Page 104 of Cole

Annie pushed her half-eaten dessert away from her.

“Dad, I understand your concern,” Annie said, trying to keep her voice level despite the frustration building within her. “But I’m not a child anymore. I need to be able to make my own choices.”

Julian snorted from across the table. “Good luck with that approach.”

Her father shot Julian a warning glance before turning back to Annie. “This isn’t about your independence. This is about your safety. About preventing what happened before from happening again.”

“It’s been twenty-four years,” Annie countered. “And I have protection. I know how to defend myself. You’ve made sure of that.”

“And what about Cole?” her father asked, his voice hardening. “Are you willing to put him at risk, too? Because that’s what will happen.”

The question struck Annie like a physical blow. It was the one argument she couldn’t easily dismiss.

“Cole and I have discussed the risks,” she said carefully. “We’re working on a security plan that addresses your concerns while allowing us to be together.”

“A security plan?” Her father’s eyebrows rose. “And what might that entail?”

Annie took a deep breath. This wasn’t how she’d planned to present their ideas, but perhaps it was better to have it out in the open. “Cole’s researched firms that specialize in protecting high-profile individuals. We’d have security when we’re together in public. I’d maintain my privacy as much as possible.”

“And when the media inevitably discovers who you are? When they dig into our family history?” Her father’s knuckles whitened around his fork. “When they find out about Angelica?”

The table fell silent at the mention of her sister’s name.

“And what if Angelica’s out there, able to live a normal life because she hasn’t had to live under the weight of your fear?” Annie asked.

Her dad’s expression darkened. “Are you suggesting that she is better off without us?”

“I’m saying I don’t want to live my life hiding anymore,” Annie said softly. “I can’t. Not if it means giving up someone I love.”

Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Annie’s hand. “Perhaps there’s middle ground to be found.”

“There is no middle ground with the media,” her father insisted. “Once they have a story, they don’t let go.”

“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” Julian interjected, leaning forward. “Maybe bringing attention to Angelica’s case could help. After all these years, maybe someone would come forward with information.”

Annie stared at her brother, surprised by his support. Julian usually avoided any discussion of their family’s past.

“That’s precisely what we’ve tried to avoid,” their father said. “Exposing Annalisa to the same people who took Angelica.”

“Or maybe,” Benji spoke up for the first time, “keeping everything secret has just let them hide better.”

Duncan Burke looked around the table at his family, his expression unreadable. “I see I’m outnumbered in this discussion.”

“We’re not trying to gang up on you, Dad,” Annie said gently. “We just want you to consider that there might be another way to live. One that doesn’t require me to give up my chance at happiness.”

Her father’s eyes softened marginally. “Your happiness has always mattered to me, Annalisa. But so has your life.”

“I know that,” Annie said, reaching across the table toward him, though he was too far to touch. “And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done to keep me safe. But at some point, safety without living becomes… just existing.”

Duncan set his dessert fork down with deliberate care. “You think I’ve kept you in a cage.”

It wasn’t a question, but Annie answered anyway. “A beautiful, comfortable cage—but yes.”

Julian leaned back in his chair, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. “I’ve been saying this for years.”

“You chose to reject all of my precautions entirely,” their father countered sharply. “That’s not what Annalisa is suggesting.”

“No,” Annie agreed. “I’m suggesting balance. Reasonable security measures without sacrificing a normal life.”

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