Page 108 of Guarding Bristol

“I do.”It was the only reason she’d agreed to this.

“Good.”He kissed the top of her head.“Hey, there they are.”He released her.

Bristol scrambled off his lap and braced herself at the sight of her kidnapper coming toward them, pushing a woman in a wheelchair along the terrace.TJ rose and stepped in front of her to greet them warmly, shaking hands with Nico and then the wife.

“Glad you could both make it,” TJ said to them.“And this is Bristol.”He turned to her, curled a heavy arm around her in reassurance.

She stared at Nico, feeling stiff and awkward, the disquiet inside her growing.How did one greet their former kidnapper?“Yes, hi,” she said to him.She was doing this mainly for TJ, but also a little bit for herself.For closure.Because TJ cared about him, and had convinced her that Nico was actually a decent guy in spite of everything he’d done.

The wife seemed sweet though.“Hello.”Bristol gave her a genuine smile, relieved that the initial shock was behind her.

“I’m Liana,” the other woman said.She was bundled up in a thick, cream sweater and lap blankets to keep her warm in the crisp morning air.Her cheeks were rosy, her long blond hair twisted into a single braid over one shoulder, and her sky-blue eyes were friendly.

Bristol liked her instantly.Wondered if she knew she was married to a cartel contract killer.

“How are you feeling?”she asked.Liana looked great, but that could be deceptive.Primary progressive MS was a terrible disease that stripped away quality of life along with function and dignity over time.

“Leave it to a medical professional to go straight there,” TJ said wryly.

Bristol couldn’t help it.She was far more comfortable focusing on Liana than Nico, and yes, she was incredibly curious about the medical treatments Liana was receiving here.

“It’s fine,” Liana said with a light laugh.“Nico said you’re an ultrasound tech?”

It was still weird to think of him as Nico and not Angel, the cartel hitman.“Yes, that’s right.”

“Best they’ve got,” TJ said.

Bristol raised her eyebrows.“Well, that’s lovely of you to say, but he’s exaggerating,” she said to Liana.

“I’m not.Everyone at the hospital thinks so.”

She raised her eyebrows at him.“Really?Like who?”

“Travis, Grady, and Brandon for starters.”

“What?When did you talk to them?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement.“You’d be surprised who I’ve talked to.”

Yeah, she probably would be.He was still so damned mysterious in a lot of ways.She was doing her best to peel back all his layers one at a time.

“Here, sit down and eat with us,” TJ said, gesturing to the table.

Nico pushed Liana’s chair close to the table, then moved around to take the seat beside her next to TJ.Bristol sat across from him, aware of the weight of his stare as she studiously avoided looking at him.

This was still bizarre and uncomfortable.The man had literally broken into the condo and taken her hostage.Now they were sitting at the breakfast table together in Switzerland.

TJ slid an arm around her back, his large hand wrapping around her shoulder in reassurance.His fingers squeezed gently.She released a slow breath, drawing strength from his presence.

“Bristol.”Nico’s voice was quiet.Calm.

She forced herself to look at him.Her pulse skittered.TJ tightened his grip slightly.She could almost hear his voice in her head.

It’s okay, Slugger, promise.I’m right here.It’s gonna be okay.

She drew in a breath, pushed the residual fear aside.“Hm?”

Nico’s gaze was steady on her.“I’m sorry about what I did.And I’m sorry you were scared.”

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