I'm not sure I will. I'm not sure I want to. There's something terrifying about this silence. Something that makes me feel small, exposed, and vulnerable in ways the noise of my regular life never did.
But there's also something liberating about it. Like I can finally hear myself think for the first time in years.
"Come on," Finn says, picking up our bags. "Let's get you settled."
Joe honks once as he turns the SUV around, heading back down the mountain. And then it's just me and Finn McKenna, standing in front of his fortress in the wilderness.
I take a deep breath and follow him up the steps to the porch. Whatever happens next, however long I'm here, one thing is certain.
Life as I know it is officially on pause.
And maybe, just maybe, that's not entirely a bad thing.
3
FINN
I've brought a pop star to my mountain.
The thought hits me as I watch Nova Wilde step into my cabin, her eyes wide as she takes in the space I've carved out for myself. This place has never held anyone but me and occasionally my brothers. It's my sanctuary, my fortress, the one place in the world where I'm completely in control.
And now she's here, filling it with her presence in a way I wasn't prepared for.
"This is..." She trails off, turning in a slow circle to take in the main room. "Not what I expected."
"What were you expecting?" I set our bags down by the stairs, watching her reaction.
"I don't know. Gun racks on the walls? Tactical gear everywhere? Definitely not this."
I follow her gaze around the room. I built most of it myself over the past two years. A massive stone fireplace anchors the far wall. Hand-hewn timber beams support the vaulted ceiling. Built-in bookshelves are filled with well-worn volumes.The kitchen has soapstone counters and professional-grade appliances.
It's rustic but comfortable. Masculine but not Spartan. I worked hard to make it a home, and not just a safehouse.
"Disappointed?" I ask.
"The opposite." She moves to the windows that face the mountain view, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's beautiful, Finn. Like something out of a magazine."
I don't tell her that Better Homes and Gardens actually did feature it last year, part of a spread on luxury mountain retreats. My brothers gave me endless shit about it, but the money helped fund my security system.
"Make yourself comfortable," I say, moving to check the perimeter sensors on my security tablet. "Your room will be upstairs, first door on the right. The bathroom is connected. Everything should be stocked, but let me know if you need anything."
She turns from the window, studying me. "Do you ever stop being on duty?"
"No."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It's just how I'm wired." I tap through the security feeds, confirming that the property is secure. Motion sensors, cameras, and heat detection. Anyone approaching within a mile triggers multiple alerts.
"Military habits?"
"Something like that." I don't elaborate. My CIA years aren't something I discuss, even with clients. Especially with clients.
"Well, thank you." She gestures around. "For sharing your home. I know this can't be what you planned when you built your mountain sanctuary."
She's more perceptive than I expected. Most people, especially celebrities, tend to assume the world exists toaccommodate them. Nova seems genuinely aware that her presence here is an intrusion.
"It's temporary," I say, which isn't really an answer.
