Chapter Four

He kept the gun out and pointed down as he walked back to her bedroom. He couldn’t imagine how frightened she must be right at this moment, and he had the urge to break through the door to get to her. But he had to stay calm and reassuring; the last thing she needed was him scaring her any more than she already was.

He entered her bedroom again and approached the closed bathroom door. Not sure how she’d react to the gun, he tucked it away and made sure it was covered by the back of his t-shirt. He took a breath and as he exhaled, he let go of his hard professional persona. She needed warmth and comfort now, Dallas knew. She needed a friend, not a trained killer.

Olivia jumped when she heard movement in her bedroom, and she peeked over the lip of the tub at the door, terrified. A scream was building in her throat, and she clapped her hands over her mouth to hold it in.

“Olivia?” His voice was gentle again. “It’s me… I’m right here. Open the door, hon.”

Dallas.

She launched herself at the door, scrambling to unlock it. She flung the door wide and practically threw herself into Dallas’ waiting arms. The sobs that she’d been holding back came now, and she shook wildly, trying to catch her breath, her fingers gripping his shirt.

Dallas held her tightly, stroking her hair. “OK, baby, OK. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

All of a sudden, Olivia’s legs gave out under her completely, and he scooped her into his arms. He backed up and sat on her bed with Olivia across his thighs, her face pressed into his shoulder. Dallas’ one hand was buried in her hair; the other stroked her tense back, making big circles around and around, trying to soothe her.

Her tears and shaking slowed, then stopped, and her body went soft against him. He pulled back to see her face. She was gray with shock, her lips bloodless. Alarmed, he forced those gorgeous brown eyes to meet his own blue ones.

“Olivia? Talk to me, hon. You OK?”

She nodded. “Y – yes.”

He took her slim hand. “God, you’re freezing.” He rubbed it between both of his, trying to warm her up, and pulled her closer. “You’ll be OK in a few minutes. Just sit still.”

Dallas needed a few minutes himself. He was starting to realize just how badly this situation could have turned out, and he closed his eyes. He’d get angry as hell later, he resolved; right now, his only priority was to hold her until she felt safe again.

But Jesus Christ, if I hadn’t given her my private number that day at the hospital… this whole thing could have gone down way different.

It took a little while, but Olivia’s head started to clear and her thoughts were more coherent. They were moving in a straight line again instead of tumbling around like a box of toys falling down the stairs. Something occurred to her now, and she took a deep breath.

“Dallas?”

“Yeah?”

“How did you get in without the code?”

He looked at her, decided to tell her the truth. “The front door was open when I got here.”

“So… so he just – just walked out?”

“Looks that way.”

“But – how did he get in?”

“We’ll worry about that tomorrow, Olivia. Right now, I need to get you out of here and someplace safe and secure. You feel like you can walk?”

“Yes.”

“OK. Pack a bag.” He stood up and carefully set her on her feet, watching her to make sure she didn’t sway or fall again.

“A bag. OK.” Numbly, she moved to her closet, glad to have something to do. “Where am I going?”

“My place. Tonight, you’re staying with me, baby.”