Chapter 20 #2
She knew he wasn’t talking about a financial need. His work filled a void inside him. She understood that.
“I know.” She sucked in a breath. “And I have duties. Some of them international.” She touched his cheek. “But I want to make this work, Rome. Whatever it takes.”
He kissed her again. “Whatever it takes.”
“Now, how about we get out of this bath and into bed?”
“Tired, Princess?”
“No.” She slid her hand down his abs. “Not at all.”
* * *
“I’m fine, Mum. I promise you.”
On the laptop screen, Sofie looked at her worried parents. Beside them was Caro, her face creased with concern.
Sofie sat in the kitchen, which was drenched with mid-morning light. She’d slept like a rock the night before, held in Rome’s arms. He was around somewhere, with his phone glued to his ear.
Sofie met her best friend’s gaze. “It was Lorenz all along. He ran the Black Fox gang, he hurt Tori, and he was stalking me.”
Caro cursed—using some very creative phrases in a few different languages.
Sofie’s father raised a brow.
Caro flushed. “Your Highness, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Sofie’s father said. “If not for years of royal protocol and fatherly instincts, I’d do the same.”
“I’m not hurt,” Sofie assured them.
“I can see the bruises, sweetie,” her mother said. “I’d like a crack at Lorenz myself.”
“He’s in police custody and the Black Fox gang is in disarray. The San Francisco PD are working with Interpol to dismantle the gang’s operations.” Sofie felt a small kernel of warmth inside her, like a flower unfurling.
It was over.
She’d anonymously turned over all the information that she’d collected. San Francisco PD, via Hunt, had received a package from Robin Hood. Her stalker was behind bars and the Black Fox gang was done. The Sapphire Wave tiara was secure in the safe at Norcross Security.
“When are you coming home?” her mother demanded. “I want to hug you.”
“Oh, well.” Sofie pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “The thing is—”
Caro leaned forward. There was glee on her face. “You met someone.”
Sofie broke out in a grin. “I’m in love and ridiculously happy.”
Her parents blinked.
“Mum, Papa, I’d like to move to San Francisco.
” She glanced around. “Actually, I’m thinking of buying this house that I’ve been renting.
” She met their startled gazes. “Rome is…amazing.” Her smile widened as she thought of him.
“He’s big, strong, protective. He saw the real me from the first moment we met. ”
“Rome?” her father said. “Rome Nash? Your bodyguard from Norcross Security?”
Sofie pulled in a breath. “Yes.”
Her father scowled. “This is highly improper. He has an excellent resume and I know he was a special forces soldier, but bodyguards do not get personally involved with the people they’re protecting.”
“Ooh,” Caro said. “That’s much better than a movie star.”
Rome walked in and Sofia waved him over.
He stopped behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. He sat down beside her.
“I’m Rome Nash.” His voice was its usual deep rumble.
On-screen, her mother’s and Caro’s mouths dropped open.
“Mr. Nash,” her father said.
“Your Highness.” Rome inclined his head.
“It is against protocol for a bodyguard to get personally involved with his charge, Mr. Nash.”
“I’m aware of that. I struggled with it for a while.” Rome squeezed Sofie’s hand. “But I couldn’t keep my distance from Sofie. I think I started falling for her from the first time I saw her.”
She softened. “Rome.”
“My God, our little girl is in love, Nicholas. It’s right there on her face.” Sofie’s mother clasped her hands together, smiling.
“Prince Nicholas,” Rome said, “the fact of the matter is, how I feel about Sofie makes me more protective of her. I’d fight the entire world to keep her safe.”
Sofie leaned into him. Then she heard a sniffle and looked back at the screen. “Caro, are you crying?”
“No.” Caro dashed away the tears on her cheeks. “I’m just so happy.”
Rome gave a bemused shake of his head.
“Papa, Rome and I don’t want to be living in different countries. I love San Francisco and I love his friends.”
Her father shifted. “You have royal duties—”
Sofie opened her mouth.
Then her father held up a hand. “Which can be scaled back and altered.”
Her pulse leaped and this time she squeezed Rome’s fingers. “Thank you, Papa.”
“As the new Caldovan ambassador to the Americas, you can take on the bulk of the North and South American duties.”
Excitement whipped through her. “It would be my honor to do that. And I can expand my charity work here as well.”
“And when you’re required here in Europe—” her father’s gaze moved to Rome “—I’m certain you’ll have your own personal bodyguard to accompany you.”
Rome nodded. “I’d like to be in charge of all Sofie’s security.”
The prince nodded. “Norcross Security does excellent work. I’ll speak with Mr. Norcross about a special contract.”
They talked some more, and her parents and Caro planned to come out to San Francisco to visit soon.
After the call ended, Sofie jumped to her feet and spun in a circle. “I’m so happy.” She felt so light. She threw herself into Rome’s arms.
He carried her to the couch, and sat down with her straddling him. She pressed her lips to his.
“ Mmm .” Her man could really kiss. She shivered.
“There it is.” He cupped her ass and things got heated. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She tugged at his shirt. She needed skin. “Here.”
The doorbell rang.
“Damn.” Frowning, Rome pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. He growled. “I’m surprised it took them this long.”
“Who?”
“The gang’s here to check on you.” He cupped her cheek. “Later, we’ll have time for the two of us.”
She smiled and shimmied against the hard bulge beneath her, enjoying his low groan. “I’ll be counting down.”
Rome went and opened the front door.
Their friends poured in.
“We brought ribs for lunch,” Gia called out. Saxon was holding several grocery bags.
“I’ve got beer.” Vander cradled a box under one arm.
“We brought the wine,” Harlow announced.
Haven smiled. “Rhys and I made salads. Okay, we bought salads from the store.”
Rome’s mom and sister entered. Lia winked. “I brought an appetite.”
As Rome slid an arm around Sofie, the two women smiled at them, happiness in their eyes.
Friends. Love. Laughter.
Sofie looked up. Rome’s green gaze was on her.
She was happy beyond words.
“Can you die from happiness?” she asked.
“Nope.” He nipped her lips. “Buckle up, Princess, because there’s lots more happiness ahead for you.”
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Sofie and Rome’s story!