Holly checked out the contents of Eve and Xavier’s pantry. She found a pancake mix and decided to make a batch for her and the couple.

She missed Jaxon. This was the first time in almost three weeks that she hadn’t spent the night with him. It was strange how she’d gotten so used to having him around.

She smiled. She wanted to invite Jaxon to her next dinner with her mum and dad. But they hadn’t talked about meeting the parents yet. She didn’t want him running for the hills.

“Good morning,” Eve said, joining her in the kitchen.

Holly smiled. “Good morning. Fancy some pancakes?”

“Yes, please. I’ll make us coffee.”

“Is Xavier up yet? I can still call Bryce to take me to work.”

“He’s getting dressed, and he’s taking you to work. You know you won’t win this argument, especially when the studio is on the way to his gym.”

Holly sighed. “This is such an intrusion to you guys.”

“Don’t worry about it. Xave and I are happy for you to stay indefinitely.”

“Hey, sis,” Xavier said, coming out.

“’Morning. Don’t you usually have an early-morning session with a client?”

“Nope.”

“You’re just saying that because you want to drive me to the studio.”

“Yup. And if you’re finishing at three, I can pick you up and drop you home. I’ll be driving to a client at that time and passing the studio.”

Holly frowned. “I don’t understand why you don’t want Bryce to do his job. Did Jax talk to you?”

Xavier sat on a bar stool by the island. “Yes. I’m not comfortable with him working with you if we have that question mark on his work history. Mum and Dad agree with me.”

Holly grabbed her phone and called up the email from Smith Security. “Here. Read this. I haven’t had the chance to show it to Jax yet.”

Eve stood behind Xavier’s shoulder while they checked out the email.

“See?” Xavier said. “They must have missed that bit about Bryce working on an island hired by drug dealers.”

“Or it might not be the same island. I’ve tried to Google it, and I couldn’t find anything. Jax must have gotten it wrong.”

Xavier glared at her. “Why are you fighting with us when we’re just doing everything we can to keep you safe?”

She took a deep breath. “I appreciate that you’re all concerned for me. Really, I’m so grateful you guys are going out of your way for me. But I trust Bryce.”

“Why?”

“Because I trust Smith Security. They’ve been good to me, and I don’t want to act like a diva to them.”

“The people who do the checks are only human, Holly. They make mistakes too. Thing is, it’s your safety we’re talking about here, so we don’t want to take any chances at all. Even if Bryce is innocent now, what if he’s approached by the kidnappers, knowing he’s your bodyguard? If he’s been around drug dealers before, he might be tempted with lots of money. Or he might be forced to follow orders for his or his loved ones’ safety. He hasn’t been around you enough to be loyal to you if something like that happens.”

Holly blinked. She hadn’t thought of those things before.

“And do you want to suffer what Anna had suffered? Bill said she has nightmares. And I doubt the kidnappers would be as compromising if it’s you they have. Publications name you as one of the top celebrity earners. Do you want to put us through hell while we try to come up with fifty million in cash? All because you don’t want to hurt the feelings of your friends at Smith Security?”

Holly reddened. Here were her loved ones concerned about her, and she worried about acquaintances instead. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was thinking of protecting my professional connections and reputation. It’s selfish of me.”

Xavier smiled. “Okay. So no more arguing with us. Eve, Jax and I will take turns driving you around. And if we’re not available for some reason, we’ll ask Mum and Dad to get involved—although, that will be as a last resort. They’re very panicky about everything, and I don’t want to overly worry them.”

“Me neither. So are you saying you don’t want me to ask for a new bodyguard?”

“No. Let us look after you until the kidnappers are caught.”

“What if…?” Holly gulped. “What if they’re never caught?”

Xavier rubbed his jaw. “We’ll have to wait and see, okay?”

Tears sprang to Holly’s eyes. She was used to her life being crazy. But now, her loved ones were getting affected.

While her family supported her career wholeheartedly, they tried so hard not to be part of her celebrity. The media would be hard-pressed to find a picture of Xavier and her parents with her since they were careful never to share family pictures with outsiders. And her parents had refused every single interview they’d been asked to do.

And then there was Jaxon. He’d fought his attraction for her because he hadn’t wanted to get caught in the spotlight. He said he didn’t care about that anymore, but he hadn’t experienced being hounded by the media yet. With paps now camped outside what was supposed to be his own private sanctuary, he no doubt would be subjected to it soon. And there was nothing she could do about it.

“Hey,” Eve said, smiling sympathetically. “Whatever happens, we’ll adjust. But I have every confidence the kidnappers will be caught. These things just take time, so we need to always be on our toes and not let our guard down.”

Holly nodded. “Okay. If it makes you guys feel better, I’ll tell Smith Security that I don’t need a bodyguard at this time. I just want to be mindful of my reasons, because I don’t want this to reflect on Bryce’s record. Maybe I can say my family insists on playing bodyguard?”

Xavier shrugged. “That’ll work.”

“I’ll call them and Bryce sometime today.”

“Great. Now, are you making pancakes?”

“Yes. Could you switch on the TV?” She wanted to know if Jax’s Avalon place was being broadcast in the morning shows.

Eve pressed the remote, with the morning news from the network where Eve worked bursting on the screen.

“Reports that Holly Stirling has been kidnapped are gaining momentum.”

Holly gasped, turning her full attention to the TV.

Her eyes widened. There were at least twenty people standing in front of Jaxon’s gate, some waving to the camera.

“But her fans are praying that she’s merely hiding inside this property for her safety,” the reporter said. “They wait here, hoping to get a glimpse of the singer to assure them that she is alive and well.”

Holly bit her lip. Was Jaxon at home? What was he thinking right now? She grabbed her phone to call him—and her finger froze.

The gate was opening, and Jaxon was on his way out.

The fans respectfully stayed at the sides although they were craning their necks, no doubt eager to see if Holly was in the car.

But the reporter trotted to the vehicle, standing so close that Holly feared Jaxon might accidentally hit her. Unfortunately, her actions encouraged some of the fans to move closer too.

“Stupid woman,” Eve said with a scowl. “She’s clearly trying to stop him from going.”

“Sir… Sir…” the reporter said, positioning herself next to the driver’s side.

To Holly’s surprise, Jaxon lowered his window. He was stone-faced and clearly annoyed.

“Please get out of my way,” Jaxon said calmly. “I’m trying to get to work.”

“Is it true that Holly Stirling is staying in this house? Are you the owner?”

Jaxon shook his head and tried to inch the car forward. But some of the fans were still blocking the way.

“Are you a friend of Holly’s brother? Or are you her boyfriend?” the reported prodded.

The jaws of a number of fans dropped at the question. Now they were more eager to take a look at the guy behind the wheel.

“Look,” Jaxon said, his tone still calm but with a hint of exasperation. “I don’t know what makes you think Holly Stirling is staying here. She’s not here, so you’re all wasting your time standing out here.”

“I believe you’re Mr. Jaxon Caine. Is that right, sir?”

Jaxon exhaled heavily.

“Mr. Caine, are you Holly’s boyfriend?”

“No. Where on earth did you get that information from?”

Holly’s chest pinched. She knew Jaxon had to answer in the negative. That was totally understandable.

But, geez, hearing it was…tough.

The reporter shoved the mic on Jaxon’s face again. “Do you know where Holly Stirling is?”

“No, and I suggest you stop wasting your time. She’s not staying here.” Jaxon honked his horn.

Thankfully, the people standing in front of the car moved aside, and Jaxon sped off.

Holly took a deep breath and tapped her phone to call him.

“Hi,” Jaxon answered.

“I saw you on TV,” she said apologetically.

“Did you? I can’t believe they tried to block me. Honestly, I don’t know how you handle it. Anyway, how are you?”

“Okay. I’m sorry about that. I hope they take your advice and go home.”

“Well, I won’t be going home to Avalon for a few days, so even if those people decide to watch the house, they’d be sorely disappointed.”

She turned her back to Xavier and Eve and spoke in a low voice. “When do we see each other again?”

“As soon as it can be arranged. We’ll work something out.”

“Okay. Miss you already.”

“Me too, babe. You enjoy your day and try not to worry about anything, okay?”

She smiled. “As long as you promise to do the same.”

Jaxon chuckled. “Promise. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

She hid a sigh. She would have loved to keep on talking to him, but Eve and Xavier were listening.

Anyway, Jaxon had handled that unexpected interview well. But it couldn’t have been fun, and it would only get worse.

She hoped any further intrusion to his privacy, of which he’d most certainly get, wouldn’t put him off continuing to date her.