Page 50 of The Bodyguard's Fall

My breath caught at his words. “Draw him out, how?”

“By making you easier to find.”

My body went rigid while my heart hammered in my chest. “Isn’t that the exact opposite of what we’re doing here?”

“Yeah. And he’s still in the wind, and you’re still looking over your shoulder every time you step outside.”

“But maybe we should give it more time. Maybe Will’s department can⁠—”

“Will’s sergeant pulled everybody out. The operation’s over. He was going to come get you, but I told him to hold off until I talked to you first.”

His blue eyes were serious, piercing into mine like he was trying to read my innermost thoughts. I should be easy to read. My thoughts were simple. Eat. Sleep. Write. Hide. Repeat.

“What would all of this entail?” I could already feel the panic rising in my chest.

“It would mean that you stay here. And I’d be in charge of your safety. Completely. At least until I’m called back to work.”

“When will that happen?”

“Whenever the investigation wraps up. A couple weeks? Maybe a month.”

“What kinds of things do you have in mind? To draw him out?”

“We stop hiding you. You post pictures of us together and talk about Autumn Ridge on your socials. Pass your new address around like candy. Go to more events around town.”

My gaze flicked up to his. Panic was building in my chest, but he was ready for me. His eyes held mine carefully.

“I’ll be with you the whole time.”

There it was again. That softness. Has it always been there? Or was this new?

It was disconcerting enough that I needed to put an end to it. “That’s not really the comfort you think it is.”

A slow smile broke out across his face, momentarily piercing through his serious expression. He was in cop mode right now, and it was refreshing to momentarily break into his stride. Visions of us dancing at Will’s wedding came flooding back. How easy it was for him to flirt and tease and swing me around before walking away unfazed.

“Tate. I can’t. Before, when we were hiding me…fine. But what if he does something to hurt your family? Or you?” I asked, dread sinking in my stomach at the thought. “I won’t be able to handle that.”

“They want you to stay.”

“What?” My mouth dropped open. “How do you know?”

“Because I talked to them this morning.”

“You can’t do that! I didn’t even say yes yet.”

In a surprise move, he reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to him. I was caught off guard by the sudden proximity, and my hand flew to his chest to stop myself from coming closer. I swallowed and slowly lifted my gaze.

“I want you to stay,” he said, his voice low and husky, his eyes roaming gently over my face.

My heart skittered to a stop. That conniving punk. This was low, even for him.

I pulled out of his arms and began to walk away. “Hey. Nobody’s watching this. You can’t look at me like that, you big cheater.”

He bolted ahead, walking backward in front of me to keep pace.

“Like what?”

“Like we’re back at Will’s wedding and all of a sudden you're sweet and funny and making moves on me.”