Page 24 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
Her father's face went red."Don't be ridiculous.You can't afford him."
Holly crossed her arms."That’s none of your business.He’s my employee now.Go away.”
"Holly, you're not thinking clearly."
"I'm thinking more clearly than I have in years."Holly's voice shook but she held her ground."You've spent my entire adult life trying to control me under the guise of protection.It ends now.Leave."
"You're making a terrible mistake."
"Then it's my mistake to make."Holly met her father's gaze without flinching.“Get out.Before I call the police and tell them you just tried to physically force me to leave against my will."
The threat landed.Her father's eyes widened slightly.She was using his own world against him, turning law and consequences into weapons he'd understand.
"You'll regret this," her father said, but he was already backing toward his vehicle.
"I won't."Holly's voice was cold.
She turned and walked back into the cabin without watching him leave.Her whole body was shaking—adrenaline, fear, triumph, all mixed together in a cocktail that made her dizzy.
The sound of engines starting, vehicles pulling away.Then silence.
Jonah came back inside, closing the door behind him.For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
"That was—" Jonah started.
"Necessary," Holly finished.She sank onto the couch, her legs suddenly unsteady."God.I actually did it.I told him to leave."
"You did."Jonah sat beside her, close but not touching."How do you feel?"
"Like I might throw up."Holly laughed shakily.
"For what it's worth, you were magnificent."
"You quit your job for me."
“Technically, he fired me.”
“No.You quit when you told him no.”
"I quit because he ordered me to do something I wouldn't do."Jonah said."Forcing you to go against your will.That's not protection.That's kidnapping."
"He's going to make your life hell.Blacklist you, ruin your reputation—"
"Let him try."Jonah's mouth curved slightly."I've survived worse than an angry federal judge."
Holly hugged him fiercely.He'd given up his job, his income, potentially his future career prospects, because she'd said no.Because her choice mattered more than the paycheck.
"Thank you," she said.
"Don't thank me yet.We still have to deal with the fallout."Jonah stood, moving to the window again."Your father may not have been followed, but he could have been tracked without knowing it.GPS on the vehicles, surveillance on his house, any number of ways.And even if not, the Popovs have resources.They could have had people watching him, saw where he went."
The brief moment of triumph faded as reality reasserted itself.
“I’ll call in my team and circle the wagons.”
