“Excited for your trip?” That was a loaded question.
“I'm a little nervous, but you said the Trio doesn't have a presence in New Orleans, so I'll be fine. Right?” She half wanted him to tell her to stay home.
“You should be,” he told her, not really answering her question. “But stay on your guard. Now that the Trio has an end date, they have a deadline. They are going to push harder now.”
“Should I cancel the trip?” she asked.
“You don't have to. Just be cautious. You said you're going with Dylan Abbott, so that should be more than enough security,” he replied. “If anything, you've got better security now than your brother does.”
She looked over at the door of her cabin. She could see the blinking lights of the security system Dylan had installed for her and she knew there was a guard patrolling around her cabin. He promised even more security for their trip. She hoped it would be enough.
“Thank you, Mike.” She felt safer knowing that her former neighbor and friend was watching her back. She hated needing someone else to make her feel safe. She would be glad when this was all over.
“Of course. You stay safe,” he replied. “I'll call you if I get any other news. I know this isn't much, but it does mean that the end is in sight. You'll be able to come home soon.”
I am home, she thought. It surprised her.
“Thank you again,” she said instead. She clicked the phone off and set it on the bed beside her.
She didn't feel strong enough to get up, so she just kept her eyes closed as she lay on the bed. The world spun beneath her, and her fingers clung to the bedspread.
The trail was coming. Her brother would testify, and this would all be over. She could go home.
She swallowed hard. She didn't want to go home. She didn't want to leave Dylan.
Dylan. She was safe with him. She was home when she was with him.
She turned her head and looked at her packed bag. The idea of traveling away from this safe haven made her stomach go sour.
The trip was a bad idea. The trial date was set, and it put a deadline on finding her. They would be looking for her, and she was going to a big city. She didn't want to go. She wanted to stay here. She was safe here. She had a bad feeling about this.
She had to tell him no.
Chapter 25
Dylan
Dylan hadn’t been this excited to visit his grandfather since he was a boy. He already had all the places he wanted to show Bonnie mapped out in his head. He wanted her to meet his grandfather. He wanted her to eat the food he remembered growing up. He wanted her to experience everything about the city that he loved.
He wanted to share his world with her.
Dylan had never brought another woman to New Orleans. His grandfather had never met any of his former girlfriends. It never felt right to introduce him to them. But, Dylan wanted his grandfather to meet Bonnie.
When he thought about what the meant, it made him both nervous and excited. He’d never felt this way about anyone before. He knew in his bones she was the one for him. They had amazing chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. She made him smile without trying.
He was head over heels in love with her.
He put the last couple things into his small carry-on bag. He didn’t need much for the quick weekend trip, and if he did, it would be easy enough to buy things there.
Dylan felt light. His heart was happy and his world full of goodness. He was finally doing work that mattered to him. He was helping foster kids find their way in the world. He had a good woman that he was proud to introduce his grandfather to.
Life was good.
He grinned and headed out of his trailer to go pick up Bonnie for their flight. He opened the door and nearly tripped over her. She sat on the bottom step, her bottom lip between her teeth and her brow tight. Her dark eyes were deep and unhappy.
“What’s wrong?” He dropped his bag and immediately sat down beside her.
She took a shaky breath. “I can’t do this.”