Page 118 of The Bodyguard

I rub my head and slam my arm down.

I cannot stand back and let another woman under my protection get hurt. If they are having lunch, then I’ll happily hang my head in shame.

But my instincts are screaming.

“Listen. I’m her bodyguard. I’m going. Let’s face it, Josh is going to fire me, anyway.” I shake my head. “Don’t try to stop me, Aid—”

Then we hear a gunshot.

Not again!

CHAPTER THIRTY

SAVANNAH

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“Shoot me? Why? What the hell have I done to you?” I cry. “I thought you were my friend.”

Gina snorts.

I feel my body trembling as I go into shock. I’ve never had a gun waved at me before. Fear like I’ve never felt before rushes through me, making me dizzy but strangely super aware.

But I’m also confused.

I knew our friendship was breaking down, but this...this is way beyond what I can comprehend right now.

“Get down on your knees,” Gina yells.

“What?” I ask, holding my arms up and visibly shuddering.

“Bitch, I want you to kneel before me while I shoot you.”

“Gina, stop. Let’s talk.” My phone drops from my hand and bounces away.

Ryder.

Oh, my god.

If he were here, he’d help me, but he’s not arriving for another few hours. I’m completely unprotected while my former best friend holds a gun at me.

Am I going to die today?

Is this it? Is this my life? Over because I hired my friend to help me?

Will I never see Italy or Spain or New Zealand? Or fall in love? Or swim in the Black Sea? Or give birth and be a mommy? Or...any other dreams I have?

Will I never see Ryder again?

Oh, god. His words, the story he told me of his time in the Middle East, and how the woman died on his watch. This will haunt him if it happens again.

A tear slides down my face as I imagine him spending the rest of his life feeling guilty for my death.

But I also don’t want to die for me.

I have so much more to live for.

“You’ve treated me like a slave for months, Savannah. Now it’s my turn.” Gina waves the gun and I drop to my knees.

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