Page 101 of Cole

“I’ve researched some top-tier security firms that specialize in protecting high-profile individuals. Discreet but effective. The kind used by celebrities who want to live normal lives without compromising their safety.” Cole flipped through his notes. “If we could demonstrate to your father that we’re taking his concerns seriously, implementing professional security measures rather than just hiding you away…”

“You think that would satisfy him?” Annie’s tone was skeptical.

“Honestly? No. Not at first.” Cole ran a hand through his hair. “Your father strikes me as someone who wants control, not just safety. But it gives us leverage in the conversation. Shows we’re acknowledging his concerns while finding our own solution.”

Annie was quiet for a moment, considering. “What would this look like day-to-day? I don’t want to live with bodyguards hovering over me every minute.”

“How does that work for you now?” Cole asked, curious about her life. The details she’d kept from him because of the secrecy that surrounded her connection to Duncan Burke.

“I have a house on my dad’s estate.” She leaned forward and picked up the tablet. “Let me show you.”

He watched as the view changed from Annie’s face, to the room she’d been sitting in. A large area that looked like it included her workspace on one end and her bedroom on the other.

In the middle of it was a door that she approached and unlocked. “I haven’t been out here in a bit.”

Hereended up being a wide upper deck that ran the length of the house. It was currently covered with snow, but he suspected that the deck wasn’t what she wanted to show him.

“My dad’s estate is large,” she said as she moved the tablet around to show him what surrounded her home. “A hundred acres, I think. Behind my place is just forest and some security. In front is a driveway that leads to the security building and my dad’s mansion.”

“So no one can get to your place without going past security and your dad’s place.”

“Well, they can’t even get to those places unless they pass security at the main gate on the road. A portion of the estate is fenced off.”

“Your dad isn’t messing around.”

“No. He’s not. It’s why he built me the home of my dreams,” she said. “It was his way of making the cage I’m trapped in a bit more palatable, I guess.”

“And has it?”

She turned and went back into the house. “I love my home. When I’m here, I can pretend to live a normal life, even though my dad’s over-the-top security encroaches even here.”

“What do you mean?”

“My dog Nyla.”

The tablet panned to where a large dog lay on the carpet in front of the fireplace. Her head was lifted, and her ears were pricked forward as she stared at Annie. She’d clearly heard her name, and it was like she was waiting to be given instructions.

“She’s beautiful,” Cole said.

“Yes, she is,” Annie agreed. “And I love her, but she’s also a weapon.”

“A guard dog?”

“Yep. We have three of them here. My dad paid a fortune to have them trained.”

“What breed is she? I don’t really recognize her.”

“She’s a Tervuren. They’re Belgian Shepherds and somewhat rare, but there’s a guy who breeds them, keeping impeccable bloodlines, and he has a partner who trains them.”

“Wow. That’s amazing.”

The tablet switched around to Annie’s face again. “My house also goes into lockdown mode. I can trigger it myself, which I’m required to do every night. The security office can put it into lockdown, if necessary, and will do it at night if I forget to.”

“What does lockdown mode mean?” Cole asked, a bit in awe of what he’d learned so far.

“The cabin is built with a fire-resistant inner barrier, so even if the outside is set on fire, it won’t penetrate the interior. Lockdown mode drops a metal covering over all the doors and windows so no one can get in.”

Her dad certainly hadn’t taken any chances with her security. It made him wonder if his plan even had a hope, or if Duncan Burke would laugh in his face when they presented it to him.

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