A stranger sat at her table, claiming to be her soulmate; his eyes pleading with intimidating intensity.


The dumbfounded shock in Orion’s eyes and expression pierced his soul like a dagger. He knew how crazy it sounded, and he hadn't even gotten to the worst parts of his confession.


He couldn't. Not yet. He was trying to use the "sandwich" method to soften the blow, but he knew it was a long shot. In more ways than one.


Jesse stared into Orion’s eyes, heart pounding, wanting to run, but he knew it was now or never.


If he was going to protect her, he had to convince her that she was safe with him until he could get her out of harm's way.


Only then would he be able to tell her the truth. He was sweating bullets, knowing that both of their lives were on the line because of what he had done.


Damnit! He'd never come so undone over a woman in his life. He closed his eyes for a moment and centered his energy again, taking a deep breath.


He knew if she detected any kind of fear or panic, he'd never get her out the door.


He'd been watching her for over a year, tailing her every move. All he could think about was getting her as far away from this God forsaken place as humanly possible.


“Orion, I know you don’t know me, and I know this sounds completely insane, but please hear me. You’re not safe here and I need you to come with me.”


Jesse pulled out his government I.D., again, and handed it to Orion.


Orion stared at the credential, her face drained of color and full of confusion.

Jesse knew that time was short, yet he also knew he couldn’t force the issue because of his role in this mess.


She had to leave with him willingly, or they would both be doomed.


Jesse reached for her hands, and she retreated, wide eyed and gazing down at the table, frozen, like a deer in the headlights.


Orion looked up at him with a single tear streaking her perfect cheek and he nearly broke under the self-loathing he was drowning in.


In a whisper, her voice cracked as her lower lip trembled and she bit it to stop it...


“It’s my ex-husband, isn’t it?’


Jesse’s composure was threatening to slip. She was killing him.


They had maybe a couple of hours before his replacement was due in town to finish the job he was supposed to have completed already.


“Orion, I’m not at liberty to discuss any details about why I’m here and I am so sorry about that, but I really need you to pack a couple bags for an extended trip and we need to leave, as soon as possible.”


Orion swallowed hard. The look on Jesse’s face told her everything she needed to know.


The question was, could she trust him?


Did she have a choice?


A stranger, not an hour ago, walked into her home and told her he was in love with her and believed, to the very core of his being, that she was his soulmate.


And now he was telling her she was in danger and needed to leave with him.


Her mind warred between calling the police and running.


Who wouldn’t have a supersized reaction to that?


She stared into Jesse’s eyes looking for shreds of truth, energy, anything to confirm or deny his words. He seemed sincere, but this was no ordinary decision to make on the fly.


Her hand trembled as she started to reach for her phone. Jesse’s hand covered hers and stopped her, gently.


“Please, Orion. I’m begging you. I swear on my own life that you’re safe with me.” Jesse took her hand and kissed it before she had time to pull away.


A chill ran up her spine as his lips grazed the back of it.


“Let me help you.” Jesse pleaded. “I swear, I will tell you everything once I know you’re safe.”


Orion nodded quietly, and a sigh of relief overtook him.


Roadblock #1 down, two to go.


Orion stood up and looked at Jesse with questioning eyes.


“What can I do to help you get ready? It’s going to be okay, Orion. I promise.” Jesse responded to the panic in her eyes, knowing she was completely overwhelmed. She had been through too much trauma, already.


He wanted to choke himself for being an unwitting party to it.


Orion led Jesse to her room and walked to her closet, pulling out luggage and throwing it on the bed. She quietly pulled things off hangers and out of dresser drawers, tossing them to Jesse to fold and pack.


There was little talking. The air was heavy with worry and intense emotion.


Jesse helped Orion think of things she might miss and keep a timely pace.


“Don’t worry about incidentals, Orion…just the basics. We can buy whatever else you need once we hit a safe zone.”


Orion nodded, grateful she didn’t have pets to worry about, and that she wasn’t alone.


Jesse watched her as she packed, full of grace and fear in the same breath and it almost destroyed him.


He would spend the rest of his life protecting her. He promised himself that, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to handle these emotions.


Packing complete, Jesse walked ahead of Orion to her front door to carry the luggage to his car.


At this point, he didn’t dare allow more than ten feet between them. He stepped outside and started up the walkway but didn’t hear the door close behind him.


Jesse stopped and turned around. Orion was standing in the doorway looking into her home, quietly crying.


Jesse set the luggage down and approached her. He stepped in front of her and gently lifted her chin to his gaze.


Her tears would be the death of him.