away quickly.
“The way I see it, you have two choices. Choice one: hide for the rest of Locklear’s life. Choice two: stand up and fight back. You’ve tried running and hiding. How has that been working for you?”
“I’m still alive,” I pointed out with my most deadpan expression.
Steele gave that deadpan expression right back to me. I was probably in over my head matching wits with this guy. He was an enigma, more suited to a regimented military position than a hockey player.
“What if you surfaced? Became visible? Made it harder for him to do harm to you without drawing massive attention to himself? Your disappearance was high-profile with your father being who he is. There’s been lots of speculation, but most believe you’re dead.”
“I don’t see how that would work.”
“You’d have Kaden at your side every step of the way. You two can become a power couple.”
Both Kaden and I gaped at him. “A power couple?” I said incredulously. What had this guy been smoking? Kaden was a rookie, and I was merely a senator’s daughter. We had some visibility, but nothing like being a power couple.
“My mother might help. She can pave the way. She’s in DC most of the time nowadays anyway. You listened to a family friend who scared you into running. What if this friend was wrong? What if he was compromised and knew the case was shaky and wanted you to disappear?”
“He wouldn’t do that. He was in danger himself. I heard it in his voice.”
Steele raised a brow but didn’t dispute what I said. The skepticism was written all over his face though. “What if staying visible actually made you less vulnerable instead of more?”
“I don’t see how.”
“Most attacks happen in the dark. We keep you in the light. Figuratively speaking. Mom did some background research. Since they can’t locate the witnesses, the DC police are most likely not going to charge him again, aided by encouragement to drop the case from a few powerful people in DC. Your appearance won’t be enough for them to open the case. They need all the witnesses.”
“And you know this how?”
Steele’s gray eyes grew hooded. This guy was not going to reveal his sources. Who the hell was his mother anyway? “You’ll have to trust me.”
“Then he’ll never get prosecuted for murdering at least one, probably more, people.”
“He may not, but if they ever find the bodies…”
“I would love to see my parents. I miss them.” I thought I’d gotten used to the idea I might never see them again, but my throat closed up and words became impossible to speak.
“Isn’t that risky?” Kaden spoke for the first time. He grabbed my hand and squeezed. I wasn’t sure if he was comforting me or himself.
“It’s all risky. Hiding is risky. Becoming visible is risky. I’m giving you an option, but the decision is yours,” Steele said matter-of-factly.
“You don’t have to do this.” Kaden’s blue eyes were troubled. The conflict was displayed clearly within those depths. I was conflicted, too. I’d been running for so long without giving a thought to another option.
What if Robert was compromised? He’d been Darrin’s top aide in DC and his shadow almost to the point that his pandering to Robert had been pathetic. Robert had been involved in politics in DC for years. He’d been a true political animal and wielded his own kind of power, considering he wasn’t an elected politician. Yet my father had held the highest regard for Robert, even recommended him for the position with Darrin. Robert had been a trusted associate for years and a family friend.
Robert wasn’t compromised. I wouldn’t believe it. Steele didn’t understand the situation. As far as I knew, Robert was dead or deep in hiding.
I had a tough decision to make. On one hand, I’d have my life back, my family, and I’d have Kaden. Running was the most obvious choice to stay safe. Going where no one knew me, not contacting anyone from my prior life, including Kaden, saved not only me but them. Robert had suggested this course of action originally, and I’d followed it blindly. What if he’d been wrong or, even worse, compromised?
“If you stayed, we’d hire a bodyguard,” Kaden suggested with a tentative smile brimming with hope.
“I can’t afford a bodyguard.”
“I can and so can your parents. If the government won’t protect you, we will.”
My parents would be able to afford the necessary security. They had the means and the power to ensure I was safe.