Page 107 of Cole

The message wasn’t lost on Annie. She knew those words were meant for her.

Once the interview ended, Benji stretched and stood. “I should head back. Maybe I’ll try to hang out with Julian.”

“You want to hang out with Julian?” Annie asked, surprised.

Benji shrugged. “Why not? Might be a chance to get to know him better. It’s been awhile since he’s last been home.”

As Annie walked him out of the cabin, she hoped that Julian would give him the chance. She wouldn’t hold her breath, though.

Standing on the porch watching Benji walk away, Nyla at his side, Annie wrapped herself in the blanket she’d carried outside with her. Once he had disappeared from sight, she stared upat the star-filled sky. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but she welcomed the clarity it brought to her thoughts.

For so long, she’d accepted her father’s protection without question, understanding it came from love, however misguided. But now, standing on the threshold of a life with Cole, she realized she needed to be brave enough to step beyond those boundaries.

“Please, God,” she whispered into the night, “help my father understand. Help him see that love shouldn’t be sacrificed because of fear.”

The stars twinkled silently overhead, and somewhere close by, Nyla barked once, alert to some nighttime creature. Annie smiled, drawing the blanket tighter around her shoulders. For the first time in weeks, hope felt tangible, like something she could hold in her hands.

Cole was coming. They would face her father together. And somehow, they would find a way forward—not in fear, but in love.

Once Nyla had returned, Annie went back inside and tidied up, her mind rehearsing what she would say to her father in the morning. This conversation felt pivotal—perhaps the most important one they’d ever had.

Her phone rang just as she was banking the fire for the night. Cole’s face appeared on the screen, flushed with victory and slightly damp from his post-game shower.

“Great game,” she greeted him.

“Thanks.” His smile was warm, intimate. “How was the rest of your Christmas?”

Annie settled onto the couch, pulling a blanket over her legs. “Interesting. Dad wants to meet with me tomorrow morning.”

“That’s promising, right?”

“I hope so. I think Elizabeth has been talking to him.” Annie hesitated, then added, “Cole, there was another threat. Someone’s threatening to reveal who I am to the world.”

Cole’s expression grew serious. “What kind of threat, exactly? Do they know specifics about you?”

“Dad didn’t share all the details, but it seems connected to whoever sent that first message.” Annie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Part of me wonders if going public on our own terms might be better than waiting for someone else to do it.”

“That’s actually not a bad strategy,” Cole said thoughtfully. “Control the narrative instead of reacting to it.”

“Exactly. But Dad’s still resistant. Twenty-four years of secrecy is a hard habit to break.”

Cole was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. “What if we could find out who’s behind these threats? That information might help your dad feel more secure about allowing us to move forward.”

“How would we even begin to do that?”

“I know some people—security consultants who work with players in the league. They’re discreet and effective. With your permission, I could reach out to them.”

Annie considered this. “I’d need to talk to Dad first. He has his own security team, and they’ve been trying to trace these messages.”

“Of course.” Cole leaned closer to the screen. “Annie, I want you to know that whatever happens tomorrow with your dad, I’m not backing down this time. We’ll find a way through this together.”

The conviction in his voice made her heart swell. “I know. I’m not backing down either.”

They talked for another hour, discussing everything from the game to Cole’s planned visit to Serenity. By the time they said goodnight, Annie felt centered and prepared for her meeting with her father.

Morning came quickly after a restless night.

Annie took extra care with her appearance. She chose a simple blue sweater that complimented her eyes and brushed her hair until it shone. It wasn’t about vanity—it was armor. She needed to present herself as the confident, capable adult she was.

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