Chapter 5
Life was good. Oliviawas surprised by the thought—and the smile that didn’t want to quit—as Jake drove her to work three days later. Even more shocking was that she actuallybelievedit.
There’d been no more phone calls, nothing sinister left on her porch. And even though they’d spent most of the last few days at home, when she and Jake did go out, she hadn’t gotten the creepy stalker vibes once.
She was starting to believe that the police had actually been right. The phone calls, snake, and break-in were nothing more than childish pranks. That, or whoever had been infatuated with her had moved on. Jake wasn’t as convinced.
“I have to go into the city for a meeting, so Trevor will pick you up and drive you home today.”
Olivia looked at him. “Is that really necessary? I thought we agreed that everything that happened were just some sick pranks.”
“No,youdecided to chalk it all up as that. I’m not willing to take that chance.”
“It’s been two weeks, and nothing else has happened. Seriously, Jake. Trevor doesn’t need to take time out of his day to babysit me.”
Still concentrating on the road in front of them, Jake acted as if he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.
“If I’m able to get away sooner, I’ll drive you home. Either way, you’re not to leave the hospital without one of us there to walk you out.”
Olivia wanted to roll her eyes. “You don’t think this is overkill?”
Jake gripped the steering wheel a little tighter before reaching over and grabbing her hand. Lacing their fingers together, he glanced over at her.
“I lost you once, Liv. I’m not willing to risk losing you again.”
The sincerity in his gorgeous eyes did her in. “Well, crap.”
Olivia sighed loudly and relaxed back into her seat again. Feigning frustration, she asked, “How am I supposed to argue with you when you go and say something sweet like that?”
One corner of Jake’s mouth rose as he looked out the windshield again. “It’s a gift. Might as well accept it now.”
She pretended to glare. “Fine. Trevor can play bodyguard. But you’re making it up to me when you get home tonight.” Out of the corner of her eye, Olivia saw his smirk turn into a smile.
“Any thoughts as to how I can accomplish that?”
“I’ll think of something.”
Jake chuckled and raised the hand he was still holding to his mouth for a quick peck. “Oh, I’m sure you will.”
Olivia thought for a moment before asking the question she was afraid to be answered. “So, this meeting. Is it about another job?”
“It is. I’d prefer to let Trevor take my place, but William Cantrell personally requested I be there to oversee the details.”
“William Cantrell,” Olivia repeated the name as if she’d possibly heard it before. It took a few seconds before recognition hit. “Wait a minute. Are you talking aboutSenatorBill Cantrell?”
“The one and only. Apparently, he wants to hire us for extra security on his campaign trail, which starts in a couple of weeks. I’m meeting with him and the head of his personal security detail.”
“Wow. That has to be good for business. Word of mouth alone from a guy like that could be huge for R.I.S.C.”
