Protect her. Obey her father. Never fall for her.
Those were the only three rules Theo was given when he accepted his assignment as the president’s daughter’s personal bodyguard.

Danielle Geiger was supposed to be another mission to him, just a spoiled heiress hidden behind privilege and secrets. But the moment he saw the loneliness behind her toughness, everything he’d been trained to control began to break.

And then, Theo broke all three rules.

Every order he followed led him back to her.
Every touch he denied burned a little deeper.

And when the line between duty and desire finally snapped, there was no turning back.

Because Theo could guard her body, fight her enemies, and take every bullet meant for her,
but the one thing he could never protect her from… was himself.

He guarded her body.
But she was the one who held his heart hostage.

Now, love isn’t the risk.
It’s the weapon that could ruin them both.

Danielle didn't remember when exactly she closed her eyes or decided to lay her head across Theo's lap.


Her body gave up first, then her mind, and he didn't push her away. He only shifted slightly so she could rest more comfortably, then placed one hand on her hair.


Theo stroked her gently, slowly, as if the world had not just tried to tear itself apart around them. 


His fingers brushed down the side of her head, then to her neck, soft and warm. He was unusually quiet. 


She wanted to believe she had fallen asleep.


She wanted to pretend the room was safe in Theo's lap...


But she was awake, and listened. She felt every breath he took. She felt the beat of his heart under her cheek.


And every time his fingers slid through her hair, something old in her chest stirred.


Chapter 99 - Before You…