The car slowed down, and Olivia pulled up and parked. “Come on, we’re here.” As they got out of the car, she popped the trunk and lifted out a stack of books. Indicating for Theo to follow, they crossed the sidewalk toward a small apartment complex.
Entering the building, they’d no sooner climbed the first flight of stairs when a door on the first floor swung open, and a tall, well-built young man with dark blond hair stood in the doorway. His eyes held the same wariness as Olivia’s, and his mouth was set in a thin, guarded line
Jake’s hawk-like gaze flicked over Olivia before settling on the tall, dark-haired guy beside her, wearing pajamas and clutching a sketchbook as if someone was going to steal it.
Jake scrutinized Theo thoroughly, his eyes narrowing with suspicion before he finally stepped aside and allowed them to pass through the door. His eyes gave one final scan of the outside before he shut the door behind him and turned to face them both.
“Jake, this is Theo. Theo, Jake.” Olivia waved her hand as she introduced them.
The two men nodded, sizing each other up. After a moment of silence, he stood aside and motioned for Theo to enter.
“The living room is through there.”
Theo glanced back at Olivia who gave a small nod. He turned and moved into the room, but when Olivia moved to follow, Jake caught her by the elbow and held her back.
“A word, if you don’t mind, Olive,” he said quietly.
“You look like you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not. I told you over the phone earlier I’d help you, but are you absolutely sure the guy is who he says he is?”
She nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Shit,” he swore. “That’s a hell of a head fuck. He’s really been pulled through time?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Look, Olive, I’m really not sure this is a good idea with everything else that’s going on. You should’ve left him at Riverside, at least until we know more about him.”
“I know what I’m doing, Jake,” she insisted.
“I don’t think you do.” He shook his head. “Look at where he’s from, when he’s from. Have you even considered what’s going to happen when he finds out what you are?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” She sighed. “Look, I’m sorry I dragged you into this, but there isn’t anyone else I can trust. I can’t take him home with me for obvious reasons, but I also couldn’t leave him at Riverside.”
“Why? It’s probably the safest place to stash him until we know what’s going on.”
“Jake.” She shook her head. “It’s hard to explain.”
“Try.”
“I owe him,” she whispered.
“What could you possible owe him? You don’t even know the guy.”
“Jake.” Olivia tried to find the words. “He saved Hester. He didn’t have to, but he saved Hester and her sister, Bridget. If it hadn’t been for him, I would never have been born.”
“What?” His forehead creased.
“Look, I’m not an idiot. I don’t trust him, and like you said, I don’t know him, but there’s more to him than meets the eye, and I need to find out what that is and what it means. After everything that’s happened around here recently, and now he’s suddenly appeared? It’s got to be connected somehow.”
“Fine,” he conceded. “At least you had the sense to bring him here where at least I can keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you.”
“There are some other things you should know though.”
“What?”
