Since before she’d lost Tori.
“How about some breakfast?” he asked.
She nodded.
They showered together and Sofie pulled on some fitted pants and a top with ruffled sleeves in a pretty blush pink.
Rome changed into fresh suit pants and a blue shirt. It made his eyes stand out.
In the kitchen, he made coffee while she whipped up some omelets. She hummed as she cooked.
“So, you have a lunch today.” He set a mug down beside her.
“A luncheon,” she said. “Lots of San Francisco socialites. Wealthy ones.” She set the plates with the omelets on the island. “I’m starving.”
“I wonder why,” he said dryly.
She grinned at him. “So, at the luncheon today, I smile, hobnob, and hope to get some new supporters for the gala and charity.”
Rome nodded. “It’s at the Palace Hotel. I’ve done a preliminary security plan, and I have the schematics for you to memorize. I want to go over an evacuation plan, in case something goes wrong. And we get separated.”
She took a bite of eggs and swallowed. “You’ll stay close.”
He touched her hair. “Yes. That’s no hardship.” His phone pinged and he pulled it out. “Robin Hood’s exploits hit the news.”
She pressed her tongue to her cheek.
“The tiara is back safely.”
“You can count on Robin Hood,” she said.
“Yeah. But promise me you won’t sneak out again. If Robin Hood needs to get something done, I’ll help you, and keep you safe.”
She couldn’t find any words. She’d always done this alone. It was kind of nice to have a partner.
But worry nipped at her.
“I have diplomatic immunity, Rome, as Caldovan royalty. I won’t let you get into trouble.”
He grabbed her hand. “Let me worry about that. Your safety is what I’m most concerned about.”
“Thank you.”
“I also need to talk to Vander about this. I need to tell him about Robin Hood.”
“Rome—”
“I promise you that he won’t mention it to anybody. There’s no one who can keep a secret like Vander.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, but nodded.
“We’ll also find a way to anonymously tip off the police that Petrovitch was involved in the firebombing and the man’s death.”
“Good.” She paused. “I was worried this would…change how you think about me.”
“I told you that I understand why you do it.”
“I do it for Tori. Losing her left a hole. Being Robin Hood, righting these wrongs, helps fill that hole. Along with my charity work.” Sofie shook her head. “She was so wonderful, and then she was just gone. It broke her boyfriend, Lorenz. He’s a rare book dealer and she used to travel with him sometimes. They were like chalk and cheese. She was bubbly, and he was quiet and reserved. They reminded me of my parents.” She pressed her hands to her chest, to the hurt in her heart. “Being Robin Hood stopped the grief from dragging me under.”
“I get it.”
There was something dark in his voice. Frowning, she grabbed his arm. “Rome?”
He took a deep breath. “When I was eight, I was looking after my younger sisters— Lola and Liana. They’re twins. They were six. We were walking home from school. My mother worked two jobs to feed us after my dad ran off.”
Sofie hated the terrible look in his eyes.
“I stopped to talk with some buddies from school. Lia was picking flowers, and Lola walked on. She was skipping.” Rome shook his head. “She was always skipping, dancing, singing, never sitting still.”
Sofie’s belly hardened. “What happened?”
He was silent for a moment. “I was only a minute behind her. But by the time Lia and I followed, there was no sign of her.”
Sofie grabbed his hand and squeezed.
“She was just gone. I searched everywhere, but nothing. It was like she’d disappeared into thin air. I gave Lia to a neighbor to look after and then ran blocks to where my mom worked.” He met Sofie’s gaze. There was so much heartbreak in his green eyes.
Sofie threw her arms around him. He hugged her close, so tight it hurt, but she didn’t pull away.
“Lola was missing for three days. Three hellish days. They found her body in an abandoned lot. She’d been raped and murdered.”
“No.” Sofie hugged him tighter. “I’m so sorry, Rome. I know how much it hurts.”
“Yeah.”
“Did they catch the bastard?”
“They did.”
But her big, protective man wouldn’t forgive himself. Even though he’d been just a child himself.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I was supposed to take care of her.”
Sofie cupped his cheeks. “It was not your fault. You were a child yourself. You were all doing the best you