Page 111 of The Fix

"If you own this story, you get to write the ending."

—Brene Brown

Three months later

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Anna

“Y’know, Jon, it’s been months.”

The bodyguard who was assigned to follow me just shrugs, a single calloused finger holding back the gauzy curtains I just got hung up. “I’m contracted for at least five, ma’am.”

“Ew.” My nose crinkles. “Don’t call me that.”

Jonathon nods and turns his attention back out to the fire escape attached to the side of the building and just so happens to have a little terrace right outside my third-story window.

“I hate this thing,” he grumbles for the hundredth time since I found this place.

“It does look like a tetanus shot waiting to happen, doesn’t it?” I snicker when he leans closer to the glass and assesses the alleyway beneath, his breath fogging up the glass.

“I’m going to put both sensors on this one.”

I shrug and pull more items from the box accompanying me on the hardwood floor. “If that’ll get you out of my house, then fine.”

“You’ll need to remember to arm it when you’re not present.”

“Thanks for that,” I mutter and roll my eyes.

“I’m serious, Anna.” Jonathon turns to me on booted feet I try not to stare at because they remind me of the person I’ve managed to avoid for the last three freaking months, and narrows his eyes at me. “I only have a few weeks to make sure this is a safe place. That is, if you don’t move again.”

I point a finger in his direction. “It’s not my fault that the job fell through and the housing with it. Those hotels were not ideal for me either.”

Jonathon’s hands go to his hips like he doesn’t believe me. “The job you had was perfectly fine.”

I shake my head and swipe a hand through the air between us, dismissing the sentiment. “That’s done with and not for me anymore. So stop.”

“Uh-huh. Sure,” he mumbles, and I swear I catch his eyes roll before he goes back to his security duties.

Like attaching sensors to each of the windows and doors inside this place.

It wasn’t my idea. I’ve never had them before.

But this side of the coast is a completely different animal that terrifies me at times. A place I’ve only visited a few times.

Yet it’s the capital for artists, labels, and people who need people like me.

It just happens to be on the other side of the country from the man I refuse to think about.

It hurts less that way.

So the sensors and security systems Leo demanded I put in, go in, and I get to rest in peace from the outside world when I’m home.

Sounds like a win to me.

“Have you called him back yet?” Jonathon calls from the guest bedroom I’m planning to make my in-home office.

“Wh—”

---