Sinful Desire - Simon "Ghost" Riley as Billionair's Bodyguard

Ramshackled

"My heart is a battlefield of love and pain, torn between what is right and what I want."

We stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, time frozen around us. His grip was tight, lifting me as he stood. I was standing on my tiptoes.

Captain Price cleared his throat. "If you two lovebirds are done, we have an interrogation to proceed with."

Simon slowly let me go. "You should rest, Nora," he said, kissing my forehead and grabbing his gun from the floor.

"The slap hurt," he pointed out, touching his cheek before winking at me and turning to go.

I returned to the hospital, back to my room, and sat on my bed, the weight of everything sinking in.

About an hour passed, and Ghost returned with Captain Price. They had a woman with them. I stood up, scrutinizing her features. She was the same woman from the drug cartel.

Mere seconds later, Ghost pushed the woman, and she landed at my feet. "Apologize!" Ghost growled.

"I am sorry," the woman said.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"She is El Sin Nombre. Valeria," Ghost replied. "She is responsible for everything."

"Take her back, Ghost," I said, sitting back on the bed and looking away. "It doesn't matter anymore. I don't need an apology now."

"What her men and she did to you, and you're still saying this?" Ghost replied, incredulity in his voice.

"Yes," I said firmly. "Because the damage has already been done." I looked at the woman. "You can go now."

The woman glanced at Ghost, unsure.

"I forgive you," I said, my voice steady but my heart heavy. "Now, go."

Ghost stared at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and admiration. He turned to Valeria and motioned for her to leave. She hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking out, escorted by Captain Price.

Ghost remained, his gaze fixed on me, trying to understand the depth of my strength and forgiveness.

"Are you alright, love?" he asked, sitting on the bed in front of me. His concern was palpable, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes. I kept looking the other way.

"I'm fine," I said quietly, "but I'm not the same anymore. The Nora in me died last night. I don't know what remains of me now."

Ghost reached out, his gloved hand gently turning my face toward him. "You're still you, Nora. You're strong, and you're here. That's what matters."

I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "It doesn't feel that way, Simon. It feels like I've lost everything that made me...me."

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "We'll find a way to get through this, together. You're not alone. Not ever."

I buried my face in his shoulder, letting the tears flow.

"I don't know how I'll cover the damages," I murmured, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. "Millions of dollars worth of inventory burned with my office building. I might have to sell my home or what's left of my father's company."

Ghost held me tighter, his voice steady and reassuring. "We'll figure it out, Nora. You don't have to do this alone. We'll find a way."

"But Simon," I protested, "it's too much. I can't ask you to carry this burden with me. You have your own responsibilities."