my life is less important than your stupid meeting?”

  Asher sighed and rolled his eyes. “You’re being dramatic. He’s contacted you more than ten times, yet he’s never actually done anything. You’ll be fine.”

  Meadow voice caught in her throat. How could he make the situation seem so trivial? Not only had the stalker found her phone number again, but only last month the mystery man sent her pictures that he’d taken of Meadow while she was walking her dog. He wasn’t a threat that she could ignore.

  Not wanting to argue, she texted Caroline.

  He’s leaving me at his house alone. I’m so upset. Can you come get me?

  Within seconds, Caroline replied.

  On my way!

  Asher pressed his foot on the gas to accelerate up the long, winding road to his house. It was a seven-bedroom mansion that sat on top of a mountain overlooking the city.

/>   The angular white house had windows on all sides that had always made Meadow feel like she was exposed to the world. On that particular day, she felt particularly vulnerable and wanted to hide in a bathroom or under the covers, away from the openness of the windows.

  Asher opened the driver’s side door and proceeded to walk up the short sidewalk to his home, without waiting for Meadow to get out of the car. She huffed and pushed the passenger door open and followed him up the sidewalk. Asher punched his code into the lock and opened the door, once again without waiting for Meadow.

  “All right, babe. Just order some food and watch a movie or something. I should be home by eight.”

  “Will do,” Meadow answered coldly.

  Asher didn’t seem to notice her indifferent behavior as he gave her a peck on the lips and smacked her lightly on her rear as he left.

  Meadow sat on his plush white couch and waited for Caroline to arrive. Her body still trembled with fear, so it was a huge relief when she saw the red Mercedes pull into the driveway. Meadow ran outside immediately, not wanting to be alone a second longer. She rushed to the side of the car and slid into the sleek, black seats that were warm from the sun.

  “Are we going to your house?” asked Meadow, hoping that Caroline wasn’t going to leave her alone

  “Are you okay?” Caroline ignored her question.

  “I guess. I just don’t want to be alone.”

  “Listen, I know I might be overstepping here, but why are you with him again?”

  “Ugh… Caroline, please don’t do this today. I know he’s not always perfect, but he loves me, and I love him.”

  Caroline smirked, but said nothing as she put her car in reverse.

  Meadow played on her phone, texted some friends, and ordered a new pair of black stilettos to be delivered to her hotel in Iowa. She didn’t know if she would have an opportunity to wear them in the small town, but she had a knack for finding reasons to dress up.

  When the car stopped, Meadow looked up and it took her a minute to recognize where they were because she was expecting to see Caroline’s house.

  “Why are we at my house?” asked Meadow with a harsher tone than she meant to use.

  Caroline answered, “I’m staying here with you. I have someone coming to meet us. He should be here in an hour.”

  “My new bodyguard?”

  “Yep.”

  “He’s staying at my house?”

  “Yep.”

  Chapter 2

  The chime of Meadow’s phone alerted her to a text.

  Where are you?

  “Shit, I forgot to let him know I left,” Meadow said out loud.

  She texted him back. At home. I didn’t want to be alone. Caroline picked me up. Thought you weren’t going to be home till late?

  Asher responded. Meeting was cancelled. I’m on my way over.

  Meadow went back to killing time, idly playing on her phone until a loud buzzing snapped her out of her daze. Caroline jumped up to look at the security monitor. Meadow glanced over her shoulder and saw a black Escalade waiting at the gate at the end of her driveway.

  “Oh good, he’s here,” said Caroline as she clapped her hands together in excitement.

  “By your reaction, I’m assuming it’s not Asher.”

  “How did you guess?” asked Caroline with a laugh as she buzzed opened the gate for the visitor.

  Meadow stood up and smoothed out her light green sundress. Inexplicably, she was nervous about meeting the man who was being paid to protect her, and would also accompany her to Iowa.

  When he knocked on the front door, Meadow peeked through the window to catch a glimpse of the man outside. She expected him to be tall and built, which he was, but she didn’t expect him to look like such a perfect specimen of a man. She quickly bit her lip and pinched her cheeks to give them more color. Haphazardly, she attempted to smooth her hair by running her fingers through the loose curls.

  Caroline opened the door and motioned for the man to step inside. He carried two large suitcases and wore a backpack.

  I guess he’ll be here for a while, Meadow thought.

  Her eyes stared at his stomach, which was almost visible through his tightly-fitted, v-neck t-shirt. Slowly, her gaze landed on his chest and then she took in the size of his arms. He worked out, which was obvious by his tight, muscular physique.

  “Hi, I’m Baxter Hanover.”

  Realizing she was staring at his body, Meadow’s cheeks felt hot as the blood rushed to them. For the first time, she looked at his face, which was angular as if chiseled into perfection. Thick, luxurious lashes framed his ocean-blue eyes, which looked like they held dark secrets. Goose bumps formed on her skin when Meadow imagined the feel of his silken black hair against her skin.

  Caroline cleared her throat.

  Meadow shook her head to get out of her thoughts. “Nice to meet you, Baxter. I’m Meadow.”

  The loud buzzing of the security gate sounded again.

  Meadow turned to Caroline. “It must be Asher.”

  Caroline smiled. “I’ll let him in. Why don’t you get acquainted with Baxter?”

  Meadow smiled at her new bodyguard, but he made no attempt to smile back. His expression was emotionless and cold. She asked him simple questions, such as where he grew up and had he always been a bodyguard.

  Baxter only gave one-word answers.

  Her palms began to sweat, and her heart rate sped up. He made her nervous, so to avoid any awkward conversations, she followed Caroline out of the foyer.

  Quietly whispering, Meadow asked, “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You couldn’t hire someone who doesn’t—” She was unsure of how to finish her sentence. “You know, someone who doesn’t look like that. You know that Asher will be furious.”

  Caroline, who was twenty-two years older than Meadow, said, “Honey, I don’t know what you mean. Baxter was highly recommended from several of my colleagues. Asher should be more concerned with your safety than his jealousy. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.”

  Meadow swore she heard Caroline snicker as she let Asher in the gate and they walked back to the front door, where Baxter still stood.

  When Asher walked in, he immediately puffed up his chest, trying to show off his dominance. He narrowed his eyes at Baxter, and then Asher raised his eyebrows at Meadow, as if silently demanding her to explain the other man’s presence.

  He’s intimidated, thought Meadow, guiltily enjoying the effect Baxter had on Asher.

  “Who is this?” Asher asked Caroline, then quickly turned his head to Meadow.

  Caroline calmly answered, “He’s Meadow’s new bodyguard, Baxter.”

  “No way in hell is he staying here with her,” demanded Asher.

  “He can and he will,” said Caroline, not backing down.

  Asher went on a tirade and claimed he would find someone else to watch over Meadow during her movie shoot.

  Caroline didn’t hold back as she raised her voice in anger. “Asher, this has been going on for six months and you’ve done nothing! You left her alone today. What kind of a man does that?”

  Before Asher could respond, Caroline stormed off with her phone.

  Baxter didn’t move from his spot as he eyed Asher stoically.

  Within seconds, Caroline returned and shoved her phone at Asher. “Talk,” she ordered. “It’s Meadow’s father.”

  Meadow could only hear one side of the conversation, but she heard muffled yelling on the other end of the phone.

  Asher replied with a, “Yes, sir,” and then handed the phone to Meadow.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Meadow, you will listen to Caroline; she knows what’s best for you.”

  “Okay.” Meadow hated confrontation and she had a lot of respect for her father.

  Her father continued. “What is Asher’s problem? That man is a selfish prick. The bodyguard Caroline hired is going with you to Iowa and he’s staying with you as you need him. And if we need to hire t
wenty men to surround you at all times, we’ll do that. Asher needs to suck it up and start worrying more about you than his own insecurities.”

  Meadow hung up the phone after telling her father that she loved him.

  Caroline smiled, knowing she had won, and then looked directly at Asher, but addressed Baxter. “C’mon Baxter. I’ll show you to your room.”

  Asher grumbled. “Fine, but I’m staying here too.”

  Caroline responded. “Well, it sounds like you are all going to have a fun night.”

  Baxter followed Caroline quietly.

  Chapter 3

  Wanting to escape her thoughts, Meadow stepped into the shower, and closed her eyes as the warm water poured from the waterfall shower-head. Just when she began to feel relaxed, Asher stepped in the shower and Meadow shuddered, feeling disappointed. She wanted to be alone.

  Asher was particularly frisky, but Meadow was still upset by his lack of concern for her safety. Finally, she relented to his desires as Asher’s kisses and soft caresses put her in the mood and made her sensitive areas tingle.

  Meadow’s slender hands explored his strong, muscular chest and abs, brushing away little droplets of water that lingered on his warm, olive skin.

  Strong hands massaged her breasts as Asher’s lips crashed into hers. Meadow’s fingers combed through his blonde beard as she moved to cradle his face.

  With her waist in his hold, he backed into the stream of hot water, soaking his distressed-blond locks. Meadow’s green eyes couldn’t pull away as she watched the water race down his front, making his pronounced muscles glisten.

  He grabbed ahold of her chin to steal her attention with a feverish kiss. Their tongues grazed one another’s in unison. Meadow was growing lightheaded from the adrenaline and lust rushing through her veins. As she closed her eyes to enjoy the pleasure taking hold of her body, she didn’t see Asher’s face, but instead she imagined she was with Baxter. The thought excited her even more as she felt heat pulsate in her core.