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"He wouldn't leave because you gave him money," I said softly. "That newspaper article alerted them to the fact that I was a witness."
Oliver's hand clenched into a fist. "I could fucking kill Barnes for that. What the fuck was he thinking?"
I placed a calming hand on his arm. "Don't blame him. He just wanted to solve my father's murder."
"And get you killed in the bargain," Oliver growled. His expression softened as he suggested, "Maybe you should stay home a few more weeks until we get security sorted out."
I stared at him incredulously. "Are you nuts? I don't want to be here alone."
"You wouldn't be here alone," Oliver assured me. "You'd be with Brenda. I'll have her stay with you."
Anger flared within me. "Like a babysitter? This is ridiculous. Why should I be kept under lock and key because that maniac wants revenge?"
Oliver's voice was pleading. "Because I want you safe."
"But I wasn't when we were separated," I countered.
Oliver looked down, smoothing the blanket over me, his touch gentle but his posture tense.
A thought struck me. "Where is she?"
"The fourth floor," Oliver admitted quietly.
Betrayal washed over me. "Dammit, Oliver. You were having me watched?"
His eyes met mine, filled with a mix of guilt and desperation. "I was keeping you safe. I couldn't bear to lose you."
I felt tears prickling the corners of my eyes. "But you broke up with me."
The weight of Oliver's confession hung heavy in the air between us. As we sat there, the reality of our situation – the threats we faced, the secrets still unraveling – pressed in around us. I realized that despite our reconciliation, we still had a long way to go in rebuilding the trust that had been shattered.
“You and your fucking pride,” I snapped.
He stroked my hair. “We should take a vacation.”
I chewed the inside of my teeth, digging in so deeply that I tasted blood. “Are you mad? You think I want to be looking over my shoulder the whole time?”
“You wouldn’t. Security will be with us and cameras are being installed.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I bought a house. You’ll like it.”
I buried my head in the pillow. “Nice of you to say something. Ever think I wanted to be involved?”
He ran his fingers over my spine sending spikes of electricity through me. “It’s a present.”
"Where?" I asked, curiosity piqued by Oliver's mysterious smile.
Oliver's eyes sparkled with excitement as he revealed, "Lake Oscawana. It's in Putnam County."
A wave of nostalgia washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. "I know where that is," I said softly, memories flooding back. "It's a few miles from my parents' house."
Oliver nodded, his enthusiasm infectious. "It's beautiful," he continued, painting a picture with his words. "We can go fishing and boating. It has a pool and a built-in fire pit."
My smile faltered slightly as reality intruded. "What about security?" I asked, unable to keep the worry from my voice.
Oliver's expression turned serious, his tone reassuring. "It's gated, and we're setting up cameras as we speak. Vlad is having his team make sure there are no blind spots. We'll be safe."
