Page 79 of Ozzie

“Look, something clearly has you spooked. You are watching everyone in here, and you look like you’re ready to dart any second. Who is he, and what did he do to you?”

It’s a risk saying all of that, but I’d bet my salary there’s a man in her life making it hell.

Her eyes scan the room again. “My ex isn’t taking no for an answer. I rarely leave my apartment to avoid him. I keep thinking he’s going to walk through that door. And yes, I plan to move away from Portland, but it’s taking longer to save up than I had hoped.”

My body tenses that she’s dealing with some stalker asshole. “Where do you plan to go?”

She shrugs. “Somewhere he won’t find me. I can work remotely from just about anywhere.”

Before I can think it through, the words are out of my mouth. “Come to New York and stay with me. That will get you out of this situation today. After you’re settled, you and Durango can talk.”

Her brow shoots up. “New York?”

“Yeah, I live in Brooklyn. So does Durango. We work out of an office there. We can fly out and be there by tonight.”

She chews on her lip, which means she’s seriously thinking it over.

“I can help you pack up your apartment in case he shows up.”

“Thank you, but I can’t afford a ticket to New York right now.”

“Hey, I’ll cover the plane tickets. Seriously, this can be a fresh start for you.”

We sit in silence for a moment as she mulls it over.

“Has Durango changed?”

Her question takes me by surprise. “Not really. He’s still the stubborn asshole he always was.” I grin.

“But he’s out of the service now? Like you?”

I nod. “We both work for a security firm.”

She tilts her head. “Are you a bodyguard?”

I take a sip of my coffee. “Sometimes. But more often, we work with the military or CIA when they need us.”

Her eyes widen. “So, you’re in the thick of danger?”

I lean forward. “We never bring danger home. I can promise you that.”

She slowly nods.

“I don’t like to presume, but you seem scared. Come with me, and you’ll be living with someone who can protect you.”

She glances around again, and a smile slowly forms. Her eyes meet mine. “All right. What the hell. I’m moving to Brooklyn.”

That was easier than I expected, but I’m happy she said yes. “Ever been there?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, after you guys left, I movedto Oregon. I started off in a college town, and that was fun for a while. I met my ex and moved in with him way too soon. Wasted six years with him and have spent the better part of the last year trying to avoid him. Not a lot of time for travel, I’m afraid.”

We finish our drinks as she asks me about my place and what I think of the area. Then, she drives us to her apartment. It’s larger than I expected, with very few furnishings.

“When I left my ex, I took the first apartment I found. It’s too big for me, but the security is great.”

She has to use a keycard to get into the parking garage, to call the elevator to the lobby, and then to call another elevator to her floor. It reminds me of the security at my place.

In less than an hour, she’s packed up and ready to go. Everything she has fits into two suitcases and one laptop bag. While she was packing, I purchased two plane tickets. We have several hours until the plane takes off, but we head to the airport anyway.

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