Page 22 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
The morning sun filteredthrough the cabin's pine-covered windows, casting dappled shadows across the kitchen table where Holly sat with her sketchpad.She'd been awake since dawn, unable to sleep, her fingers moving across the paper in rough strokes that captured the angles of Jonah's face as he stood by the window, scanning the treeline.
The continued isolation had settled into routine.Almost comfortable.If she ignored the gun on the counter and the tension that never quite left Jonah's shoulders.
"Coffee?"she asked, already reaching for the pot.
"Please."
She poured two mugs and brought one to him.Their fingers brushed as he took it, and the contact sent a familiar spark through her system.They hadn't talked more about what happened yesterday—the confessions, the tears, the fragile understanding they'd reached.Some things needed time to settle.
Jonah took a sip, his gaze still on the trees."Your father called my phone twice this morning."
Holly's hand tightened on her mug."What did he want?"
"I didn't answer."Jonah glanced at her."But I'm guessing it's about the verdict.My contact at the courthouse said the jury's still deliberating."
"This could all be over soon.”
"Could be hours.Could be days."He turned back to the window."The longer they take, the better for us.Means the Popovs are still in limbo."
Holly returned to her sketch, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety in her stomach.Every phone call, every sound outside, every shadow in the trees could be the beginning of the end.The waiting was worse than the fear.
The sound of vehicles approaching made them both freeze.
Jonah's hand went to his weapon in one smooth motion."Get in the bedroom.Now."
Holly didn't move."Who is it?"
"I don't know yet."His voice was clipped, professional."That's why you need to—"
"It's multiple vehicles.If it were the Popovs, would they announce themselves like this?"
Jonah's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue.They both moved to the window, staying back from the glass.Through the trees, Holly could see three black SUVs rolling up the dirt road.
"Shit."Jonah's voice was flat with anger.
"What?"
"It’s your father and his security team."
Holly's stomach dropped."How did he find us?"
"He's the one paying the bills."Jonah holstered his weapon but the tension in his body didn't ease.
The vehicles stopped in front of the cabin.Car doors opened.Men in suits emerged first, scanning the area with the kind of alertness that screamed federal security.Then her father stepped out of the middle vehicle, his silver hair impeccable despite the rural setting, his suit pressed and perfect as always.
The old familiar tightness in her chest was back.Three years.Three years of freedom, and here he was, invading her space again.
"Stay here," Jonah said, already moving toward the door.
"Like hell."Holly followed him outside."What are you doing here?"She spat out at her father.Her voice came out harder than she'd intended.
"The jury came back an hour ago."Her father moved toward her, his security detail fanning out around the cabin."Guilty on all counts.Sentencing is in two days.You need to come home.Now."
Jonah stepped between them, his stance protective but not aggressive."With all due respect, Judge Reese, you just led anyone watching you straight to this location."
Her father's gaze flicked to Jonah with barely concealed disdain."My security is the best money can buy.No one followed us."
"That's what amateurs think right before they get people killed."Jonah's voice was cold."Do you have any idea what you've done?This location was secure.Was.Past tense."
