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Keep Me Safe Angela Bennet 22330K 2023-08-28

Olivia waved away her concern as she hurried to the stairs “It doesn’t ive Janice a tight snized n that it’s tio Don’t worry about it, Janice, really I don’t blame you”

Janice nodded but she still looked worried Olivia hurried up the stairs She didn’t have time to reassure Paul’s sister It was too bad really Given different circuood friends But Janice was the least of her regrets Leaving Paul – she couldn’t even think about it right now It was going to hurt deeply so she couldn’t allow herself to dwell on the loss She needed to stay safe; she needed to keep

She hurried to her roo It was tis and focus on what she needed to do Maybe someday she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder She could slon, make some friends and find someone like Paul to love There will never be soued

“Where will you go?” he asked from the doorway

Olivia paused and looked up “I’m not sure but

it’s better you don’t know”

He clearly didn’t like her answer as a scowl darkened his face “I don’t see how it’s better I’ll worry about you and hoill I know you’re okay? It’s killing me to see you like this I feel like I’ve finally found someone I want to be with and she won’t accept my help”

Olivia shook her head Don’t do this to me, Paul Not now My heart can’t take it “You can’t help me, Paul No one can”

“You’re wrong; I can help you I have connections We can put a stop to this guy but you have to stay here with ain, you’ll be on your own and I won’t be able to keep you safe”

Olivia turned back to her packing She felt persuaded by hirim reality Ethan wouldn’t allow Paul to live He would destroy everything Paul cared about in an effort to punish her “I told you, no one can keep me safe He said he’ll make me suffer You have no idea what that means but I do”

“At least let me try,” Paul persuaded He crossed the rooly into his arth, and how good it felt to share this burden with another if only for atime

“We can’t assume he’s found you You were an icon in the ballet world and people still re every day across the country We’ll send out more just to confuse hiuy like that can’t hide from the authorities forever He’ll make a mistake, and when he does the authorities will snatch hi circles over her back as she clung to him If only she could believe his plan would work! She was so tired of running and hiding “Stay with me, honey Let me watch over you I won’t let anyone hurt you”

Olivia pulled back and eyed Paul “I don’t want to run anymore,” she whispered “But I’m so afraid to stay”

EIGHT

Olivia heard his footsteps just before he came to a stop outside her bedroom He didn’t bother to knock as he unlocked the door then threw it open He filled the doorway as his gaze searched the roo to the back of a tall chair His eyes narrowed suspiciously because he knehat she was doing She always practiced when he wasn’t watching She could have moved away from the chair and saved herself his ire but she stood rooted to the spot No ive up dance It was a part of her soul and to lose dance meant she would lose a valuable piece of herself to hiive up! He tried to steal her career and believed the accident would be the end, but dance was more than a job to her Movement flowed naturally from her limbs like music flowed froed hip, she found a way to express herself Soon, she would try to escape but she had to be strong first