Page 5 of Snowed in with My Protector

“I’m sure he’ll keep that up until they want a babysitter,” I joke.

“Like that’ll be an issue,” I can hear the smile in his voice. I have no doubt that there are quite a few women of the family who are more than willing to step up and help out when need be. “Charlotte has already offered her babysitting services.”

I feel a ghost of a smile lifting my lips. Charlotte is Blake’s adopted daughter, or adopted sister-in-law, depending on how you look at things. When he met his woman, Margot Reynolds,a child star who went off the rails in her youth before getting her shit together because her sister, Charlotte, needed her, the little girl was only 10. Blake became more than a brother-in-law, but, then again, Margot was more than Charlotte’s sister.

“Then that’s all they need,” my voice is soft.

Charlotte is a sweet kid who has a way about her. She’s smart as hell, but the heart in that girl is unmatched.

Even though I need to be up here on the mountain, I do miss the little glimpse of family I got while I tried to live in Denver.

I clear my throat, refusing to give into the feeling of regret which would be so easy to lean into. It’s better for me out here and I know it.

If only it wasn’t so damn lonely sometimes.

“I’ll get the cabin ready for her,” my voice is gruff as I try to get this conversation back to business.

Because it’s safter that way.

“I’ll be meeting the plane and relieving Ellington. Duncan can inform us then about what he’s found. We’ll put together a plan to neutralize the threat to her while you keep her safe.” His tone is no nonsense, “Expect us in five hours.”

“Roger that.”

I hang up without saying another word. I look around my cabin one more time because this might be the last bit of peace I get for a little while. I’ve never had a woman here before and I know nothing about the one I’ll be protecting.

As I step out onto the back deck again, needing that bite of cold air against my skin to remind me that I’m alive, I wonder ifthere will ever be a time when I could find the kind of love Blake and his main team have found.

It’s a long shot on my mountain, but a little part of me still hopes.

CHAPTER 3

FALLON

Being able to breathe, feeling safe and like I don’t have to look over my shoulder, is something I won’t be taking for granted anytime soon. It’s been less than a day since I saw those men enter my home, armed and fully intending to do whatever they were hired to do—which I’d prefer not to think about—but living in fear warped my perception of time.

I’m still a little nervous now as we head toward a cabin in the middle of nowhere. I’ve always been better in the lab working than dealing with people. It helps that everyone I’ve been around today has made me feel safe.

Thinking back on the last day is difficult. I’ve come so far, but I know I’m not out of the woods. Not yet. I should have considered the consequences of my actions, but I didn’t really think that my life could be in danger.

I should have and I can see that now.

The scenery as we drive toward the mountain, and a cabin somewhere on it, is a blur. A gorgeous blur. Thankfully, the forest feels familiar even though I’m far from home.

Home. Can I ever go back there? I doubt it. Do I even want to?

The last time I felt as lost as I do right now is when mom died.I push those memories away, that grief and pain, because the hole in my soul left behind by her passing has never been filled. Surprisingly enough, its easier to think about how I got here than her death.

Having someone meet me in Spokane, instead of being on the bus until reaching Denver, was a relief. Still, I was on high alert until I wasn’t alone. I kept thinking it was only a matter of time before the bus was run off the road or overtaken by the men looking for me. All they would have needed to do was step on the bus to find me. It’s not like I dyed my hair or was wearing a disguise or something.

But I also knew life is not an action film, though it felt like I was trapped in one. I could only hope Higgins and his team were going to be able to protect me.

More than that, I needed help in figuring out how to get Luxe Notes to stop coming after me. Would leaving Seattle be enough? I doubted it.

Even though I had never met Duncan before, having him waiting for me at the Spokane Station had tears filling my eyes. After introducing me, Duncan’s eyes became soft because it was clear how much I was struggling. For the first time in a long time, I missed my mom. I missed the security of her hugs and her scent.

I missed knowing that someone had my back.

Without asking, Duncan pulled me into his arms and hugged me. It felt like a lifeline, like I could trust him and what was being offered to me. The hint of rose I smelled on him reminded me of my mom’s perfume and put me at ease.

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