All That I'm Living For
(Live or Die Series Part 1)

Chapter 1

Juliana sat in the chair of her father's study, hands clasped together in her lap, and listened as he ranted and raved about the latest death threat their family received. This had been going on for close to four months now and Jerald Harrison started to fear for his family's safety. They were a powerful family, very wealthy, so it was no surprise that they were being targeted.

"I understand, father." She complied in a soft voice, biting her bottom lip, not liking what she heard next.

Jerald studied his daughter, his only child, thoughtfully. "I want you to meet your bodyguard." He announced at last, rising up from his desk after hitting a button on the intercom, looking expectantly towards the door. "He will accompany you EVERYWHERE, on grounds and off. Though, I would prefer you to keep as close to home as possible." He sighed, looking mildly startled as the door silently swung open, almost taking a step back, but not quite. "Juliana," He gestured for her to rise. "Meet your bodyguard." Jerald cleared his throat, staring at the dangerous looking man before him.

Nodding without a word, Juliana rose from her chair, her baby blue gown flowing down her body, and slowly turned around to face him. Her big midnight blue eyes widened in shock, black hair flowing down her back and hugging her waist to perfection, not believing the size of this man. Her already pale complexion went even whiter as she clasped her hands in front of her, trying not to tremble, even though it was close to impossible. Clearing her throat, Juliana curtsied to the large intimidating man before her, bowing her head.

"It's nice to meet you, sir." Juliana murmured very quietly.

Undertaker studied the pale overly fragile girl before him, his face in a carefully arranged neutral expression. His intense acid green eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses. His long, black hair was pulled back into one long braid, a black bandana wrapped around his head. He wore tight fitting black jeans, black steel toed boots, and a black leather vest, showcasing his heavily tattooed arms. He nodded first at Jerald then to the girl.

"Hey." He rumbled, not surprised when Jerald jumped a little, his deep baritone tended to do that. "Call me Taker."

Coaching herself to breathe, Juliana looked back at her father, asking him silently with her eyes if he was crazy. This man before her could break her in half if he chose and that terrified her. She turned to face her father, shaky hands clamping on the chair before her, and stared into his apprehensive brown eyes. She'd inherited her blue eyes from her mother and Jerald's black hair.

"Father, I don't mean to be rude, but is this really necessary?" Her voice was barely audible.

Juliana was not the type who defied her father's wishes by any means, even if he did pass her over to Kenneth Anderson, the son of his adversary's family. The Harrison's and Anderson's had fought for years, but the families were finally joining forces with the marriage between her and Kenneth. She didn't approve of it, but didn't defy her father either.

"It is, Juliana. These threats are beginning to get out of control, as well as the subterfuge." Jerald frowned, that last bit he'd found out this morning, not liking his assets being sneak attacked by whoever it was out to kill him and his daughter. "Undertaker is the best in his profession. No damage to his principals or injuries. You'll be in go-er…safe hands."

Undertaker arched a black eyebrow, studying her, already familiarizing himself with her body language. Timid, shy, hesitant…these were all the things her posture and tone of voice were telling him at the moment. He was a master at reading people, one of the many reasons he was hired for protection. That and he was extremely gifted in knowing when danger was near, a skilled fighter as well.

"I understand, father." Juliana quietly replied, knowing she had stepped out of line, even though Jerald didn't sound angry with her. "I will do as you ask and allow this…gentleman…to escort me wherever I go. Have you informed Mr. Anderson about this?" She asked, referring to her obligated fiancé, and sighed deeply at the thought.

The man was cocky and arrogant. Two qualities that didn't thrill her, but Juliana would have to get over it. He would be her husband and there was no way out of the marriage.

"KENNETH," Jerald corrected pointedly, wishing she would dispense with the formality when it came to her fiancé. "Has been informed of the situation prior to our little chat. He readily agreed with this whole idea."

What Jerald wasn't aware of, behind the enthusiastic agreement behind Kenneth's voice, was a rather pissed off fiancé. Not thrilled with the idea of his soon to be wife being trailed around by some strange man. Kenneth had offered to take the position of protecting Juliana, but Jerald declined, telling the young lad his life was far too valuable to be put a risk this dangerous.

"You're dismissed, Juliana. I have other matters I have to manage straight away." Jerald smiled tightly at her, no love in it, before setting back down and resumed his work.

"Yes father." She replied and turned around, staring at this large individual who had been assigned her bodyguard, inhaling a deep breath.

Not saying a word to him as she vacated the room, Juliana felt completely helpless. No matter how many times her father corrected her; Juliana would never stop calling Kenneth by his formal name. She hardly knew him and didn't find his arrogance attractive. That's the way it would stay, even after they married. Juliana looked around the huge sitting room that they walked into, which linked to her father's study, and decided she needed some air. She was scared to death now, not only by the death threats her family received, but now this large man who was being paid to follow her around. He unnerved her already and made her very uncomfortable, skittish even.

'Stop it, Jules. This is for your own good.' She mentally berated before walking out of the sitting room and toward the veranda that led to their huge backyard.

Undertaker followed her at a slow steady pace, his own body language sending off an air of confidence. Though, if someone looked a little closer, they would see the wariness in his movements. Always prepared for whatever might be tossed at Juliana's way, not concerned for his own safety. He leaned against a wall, folding his arms over his chest, and watched her intently. One hand hung somewhat loosely just in case he had to reach for one of the many weapons he concealed. Jerald hadn't been lying when he said Undertaker was the best.

She walked outside on the veranda and downstairs, arriving in the courtyard. Hundreds of bushes weaved and designed to her father's liking brought more beauty to the area. Juliana didn't care about them as she kept walking, finally finding her nearby bench, the one she'd occupied as of late, and sat down on it. The sun shined brightly, but thanks to the bushes, it barely shined on her. Burying her face in her hands, Juliana tried willing the tears to stay in her eyes. Her heart thudded in her chest and she had absolutely no idea what would happen now. Her wedding would have to be postponed along with any of her father's upcoming engagements and events. Although Juliana was secretly thrilled about her wedding being postponed, she still couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen.

Undertaker studied what actually looked like a giant maze and frowned, following her in it. He watched her intently, the frown deepening when he seen her go straight to one spot. So this was a regular thing for her. Well that would change. Undertaker moved to stand at her side, firmly taking her upper arm in his hand, his fingers alone encircling her arm.

"You come here too much." He stated evenly, not giving anything he thought away or putting any emotions in it. "You'll make yourself an easy target if you're being watched."

Juliana literally jumped out of her skin when his hand wrapped around her tiny arm and pulled her up from the bench. Her eyebrow rose in question at this man and immediately ripped her arm out of his grasp. Wincing since it hurt, Juliana stumbled away from him, self-pity temporarily forgotten.

"Do not touch me, sir. My father is paying you to WATCH me, not touch me." She informed him in a shaky cool voice, rubbing her arm, and took another step back from him.

This man was downright frightening and extraordinarily strong.

"Exactly. Your FATHER is paying me. Not you, which means I take his orders," Undertaker made that last word sound more like Jerald made suggestions then actual orders. "And not yours. You take mine. I'm here to make sure you wake up each morning, which means YOU'LL do as I say. Are we clear?" Undertaker's tone dropped to a chilling calm.

"You are not to touch me or I will tell my father." Juliana feebly threatened, wishing her heart would stop pounding against her chest so she could actually think.

Her midnight blue eyes stared back at him, seeing his own were hidden behind those black sunglasses, and swallowed hard. Not looking the least bit concerned, Undertaker had already laid down his ground rules with Jerald. It protected his precious daughter his way and dealt with it or he could go take a flying leap off a short pier. Jerald had agreed almost instantly because Undertaker's professional record was just that impressive.

"Tell daddy if it'll make you feel better, Princess." He shrugged, peering at Juliana over the top of his shades, letting her see his eyes for a moment.

Just by the tone of his voice and what his eyes held, Juliana knew her father had basically signed her OWN death warrant. This man was menacing, scared her half to death, and now he was allowed to put his hands on her? Where was the justice? When did she have a say so in what happened in her life? Never. Sadness entered her eyes as Juliana clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her head in shame. No matter what she did in her life, Juliana would never have the freedom to tell anyone how she really felt because it wouldn't matter.

"I apologize, sir. I will do what you say." Her voice shook, trembling even, along with her bottom lip and her hair covered her face.

"I'm not going to put my hands on you in the matter you're thinking." Undertaker said, as if reading her mind, when it was her own body that actually gave her away. The way she hung her head, her shoulders slumped forward. "And the name is Taker. Now…what else do you do? Show me what your routine is." He demanded, tone never changing.

"There is really no routine." Juliana quietly said, keeping her head bowed, and cleared her throat a little. "This is one of my favorite spots." She gestured to the bench, tears filling her eyes. "Where I come to…think."

She sighed, heading up the stairs away from her bench and back into the mansion. Juliana was Jerald's only child, so with that, she didn't have to lift a finger to do anything. Though, she did help the servants by keeping her room and bathroom spotless, cleaning it herself, refusing to make them do more than already required. Juliana had a heart of gold and everyone loved her as she started showing him a tour of the mansion.

Undertaker wasn't pleased. He took note of each and every staff member to cross their path, intent on going through some files after the Princess was asleep. He was already making mental changes to the house. Having every intention of handing in a paper with the changes on it to Jerald the next morning, demanding they be made, which Undertaker already knew would happen.

"Show me your room." He ordered flatly.

"Why would you need to see my room?" Juliana instantly demanded, stopping dead in her tracks, and turned around to face him. "Forgive me, sir, but that's for MY eyes and mine alone."

She refused to show him her room, not caring if he beat her within an inch of her life. Her room was just that: HERS. Undertaker sighed heavily, slowly reaching up to pull off his sunglasses, folding them and tucking them into a pocket on the inside of his sleeveless leather vest, staring down at her calculatingly.

"I want to look it over." He stated, leaving no room for argument.

Not about to comply with his wishes, Juliana went to debate with Undertaker, when she heard bellowing sound throughout the mansion. Juliana's head instantly dropped forward, knowing exactly who it was, and cleared her throat. Undertaker narrowed his eyes slightly at the angry tone of the voice that seemingly echoed around them, feeling his jaw tighten instantaneously.

"I think it's time for you to meet Mr. Anderson." She softly informed him, not able to hide the disdain that dripped in her voice, and turned to walk down the winding staircase.

Juliana stopped on the third step, seeing Kenneth pacing like a caged animal, and headed down the rest of the stairs. Kenneth halted his pacing when he spotted Juliana, his eyes instantly moving up to the monstrous man who stood only a few feet behind her. Sizing the guy up, Kenneth was aware he was being sized up as well.

"So THIS is who your father hired…" Kenneth said scathingly, extending a hand to her. "Walk with me, Juliana." It wasn't a request and everyone knew it.

Sighing deeply, Juliana began walking toward the man she was forced to spend the rest of her life with, keeping her eyes on the floor and allowed him to take her hand in his own. Such sadness and sorrow consumed her, but all she did was tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and kept her arm at her side. How Juliana wished, night after night, that she wasn't a Harrison because it came with far too much responsibility for her liking and at too high of a price.

"This isn't my decision and father said you were fine with this." She softly said, wincing a little since he tugged on her arm, the same arm Undertaker hurt earlier on, and bit back a yelp of pain as tears stung her eyes.

"What are you crying for?" Kenneth demanded, holding on even tighter when it seemed like she might try pulling away, blue eyes narrowing to slits when she cried out again softly.

"Let her go." Undertaker ordered, having a pretty good idea of why she had done that.

He did have a grip that was too firm and seldom paid attention to his own strength. Though, it seemed Undertaker would have to from now on with her, especially given how fragile she was. Daddy dearest would not appreciate his princess being marked by her protector after all.

"You're here to protect her from crazies, not me." Kenneth spat, not appreciating this mongrel's interference in their private conversation.

"From everyone." Undertaker corrected, green eyes narrowing to slits at the man engaged to Juliana.