"…and I've got her favorite blanket packed for Rowan's place," Sadie finishes, zipping up her jacket. She looks lighter somehow, almost carefree. The knowledge that someone is watching her, threatening her by proxy, makes my jaw clench.
"Perfect," I say, picking up her bag. "The suite is all set. We've got dinner reservations at eight, but we can cancel if you'd rather just do room service."
"Let's play it by ear." She smiles up at me, and I'm struck again by how beautiful she is when she's not afraid. "I'm just happy to be getting away."
I lean down and kiss her, gentle but thorough. When I pull back, her eyes are soft, cheeks flushed. "Me too," I murmur.
As we head down the stairs to my truck, I tap out a quick text to Trent.
Me: Need you to keep an eye on Pike's Perk this weekend. Will explain later.
He responds immediately.
Trent: Everything ok?
Me: Not sure. Just be watchful. Let me know if anyone suspicious hangs around.
I slide my phone into my pocket as we reach the parking lot. As I open the truck’s passenger door for Sadie, I scan the parking lot again, my grip tightening on the handle.
Is he watching us right now? Taking more photos? Planning his next move?
The thought makes me want to gather Sadie in my arms, shield her with my body, take her somewhere no one could ever find her. The intensity surprises me. I've never been the protective type before, at least not like this, not with this bone-deep need to keep someone safe at all costs.
"You’re tense," she says.
I glance over,letting her see the promise in my eyes. "Just thinking about what I’m going to do with you when I finally get you alone."
Her expression softens. She reaches across the console and places her hand on my thigh, a gesture so casual and intimate. "I'm looking forward to it too," she says. "Thank you for arranging all this."
I cover her hand with mine, squeezing gently. "You deserve it."
As we pull out of the parking lot, I can't help checking the rearview mirror every few seconds, looking for cars that might be following us. My chest tightens, the secret pressing on me like a loaded weapon. I’m holding back what could break her, but I’ll carry that weight if it means she gets one night of peace. She’ll hate me for it later, maybe, but I’ll take her anger over her fear any day.
But I also know Sadie. I've watched how she operates, how tightly wound she keeps herself, how vigilant she is about every potential threat. If I show her that photo now, our weekend is over before it begins. She'll spiral into panic, probably drive straight back to check on Poppy, maybe even decide she needs to run again.
No. I made the right call. I'll protect her this weekend, give her the break she desperately needs, and then I'll handle this. I'lltell her everything when we get back, help her document it for her case, make sure she and Poppy are safe.
"You're quiet," she observes as we hit the highway, Denver-bound.
I force myself to relax my white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel. "Just thinking."
"About?" She's watching me with those perceptive eyes that seem to see right through my bullshit.
I search for a half-truth. "About you. About us. Whatever this is becoming."
That gets her attention. She shifts in her seat, turning more fully toward me. "And what is it becoming?"
I glance at her, then back at the road. "Something I wasn't expecting." I take a breath. "Something I don't want to mess up."
She's quiet for a moment, absorbing this. "I wasn't expecting it either," she finally says, her voice soft. "You kind of blindsided me, Axel Slade."
Despite everything, the fear, the guilt, the anger simmering beneath the surface, I find myself smiling. "Good blindside or bad blindside?"
"I'm still deciding." But there's a teasing note in her voice that makes the corner of my mouth hitch up before I can stop it, a quiet ease loosening my shoulders.
We fall into easier conversation after that, talking about the café, about my brothers, about the hotel I've booked. I tell her about the champagne waiting in our room, the room service menu I've already studied, the spa services available if she wants them. I watch her face light up with each new detail, the worry lines around her eyes softening.
This is why I'm keeping the photo from her, I remind myself. So she can have this, these moments of genuine happiness without fear shadowing every smile.
