Page 11

I run a hand through my hair, frustrated by her persistence and my own weakness where she's concerned.

"What do you want from me, Nova? I'm not a good bet.

I live alone on a mountain because I don't do well with people.

I wake up reaching for weapons that aren't there.

I can't go into a restaurant without sitting with my back to the wall.

I'm not built for whatever it is you're looking for. "

"You don't know what I'm looking for."

"Fame? Fortune? A man who can take you to red carpets and industry parties?"

Her eyes flash with genuine anger. "Is that really what you think of me? That I'm so shallow I can only be attracted to men who fit into my celebrity lifestyle?"

"No." I sigh, regretting my words immediately. "That's not what I think of you."

"Then stop using it as an excuse to push me away."

Before I can respond, my security tablet alerts with movement at the east perimeter. I grab it, checking the feed to see Cade returning through the trees.

"Your brother's back," Nova says, glancing at the screen. "This conversation isn't over."

She moves to the kitchen, starting a fresh pot of coffee as if we weren't just discussing the impossibility of whatever is happening between us. As if my brother isn't returning from checking for potential threats to her life.

As if this is normal.

The strangest part is how natural it feels, having her in my space, moving through my kitchen with casual familiarity. As if she belongs here. As if she's always been here.

Dangerous thoughts.

Cade enters without knocking, his expression grim as he engages the locks behind him.

"Perimeter's clear," he says, nodding to Nova before turning back to me. "But there are fresh tracks about a mile east. Someone on foot, moving carefully. Could be a hiker, but…"

"But they're off any established trail and moving with purpose," I finish for him. "How fresh?"

"Within the last twelve hours. Morning dew hadn't settled in the tracks yet."

Nova has gone very still, the coffee pot forgotten in her hand. "Someone's out there?"

"We don't know that," I say, trying to keep my voice calm and reassuring. "It could be anything."

"But you don't think it is." Her perception is unsettling. "You think it's him."

"It's unlikely," Cade says, taking over while I check the security feeds again. "The chances of your stalker tracking you from LA to this specific mountain in Montana are astronomically small. More likely it's a hunter or hiker who strayed from the trails."

"But you're not taking chances," she observes.

"No, ma'am, we're not." Cade moves to the window, scanning the tree line with practiced eyes. "McKennas tend toward the paranoid side of cautious."

"Better paranoid than dead," I mutter, finding nothing on the security feeds but not feeling reassured.

Nova sets down the coffee pot and moves to stand beside me, close enough that our shoulders touch. A silent statement of trust that affects me more than it should.

"What's the plan?" she asks quietly.

"We maintain security protocols. No one goes out alone. Regular perimeter checks. And I contact Frank to see if there are any updates on the FBI investigation."

She nods, accepting my assessment without question. "I trust you."

Three simple words that land like a physical weight on my shoulders. She trusts me. With her safety. With her life.

I can't afford to betray that trust by allowing my personal feelings to cloud my judgment.

"Cade," I say, turning to my brother, "can you stay for a while? Extra eyes would help."

"Already planned on it." He moves to the coffee pot, pouring himself a fresh cup. "Called Harper from the east ridge. Told her I'm helping you with a project for a few days."

"She buy it?"

"Probably not, but she knows better than to push." He gives me a knowing look over his mug. "Unlike some people."

Nova has the grace to look slightly embarrassed, clearly understanding he's referring to her. "I'll give you two some privacy to discuss security measures. I'll be upstairs if you need me."

She slips away, leaving me alone with my too-perceptive brother and his knowing eyes.

"So," Cade says the moment she's out of earshot. "Just a client, huh?"

"Don't start."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He sips his coffee, the picture of innocence. "Just observing that I've never seen you look at a client the way you look at her."

"And how's that?"

"Like you'd burn down the world to keep her safe." He sets down his mug. "And like it terrifies you."

I don't respond, not trusting myself to deny what we both know is true. Instead, I focus on pulling up the property's security schematics, highlighting areas that need additional monitoring.

"I'm not judging," Cade continues after a moment. "God knows I was a mess when I met Harper. Fighting it every step of the way."

"This is different," I lie.

"Is it?"

"She's a client. A temporary responsibility. When this is over, she goes back to her world, and I stay in mine."

"And that's what you want?"

I look up from the security plans, meeting my brother's knowing gaze. "It doesn't matter what I want. It's reality."

"Reality has a way of changing when you least expect it." He moves to stand beside me, looking at the security plans. "But we'll talk about your love life later. Right now, let's make sure your girl stays alive."

"She's not my girl," I protest.

"Keep telling yourself that." He points to the east ridge. "We should add motion sensors here and here. There’s a blind spot in your current setup."

I'm grateful for the change of subject, focusing on security upgrades and patrol schedules for the next hour while Nova remains upstairs. It's easier to think clearly when she's not in the room, her presence a distraction I can't afford.

By mid-afternoon, we've implemented all the security enhancements Cade suggested and conducted two more perimeter checks that revealed nothing new. The tracks remain a concern, but without further evidence, there's no way to know if they represent a genuine threat or a coincidental trespasser.

"I'm going to check in with Sawyer," Cade says, referring to our eldest brother, the sheriff of Grizzly Ridge. "See if there have been any reports of strangers in the area. Not going to mention your guest, just ask about unusual activity."

I nod, appreciating his discretion. "Good idea. Use the secure line in my office."

As Cade disappears into my office, I head upstairs to check on Nova. I find her in the guest room, sitting by the window with one of my books open in her lap, though she doesn't appear to be reading it.

"Hey," I say from the doorway, not wanting to intrude on her space.

She looks up, a small smile playing at her lips. "Hey, yourself. Finished with the tactical planning?"

"For now." I lean against the doorframe, keeping a safe distance. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine." She sets the book aside. "Actually, that's a lie. I'm terrified, but I'm managing it."

Her honesty catches me off guard. Most clients in her situation would be falling apart, demanding answers, insisting on more security or different arrangements. Nova just sits there, calm and composed despite the fear she admits to feeling.

"You're handling this well," I say, meaning it.

"I've had practice pretending to be fine when I'm not." She shrugs. "Years of it, actually. The show must go on, and all that."

"You don't have to pretend with me."

The words slip out before I can stop them, more revealing than I intended. Her eyes widen slightly, catching the significance.

"No?" She stands and moves toward me, stopping just out of reach. "What about you, Finn? Do you have to pretend with me?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do." She steps closer, close enough now that I can smell the subtle scent of her shampoo. "You pretend you don't feel this... whatever it is between us. You pretend last night was a mistake. You pretend I'm just a client."

"Nova."

"Tell me I'm wrong." She tilts her head back to maintain eye contact, challenge in her gaze. "Tell me you regret kissing me. Tell me you haven't thought about doing it again every moment since."

I should lie. Should reinforce the professional boundaries necessary to keep her safe. Should step back and close the door on whatever this is before it consumes us both.

Instead, I find myself reaching for her, one hand cupping her face with a gentleness that belies the storm raging inside me.

"I can't tell you that," I admit, my voice rough with honesty. "I have thought about it. Every second of every hour since it happened."

Her eyes soften, vulnerability replacing challenge. "Then why fight it?"

"Because I can't afford to make mistakes where your life is concerned."

"What if it's not a mistake?" She leans into my touch, her hand coming up to cover mine. "What if it's the one thing that makes sense in all this chaos?"

I don't have an answer for that. At least, not one that would deter her.

Because the truth is, when I'm with her, when she looks at me like this, everything else fades away.

The danger, the responsibility, the ghosts of past failures.

All of it recedes, leaving only this moment, this woman, this undeniable pull between us.

"My brother is downstairs," I say, a last weak defense.

"I overheard your conversation. He’s in your office on the phone with the sheriff." She steps closer, eliminating the last space between us. "He'll be a while."

"Nova." Her name is both a warning and a plea on my lips.

"Finn." She mimics my tone, a small smile playing at her lips. "Stop overthinking this."

"One of us has to."

"No. One of us has to live in this moment instead of planning for every possible disaster."

Her hands slide up my chest to link behind my neck, her body presses against mine in a way that sends heat coursing through my veins. I should stop this. Should step back. Should remember all the reasons why this is a terrible idea.