Chapter 108: Chapter 108

"Anna is surrounded by tough men and personalities. She is used to it. You have to be you. You have to protect her in a different manner. A different way. It doesn't have to be like showing off muscles. It has to be something that means a lot to her and no one else but you can provide," the grandpa stated gently.

"How?" Lucien asked with perplexed emotions.

"What do you think does she needs now? You're a businessman, you will find a way on how to get into her heart. And if you need anything for assistance, this old man will always be right behind you," Leandro patted Lucien's shoulder.

"She is having a memory loss. But I think this specific memory she wants to forget is so vital and answers a lot if not everything," Lucien murmured. His eyes did not leave the screen. "Please help me find out everything about her past, grandpa..."

Leandro nodded. They were sitting side by side, so the old Michaelson tapped his hand on Lucien's to assure him.

"I will let you know everything we get as soon as we have them. I already told the IT team to dig whatever there is to find about Anna. She is too excellent in everything she does that I am amazed of her," Leandro chuckled softly.

"I found out she is a genius. She is extraordinarily able to do many things in that fragile-looking beauty when she so venomous and deadly," Lucien agreed.

"She is too cold, I suggest you become the sun to brighten and warm her world." Leandro calmly uttered. "You have to fit in. Usually, it would have been the other way around, but with Anna, that doesn't seem to be the case."

Leandro laughed softly. "I chased you grandma but with us, it was totally opposite with you and Anna. I was the cold and distant one because I was a businessman with a lot of protection walking around with me wherever I went. I was from the underworld, she was from the common world. But then love sprouted between us somehow. Your grandma wasn't as tough and bad-ass like Anna, but I tell you, it wasn't easy chasing her either."

The two chuckled. They both agree, chasing a girl is never easy.

"Just be yourself and show her your sincerest heart, you will be just fine. Do not try to be someone else you're not to fit with her, it will be dreadful later. You won't make it to keep up when your foundation is made up. It will drain your energy and make you regret your decisions later," Leandro advised warmly.

"Many people care for her, respect her, and I won't be surprised if anyone among her men or companions would love her," Lucien felt bothered. He has a lot of competitions.

"You have to realize that there are many kinds of love. And you will see the difference between romantic and affectionate love. Romantic love is returned equally, even in different ways. It's a two-way path. While affectionate love is mostly gratitude, respect, it may also include emotional expressions but it's natural. There is no magical touch in it, unlike romantic love. Every little affection you give and receive makes your heart flutter joyfully. Have you seen anyone she is romantic to among the men that surround her?"

Lucien shook his head.

"None, so far. But I feel incompetent with them. Even Tatum can create connections with her just by looking into their eyes," Lucien groaned frustratedly.

Leandro's laughter made him shake in his seat.

"She can have any connections with anyone that has the same goal and disposition with her. Tatum is your bodyguard, they must have shared the same thoughts about putting you in safety as their priority," Leandro explained in between his chuckles. He can feel the intense pity Lucien must have felt right on the spot when it happened, but Leandro can guess it was a security protocol Anna and Tatum were silently discussing in front of Lucien, the person they have to secure.

"I might have to agree you are right," Lucien poutingly admitted. The mercenary team who wanted to kill him in the morning was about to get into her home with them inside, and after that exchange of looks, Tatum checked everyone on the team for any weapon hidden in their bodies before they entered the house. Anna must have given orders to Tatum to search those men before entry, for Lucien's safety.

Silence filled the room. The two Michaelson's were keenly watching the widescreen. Leandro asked for headsets to listen to the audio without bothering the IT doing their respective tasks. Enzo handed his bosses the headset with a mouthpiece to listen and connect with Tatum over the line if needed.

"I don't know if I will ever get used to this," Lucien sighed, he was agitated and scared for her. "Watching her on the screen knowing that she isn't just in a shoot for a movie is squeezing my heart. I might even get a heart attack," he added. His pained-looking face was too evident. Not because he was a coward, but because he worried too much for Anna's safety. It's like watching your loved one in a boxing fight in the ring. You are aware she might get beaten but you have no choice as it is part of the game. To punch and get punched.

On the screen, Anna was stealthily creeping her way into a tiny passage to get into the building.

"Everybody, tell me your positions," her firm yet low and clear voice was heard.

"Sniper shots on stand-by," Blake Gordon responded. They are well aware of their routine. To make the report clear, they are to speak from the highest rank to the newest guy in the team.

He was assigned to get into the building from the backdoor. There were only nine of them, the place was too big to invade that they had to spread. Find every possible entry they could get in without attracting attention.

"On standby," Ramil Finn responded. Followed by three more, all on standby.

"Sniper position ready to engage, Boss," Max Beckett confirmed his position.

Brianna did not say anything, she was sure within herself, someone with something important was still about to speak. She wasn't sure what it was but she waited.

"I can lift the alarm system of the whole building but it would only be good for ten minutes," Chad Yates' voice was heard. "But I will keep an eye to extend the time as much as I can," he added. Calm, composed, and casual.

Brianna was satisfied to hear the last report.

"Everybody heard that, right? We have ten minutes, you know where to go, let's make this fast and I don't want to see any of you dead, do you hear me? I will shoot you again if you do! Do I make myself clear?" Brianna growled in a controlled tone. She cannot make her voice loud as they were on a mission, besides, she doesn't do such things. The words alone are enough to frighten her men. But they smile whenever she would say that and reply with a happy tone.

"Yes, Boss!" the mercenaries replied one by one. A positive sound of affirmations to their Boss B's orders. Her words may have been said in such a manner but they have learned to understand that it's her way of showing she cares and doesn't want them to die, it's the same way as saying "Take care, guys!" in her own way.

"Everybody, in position! We are going in there in ten seconds, let us know when the alarm system is off," Brianna turned to look at Tatum behind her. He did not agree to be assigned somewhere else. He stood on his claim that he was here to protect and assist Anna, that was the order he got from his superior so he was not going to do anything else. He even claimed to just consider him non-existent. Brianna had no choice, she just looked at him to warn the guy not to stand in her way.

Tatum nodded firmly to confirm he got the non-verbal warning message of her look. He was to focus his attention on keeping her safe. The mercenaries were a bit worried for Tatum, as he might not keep up with their Boss, but since Tatum Eliott was not backing down, they did not say anything about it anymore. As long as the Boss was with them to save their loved ones, whoever wants to tag along with her permission would be welcomed. Tatum, on the other hand, was confident and excited. It's been a while since he'd been into action. He was overjoyed with the chance to engage again. He was not worried about keeping up, he was in full gear, physical, emotional and maybe even his soul was ready to do this task with an excellent warrior, like Anna, with him. He was sure, this task was not going to be chaotic and traumatic, he would be just walking along the beach, watchful for the tides to rise and low.