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Her fingers brush mine when she hands me the phone. They’re cold as ice.

“Miss Beaumont,” I say. “It’s a pleasure to speak to you again.”

Her shrill, almost transatlantic accent fills my ear. “Weston?”

“Yes.” I’ve spoken to Rafe’s mother several times over the years. She’s a former actress—tall, willowy, gorgeous. After a disastrous divorce with the king of luxury, she flitted around Europe and terrorized her children, manipulating them to spend time with her on her terms. “I understand you’re concerned about Nora.”

“Concerned? I’m frantic,” she says. “The stalker got too close tonight. When Rafe called me, I nearly had a heart attack. He’s never been this close before.”

“The security team currently protecting your daughter is one of the best in the country, if not the world,” I say. “I’ve personally vetted every single guard assigned to Nora. There are two former Navy SEALs, a prior-service marine, and three men with extensive experience protecting high-level celebrities. All well-paid and good at their jobs. None of them take their responsibilities lightly.”

“Oh,” she breathes. “Okay. I like the sound of that. But what if the stalker tries to?—”

“She’s never alone.” I look at Nora. She’s watching me, her teeth digging into that full lower lip. “I’m never far away. If the stalker tries something, we’ll grab him. She’s not in any danger.”

“Good, Weston. Very good.” Lauren Beaumont gives a long, dramatic sigh. “She’s very lucky, having a man like you to protect her.”

I glance at Nora. “And I will. Whatever happens.”

“That’s darling,” she says. “I think I’m finally able to get some sleep now.”

“You do that. Nora will call you tomorrow.” I don’t give her a chance to respond before I hang up.

Nora’s mouth drops open. “Hey,” she says, but there’s no energy behind the affront.

“She’s fine. She’s been reassured. Now eat.”

Her eyes drift to the brown bag. “Whatever that is, it smells amazing.”

“You said you wanted a burger.”

She sits on the couch and rips open the bag. I take my time walking around her rooms. I double-check the windows. There are alarms installed at every entry point, but I make sure they’re all functioning too. Not taking any risks tonight.

“Aren’t you having any? There are two burgers in here,” she calls.

I finish my last check—at the nook in her sitting room that overlooks the dark ocean. “Does your mother always fret like that?”

“Yes,” she says with a sigh. “It was stupid of Rafe to tell her right away.”

I sit opposite her, and she pushes the other burger my way. I pick it up, turn it around in my hands. It’s still warm. “You had to comfort her.”

“Yes.” Nora eats a few fries. There are tired lines around her eyes. “She’s very emotional.”

“You shouldn’t have to comfort other people. Not on a night like this.”

“My mom is… well…” She sighs. “I had to make sure she was okay.”

“I know how your mom is. I’ve heard it through Rafe. But that’s not your job.”

She takes another bite of the burger. It’s nearly gone, and a dark satisfaction unfurls inside me at the sight. I don’t want her barely touching her lunch at shoots she doesn’t like doing. I want her here.

In my house, with me, eating whatever she wants.

“It’s the way things are. Rafe was concerned too.”

“They’re concerned, but that still doesn’t make it your job to comfort them.” I eat my burger and watch as she draws back into herself. Pulls her knees up onto the couch and tightens her hatches. It’s not another performance. But it’s something similar, a kind of withdrawal I know all too well.

“Yeah,” she breathes. “Well. It is what it is.”