Page 125 of The Bodyguard

I see Ryder’s twelve missed calls.

Then I see one from Briar.

Jesus, that’s freaky.

“Okay, I’m out of here,” I say, glancing around at the police crime scene team. “My team will secure the property and stay until you leave.”

I call Marshall over and give him instructions.

“Make sure the guys monitor everything.”

“Got it.” Marshall nods and takes over. He has a body holster over his black shirt with the arms rolled up.

I stride through the mansion and out the front door, then freeze.

Is this a joke?

What the fuck is going on?

I stare as the woman before me wraps her arms around her middle and rants at the police officer.

“No ma’am. I can’t give you any further information at this point,” the policeman says.

“Ugh,” she grunts, and drops her arms and she spins away.

When she sees me, she, too, freezes.

Her mouth drops open as we stand staring at one another for a long moment.

“Hello, Briar,” I rasp.

“Aidan,” she whispers.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

RYDER

––––––––

My eyes dip as I drop my chin to my chest. These hospital chairs are uncomfortable as hell, but I’m not moving.

I’m not going anywhere.

Savannah has been out of surgery for three hours and the nurses and doctors are in and out every thirty minutes.

She was shot in the upper chest, but it missed any important bits, including her heart.

Thank fuck.

I feel like it got mine instead.

Gina, the fucking waste of a human being, will be locked up for most of her adult life.

I make no apologies.

I meant what I said to Gina. She should have loved her friend.

For someone so famous, all Savannah ever wanted was her family and friends to love her. Well, as it turns out, I do. I think I knew it from the moment I saw her. I’ve just been fighting it.

---