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“Easy,” he murmured. “I called your name a couple of times. I figured you were ignoring me at first then it seemed you were really lost in thought. You doing okay?”
Olivia knew he was being thoughtful but she still felt embarrassed and terribly lost. The memories of Ethan left her shaken. She brushed her hands over her upper arms to warm herself, but the chill she felt had nothing to do with the temperature. “Yes, I'm okay. I’m just having a really bad day and I need to get out of here.” She glanced up at him and tried to offer a reassuring smile.
He didn’t return the smile like he normally did and that worried her. “That’s why I came to get you. I need to take you home, now.”
She watched as his gaze darted around the store, back to all the entrances and to the faces of male customers nearby. Olivia’s uneasiness turned to alarm. Something had happened. She knew something was wrong and she had to fight her sudden panic. Ethan had found her again! “Let me grab my coat,” she stated calmly and Paul nodded but he kept his gaze moving and watchful.
She didn’t bother saying goodbye to anyone as she allowed Paul to usher her from the store. None of these people really knew her in the few weeks she’d been an employee and she certainly didn’t want them asking questions. There was no way to forward her final paycheck anyway. She grimaced as she remembered her lack of funds. This move would be the hardest yet.
Paul helped her into his truck. As soon as he slipped behind the wheel she turned to him. “Tell me what happened.” She clutched her fingers in her lap so tightly they ached. “It’s him, isn’t it? Has he tried to reach me?”
“No, nothing like that. I’m not trying to alarm you but you need to see this.” He handed her a magazine. The page was folded back to an article she recognized.
“You know who I am,” she stated stiffly. “I should have known with you being a cop that you wouldn’t let it go. I suppose you know about Ethan too. You said he hasn’t tried to reach me but he’s already in the area, isn’t he?”
A flash of annoyance crossed Paul’s face. “It wasn’t me, Liv. You met my sister. She said you looked familiar and then she came across this magazine at her daughter’s dance class. You’ve got to know with a face like yours people are going to recognize you. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened before.” He turned in his seat and she could see the anger and disappointment in his gaze. “I respected your privacy. I kept my word to you.”
Olivia took a deep fortifying breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you but under the circumstances I feel suspicious of everyone. Thank you for coming to get me and telling me what happened. I assume she’s already done internet searches?”
Paul nodded grimly. “Yeah, she didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“It’s not her fault. She was curious. But we both know the smallest thing can tip off a criminal.”
“I’ll keep you safe, Liv.”
She sadly shook her head. “No one can do that. I need to go.”
When they arrived at the condo Olivia rushed inside. Janice was there and eyed her with worry. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know! I had no idea such a small thing could cause you trouble. I didn’t know.”
Olivia waved away her concern as she hurried to the stairs. “It doesn’t matter now.” She paused on the bottom step and turned to give Janice a tight smile. “They recognized me at work today as well, so I take this as a sign that it’s time for me to go. Don’t worry about it, Janice, really. I don’t blame you.”
Janice nodded but she still looked worried. Olivia hurried up the stairs. She didn’t have time to reassure Paul’s sister. It was too bad really. Given different circumstances, she and Janice may have become good friends. But Janice was the least of her regrets. Leaving Paul – she couldn’t even think about it right now. It was going to hurt deeply so she couldn’t allow herself to dwell on the loss. She needed to stay safe; she needed to keep moving.
She hurried to her room and shoved her belongings into the duffle bag. It was time to turn off her feelings and focus on what she needed to do. Maybe someday she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder. She could slow down, make some friends and find someone like Paul to love. There will never be someone like Paul, her heart argued.
“Where will you go?” he asked from the doorway.
Olivia paused and looked up. “I’m not sure but
it’s better you don’t know.”
He clearly didn’t like her answer as a scowl darkened his face. “I don’t see how it’s better. I’ll worry about you and how will I know you’re okay? It’s killing me to see you like this. I feel like I’ve finally found someone I want to be with and she won’t accept my help.”
Olivia shook her head. Don’t do this to me, Paul. Not now. My heart can’t take it. “You can’t help me, Paul. No one can.”
“You’re wrong; I can help you. I have connections. We can put a stop to this guy but you have to stay here with me. You can’t keep running. If you disappear again, you’ll be on your own and I won’t be able to keep you safe.”
Olivia turned back to her packing. She felt persuaded by him. Of course she wanted to stay! But she knew the grim reality. Ethan wouldn’t allow Paul to live. He would destroy everything Paul cared about in an effort to punish her. “I told you, no one can keep me safe. He said he’ll make me suffer. You have no idea what that means but I do.”
“At least let me try,” Paul persuaded. He crossed the room and reached for her. She went willingly into his arms and allowed him to comfort her. She needed his strength, and how good it felt to share this burden with another if only for a moment! It would have to last her a long time.
“We can’t assume he’s found you. You were an icon in the ballet world and people still remember you. I’m sure there are internet searches happening every day across the country. We’ll send out more just to confuse him. He won’t know which query to investigate. A guy like that can’t hide from the authorities forever. He’ll make a mistake, and when he does the authorities will snatch him up.” His hands traced soothing circles over her back as she clung to him. If only she could believe his plan would work! She was so tired of running and hiding. “Stay with me, honey. Let me watch over you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Olivia pulled back and eyed Paul. “I don’t want to run anymore,” she whispered. “But I’m so afraid to stay.”
EIGHT
Olivia heard his footsteps just before he came to a stop outside her bedroom. He didn’t bother to knock as he unlocked the door then threw it open. He filled the doorway as his gaze searched the room for her. He spotted her in the corner where she clung to the back of a tall chair. His eyes narrowed suspiciously because he knew what she was doing. She always practiced when he wasn’t watching. She could have moved away from the chair and saved herself his ire but she stood rooted to the spot. No matter how many times he ordered her to cease, she wouldn’t give up dance. It was a part of her soul and to lose dance meant she would lose a valuable piece of herself to him. She wouldn’t give up! He tried to steal her career and believed the accident would be the end, but dance was more than a job to her. Movement flowed naturally from her limbs like music flowed from a musician. Even in her locked room with her damaged hip, she found a way to express herself. Soon, she would try to escape but she had to be strong first.
