5. Rhys

Rhys recounts that, despite forbidding a risky warehouse concert, Bridget snuck out and was abducted with Ava afterward. Because he had secretly planted a tracker in Bridget’s phone, he located them in Philadelphia and extracted them from a mercenary tied to Alex Volkov’s family vendetta, leaving the attackers dead. He drives the bruised but safe women home while Ava, devastated, stays with Bridget.

At the house, Rhys, terrified and furious, orders Bridget to the kitchen and confronts her for defying his rules. Bridget argues the kidnapper targeted Ava and that the concert itself was safe, but Rhys insists his presence would have prevented the attack and reminds her of his rule to obey him for security.

The argument crests as Rhys stresses that disobedience endangers everyone, prompting Bridget to admit fault but demand mutual trust. She challenges his secret tracking, and, amid palpable attraction, proposes a deal: remove the chip, and she will follow his security directives without subterfuge.

Rhys wrestles between protocol and the chance at cooperation. He accepts a four-month trial: if Bridget complies, he will back off; if not, enforcement will escalate. Bridget adds a condition—do not inform the palace—warning exposure could cost Rhys his job and her freedom.

After weighing duty to report to Christian against losing the assignment, Rhys agrees to omit the incident and the two seal the precarious truce. He warns Bridget that any breach will trigger severe consequences, while their unresolved chemistry intensifies the risks of their new arrangement.