Page 26 of Snowed in with the Bodyguard

Victor chuckles softly, a sound devoid of humor. “That’s not important. What matters is that you and your brother and mother are safe. If I have to pay the price for what I’ve done, so be it.”

Silence blankets the room as the weight of his words settles over us like a thick fog.

Holly swallows hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you even care about what happens to you?”

“I care about ensuring you’re free from the mess I’ve created,” Victor says, his voice steadier now. “That’s all that matters to me.”

Holly’s grip on the phone tightens. “What if it’s not enough? What if they don’t stop?”

“They will,” Victor says, his tone hardening. “Because if they don’t, they’ll regret it. Even with what little I have left, I’ll ensure they regret it.”

His voice holds a fierce determination, revealing the man who built an empire from the ground up, ruthless and unyielding.

“Holly,” he says after a moment, his tone softening again, “I need you to trust Jack. He’ll get you through this. He’ll take care of you in ways I never could.”

Holly’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, and she nods, even though he can’t see it. “I trust Jack with every part of me, including my heart,” she says quietly, her gaze locking on mine.

The intensity of emotions in those hazel eyes causes me to catch my breath. Fuck. Is she saying what I think she’s saying? But I don’t have time to consider the implications of her words as she continues to address her father.

“I don’t know if I can forgive you.” Her breath hitches as she swallows back a sob.

“I don’t expect forgiveness, Holly,” Victor replies, his voice tinged with regret and acceptance. “But I’ll keep doing whatever it takes to keep you safe. That’s the only way I know how to show you that I love you. Stay safe, Holly. Both of you.”

She presses her lips together. “Goodbye, Dad.”

“Goodbye, Holly.” His voice drops, quieter now. “Merry Christmas.”

The line clicks, and silence fills the cabin, broken only by the faint crackle of the fire. Holly lowers the phone, her hands trembling as she stares at it.

“You okay?” I ask softly, moving closer.

She hands the phone to me, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, but the tears keep coming, her emotions breaking through her usual composure.

“I can’t see them again, can I?” she whispers, her voice trembling. “My mom…Harry. He’s just a kid, Jack. How can I leave him like this? How can I leave her?”

Her grief cuts through the room like a blade, and the weight of it settles in my chest. I sit beside her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders. “Holly, I know this isn’t fair. None of this is. But right now, staying away is the best way to protect them. Your father’s trying to shield them from the fallout like he’s trying to shield you.”

She shakes her head, her lips trembling. “They’re all I’ve ever had, Jack. My father was always so distant, so cold. But my mom? Harry? They’re my heart. How can I just… leave them behind?”

I squeeze her shoulders, steadying her. “You’re not leaving them behind, not in spirit. You’re keeping them safe by staying away. Your father said they’re safe, and I believe him. He knows what’s at stake.”

Her eyes flicker with uncertainty, a battle waging inside her. “But how do I know they’re okay? What if he’s lying? What if something happens to them, and I’m not there?”

I take a deep breath, meeting her gaze with steady resolve. “I’ll find a way to get updates, to check on them. I’ll make sure they’re safe, Holly. I swear to you.”

Her tears slow, though her breathing is still uneven. “It’s… so much, Jack. I don’t even know where I belong anymore.”

I cup her cheek, brushing away a stray tear with my thumb. “You belong with me. I can’t replace your family, but I can promise you this: you’ll never have to face anything alone.”

Her gaze locks onto mine, searching for answers, for reassurance. “Do you really think they’ll be okay? My mom, Harry?”

“I do. And if anything changes, we’ll know. I’ll make sure of it. Right now, the best thing you can do for them—and for yourself—is to keep moving forward.”

She nods slowly, though I can see the pain lingering in her eyes. “I hate that this is how it has to be. But… I trust you, Jack. If you say they’re safe, I’ll try to believe it.”

I slide behind her on the sofa, settling her carefully between my thighs so her back is resting against my chest. She leans into me, her body trembling as she fights to steady herself, her grief and love mingling with the quiet determination that’s always been a part of her.

“I don’t want to be a burden to you, Jack,” she whispers.

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