48
JESSICA
September, Present Day
Maple Ridge
Kellan pullshis SUV to the curb. Troy’s waiting for me at the library’s front entrance, a new weariness lining his handsome features. The latest death threat and everything he’s got going on are clearly weighing heavily on him.
It’s my fault. It’s my fault. It’s my fault.
I’m the one who’s damaging Troy’s mental health. I’m the one who dumped more weight on the teeter-totter than he can balance.
“It’s better he knows about the note,” Kellan says from the driver’s seat, his gaze on his brother. “He’s a Marine. Our father and grandfather were Marines. Protecting people, especially those he loves, is in his blood.”
“I know, but I still wish he hadn’t heard about the newest threat.” I open the door and slide out of the passenger seat. “Thanks for the ride, Kellan…and for everything.” I shut the door.
Troy walks to the driver’s side of the SUV. Kellan puts the vehicle in park and gets out. The brothers exchange words. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I can guess what it’s about. Death threat number two.
I scan the area surrounding the library entrance and the nearby parking lot, my hypervigilance on high alert. I can’t shake the feeling I’m under surveillance, but there’s no sign of anyone paying attention to me. No protesters. No reporters. Nobody. Only a family is on the sidewalk, and neither of the kids nor the mother is looking my way.
Sunlight peeks through the breaks in the clouds that promise an early evening storm. The wind has picked up since Kellan and I dropped Bailey off at home. My hair blows into my face. I smooth it behind my ear.
Kellan gets back into his SUV, and Troy comes over to where I’m standing on the sidewalk. He hugs me, and I sink into his arms, enjoying his warmth and strength. I hadn’t realized how much I needed his hug, his touch, until now.
“Are you okay?” His breath brushes the side of my head.
“I’m fine.”Just don’t stop hugging me.
“New plan. You’re taking a sabbatical.”
I pull away. “Sabbatical?” I stare at him, trying to process what he’s getting at.
“Yes.” Troy smiles as if inordinately pleased with the idea. “You’re gonna take a sabbatical, during which time you’ll work on your novel. By the time you’ve finished it, people will have gotten over this ridiculous crap about you being a dangerous offender, and life can return to normal.”
“I can’t take a sabbatical.”
“Why not?”
“I haven’t been working for you all that long.” I bet a moment ago taking a sabbatical wasn’t even an option available to his employees.
“Well, given that I’m the employer, I decide the rules. For the sake of your mental well-being and your safety, you’re on paid sabbatical. As of now.”
Paid sabbatical? Is that even a thing?
“I’ll think about it,” I say, not really meaning it. I don’t want Troy put in the position of not having an assistant. He can’t do that role on top of everything else.
“There’s nothing to think about, Jess.”
The reason he’s so insistent hits me like a truck not stopping at a red light. It’s not only my mental health and safety at stake. His company will eventually be in trouble if his clients keep canceling because I’m his employee.
I’m a bigger burden than I’m worth.
“Maybe it would be better if I quit.” The words are softly spoken, each one slashing me from the inside.
“You’re not quitting, Jess. If you’re on sabbatical, my insurance will still cover your therapy. It’s the only solution.”
“How is you not having an assistant a solution?” My voice isn’t soft this time. It’s hard with determination. Determination to get him to see how he’s burying himself under too much weight of responsibility.
