The Bodyguard (Norcross #4) - Anna Hackett Page 0,37
room, and snatched the card out of her hand. As he looked at it, something rippled across his face.
“Get the tiara packed up,” he said.
He set the card in the safe and closed it.
“You can’t be here,” she said. “Go.”
His green gaze met hers—hot, angry. “Pack up the sparkler.”
“If you get caught—”
“I won’t.”
“I have diplomatic immunity,” she whispered furiously. “You don’t.”
“So, the quicker we get out of here, the better.”
Dammit. He was so stubborn. She pulled out her makeup kit from her backpack and lifted up the false bottom. Rome watched with interest as she set the tiara inside.
“Resourceful,” he said.
She noticed he was careful not to use her name. Probably worried about any recording devices.
She zipped up her backpack and Rome took it.
“Let’s go.”
She nodded. Then she heard the distinct click of the front door and voices.
Oh, crap.
A muscle in Rome’s jaw ticked. “Go. Do your maid routine.”
“What about you?” Her pulse was racing.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll keep this.” He jiggled the backpack. “If they suspect you, they won’t find the tiara on you.”
“What if they see you—?”
“They won’t.” He touched her cheek, then pushed her out the bedroom door.
Sofie resisted the urge to fiddle with her wig. She walked into the luxurious bathroom and grabbed some towels.
She walked out and headed down the hall.
“Hey,” a man barked from the living room. “We need more towels in the other bathroom, too.”
Sofie nodded her head. Boris Petrovich. He had clean-cut features but an ugly scowl.
She hurried to the front door and reached the cart. She grabbed more towels, wishing she could just walk away.
Where the hell was Rome? There was no possible way for him to get out unseen.
She took the fresh towels in, her heart pounding. She so desperately wanted to get out of there. What if one of Petrovich’s entourage recognized her?
In the living area, the group was gathered around the built-in bar, pouring drinks and laughing. Petrovich was in a chair, a scantily-dressed woman in his lap.
Sofie set the towels down and hurried out. No one paid her any attention.
In the outside hall, she blew out a breath and quickly pushed the cart down the corridor. She reached the housekeeping closet and suddenly, the door opened and she was yanked inside.
Sofie gasped.
“You all right?” Rome asked.
“Rome.” How had he gotten out?
“You okay?” he repeated.
“Yes.” She yanked her wig off, then she was pulled up on her toes.
“Never risk yourself like that again,” he growled.
Warmth bloomed in her chest. “I’m fine—”
He shook her. “Never again, Sofia. Someone tried to snatch you today. You have a stalker. You don’t fucking sneak out.”
“It was important, Rome. I know what I’m doing.”
He leaned close, their faces inches apart. Her heart knocked hard in her chest.
“Playing Robin Hood?” he asked silky.
She lifted her chin. “Righting wrongs. A man was killed. Others have been hurt.”
There was a flash in his eyes. “We’ll discuss this more once you’re safe, back at the house.”
“There is nothing to discuss. This is my life, Rome.”
He growled, then backed her against the shelves full of cleaning products, towels, and linen.
Then his mouth was on hers.
Sofie moaned and threw her arms around his neck. His hands slid under her ass. Their tongues dueled.
God, he tasted better than anything. Heat flooded her.
Then he tore his mouth free. She was very pleased to see his chest rising and falling faster than usual. Knowing that she affected the strong, contained man so much left her lightheaded.
“I’ll follow you back to the house.”
She pouted. “You trailed me here in the X6? I never saw you.”
“I wouldn’t be any good at my job if you had.”
“Rome, I need to return the tiara to its rightful owner.”
“I’ll see you home, then I’ll return it.”
She wanted to argue, but the look on his face warned her not to. She nodded.
“Get changed,” he said.
He slipped out and Sofie quickly changed back into her own clothes. She stuffed her disguise in her backpack. It didn’t take long for her to collect her car.
This time, she noticed the black SUV staying behind her on the drive back to the house.
She parked the Tesla on the side street where she’d picked it up from. The X6 stopped beside her and the passenger door opened.
She climbed in. Rome was quiet as he pulled up in front of her rental house.
He opened the window and waved at one of the guards.
“Get inside, Sofie.”
“Rome—”
“We’ll talk when I get back.”
She sucked in a breath, then slid out of the SUV.
One of the guards