The Bodyguard (Norcross #4) - Anna Hackett Page 0,19

in.” Rome opened the door wider.

Harlow was Easton’s executive assistant. The pair had recently gotten together, after Harlow’s father had landed himself in debt to some very bad people. Easton had stepped in to protect Harlow, and he’d taken the very short ride to being totally head over heels for Harlow.

The man would do anything for his woman.

Rome led them to the kitchen. “Sofia, you have some guests.”

“Hey, Vander,” Easton said.

“Easton, Harlow,” Vander greeted them.

Sofia eyed the pair, then looked back at Vander. “So, I’m guessing that you two have to be related.”

“Brothers,” Vander said.

Easton held out a hand. “I’m Easton Norcross.” He shook Sofie’s hand.

“I’ve heard of you, Mr. Norcross. And I know that your company’s donated to my charity, so thank you.”

“Please, it’s Easton. And this is my nosy woman, Harlow.”

“Hi, it is so great to meet you.” Harlow pumped Sofia’s hand. “I’ve seen your picture so many times. You’re the best-dressed royal, in my opinion.”

“She has lots of opinions,” Easton said dryly. “And a lot of clothes.”

Sofia laughed. “Thank you.” Then she looked down at her leggings and sweater. “Not today, though.”

“I love your rings,” Harlow said.

Sofie held out her hand, showing off her two silver rings. One had a pearl nestled in the center of it. “My best friend Caro is a jewelry designer. These are her work.”

Harlow gasped. “Not Caroline Haller?”

“Yes.”

“I love her designs.”

Sofie smiled. “I can get you a sneak peek at her collection. They’re going to be on display at the Glittering Court Jewelry Exhibition.”

“Oh, I can’t afford her gorgeous stuff,” Harlow said.

From behind Harlow, Easton—an extremely successful billionaire—rolled his eyes. The man had a hard time getting Harlow to accept anything.

“I can get you a discount,” Sofie said.

“I have a copy of the Young Royals calendar you were a part of,” Harlow said.

Sofie pressed a hand to her cheek. “Really?”

“Calendar?” Rome asked.

Sofie’s cheeks pinkened. “It was a few years ago, and for charity.”

“I’ll have to get you to sign it. That Givenchy dress you wore…” Harlow slapped a hand to her chest. “Magnificent.”

“Harlow, we should get going,” Easton said.

Harlow sighed. “Duty calls. My man is a tyrant at work.”

Easton yanked Harlow close and kissed her.

Rome saw Sofie watching the pair, a wistful look on her face. His gut tightened.

“If you have time, let’s do drinks,” Harlow said. “And you need to meet Easton and Vander’s sister, Gia, and her friend, Haven, who’s also with the final Norcross brother, Rhys.”

“I’d love that,” Sofie said, smiling.

“I’ll bring my calendar.”

After Easton and Harlow left, Sofie glanced at Vander and Rome. “I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’ll head up and read for a bit before my final interview calls for the day.”

Rome frowned at her. She didn’t look tired. “You okay?”

“Fine. Totally fine.” She waved. “Bye, Vander.”

“I’ll head off, too,” Vander said. “If I hear anything else on the note, I’ll let you know.”

Once Vander had gone, Rome did some work and messaged Ace about the blind spot in the cameras. Then he went to check on Sofia. She should have finished her calls by now.

With each step, he felt a little more tense. It was just the two of them now.

How the hell would he keep his hands off her?

He knocked on her bedroom door, but there was no answer. He quietly pushed the door open and his heart squeezed.

She was asleep on the bed.

She was on top of the covers, still in her leggings, but her shoes were kicked off on the floor. Her breathing was deep and even.

Jet lag must have caught up with her. He found a blanket draped over a chair and placed it over her.

She was so beautiful.

Fighting the urge to touch her, Rome left her to sleep.

Chapter Six

Carefully, Sofie climbed out the ground floor window, trying not to make a sound.

She was dressed all in black—black leggings and long-sleeved shirt. Black cap and a black backpack on one shoulder.

She was focused and determined.

She had a job to do.

Guilt nipped at her. She’d pretended to fall asleep to avoid Rome. She sighed. She knew he was sleeping somewhere downstairs in a guest room.

Sofie had spent the last hour disconnecting this window’s security sensor to ensure that it wouldn’t show on the security system. She’d reactivate it when she returned.

She crouched near a tree and glanced at her Garmin Tactix Delta watch. The hands were luminous in the darkness. She needed to wait twenty seconds.

Locked in her room, she’d worked on her laptop. She’d run an encryption program that