Page 91 of The Bodyguard

Opening the closet, I pull out a sweater, a couple of shirts, some jeans, and a few dresses. I fold them up and pack them into a suitcase along with a couple of pairs of boots and shoes and some make-up. I’ll collect the rest another time, I don’t need too much right now. And then I stand in the centre of the room, my hands on my hips, and I look around the bedroom, my favourite room in this cosy little house. The fireplace with the fairy lights strung across the mantel; the view of the beach across the road from the cute little square window; the floorboards that I varnished myself. And I’m not feeling the sadness I’d expected to feel. Just that crushing emptiness.

“Okay,” I sigh, hauling the suitcase out of the door and dropping it at the top of the stairs. “Time to get out of here.”

I’ve already said my goodbyes, and everyone was fine, because, like I said, nobody believes I’m doing this. Nobody believes I will actually walk away, but I can’t stay here. Not now. I need something else. I just don’t know what, yet.

Sliding a hand into the back pocket of my jeans, I pull out my passport, and smile. A few days away before I make any definite decisions. A couple of weeks on Ibiza, exploring the island, alone with nothing but my thoughts, it’s exactly what I need. And for the first time in a long time I feel excitement start to bubble up inside of me. There’s no fear of the unknown, no second thoughts or doubts, the only thing I wish is that – no. No, I’m not going there, it’s pointless. I need to push forward, move on, and show this family that Icanexist without them. Without their help, their money, or their power. Is that naïve of me? To think they’ll actually allow me to do this? Maybe. I’m not stupid, I know they’ll be watching me. Keeping track of me, but that only makes me all the more determined to prove to them I can do this. And I will, do this…

Jonah

Mikkel Nielsen shakes his head, walks towards me, and against my better judgement I let go of my gun. Because he doesn’t seem to be reaching for his. Nor do his henchmen. To everyone else in this place it might look as if he’s here alone, but he isn’t. I know there are people surrounding him, they’re just very good at fading into the background while still keeping close enough to be there, should he need them. He doesn’t. Not yet. But I have no idea what’s going on here.

“We need to talk, Jonah.”

“Why are you here?”

“Can we go somewhere more private?”

I glance over to where I last saw Hanna, but I can’t see her anymore. She’ll be mingling, enjoying the attention, I’m not the most important person in this room to her.

“No. Whatever you want to say to me, you can say it here.” I’m not going anywhere with this man, I don’t trust him.

Nielsen sighs, drops his head: shakes it. “Have it your way.” He looks up at me, dark eyes locking on mine. “I don’t want to fight with you. That isn’t what I’m here for.”

“But you tracked me down for a reason.”

It’s not a question. Of course he tracked me down for a reason.

“I need you to do something for me.”

I can’t stop the scoff escaping, I mean, is he serious?

“And I know you don’t trust me. That’s understandable. I’m not sure if I can trust you, either…”

“I had a job to do.”

His eyes continue to bore into mine, his mouth lifting slightly at the corner. “I’m grateful, for what you did, in Germany. You saved my life. If you hadn’t been there…” He briefly drops his gaze, and I follow it, and that’s when I notice the stick he’s using to steady himself. “But that’s in the past now. We’ve moved on. Or, we’re trying to. But she isn’t. She can’t.”

I frown. I have no clue what he wants or why he’s here, and I break the stare to once more glance around the room, I’m still looking for Hanna. She’s in the corner, talking to a tall, blond-haired man who seems fascinated by one of her paintings, listening intently as she talks in a way so animated I can’t help but smile. I love her enthusiasm. Her sense of freedom. And that’s when I realise we could never be more than friends. It wouldn’t be fair on her, to take any of that freedom away from her, she doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t deserveme. And, in reality, I know she’s nothing more than a distraction. And she doesn’t deservethat, either.

“She’s leaving, Jonah.”

I look back at Nielsen, my frown deepening. And then I realise he’s talking abouther. Lena.

“Leaving?”

“The family.”

“I don’t understand…”

“She is walking away from everything she knows, because she’s tired. She’s tired of me, of her brother, our life. But it’s the only one she’s known, and I do not want her to go. I don’t want her to leave, but I can’t stop her.Youcan.”

I’m actually proud of her, for walking away, for turning her back on a life that is never going to be safe; for looking for something else, something of her own…

“Do you understand what I’m asking of you?”

Nielsen’s voice drags me back into the room, and I take another quick glance around, at Hanna still talking to the tall, blond man.

“Let’s get out of here.”

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