The Bodyguard (Norcross #4) - Anna Hackett Page 0,26
making her realize just how much bigger he was than her.
And how that made her feel safe and protected.
Sadly, he broke the kiss, and set her on her feet.
Sofie licked her lips, waiting for her head to clear.
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “For the record, you’re welcome.”
She smiled.
“Sofie—” He sucked in a breath. “You should be with some prince. Some guy who can give you everything.”
Her smile morphed into a scowl. “That’s hogwash.”
“You’re a princess, you’re meant to be in a palace.”
She growled. “A prince like my ex, Crispin? Who cheated on me? Who dragged me to nightclub openings and parties I had no interest in attending? Who doesn’t work, doesn’t achieve anything, who just uses people, and goes on ski trips or rents yachts?”
Rome’s lips flattened. “No, not like that.”
“Being royal doesn’t make someone special, or a good person, Rome.”
He touched her jaw. “Okay, beautiful. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear any more about princes.”
“Okay. Now, let’s go. I’ve got just enough time to feed you some lunch before you have to be at the photo shoot.”
Rome stayed close to Sofia as they walked up the steps of City Hall.
The massive, grand building was a Beaux-Arts monument, with a long and varied history. They stepped inside. It was even grander than the outside, with marble everywhere. The magnificent, arched windows let in lots of light.
“Oh, it’s stunning,” she murmured.
Rome counted people on the mezzanine level above, along with lights and other photo shoot equipment. He also noted the Norcross guards stationed at the stairs leading up. One caught his eye and gave him a nod.
The jewelry for the shoot had already been brought here under heavy guard. Rome had planned out every detail of the security himself.
A woman jogged down the stairs toward them. “Princess Sofia.”
The woman was tall, with long legs clad in dark jeans. She had an attractive face, with eyes that were different colors—one brown and one green. Her long, black hair was pulled back in a ponytail. A camera hung around her neck.
“Dani!” Sofie cried. “It is so lovely to see you again.”
The women embraced.
Sofie stepped back. “This is Rome, my bodyguard. Rome, this is Dani Navarro Ward. A brilliant photographer.” Sofie squeezed the woman’s hand. “Thanks for doing this.” Sofie looked back at Rome. “Dani is primarily a landscape photographer. She travels the world taking pictures of exotic, beautiful locations.”
A man followed the woman down the stairs at a slower pace. Rome tensed. He recognized former military when he saw it. His gaze met the other man’s blue one. This guy had been special forces, for sure. He had a rangy body, dark hair that was overdue for a cut, and scruff on his hard jaw.
Rome frowned. The guy looked familiar.
“Sofia, you’ve never met my husband. Cal, this is Princess Sofia of Caldova. Sofie, my hubby, Callum Ward.”
“Nice to meet you, Callum.”
“It’s Cal, please.”
“And this is Rome Nash, my bodyguard,” Sofie said.
Rome straightened. “Ward? Treasure Hunter Security? You must be Declan’s brother.”
The man lifted his chin. “Yeah. Nash. You from Norcross Security?”
Rome nodded and shook the man’s hand. “I know Dec. Good SEAL.”
Callum smiled. “He was. Now he’s running THS, keeping his wife happy, and spoiling his daughter.”
“I’ve heard good things about Treasure Hunter Security.”
“We keep busy. We’re mostly all former SEALs. And I hear good things about Norcross.”
Rome inclined his head. “We’re mostly all former Ghost Ops. And we keep busy, too.”
“If you badasses are finished communing,” Dani said dryly, “we have photos to take.”
Sofie shot Rome a smile, and headed up the stairs arm in arm with Dani.
At the top, Rome stayed to the side, watching carefully. He glanced down at the main floor. People were coming in and out of the main doors of City Hall. He would have preferred to shut off public access completely, but they didn’t have that luxury. Still, he had guards stationed at all the entrances to the mezzanine level.
Sofie disappeared behind a large folding screen. Dani checked her cameras and equipment. An assistant brought things around for Sofia. Cal Ward perched on a large box, watching the comings and goings.
A fur rug was laid out on the stone floor—it was beige and fluffy. Dani set a silver umbrella thing by the rug, then fiddled with her camera.
One of the guards brought a heavy-duty case over. He clicked the locks and opened it.
Hell. Rome wasn’t into jewelry, but these pieces were impressive.
There were diamonds—a lot of diamonds—and other jewels. There were