CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Christmas dinner was a tense affair for Annie. There was always some level of tension because Julian was present, and his relationship with their dad was never uncomplicated.
Annie wasn’t sure if there would ever come a time when they’d put aside their differences. After everything that had happened with her and Cole, she had a better understanding of why Julian had tension with their dad.
She’d hoped to have time to talk to her dad about Cole again, but he hadn’t arrived until late the previous day. Annie had decided not to push for a conversation with him on the holiday, but she hoped that they’d have a chance the next day.
Since the conversation she and Cole had had, they’d talked every day. He’d sat out the one game he’d been benched, and then he’d come back with a vengeance.
They’d squeaked out a win in the game he’d sat out. But once Cole was back on the court, the team had again taken control of the game and come away with a resounding win.
There was a game that night, and Annie had every intention of watching it with Benji.
“Have you been in contact with Cole Halverson, Annalisa?” her dad asked just as they were starting the dessert course of their elaborate Christmas meal.
Annie had hoped he wouldn’t bring Cole up, but she wasn’t surprised when he did. Plus, she suspected that he knew they’d been in communication. He paid her phone bill, after all. She made a mental note to look into getting herself her own phone and plan.
“Yes,” she said, not even trying to hide the fact.
“There’s been another threat against you.”
“Duncan,” Elizabeth said. “Do we have to discuss this now?”
“We do,” her dad said firmly, though the look he gave his wife was gentle. “I’m leaving again in the morning, and I want to make her aware of this.”
“What’s the threat?” Annie asked.
“The attacker says they’re going to release all the information about who you are,” he revealed.
“Maybe it’s time,” Annie said. “Maybe you should be the one to release that information. Take the wind out of this person’s sails, so to speak.”
Her dad, unsurprisingly, didn’t agree. “It will bring the crazies out.”
“I don’t understand,” Annie said. “You’re not the only rich person in the world. How do the others keep their family safe?”
“The richest rarely parade their children out in public. In fact, you’ll find very little about them in the news or on social media.”
“I’m not wanting to parade out in public.”
“Except that’s what will happen if you insist on being in Cole’s life.”
Annie pushed her half-eaten dessert away from her.
“Dad, I understand your concern,” Annie said, trying to keep her voice level despite the frustration building within her. “But I’m not a child anymore. I need to be able to make my own choices.”
Julian snorted from across the table. “Good luck with that approach.”
Her father shot Julian a warning glance before turning back to Annie. “This isn’t about your independence. This is about your safety. About preventing what happened before from happening again.”
“It’s been twenty-four years,” Annie countered. “And I have protection. I know how to defend myself. You’ve made sure of that.”
“And what about Cole?” her father asked, his voice hardening. “Are you willing to put him at risk, too? Because that’s what will happen.”
The question struck Annie like a physical blow. It was the one argument she couldn’t easily dismiss.
“Cole and I have discussed the risks,” she said carefully. “We’re working on a security plan that addresses your concerns while allowing us to be together.”
“A security plan?” Her father’s eyebrows rose. “And what might that entail?”
Annie took a deep breath. This wasn’t how she’d planned to present their ideas, but perhaps it was better to have it out in the open. “Cole’s researched firms that specialize in protecting high-profile individuals. We’d have security when we’re together in public. I’d maintain my privacy as much as possible.”
“And when the media inevitably discovers who you are? When they dig into our family history?” Her father’s knuckles whitened around his fork. “When they find out about Angelica?”
The table fell silent at the mention of her sister’s name.
“And what if Angelica’s out there, able to live a normal life because she hasn’t had to live under the weight of your fear?” Annie asked.
Her dad’s expression darkened. “Are you suggesting that she is better off without us?”
“I’m saying I don’t want to live my life hiding anymore,” Annie said softly. “I can’t. Not if it means giving up someone I love.”
Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Annie’s hand. “Perhaps there’s middle ground to be found.”
“There is no middle ground with the media,” her father insisted. “Once they have a story, they don’t let go.”
“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” Julian interjected, leaning forward. “Maybe bringing attention to Angelica’s case could help. After all these years, maybe someone would come forward with information.”
Annie stared at her brother, surprised by his support. Julian usually avoided any discussion of their family’s past.
“That’s precisely what we’ve tried to avoid,” their father said. “Exposing Annalisa to the same people who took Angelica.”
“Or maybe,” Benji spoke up for the first time, “keeping everything secret has just let them hide better.”
Duncan Burke looked around the table at his family, his expression unreadable. “I see I’m outnumbered in this discussion.”
“We’re not trying to gang up on you, Dad,” Annie said gently. “We just want you to consider that there might be another way to live. One that doesn’t require me to give up my chance at happiness.”
Her father’s eyes softened marginally. “Your happiness has always mattered to me, Annalisa. But so has your life.”
“I know that,” Annie said, reaching across the table toward him, though he was too far to touch. “And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done to keep me safe. But at some point, safety without living becomes… just existing.”
Duncan set his dessert fork down with deliberate care. “You think I’ve kept you in a cage.”
It wasn’t a question, but Annie answered anyway. “A beautiful, comfortable cage—but yes.”
Julian leaned back in his chair, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. “I’ve been saying this for years.”
“You chose to reject all of my precautions entirely,” their father countered sharply. “That’s not what Annalisa is suggesting.”
“No,” Annie agreed. “I’m suggesting balance. Reasonable security measures without sacrificing a normal life.”
Benji nodded encouragingly. “Cole seems willing to work with the security requirements. He’s not asking Annie to abandon everything.”
Duncan’s gaze swept across his children’s faces, then settled on his wife. “And what do you think, my dear?”
Elizabeth straightened in her chair. “I think Annie deserves a chance at love. And I think we’ve lived with fear controlling our decisions for far too long.” She gave her husband a loving smile. “Duncan, you’ve lost one daughter. Don’t lose another to your own fear.”
Her dad and Elizabeth stared at each other for a long moment. Elizabeth might not have been around when his daughters had been kidnapped, but she had always been sensitive to her husband’s loss. And Annie had learned that her dad, despite being wealthy and powerful, depended on Elizabeth.
She’d never seen her parents’ marriage, at least not in a way that she remembered, like Julian did, but she was glad that her dad had found love again after her mom had abandoned them.
“There’s a game starting soon,” Benji said gently, breaking the tension. “Annie and I usually watch together.”
Duncan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Go ahead. But this isn’t the last of this discussion.”
Annie hesitated, not wanting to leave without some resolution, but her father had already turned to Julian, asking about his latest business venture, in a clear dismissal.
Would there ever be an end to the discussion? Or would they just rehash it over and over and over again? The thought of that was wearying, because it would mean her dad just wasn’t listening to her at all.
“Come on,” Benji murmured, standing and gesturing for Annie to follow.
After pulling on their coats and boots, they left the mansion with Nyla and walked through the frosty night air to her cabin. The lamp posts that lined the road always made her think of Narnia, especially with the snow surrounding them.
“That went better than expected,” Benji observed.
“Did it?” Annie sighed. “He’s still not convinced.”
“But he didn’t say no outright. And Mom’s on your side. That’s huge.”
Annie nodded. “I’ve never heard her speak up like that before, but she probably did it for your sake, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she can get Dad to loosen his restrictions now, by the time you want to spread your wings, hopefully he won’t be as hard to convince.”
When they reached her home, Annie was relieved to get in from the cold. They quickly got out of their coats and boots, then Benji turned on the television before he went through the steps of building a fire in the stone fireplace.
Annie went to the kitchen to make them hot chocolate, and when she joined Benji in the living room, the tray she carried also contained a tin of Christmas goodies that their housekeeper and her daughters had made.
“Just in time,” Benji said, accepting a mug from her as he settled onto the couch. “Pre-game coverage is starting.”
Annie curled into the corner of the sofa with a warm blanket, tucking her feet beneath her as the analysts discussed the upcoming matchup. When Cole appeared on screen during the warm-ups, her heart quickened. Even through the television, his presence commanded attention.
“You really love him, don’t you?” Benji asked, observing her reaction.
“I do,” Annie admitted, cupping her hands around the warm mug. “It’s different from anything I’ve felt before.”
Benji nodded thoughtfully. “I think Dad sees it too. That’s why he’s so scared.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve never fought him like this before. Never stood your ground so firmly.” Benji reached for a cookie. “It makes it real for him—that you’re growing up, making your own choices. And that those choices might lead you away from his protection.”
Annie considered this perspective as the game began. Cole moved with renewed confidence on the court, his passes crisp, his defense tenacious. When he sank a three-pointer early in the first quarter, she couldn’t help but smile.
“He’s playing better,” Benji observed.
“He is,” Annie agreed.
As the game continued, Annie allowed herself to imagine a future where she could regularly attend Cole’s games in person, where they could build a life together with reasonable precautions but without her father’s oppressive fear hanging over them.
During halftime, Annie’s phone rang. Cole’s name flashed on the screen.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in the locker room?” she answered, unable to keep the smile from her voice.
“I stepped out for a minute,” Cole replied, his voice low. “Just wanted to hear your voice. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas. You’re playing wonderfully.”
“Having something to fight for makes all the difference.” There was a pause. “Did you talk to your dad?”
Annie sighed. “Yes, though not exactly how we planned. He brought it up during Christmas dinner.”
“And?”
“It wasn’t a no.” Annie glanced at Benji, who was pretending not to eavesdrop. “I think we might be making progress.”
“That’s something,” Cole said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “I’ve been thinking—what if I come to Serenity after our New Year’s Eve game? Meet with your father properly. Present our plan.”
Annie’s heart leapt at the thought of seeing him. “You’d do that?”
“Of course I would. This is our future we’re talking about.”
Annie felt warmth spread through her chest at his words. “I’d love that. But are you sure? Dad can be… intimidating.”
“I’ve faced him once already,” Cole pointed out. “This time, we’ll be on more equal footing. No surprises, no threats—just an honest conversation about how we move forward.”
She heard voices in the background on Cole’s end. “You need to get back,” she said.
“Yeah, Coach is giving me the eye. I’ll call you after the game?”
“I’ll be waiting. And Cole?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for fighting for us,” she said softly.
“Always,” he replied before ending the call.
After they hung up, Annie hugged the phone to her chest, feeling lighter than she had all day.
Aware of Benji’s knowing smile, she said, “What?”
“Nothing,” he said, reaching for another cookie. “It’s just nice to see you happy.”
The second half of the game was starting, and Annie settled back to watch, her mind filled with possibilities. Cole coming to Serenity, meeting with her father as equals, laying out their plan—it felt like a significant step forward.
As if sensing her thoughts, her phone buzzed with a text from her father.
Dad: We need to speak privately tomorrow. 10 AM in my office .
Annie showed the message to Benji, her stomach tightening with apprehension.
“That’s good,” Benji insisted. “He wants to talk, not just dictate.”
“I hope you’re right.” Annie tucked her phone away, focusing back on the game where Cole had just made a spectacular assist.
The game ended with a decisive victory for Cole’s team, his performance drawing praise from the commentators. As they watched the post-game interviews, Annie noticed how Cole’s eyes seemed to brighten when a reporter asked what had changed in his game.
“Just remembering what I’m playing for,” he answered, a subtle smile playing at his lips. “Some things are worth fighting for.”
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 up at 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.
The walk to the main house was brisk and invigorating. When she arrived, the housekeeper directed her to her father’s office. Taking a deep breath, Annie knocked on the heavy wooden door.
“Come in,” her father called.
He was seated behind his massive desk, papers neatly arranged before him. He looked tired, Annie thought—the kind of bone-deep weariness that came from carrying a heavy burden for too long.
“Good morning, Dad.”
“Annalisa.” He gestured to the chair across from him. “Thank you for coming.”
The formality struck her as odd, given they were family, but she recognized it as his way of creating emotional distance when difficult conversations loomed.
“Elizabeth mentioned you’ve been talking,” Annie said as she settled into the chair, thinking of the text she’d woken to that morning from her step-mom.
“Yes.” Her father folded his hands on the desk. “She’s quite persuasive when she wants to be.” A hint of fondness softened her father’s expression. “She believes I’ve been unfair to you.”
Annie waited, knowing her father rarely revealed his thoughts without careful consideration.
“I’ve spent twenty-four years trying to keep you safe,” he continued, his voice low. “Every decision, every restriction—it all came from that one terrible day when I nearly lost you both.” He paused, swallowing hard. “When I did lose Angelica.”
“I know, Dad.” Annie leaned forward. “I’ve never doubted your love.”
“But you doubt my methods.”
“Sometimes,” she admitted. “Especially now.”
“All these years, I’ve been focused on protecting what remained of our family,” he said finally. “Perhaps I’ve… overcompensated.”
The admission, small as it was, felt monumental coming from Duncan Burke.
“I understand why you did it,” Annie said softly. “I do, Dad. But I can’t live my whole life afraid of what might happen.”
Her father nodded slowly. “Cole Halverson contacted me this morning.”
Annie’s eyes widened. “He did?”
“Yes. Very early. He requested a meeting when he visits Serenity. Said he wants to discuss security arrangements and his intentions toward you.” Her father’s expression was unreadable. “He’s either very brave or very foolish.”
“Or he loves me,” Annie suggested quietly.
Her father studied her face. “You really believe that?”
“I know it,” she said with conviction. “And I love him.”
Duncan leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking beneath him. “I told him I would meet with him. On one condition.”
Annie tensed. “What condition?”
“That he understands that I will still be in charge of your security.”
“But that doesn’t change anything,” Annie said with a frown.
“Cole can work with Jude to sort out security whenever you’re going to be with him. There won’t be any sneaking around like you did with the gala.”
Annie considered what he was offering, then nodded. “Okay.”
“When Cole comes next week, we’ll all meet together and get it hashed out.”
“So you’ll stop fighting us being together?”
“With appropriate security measures in place,” her father clarified.
Annie processed this, cautious hope blooming in her heart. “What about your concerns regarding media attention? About people discovering who I am?”
“Those concerns haven’t vanished,” he admitted. “But perhaps… perhaps there are ways to manage them that don’t require complete isolation.” He hesitated. “Julian and Elizabeth made some compelling arguments last night.”
Annie couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her brother and stepmother tag-teaming her father. “They did?”
“They did.”
When Annie left her dad’s office a short time later, her step was light and her heart was full of hope.