Page 128 of The Bodyguard

I walk to the other side of the bed and Savannah’s eyes follow me.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I try to say softly but my voice is rough and dry.

Savannah starts blinking and tears fill them.

“Just take it easy with your wife.” The nurse says, then gives me the I know she’s not your wife look.

Everyone knows who Savannah Sinclair is. I was sure as her bodyguard I would be allowed in with her, but I wasn’t taking chances. So I lied.

Too bad.

Afterward, I told the ward manager that I was her bodyguard and that because of who she was, she would require twenty-four-hour protection.

Whatever. I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Wife?” Savannah's voice is crackly.

I shrug. “Max needs a mom.”

The nurse gives her one more drink and then puts the cup on the table. “Try not to talk too much.”

Savannah nods, and I sit on the edge of her bed and take her hand.

“I’m alive.” She says, and a tear slides down her face.

“You are.” I smile.

“I thought I was going to die.” Her chest hitches as the emotions come rolling out.

“So did I.” My own voice is breaking. “So the fuck did I.” I lean down and pull her into my arms, as she loops hers around my neck.

“I’m so goddamn sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.” I growl into her neck. “I’m never listening to you again.”

“I was so scared, Ryder. So scared I’d never see you again.” Savannah rasps.

I loosen my hold and lift my head, gazing down at her. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Which is a lie.

Before reality crashes down on us, and our worlds split apart, I lower my mouth to hers and gently kiss her lips. Letting all the love I feel for this woman flow from me into her heart.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

SAVANNAH

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I’ve been home for a week and still feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. Instead of being shot by my best friend.

Former best friend.

Gina has asked to see me, but I’ve refused. I have nothing to say to her. It’s clear she has mental problems, and I am not giving her a single minute of my time to relieve any guilt about why she did what she has done.

Do I blame Nick?

No.

He turned up at the hospital before I was released with a huge bunch of purple flowers and was in as much shock about the whole thing as everyone else. He also shared that he felt some of it was his fault.

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