Page 43 of Broken Bodyguard

I drew a deep breath, snuggling back into my bed. Despite everything that had happened today…I was at peace.

The only thing I needed to figure out was what happened when Troy eventually left?

I wanted to believe that we could maintain this connection no matter how far he traveled or how long he was gone. But the truth was…I had no idea.

And right now, my brain was too fuzzy to think about it.

The last thing I saw before I drifted off was Troy’s handsome face.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

TROY

NashNightingalecalledatnine a.m. on the dot.

He wasn’t happy that I wasn’t getting on the private jet with him.

“Louisville, huh?” He expelled a sigh.

“I need to be here for at least another day.” I’d explained to him thewhy. It helped that I framed Maddie as a client needing additional protection. “But I’m hopeful you’ll still consider me even though I missed the mark today.”

Nash was quiet for a few moments. Then he said, “What if we picked you up?”

“Sorry?”

“We can swing through Louisville and get you on our way south.”

“That would mean postponing the trip,” I said slowly.

“I’ve got some flexibility,” Nash said smoothly. “Do you?”

“I sure do.”

“Great. Let’s plan on that, then. We’ll see you in two days.”

I hung up the phone, both relieved and feeling sick. This meant I was actually leaving Maddie and Grace behind. I knew Maddie would understand. But dread coated my insides as I imagined this next chapter. Because deep down, I didn’t believe it could work.

How could it? Maddie and Grace in Louisville, and me, everywhere but. Maybe it could work if they traveled alongside me, but that was impossible. Maybe it could work if I got a desk job in Louisville, but that was impossible too.

The only thing that was certain was that I had no idea what it might look like moving forward. And that’s what I told Maddie when I shared Nash’s new plan after my call.

“I want to be with you, Maddie,” I told her. “I want you and Grace in my life. But I don’t know how it’s gonna look. I’ve never done this shit before and honestly, I’m out of my element.”

She nodded, rubbing her thumbs over my knuckles. She sat cross-legged on the bed in front of me, wearing only an oversized t-shirt as pajamas. I’d never seen her look so delicious, but now was not the time to feast.

“I want to be with you too,” she said softly.

“I’ll travel a lot. But I want to know that my sexy schoolteacher is here waiting for me for when I get back.” That earned me a smile. “So let’s try this. Whatever it looks like.” I brought the back of her hand to my lips, getting lost in her hazel eyes. “It can be something new. Something just for us.”

“Just for us,” she repeated, and then leaned forward to capture my lips in a kiss.

Quito. Cusco. Medellin. Panama City.

I accompanied Nash Nightingale’s crew across all of South America for weeks on end. And every morning and night, I started and ended my day with Maddie and Grace.

Without fail.

Some nights, we’d be on the video call while Grace colored and Maddie cleaned up the kitchen or worked on school paperwork. Other nights, Maddie and I were lying in bed together, chatting about the future. And sometimes, when Grace was asleep and I knew I wouldn’t be overheard by my travelmates, Maddie and I hadadult fun.

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