“I’m not letting you go home.”
Olivia’s brow furrowed in irritation. “You can’t tell me.”
“I’m telling you.” Paul glowered at her and folded his arms over his broad chest. She’d felt those muscles and knew how unyielding he could be. “Your lock is ridiculous and you’re not safe there alone.”
She agreed but she didn’t have any alternatives. “Then what do you suggest I do? I can hardly afford a state of the art security system and that wouldn’t keep him out anyway. I’ll be fine.” She started to limp away and Paul fell in step beside her.
“Stay with me. I’ll keep you safe.”
Olivia glared at him. What a ridiculous suggestion! She certainly wouldn’t move in with him! They were strangers; why would he want her in his house? This was nuts. “We live next door. I’ll be plenty safe alone.”
“I don’t like this one bit,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I don’t have a clue what I’m up against here. There’s no reason for you to keep all these secrets if you want me to help you. Tell me everything, Liv.”
She shook her head vehemently as she stomped away from him. He easily kept pace with her. “You’re not up against anything, Paul. This is my problem and I’ll deal with it. Please, just stay out of my business.”
“Too late, honey. I’m already involved and I’m not going anywhere. So you better get used to the idea.”
Olivia clenched her jaw in irritation as she marched back to her condo. She didn’t bother to answer because she knew arguing with him would be pointless. One thing she’d learned about Paul Justice during their brief acquaintance was how stubborn he could be. While he meant well, he was getting in way over his head and he didn’t even know it.
She had her keys out and was praying the dumb lock would cooperate on the first try when Paul eased in next to her. She didn’t even glance in his direction. She bit her lip in concentration. It took all her effort to remain composed when all she wanted was the chance to fall apart in private. Get inside, lock the door, and stop thinking. Her hip was on fire from running which meant she ought to forego her daily workout and grab some ice. She wiggled the key in the lock when it didn’t catch the first time. “Come on, stupid lock. For once –“ she growled in frustration.
Paul swiped his hand through his hair, making it stick up in little spiky peaks. He let out his breath in a long sigh and Olivia wondered if he was gearing up for another argument. She didn’t need to hear it. He wasn’t her keeper.
“Look, I know I came on strong back there, and I’m sorry. I guess that’s my biggest fault. When I see someone in need, I want to help even when the person doesn’t want me to. So I’m sorry, Liv.”
Finally she met his gaze and read the sincerity in his eyes. For some reason his look made tears rush to the surface and she quickly blinked them away.
“Can we be friends?” He stuck out his hand to shake on it and she hesitantly accepted his offer.
“Yes, we can be friends.” When his fingers closed around hers she felt warmth tingling through her hand and a sense of protection wrapping around her heart. Maybe because he used to be a cop, or maybe because he was a large intimidating man, she wasn’t sure why he made her feel safe. But she wanted to step into th
e shelter of his arms and forget everything. She had no money, no safe place, but right now she had Paul Justice looking out for her. Selfishly, she wanted to stay with him as he suggested yet she knew the cost would be too high.
“No hard feelings about me tackling you to the ground?” he asked with a lopsided grin.
She offered him a small smile. He was hard to resist. “You took most of the fall, so yeah, I forgive you.” She noticed he didn’t apologize for the kiss. Her cheeks heated as she remembered it and how she responded with abandon. “I should go. Thank you again for the ride.”
“Which reminds me, my buddy can’t look at your car today so he won’t have an estimate for us until tomorrow. What time do you want me to take you to work?”
She shook her head. She wouldn’t let herself depend on him. “I have the next two days off, but thank you for your offer. I really do appreciate your help with my transportation issues.” She rotated the key slowly in the lock with the hopes it would open for her. Paul reached over and slipped the key from her fingers and somehow got the lock to cooperate.
“I’ll be over in the next hour to install a new doorknob and deadbolt on this door. We’ll add extra security locks as well. And I’ll check your windows. We’ll make sure this place is secure.”
She opened her mouth to argue. She was already indebted to him for the transportation, but he held up his hand. “I’m doing it, Liv, so no protests. The landlord should have already taken care of this place but since he hasn’t, I’m going to make sure you’re safe. I won’t be able to sleep if I know you’re at risk. So consider it a favor you’re doing for me, okay?”
It was backwards logic and she knew he was twisting things so she would feel compelled to agree. But there was no way she would turn down his offer. Anything that would slow Ethan down, even if it was a better door lock, was a good thing. “Thanks, Paul. It isn’t easy for me to accept help under the circumstances, but I appreciate it.” She nodded then ducked inside.
FIVE
“Are you running from your husband?” Paul ask casually as he drilled a hole in Liv’s front door for her new deadbolt lock. If she said she was married it might cool his infatuation. But maybe not. He couldn’t get her out of his head. If there was a husband involved he’d still help her and would undoubtedly keep thinking about her, but he would have to stop pursuing her. He didn’t get involved with married women. Please don’t be married. Please don’t be married.
Liv’s laugh sounded bitter. “No. I’ve never been married. I’ve never had time to consider romance.”
“Then who is he? Brother? Boyfriend? Father?” When she didn’t answer immediately he turned to see her staring out the window with a faraway look on her face. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. It was the look in her eyes that gave him pause. He’d seen it before in his work as an undercover detective, when victims faced horrible circumstances with resignation. There wasn’t much hope in that look. He felt bad for sending her back to those dark memories but he needed answers. Unfortunately, getting info from Liv was like pulling teeth – hard and painful. His gaze narrowed as she reached up and fingered a thin scar at her temple. It was barely noticeable but Paul had seen it earlier when he brushed her hair aside. He would bet big money the bastard had left that mark on her.
“He’s the worst mistake of my life and one I’d really like to forget. Can we talk about something else?” she asked with a stiff smile. Her eyes were still haunted and he could see the tension in the tight line of her shoulders.
Patience, buddy. Paul knew this wasn’t the time to push it, but how could he protect her when he didn’t know the enemy’s name? He wanted to wipe away the horror he saw in her eyes. What happened to her? She needed counseling in the least, but more likely police protection since she expected the guy to track her down. “All right, I’ll let it drop for now. Do you want to talk about dinner instead? I’m not the greatest cook but I grill an awesome steak. Otherwise, your choices are pizza or Chinese takeout.” He wondered if she would turn him down flat. He knew he was pushing her and part of him said he should leave her alone as she wanted, but he couldn’t do it. She needed him. Helping her wouldn’t make up for his past mistakes but he’d feel better knowing he did everything he could to keep her safe.