Page 39 of Embrace Me Forever

“Huh…a week before that dinner?” I muse, lost in thought. “We could’ve crossed paths then, you know. I was at your place, waiting hours to catch a glimpse of you, but you never showed. And that was the same day I spotted that hooded man on your campus, too.”

I recall the closeness of our missed connection, wondering what would’ve changed had I seen her then. A lot—at least the incident that night at the L.A. motel wouldn’t have happened.A mirrored flicker of realization passes over her face, but she simply says, “I guess he found out about my apartment after those men who attacked me saw my driver’s license.”

“So now we can say with certainty it’s all Bertram.”

“I don’t want to give him what he wants, but I know he won’t stop until he gets it.”

Her resolve is commendable, but the possible consequences leave me unnerved.

13

BLAKE

We return to Colorado Springs without incident. As we pull into her driveway, Georgia-May thanks me, holding back from any physical contact. Her gratitude is genuine, but so is the heaviness of the day’s events. I find it nearly unbearable. Not being right next to her during the first leg of her journey has left a mark on me.

“Georgia-May, may I ask for a favor?” I call out before she can walk away.

She halts her step. “Sure.”

“I hate to impose, but could I use your sister’s garage for this rental? I’d rather it not be visible on the street.”

“I guess an Avis sticker will stand out around here,” she quips. “I’ll move Anne’s car, and you can use the space. Sometimes, she parks on the street anyway, so it’s no issue.”

“Thank her for me, will you?”

“You can say it yourself,” she replies, nodding toward the house where Anne is now stepping out, her gaze keenly observing my every move.

After I park the car in the garage, I step into the house. Anne greets me with a sharp, assessing gaze. She stands firmly,ushering me into the living room, cleverly allowing Georgia-May to slip into the back without facing me.

“You must be Simon Blake,” Anne says, her tone cordial yet infused with a seriousness that demands attention.

“I am. And you must be Anne.”

“So, you’re sticking around, huh?” Her voice remains pleasant, but there’s an unmistakable protective edge, a clear signal that she guards the threshold of her sister’s safety.

“Yes, for now. It’s just until we’re sure everything’s safe,” I reply, striving to sound as unobtrusive as possible.

Anne narrows her eyes slightly, leaning against the couch with one hand for support. “So, you’re going to expose Bertram and bring my sister’s stalkers to justice?”

“Whatever it takes, Anne,” I reply, my voice steady despite the underlying tension.

“She hid it well from me last night,” she says, annoyance evident. “I guess she wanted to protect me from her ordeal and you from my wrath.”

Ordinarily, my work involves observing subjects from a distance, but engaging directly with two formidable sisters is quite the change of pace. “It won’t happen again,” I assure her.

“My sister and niece have gone through a lot. I really hope this will be brief.”

“I’m here to help, not to cause more stress. Believe me, I want this to be over as much as you do, and the last thing I intend is to intrude on your lives.”

She studies me for a moment, her expression inscrutable. “All right, but just remember, you’re here because they need protection, nothing more,” she states, her tone firm yet not without kindness.

I’m fully aware of the boundaries she’s setting. Evidently, Georgia-May had filled her in on my disastrous attempt to dismiss our kiss during our flight into Denver. “Understood.The O’Connor sisterhood—something I wouldn’t dare cross,” I add, acknowledging the fierce loyalty that binds these sisters together.

Anne relaxes slightly. “Good. Just remember that.” Before turning to leave, she adds, “I’m making dinner. Feel free to grab something to drink. Wine’s in the cupboard, beer’s in the fridge. Glasses are on the top shelf.” She gestures dismissively toward the kitchen as if granting me temporary access to their inner sanctum.

I select a bottle of red. “Would you like some, Anne?”

She offers a subtle smile. “Sure, why not.”

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