Page 36 of My Bodyguard Neighbor
"I was doing my job."
"About that."Her father pulled an envelope from his jacket."I'd like to offer you your position back.With a significant raise and an apology for my behavior at the cabin.I was out of line."
Jonah took the envelope but didn't open it."I appreciate the offer, but I'm declining."
Her father blinked."You're sure?The salary increase is substantial."
"I'm sure.I'm done with that kind of work."Jonah set the envelope on the dresser."But thank you."
An uncomfortable silence fell.Holly saw her father struggle with being told no.It clearly wasn't something he was used to.
"I see."Her father turned his attention back to Holly."Might I have a word with you?Privately?"
Holly looked at Jonah.He gave her a small nod, a silent promise that he'd be right outside if she needed him.When the door closed behind him, leaving Holly alone with her father, the room was too small.
"I owe you an apology," her father said.
Holly nearly laughed."Do you even know how?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw."I'm trying."
"Okay.I'm listening."
Her father moved to the window, staring out at the parking lot the way Jonah had that morning."When I received your call yesterday, warning me about the Popovs, my first instinct was to dismiss it.To assume I knew better.That I could handle the situation."
"That sounds familiar."
"But then I realized you called to warn me.After everything I've done to you.After the cameras and the surveillance and destroying your relationship with that young man.You still called to warn me."
Holly's throat was tight."You're my father.I didn't want you to die."
"I don't deserve that kind of loyalty."
"No," Holly agreed."You don't."
Her father flinched, but he didn't argue."I've spent your entire life trying to protect you.That's what I told myself I was doing.Protecting my daughter from a dangerous world."
"That's not what you were doing."
"I know that now."He sank into the room's single chair, suddenly looking every one of his sixty-three years."I was controlling you.Trying to shape you into what I thought you should be instead of letting you become who you are."
Holly didn't trust this version of her father.The vulnerable one.The one who admitted fault."What changed?"
"I almost died today.Two men with automatic weapons tried to kill me in broad daylight."Her father's hands shook slightly before he clenched them into fists."And my last thought before the FBI tackled me to the ground was that if I died, the last conversation I had with my daughter would have been her telling me I was a stubborn old man who couldn't admit when he was wrong."
"I meant that."
"I know.And you were right."He met her gaze."I can't undo what I've done.The surveillance, the interference in your life.I can't take any of it back.But I can promise you it stops.Now.Today.No more cameras.No more following you.No more trying to control who you see or where you go."
Holly wanted to believe him.God, she wanted to believe him.But three years of freedom had taught her that her father's promises were worth less than nothing.
"How do I know you mean it?"she asked.
"You don't."Her father's honesty surprised her."I've given you no reason to trust me.But I'm asking you to give me a chance.Let me prove I can be the father you deserve instead of the one you got."
Holly studied his face, looking for the manipulation.The angle.The way he'd twist this into some new form of control.But all she saw was an old man who'd finally been forced to confront his own failures.
"I'll have a relationship with you," Holly said slowly."But on my terms.No more surprise visits.No more showing up uninvited.You want to see me, you call first and ask.And if I say no, you respect that."
