Twisted-Games

things in the world I couldn’t withstand, but Bridget crying was one of them.
“Not for me,” I said. “Not for your friends, family, or any of the people
whose lives you’ve touched. Your mother made a choice to have you, and no
one blames you for what happened to her. It was a medical situation that
could’ve happened to anybody. It had nothing to do with you.”
“I know.” Her voice cracked.
I gripped her tighter, desperate for her to understand. I didn’t know why it
was so important. I just knew it was. “Do you remember what you told me
during the tour? We always end up where we’re meant to be, and you were
always meant to be here.” With me.
Bridget let out a half-laugh, half-sob. “Mr. Larsen, I do believe that’s the
most words you’ve ever said to me in one sitting.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. If it is, I expect a royal medal.”
She laughed again and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually break
down like this. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“No need to apologize.” I rubbed a remaining tear away with my thumb.
“Just tell me you understand.”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “I think I do.”
I kissed the top of her head, my heart still aching. If only she could see
herself the way I saw her.
Beautiful, smart, strong. Perfect in every way that mattered.
By the time we left our suite, the sun had dipped below the horizon and
Bridget had regained her cool composure, though a hint of vulnerability
remained in her eyes.
We walked in silence toward the elevator, once again the princess and her
bodyguard. But when we turned the corner, she stopped so suddenly I almost
ran straight into her.
My senses snapped into high alert as I scanned the area for visible threats.
No weapons. No paparazzi.
But what I saw was almost worse.
“Bridget.” Steffan’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and alarm.
“What are you doing here?”