The Bodyguard (Norcross #4) - Anna Hackett Page 0,11
grandmother on their wedding day.”
“It’s so pretty.” The girl reached a hand out.
“Amanda, no touching,” her mother said quickly.
Sofia smiled. “I have a better idea. How about you wear it for your visit?” She gently settled it on the girl’s head.
Amanda just giggled.
“Oh, it’s too—” Ellen leaned forward.
“It’s fine.” Sofia adjusted the tiara. “It looks beautiful on you.” She gestured to Ellen. “How about some photos?”
Ellen pulled a phone out of her handbag.
As they laughed together, and took some selfies, Sofia asked Amanda about school. Rome leaned against the wall and watched them.
He listened to Sofia laugh—a bright sound, unfeigned.
Who the hell was this woman? Once, he’d help guard some Spanish royalty. The woman hadn’t spoken directly to him once, and there had been plenty of orders. No one was to touch her, or her things.
Sofia was letting a six-year-old wear a priceless, family heirloom with a ruby the size of an egg in the center.
Rome pulled out his phone and messaged Ace Olivera, the tech guru at Norcross Security.
You got the princess’ itinerary?
Yes. Already putting together security briefs on location and players.
Thanks.
Heard your princess is a looker.
Yeah. They call her the Ice Princess.
But Rome knew that didn’t apply. Not at all.
Ice melts, Rome.
He rolled his eyes.
She has a stalker.
Fuck.
I’ve got a note the asshole slipped into her bag. Can you send someone over to collect it? See if we can get anything off it.
On it.
Checking back into the living room, he saw Sofia had Amanda in her lap. The little girl had tears glimmering in her eyes.
“I miss Jack. I don’t know why daddy had to hurt him.”
“I know, baby. Your daddy is very, very sick. And Jack will always be in your heart, no matter what.”
It was like a kick to Rome’s gut. He thought of Lola. His sister who would never grow any older.
“I lost my best friend Tori, only three years ago,” Sofia said.
“She died?” the girl asked.
“Yes. Some bad men hurt her. But at night, when I look at the stars, if I see a bright one twinkle at me, I know it’s Tori looking down.”
“Mom, can we look at the stars? Can we see if we can spot Jack?”
“Sure thing, baby girl,” Ellen said, voice thick.
Rome moved away from the living room, careful not to make any sound. He did a lap of the house and checked in with the exterior guards.
Who is this friend that Sofia had lost? He guessed even he had the stupid idea that princesses were shielded from life’s worst hardships. But even royalty were just people.
When he returned, there was a knock at the front door. A security guard ready to show Ellen and Amanda out.
“It was so great to meet you.” Sofia knelt to eye level with the girl. “You keep trying hard, and being brave. Remember on sad days, hug your mom. She gets sad, too. We all do.”
“Thank you, Princess Sofia.” Amanda gave Sofia a tight hug.
“Thank you so much.” Ellen smiled. The woman was far more relaxed than when she’d first arrived. “Your charity saved our lives.”
“No, you saved your lives,” Sofia said. “But I am glad my charity could help ease the way.”
Ellen smiled down at her beaming daughter. “She hasn’t been this happy in a long time. Thank you again.”
Sofia closed the door. Rome watched her slump against the wall.
“You all right?”
She jumped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh my gosh, Rome, make some more noise. No sneaking up on me.”
He just watched her.
“I’m fine. Or I will be. It’s just so sad, knowing what they’ve been through.”
A cell phone rang.
“That’s mine!” She ran past him.
In the kitchen, she was talking on the phone.
“Luis, you’re an angel. I can’t wait to see what you’ve put together for me.” She placed a hand over the phone. “My local designer has dresses to bring over for my interviews and for the gala. I need to try them on. He’s going to come over tomorrow morning.”
“I have to check him out.”
“He was on the original list.”
“Name?” Rome pulled out his phone and opened the list.
“Luis Medrano.”
Rome checked the list. Ace had run background checks on everyone. The man checked out. “Okay.”
She sniffed. “Thank you. Luis wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s likely to either cower at the sight of you…or ask you out.”
Rome scowled, and Sofia smiled.
Chapter Four
Sofie stretched up, elongating her body, balancing in tree pose. There was nothing like morning yoga on a rooftop to get the blood flowing.
Her gaze rested on the Palace