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Chapter Fifteen
Athena
The drive to Big Bear takes a little over two hours. Kris holds my hand the entire trip, constantly rubbing it to reassure me. Todd wasn’t happy at being left behind, but Kris explained it was the safest choice for all of us, and he reluctantly agreed.
Lulu is asleep in her little fluffy pink bed in the back seat. Occasionally, she lets out a snore, oblivious to the danger surrounding us. How I wish I could be her right now.
The home up at Big Bear has a fence around the property and an imposing wrought-iron gate with a sign that says, ‘No Trespassing.’
Kris gets out of the car, punching in the code for the gate, and the panels swing open with a groan. It’s been a while since he’s been up here. I’ve never been—he’s only ever shown me pictures. Kris has people who clean and air the place out every few months, but I have no idea when he last had it done.
Getting back in the car, he again takes my hand in his, but this time he puts it to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “Are you okay?”
Trying to appear as though I have everything under control, I smile. “I’m fine, honey. So long as we’re together and away from Luis Rivera, I’m good.”
Kris nods and drives through the gate. The day is nearly over. Orange streaks light the sky, bathing the front of the house in a warm light. It’s a two-story home, and even though I have seen pictures, I didn’t realize how big it is.
“I thought you said it was small?”
Kris follows the circular driveway to park the car in the covered area in front of the main entrance.
“Compared to the house in LA, it is.”
We both get out of the car, and Lulu wakes up. She bounds out my door and looks around.
“Lulu, don’t go far.”
Kris chuckles. “Like she’s so obedient.”
She wanders over to a grassy patch and does what she needs to do, then bounds back up to me. Bending, I pick her up and smirk at Kris.
“Look who’s a good girl!”
Lulu licks my face and barks.
“There’s a first time for everything,” mutters Kris.
He opens the trunk, takes out our bag, then walks to the front door. Kris has updated the property with smart home technologies, so he puts his thumb on a reader, and the door opens with a beep.
Holding out his hand, he gestures for me to enter. As I enter the house, it comes to life. The foyer has a wooden floor, a small round table in the center, and a massive wooden staircase.
Lights come on, and a sultry female voice says, “Welcome home, Mr. Livingston.”
I jump, causing Lulu to bark.
“It’s okay. It’s just the home control system coming to life.” He rolls our bag to the foot of the stairs. “Come on. I’ll give you a tour.”
Lulu wriggles in my arms, so I put her on the floor. Normally, she’d run away to explore, but she doesn’t. Lulu stands next to me, sensing my apprehension.
There are two openings on either side of the foyer. Kris walks to the right, and the lights come on.
“This is my office when I’m here. I think I’ve used it twice.”
The walls are lined with wood paneling. A desk sits in the middle of the room and behind it are shelves filled with books. It looks more like a library than an office.
“It’s beautiful. The pictures don’t do it justice.”
“I was going for a college-professor-type look.”
