Is this destiny?

Sarah and Aiden are in the clearing behind their house, with their kids (and Jesse) seated on the ground facing them.

Aiden explained that newcomers will get new identities in about a week, and until then they should not leave the property under any circumstances.

"We have few rules. I don't want to be harsh, but if you break them, you are on your own, understood?" Aiden's authoritative voice made everyone nod.

Sarah smiled. Both of them know that they will not just kick the kids out, but they need to sound firm if they want to be taken seriously. After all, they are facing a bunch of teenagers.

Aiden was listing house rules, such as that: kids need to respect each other, leaving the property without permission is not allowed, talking with outsiders about what is happening here is not permitted, etc.

"If you want to fight someone for whatever reason, a match will be arranged with a referee and at least two witnesses. Random fighting is NOT permitted."

Kids nodded while looking at Aiden with their big eyes.

Sarah explained that the mobile clinic will arrive soon, and all kids will get physical examinations which will include blood tests and vaccinations. They will line-up and wait for their turn, and when they are done with exams, to come and meet with her inside house. She will test their knowledge in academics and based on that, corresponding tutors will be assigned.

Sarah and Aiden finished their introductory talk with some words of warning mixed in with what is waiting for them ahead.

Sarah reminded herself that these are just kids and tried to assure them that they are in good hands. "We don't want to scare you. You are not prisoners, and we hope that in time you treat this place as your home. I know that right now you are a bit crammed, and all this is new, but soon we will have appropriate lodging arranged for all of you. If at any time you want to leave, just let us know and we will make appropriate arrangements. If you want to go back to Sierra Leone, we will get that done as well."

Aiden continued: "We want you to have your freedom, but do NOT leave this property on your own. Some people out there are our enemies and they will use you to gather information and destroy what we have here."

"Don't be confident that you will not talk…" Sarah's eyes landed on Jesse. "... there are always, ALWAYS ways to make you talk. If you don't believe me, I will be happy to provide you with a demonstration."

One boy from the new group of kids, Tejan, raised his hand indicating that he has a question: "Boss, when do we get to be your bodyguards, and what are the requirements?"

"What?" Sarah was not sure if she should laugh or cry as her gaze moved onto Ade who was trying to shrink himself.

"We heard that this is the camp where we train to be your bodyguards." Another newcomer boy added.

Sarah took a deep breath and exhaled while reminding herself that she is dealing with kids. "Don't treat this as a camp. This is your home now. I will repeat what I said before we boarded the plane in Sierra Leone: our goal is to provide you with education and make you ready for the world out there. Besides academics, you will learn about various attack and defense techniques, as well as weapons handling. We will listen to your desires, and if you want to be a scientist, or a lawyer, or a painter, or anything else, we will support you and not force you into anything. When the time comes and you decide to leave this place, you don't owe us A-NY-THING. Understood?"

She glanced over the boys and continued: "After you complete the basics, if you desire to be our bodyguard, you need to do good in your studies and in your physical training. As Aiden mentioned, we have enemies, and if we don't find that you are capable to defend yourself we will not allow you to defend us either. Understood?"

"I told you that being Boss's bodyguard is the biggest honor.", Ade chimed in.

Sarah smiled. Ade's endless enthusiasm always makes her smile (and at the same time she feels like crying). "I'm not sure if it's an honor. But it's definitely the most dangerous and the most difficult you can choose as your future from the things we can offer you. Because even if you put all your efforts into it, many of you will not be able to make it. Even if you excel in your academics and your fighting skills are amazing, if we find that your character is not suitable, you will not make it as our bodyguards. Understood?"

Tejan raised his hand again. "When can we start training to be your bodyguards?"

Sarah exhaled and glanced at Aiden who was enjoying the situation.

She spoke to Tejan: "You are not allowed to do any training other than jogging twice a day before doctor says that you are ready for strenuous physical exercise. If we catch you doing anything other than running before you obtain doctor's permission, you will be punished."

"Boss… can you tell us more about STRENUOUS physical exercise?" Tejan didn't raise his hand this time. He was too excited to think about protocol.

"Tell us?" Ade looked at Sarah and Aiden. "How about show us? Everyone is eager to see a spar between masters!"

Sarah glanced at the time and saw that they have half an hour until mobile clinic arrives. Her hand was halfway down to keep her phone back, when Aiden's arm snaked around Sarah's waist and he was already leading her toward the training grounds.

"You are excited." She observed.

Aiden didn't deny it. "Looser gets to make dinner when we go back home."

Sarah rolled her eyes while thinking that Aiden will never miss a chance for a good meal. Or to try to make her cook. "Rules?"

"As usually… one clean hit ends the fight."

…

Some time later, kids were lined up in front of the big truck which was customized to be a mobile clinic. Three nurses and two doctors were inside performing tests and taking blood and urine samples. The whole process was streamlined and well organized.

Kids who were not inside clinic excitedly chatted about the mind-blowing sparring match between their Bosses. For many of them, it was the first time to see a sparring match.

"I could not see their movements at all!"

"Right! Everything was a blur!"

"How exciting! I can't wait to learn those moves as well!"

"I'm motivated! I will train hard! Becoming a bodyguard to someone so formidable will be a great honor!"

"Didn't I tell you? They are amazing!" Ade proudly declared while mixing in with the newcomers. "But if you want to be a bodyguard, stand in line… behind me!"

Tejan lifted his head defiantly. "We will see about that! I will work hard and surpass you in no time!"

Ade and Tejan acknowledged their rivalry in who will become bodyguard for their Bosses first.

Jesse observed all this from the side with a small smirk on his face.

…

On the second floor of the 'Beach house', Aiden and Sarah are in the master bathroom.

"You are the only one who can make me sweat this much." Sarah said with a laugh as she got in the shower.

"Mmm… I look forward to the dinner you will make for me…" Aiden looked at her back and subconsciously licked his lips slowly while his sight traveled lower, following the curves of her body.

"Hey, you lost! Why would I cook?" Sarah objected while pouring shower gel in her palm.

"You call that a clean hit? That does not count." He removed his boxer shorts and sneakily entered the shower enclosure.

"A hit is a hit… you can't dismiss it only because I didn't use a lot of force…", her voice trailed off when she felt him embrace her from the back.

Sarah could feel Aiden's hot breath and she heard him talk in a low voice close to her ear: "Tell me again… how sweet I am…"

He kissed her neck few times and then bit her shoulder.

Mix of pain and pleasure made her unable to suppress a soft moan.

Sarah felt his erection on her lower back, and she could not wait for what is coming.

His tongue teased her nipples, and Sarah's knees were giving up while his hands skillfully explored her body.

"Let's go to bed…", she almost pleaded when he pinned her against the wall. 

"It's not necessary…", he responded between kisses which set her already hot body ablaze.

"My legs are not supporting me…", Sarah admitted.

"Hold on to me… I will support you… always…", Aiden lifted her leg and guided himself inside.

"You are perfect…" He groaned as her welcoming heat enveloped him over and over again.

Sarah's gasps and moans mixed with her calling his name breathlessly and it made him want to do more for her, to make her go higher... higher than ever before… together with him.

And she held onto him.. Not willing to let go… ever.

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