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“Okay,” Ash said, and after a second full run-through of the events, he closed his notebook. He pinched the bridge of his nose like he had a headache and then looked at the two of them for a long moment. “Okay,” he said again. “Listen. We have his DNA and blood now. He’d devolving, getting sloppy. It’s only a matter of time until we catch him, but until we do, I want both of you to take every precaution. I’d feel better if I could move you to a safe house...”
Veronica shook her head.
“Yeah, didn’t think so, but I had to try. So, here’s the deal. I’ll still have my deputies stationed on the road, and I’ll hand-pick every one of them so you don’t end up with another one like Turney. Zak has also agreed to rotate his men and dogs through bodyguard shifts each night. They’ll camp in your front yard.”
When Veronica opened her mouth, no doubt to argue, he held up a hand. “This is non-negotiable.” He turned to Connelly. “I assume you’ll be staying here with her every night?”
“I’m not leaving her side.”
“Good.”
Veronica shoved out of her chair. “Do I have any say in this?”
“No,” Ash said unequivocally.
“Not in this,” Connelly added in a gentler tone. “We want you safe.”
She stared at him, defiance flaming in her eyes and her jaw set. But he could see the fear lurking beneath the anger.
“Fine,” she conceded after a moment. “But this is my house. My rules. They’re not allowed inside unless I invite them.”
“Or if you’re in danger. That’s also non-negotiable.”
“I can live with that.”
“I’ll have Zak arrange the first shift tonight.” Ash finished his coffee and set his mug down on the table, his expression softening with genuine concern. “You two... just be careful. I’ll be in touch with any updates.”
Ash let himself out, leaving behind a silence that buzzed with tension.
Connelly finally broke it, pushing back his chair and standing to bridge the distance between them. “I know you’re pissed at me. You have every right to be. I should’ve told you all of this before now, but I was afraid you’d withdraw. I was afraid I’d lose you.”
“I need to think,” she said curtly and walked through the sliding glass doors to stand on the deck and stare out over the ocean.
He watched her, his gaze tracing the rigid line of her back and shoulders. Tension vibrated off her in palpable waves. The last thing he wanted was for her to push him away out of anger or fear.
He moved to her, stopping just a breath away. He wanted to reach for her, to reassure her with his touch, but he held back, respecting her need for distance. “Talk to me, Vee.”
The silence lingered between them as she continued to stare out at the ocean. The waves crashing against the cliff below echoed around them.
After what felt like an eternity, Veronica gave a small nod and turned around. “You’re damn right I’m angry. At you.” She motioned toward the front of the house. “At Ash. For thinking I’m some fragile flower that can’t handle the truth.”
“Vee…”
“And I’m mad at myself because, dammit, you were both right to think that.” Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, but there was determination behind the tears. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. “I’m done being afraid. I’m done with being so weak that you didn’t think you could trust me with all of this. I want control over my life again. I want to learn to defend myself.”
He set his hands on her shoulders and rubbed down her arms. She was covered in goosebumps even though the morning was warm. “That’s the Veronica I remember,” he said softly. “The fearless pilot who wouldn’t back down from any challenge.”
A weak smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she looked up at him. “Well, she’s been gone for a while. But I think it’s about time I brought her back.”
He grinned, released her shoulders, and held out his hand in invitation. “Want to start now?”
chapter twenty-one
Connelly pushed all of her furniture to the edges of the living room, then went out to his car parked in the driveway behind her poor Hyundai, which hadn’t been driven in months.
She followed him as far as the front porch. “When did you get your car?”
He popped the trunk and pulled out a gym bag and a folded mat. “I asked Ash to bring it over when he stopped by last night.”
