President's Daughter's Bodyguard-Chapter 69: Almost Like One Of Them

Chapter 69: Almost Like One of Them

Theo had no choice...He couldn’t allow the guards to be the only ones protecting her. Not when Ethan was out there and Zack was moving his pieces like a serpent beneath the ground.

So he went too...

But he left his uniform behind.

He wore a dark hoodie and simple jeans, blending into the world like he belonged to it. His hair fell softly over his forehead and without the symbols of the military on him, he looked younger...

Danielle noticed right away.

"You look like a normal guy for once," she smiled brightly.

Theo ignored the comment but she saw the corner of his mouth twitch. They walked side by side through the city streets.

Danielle watched children running around a fountain and sighed.

"We look like a couple," she said lightly.

Theo’s steps paused for a fraction of a second. He didn’t look at her and just kept walking. But his heart hit the inside of his chest like it wanted to respond for him.

She smiled again, unaware that she had just set his whole world on fire.

They stopped at a park where loud music filled the air and colorful games spun around. There were rolls of cotton candy and the metallic clink of coins and laughter that felt unreal in her world.

"Pick one," Theo said simply.

Danielle pointed toward the shooting game. He paid the man running the booth and took the plastic gun. His eyes narrowed and he shot every target down with calm moves.

The man stared with his mouth open and handed Theo the biggest teddy bear on the shelf. It was almost as tall as Danielle.

Theo held the bear awkwardly for a second and then passed it to her. She hugged it to her chest and giggled.

"You won this for me," she was talking like it was a silly victory.

Theo looked away, fighting a smile.

A little boy passed them and whispered to his friend loudly enough that Danielle heard.

"They look like a prince and his girlfriend."

Her cheeks grew warm. Theo’s ears turned red.

They spent more time walking, watching people dance and kids spinning on the carousel. For the first time in forever Danielle felt like she was allowed to breathe. She felt like maybe the world could hold joy again instead of just fear and blood.

Theo noticed the color returning to her cheeks. The way she looked more alive outside of that palace.

He walked one step behind her, just close enough to catch her if she stumbled, ready to kill anyone who laid a finger on her.

But this peace did not last long...

As they left the park through a side street, they heard angry voices and loud chants.

The crack of something being thrown. Theo immediately caught Danielle’s wrist and pulled her behind him.

"Stay close," he murmured.

Smoke rose ahead. People were gathered holding signs high.

Danielle’s heart dropped when she read them.

Elias is a liar..!!!

Down with corruption!!!

Justice for the people!!!

Her father’s face was painted across posters. Spray paint crossed through his eyes in red.

Garbage cans were flipped over and police struggled to keep the crowd controlled.

Theo tried to lead her away. "We should go. Now."

But Danielle refused to move.

"I want to see it," she was deadly calm but her eyes were almost filled with water. "I need to know what they think. I need to know what is real."

Theo looked torn between his orders and her request. His jaw clenched...

Finally he nodded. "Fine. But I stay in front."

He moved through the crowd like a shield, making sure no one touched her. Danielle tried to understand the shouting voices.

"He took our money"

"We want a leader, not a dictator!"

"The President has blood on his hands"

Her heart was broken like one of the cans.

Even though Danielle knew some parts of it, and as she very well thought she hated Elias and sometimes wanted him gone forever...hearing strangers say those words made her skin go numb in panic.

They did not love him. They wanted to break from him. They wanted to tear apart the only family she had left even if that family was broken and cruel.

Her breath turned shaky...and Theo felt her distress before she even made a sound.

"We should go," he said again. "This is not safe for you."

She nodded, though her eyes stayed locked on a burning poster of her father.

They turned to leave. Theo’s hand still rested strongly on her lower back, ushering her away from the chaos.

But the crowd pushed forward and police rushed toward the mob. Screams started and something exploded in the distance.

Theo cursed under his breath.

"Faster," he ordered.

Danielle clutched her teddy bear as they ran toward safety. The noise grew louder behind them.

They reached the intersection but Theo suddenly stopped. His entire body went rigid like a predator sensing another threat.

Danielle froze as well because she saw what he saw.

Two men were waiting ahead of them in civilian clothes but their posture was too disciplined. Their eyes seemed too black. Theo recognised them in an instant.

They were Zack’s men...

Theo slowly placed Danielle behind him. His heartbeat never changed rhythm... Ready...Deadly.

Danielle grabbed his sleeve. "Do not fight. Please."

Theo didn’t answer. His eyes were locked on the men like a sniper deciding which one to kill first.

One of them smirked.

"You are far from home, little prince," he said.

The other added, "Zack sends his love."

Theo stepped forward slightly and his voice dropped like a grenade.

"And I will return that love through a bullet between his eyes."

The first man looked at Danielle and smiled darker. "He figured you would be with her."

Theo instantly blocked her from their view.

Danielle felt her pulse hammering. The teddy bear slipped from her hands and fell to the ground but she didn’t notice.

People pushed past on both sides, unaware of the silent fight forming in the middle of the street.

Theo whispered without looking back at her.

"When I say run. You run."

Danielle swallowed hard. "But you"

"No arguing. Run."

The two men stepped closer, and Theo cracked his knuckles.

The riot behind them roared like the world was about to explode. And then the first man spoke again.

"We are not here to take you."

His eyes shifted to Danielle.

"We came to take her."

Theo’s eyes turned black.

Danielle’s heart stopped.

And the street went silent around them.

"Leave...her...alone..."