The Bodyguard (Norcross #4) - Anna Hackett Page 0,47
me, but—”
“Rome.” She rested her hand on his thigh. “It’s fine. I’m excited to see where you live. Do you think I’m an elitist snob?”
“No. But you’re royalty, and I’m not.”
She withdrew her hand, her mouth moving into a flat line. “I thought I was just Sofie to you.”
He cursed and grabbed her hand back. “You are, but I can’t pretend the differences in our backgrounds don’t exist.”
“They don’t matter to me.”
He felt those words deep.
Then he shoved all this aside. He needed to focus on keeping her safe, not worrying about the differences in their bank accounts and houses.
He reached his building, and saw her looking out the window at the old factory building and its prominent clocktower.
“It’s called the Clocktower Lofts. It was once the headquarters of a printing company.”
“It’s fabulous.”
He parked in the garage and led her upstairs. As they waited for the elevator, it opened and a man in a business suit stepped out, swiping at his phone.
“Hey, Rome,” the man said.
“Ed. This is Sofie.”
The man lifted his chin for a second, and his gaze narrowed. “You look familiar.”
She just smiled.
Ed shrugged. “Got to run, Rome and Rome’s girl. Big trading deal.” Ed strode off, still swiping his phone.
They rode up in the elevator, and Rome led her to his condo. He unlocked the door.
Suddenly, he felt nervous. He watched as she walked in, looking around. Then she grinned.
“Rome, I love it.”
The loft was all white, with wooden floors and beams, along with black pipework. It had high ceilings that he loved, and stairs leading up to his loft bedroom. He scrutinized her face and all he saw was happiness. She meant it.
She walked over, studying the exposed brick wall in the living area and his bookshelves.
“The perk of working at Norcross is that Easton helps us invest our money. I would never have afforded this place back when I was in the military.”
“It’s got such good light and character. It’s really great.”
Huge, narrow windows faced an internal courtyard, so the place never lacked for light.
“Let me check in with the guards.”
She nodded and kept wandering. Rome made a short call to ensure Mike and Dan were in place, and monitoring everyone entering and leaving the building. He slipped the phone back in his pocket.
“Kitchen and bathroom are at that end.” Rome pointed past his black dining table. “Why don’t you shower and—”
“You could join me.” She shot him a sexy smile.
“I could.” He felt his chest lighten for the first time in hours. “Let’s—”
There was a knock at the door.
Rome frowned. “Vander can’t have gotten to your place and back that quickly.” Rome checked the peephole, then rolled his eyes.
“Rome?” Sofie asked.
He swung the door open.
The doorway was filled with three women.
Gia Norcross lifted a hand and smiled. “Hi.”
Sofie shifted and looked at the three attractive women in the doorway. She recognized Harlow instantly.
Rome scowled.
“We heard what happened at the Palace Hotel.” Harlow barged past Rome. “We wanted to check that you’re okay, Sofie.”
Sofie lifted her bandaged hands. “A little banged up, but I’m alive and breathing.”
“God.” Sympathy crossed Harlow’s face. The woman opened her arms, then hesitated. “Is it okay to hug you? Is that against royal protocol?”
Sofie felt a rush of warmth. “It’s fine. I could do with a hug, although I still smell like smoke.”
Harlow gently wrapped her arms around her. “I’ve just been through some scary times with a bad guy after me. I know how much it sucks.”
Sofie hugged the woman back. She had Caro, and for many years, she’d had Tori, but she didn’t have lots of close girlfriends. It was hard when she traveled so much, plus being a princess didn’t make it easy. People had to be vetted, and even then, lots of people just wanted her for her money and influence.
Harlow patted her shoulder.
“You have Norcross Security looking after you,” the tiny, curvy brunette in a killer blue suit said. “So, you’ll be fine.” The woman smiled. “I’m Gia Norcross.”
“Oh, it’s a pleasure.” Sofie gingerly shook hands. “Your brothers are—”
“Hot. Gorgeous. Badass. I know, believe me, growing up with them has been a trial.”
Sofie liked Gia already.
The final woman stepped forward. “I’m Haven, Rhys’ girlfriend, and Gia’s best friend.”
Sofie shook the other woman’s hand. She was another brunette with a slender figure and a pretty face.
“Don’t you three work?” Rome grumbled.
Gia waved her arm. “Take a chill pill, big guy. We were all worried about you and your princess.”
“Please, call me Sofie.”
Gia smiled. “Sofie. Besides, I