Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I swallow hard, trying to rein in the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “It’s fine,” I murmur. “I just want him to leave me alone. Let me live my life.”
Orion rounds the table and crouches beside me, gently placing a hand on my knee. His touch calms the tremor in my chest. “He won’t hurt you again,” he says, determination lacing every syllable. “Not while I’m around.”
I manage a wobbly smile, relief and warmth flooding me in equal measure. “Thanks,” I whisper, returning my attention to the soup in front of me. My stomach is still twisted in knots, but I force myself to eat. For now, this is as normal as things get—warm soup, Orion’s comforting presence, and a fragile hope that someday soon, Jason will just be a distant memory.
My phone feels unusually heavy in my hands as it lights up for the first time in what feels like an eternity. I haven’t turned my phone on since the first day I was here, and I brace myself as the barrage of missed notifications begins to flood the screen. The constant buzzing feels like a relentless reminder of the world I've been hiding from. Jason's name pops up repeatedly among the missed calls and texts, sending a shiver down my spine. But it's the string of messages from Heidi, work, and particularly my mother that catches my attention and knots my stomach.
Heidi's texts are filled with increasing worry, her emojis ranging from concerned to downright panicked. I can almost hear her voice chattering through the messages, asking if I'm okay, if I need anything, why I'm not answering. There’s a guilt that tugs at my heart for making her worry.
The messages from work are polite, a check-in to see if I’m managing okay, a subtle nudge to let me know they’re there. It’s comforting, yet another layer of normalcy I'm not quite ready to return to.
Then, there’s my mother. Her texts escalate from concerned to demanding, each message more pointed than the last. She wants an update, details, reassurances. And, unsurprisingly, she wants to meet Orion—the man she’s paying to protect her daughter. She’s insistent on a dinner, an opportunity to size him up herself.
“Briar?” Orion’s voice, steady and calm, pulls me from the cascade of messages.
I look up, tucking my phone under a pillow reflexively as if hiding it could shield me from the responsibilities it holds. “Yeah?” My voice is more tentative than I intend.
He steps into the doorway, his own phone in hand, a shadow of concern crossing his strong features. “Dean just texted me. Your mom wants to meet.”
I nod, pulling the phone back out with a resigned sigh. “Yeah, she sent me a ton of texts. She’s... thorough. Wants to make sure you’re the right man to protect her daughter.” I roll my eyes.
Orion’s smile flickers, amused. “Guess I better be on my best behavior then.”
“It’s not just that,” I continue, feeling the weight of everything starting to press in. “She’s worried, and I guess, seeing you in person might help her feel like I’m in good hands.”
Orion walks over and leans against the back of the couch, his presence comforting. “Makes sense. When’s this dinner supposed to happen?”
I swipe through the messages, finding the one where she mentions her availability. “She’s suggesting this weekend. Says it’s non-negotiable.” I can’t help but smile at her assertiveness. It’s so typically her—caring aggressively.
He nods, his gaze thoughtful. “This weekend works. We’ll make it happen. I’ll call Dean to iron out the details and ensure everything aligns with our... precautions.”
My stomach knots slightly at the mention of precautions. It’s a stark reminder of why Orion is watching over me in the first place. Jason’s shadow looms over everything, even a simple dinner.
“So, we’re really doing this?” I ask, needing to hear it out loud.
“We are,” Orion confirms, his tone reassuring. “It’ll be good, Briar. We’ll manage it carefully, and maybe having your mom more involved will give her some peace of mind.”
I let out a slow breath, the reality settling around me. Meeting my mom under these circumstances isn’t ideal, but maybe it’s necessary. “Thanks, Orion. For everything. I know this isn’t exactly standard bodyguard duty.”
Orion chuckles softly. “You’d be surprised. Besides, I’m here to keep you safe, Briar. Whatever that requires.”
I manage a weak smile, my heart fluttering slightly at his words. There’s comfort in his commitment, a strange warmth in knowing he’s here, not just as a protector, but as someone who genuinely cares. However, I have to remind myself it’s just his job. It’s not real. He’s paid to care about me.
The conversation shifts back to the present, to the need to prepare for the dinner. I think about what I’ll wear, how I’ll act, and what I’ll say. The logistics feel overwhelming, but with Orion here, it feels just a bit more manageable.