Page 35 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
"This is Agent Callender with the FBI.I'm calling to inform you that there was an incident at the federal courthouse approximately ten minutes ago."
Holly's breath stopped.Beside her, Jonah went rigid.
"What kind of incident?"Holly managed.
"Two individuals attempted to breach security at the north entrance.They were intercepted by our tactical team.One suspect is in custody.The other was killed during the confrontation."
Holly processed this.One dead.One captured."My father?"
"Judge Reese is unharmed.The incident occurred before he entered the building.He's proceeding with sentencing as planned."
"Of course he is," Holly muttered.
"We'll need you to come in for a debrief in the next few days, but for now, I wanted to assure you that the immediate threat has been neutralized.You're safe to return home."
The call ended.Holly sat there, phone still pressed to her ear, trying to make sense of the words.
It was over.
The Popovs were done.Her father was alive.She could go home.
"Holly?"Jonah's hand on her shoulder brought her back."What happened?"
She told him.
"You're safe," he said, like he was trying to convince himself.
"We're safe."
Jonah pulled her into his arms, his grip almost painful.Holly held on just as hard, feeling the tremors running through both their bodies.Two weeks.That's all it had been.Two weeks of running and hiding and falling in love with a man she barely knew.
And now it was over.
The rest of the day passed in a blur.Blake came by with updates.The FBI wanted statements.Local police needed to tie up loose ends from the cabin attack.There was paperwork and phone calls and the slow machinery of law enforcement grinding toward closure.
By evening, Holly was wrung out.Empty.She sat on the motel bed, staring at nothing, while Jonah coordinated with Blake about logistics.
A knock at the door made them both tense.Old habits.
Jonah checked the peephole, then looked back at Holly."It's your father."
Holly's stomach twisted.She wasn't ready for this.Might never be ready for this.
But she nodded anyway.
Jonah opened the door.Judge Benedict Reese stood in the doorway, flanked by two security guards who stayed outside as he entered.He looked worse than he had on television.Pale.Shaken.But still carrying himself with that rigid dignity that had defined him for as long as Holly could remember.
"Holly."His voice was rougher than usual.
"Dad."
An awkward silence stretched between them.Holly didn't move from the bed.Didn't offer him a seat.Just waited.
Her father cleared his throat."I wanted to see for myself that you were unharmed."
"I'm fine."
"Good.That's good."He glanced at Jonah, then back to Holly."I also wanted to thank Mr.Bauer for his service.Despite our disagreement, he clearly kept you safe."
