Page 99 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
He nodded. “I’ll have three or four men on you at all times. Your apartment will be monitored with someone stationed outside the door. And when I’m not needed at the office or in the courtroom, I’ll be by your side the whole time.”
I looked up to Beau. “What do you think?”
“She’ll be safe?” Beau asked Henry.
“On my life, she’ll be safe,” Henry said.
Beau’s eyes dropped to mine. “Then you should go home. If I can’t keep you safe here, you have to go.”
I knew that’s what he’d say. I knew he’d send me away. I knew it was the smartest choice.
But knowing didn’t make it easier to hear.
“You’re right.” I nodded and stood from my chair, ignoring the sharp sting in my nose. “This is probably for the best.” I looked to Henry. “I’ll, um . . . just go and pack.”
I dropped my eyes as they flooded and rushed to the stairs. With my back to the living room, I slapped a hand over my mouth to muffle my cries as I ran up the steps. I let a few tears fall, but by the time I hit the closet, I had blinked more away.
Frantically, I started shoving clothes into my duffel bag. All the time I’d spent unpacking this morning had been wasted effort. My neatly folded clothes hadn’t been a part of Beau’s closet for even one day.
With my drawers clean and my hangers swinging empty, I stood and stared unfocused at the closet wall. I’d never be in this closet again. Or Beau’s room. Or his bed. I turned and took a long look at his bed, wishing we could go back to this morning when we’d been planning a lazy Sunday together.
I wished we could go back to a time when I had hope that we’d make it through this together.
Foolish hope.
An emotional break was coming but I managed to hold it back as I knelt and zipped up my bag. When I came out of the closet, Beau was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“You got everything?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
We stared at each other for a few long moments until Beau broke the silence.
“I didn’t mean what I said earlier, Sabrina. You’re not a hassle.”
“I know,” I lied. “We were just mad and talking crazy. And hey,” I shrugged, “this all worked out for the best. Now we don’t need to worry about too many people finding out I’m here. It will be good for you to go back to a normal routine and for me to go back to the city. I’ve really missed it.”
That lie was so convincing, I almost believed it myself.
“I’m ready to go home.” That part was almost true. I’d been in Montana for almost six months, and the constant emotional ups and downs had drained me completely. “I want to get back to my apartment and my life. To my job.”
Beau’s eyes narrowed. “Your job? I thought you were going to quit and write books.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I like writing but journalism is in my blood. Besides, once the Federovs are gone, I’ll have an easier time getting stories.” What was I saying? I didn’t really want to go back into journalism. I wanted to pursue writing novels. But telling Beau I was going to retreat into my old life made the sting of leaving go away. Or maybe I was trying to come across as unaffected. Whatever it was, I’d say anything to make the pain fade.
Except nothing worked. Every word just made my heart twist harder.
“Well,” Beau stood, “then I guess it’s good you’re going back to the city.”
“Yep. Time for this city girl to go back where she belongs.”
“I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
I watched him go, then ran to the bathroom, shoving my things into my bag. I zipped it closed one last time, then carried it downstairs. The lump in my throat doubled in size when I saw Henry waiting by the door, ready to whisk me away.
Beau was leaning against the fireplace, staring at the floor, Boone at his side.
“Can you give us a minute?” I asked Henry.
