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“We can review the drive at the vineyard,” he says. “Reid has the company records there, and I can bring in counsel if Connor’s files require it. You and Birdie would have rooms, and I would know you’re safe.”

“Someone got through your fence yesterday.” I glance at Birdie, remembering how close the intruder came to the fuel area.

“And my people found him before he reached the fuel area.”

“You still don’t know who sent him.” I pull my chair closer to the table and fold my hands in front of me. “I’m tired of changing where I sleep every time another man appears outside my door.”

His jaw clenches. “Be angry with me for assigning guards if you need to. My men can watch Connor’s apartment, but a locked door won’t keep them close enough if someone gets inside. I want you at the vineyard, where I can get to you myself.”

Birdie turns Grandma’s book over in her hands. She has cleaned furniture rescued from flooded basements and worked late in my store when I couldn’t afford extra help, but I’ve never asked her to step this far into a problem that belongs to Connor and me. She catches me looking at her and sets the book down.

“I mean it, Cass,” she says. “Seattle or the vineyard, I’m going with you.”

“Someone has to run the store,” I tell her. “I only have part-time help, and she can’t manage everything.”

“Close it for a few days,” Andrei says.

I stare at him. “That’s easy to say when you own an entire vineyard.”

“I know what it costs to close a business.” He leans forward. “I’ll cover the bookstore’s bills while you look for Connor.”

“No.”

“Cassie.”

“I can’t have you paying for my life because I let you stay in it.”

He draws back slightly, and I wish I had chosen different words. I’m angry at the phone in a police evidence bag, at the files I can’t decipher, and at how quickly I’ve come to depend on him. None of that makes this his fault.

“I know that isn’t how you meant it,” I say, lowering my voice. “But the store is mine. If I close the doors, I’m the one who has to explain it to my customers and my assistant.”

“And you can,” he replies. “I’m offering to make sure the bills don’t decide how much time you give your brother. You can repay me if that makes accepting easier.”

“That sounds suspiciously like a loan with no terms.”

“I’ll put the terms in writing.”

Birdie looks between us. “I’ll be a witness, and I’ll make him explain every line.”

Despite my frustration, I smile. Grandma left me a store I love enough to worry about every morning. Connor left me proof that his disappearance reaches into Andrei’s business. I can spend another hour arguing over who gets to help, or I can follow what my brother gave me.

“I’ll call my assistant and tell her we’re closing for the next few days,” I respond. “We’ll check the drive at the vineyard, but I decide what gets shared outside this room. Connor left it for me.”

Andrei nods, though he keeps his eyes on me as if he expects another condition. “You do.”

I glance beneath the table, where Murphy has made himself comfortable in an empty carton. “And Murphy comes.”

Andrei follows my gaze. One corner of his mouth lifts. “He has a room there already.”

Birdie raises her eyebrows and looks between us. “I thought it was your guesthouse.”

“Murphy has a different opinion.” Andrei watches him tuck his paws beneath his chest. “I haven’t found a way to argue with him yet.”

I look down as the carton rocks beneath the table. Murphy pokes his head over its edge, blinking at us as though we’ve interrupted him. I reach in to scratch behind his ear before I call my assistant. By the time we leave, there’s a sign on the front door, the drive is in my bag, and Birdie has packed enough clothing to convince me she expects to stay far longer than a few days.

The guard at the vineyard gate waves us through. Another SUV follows with Harris, Birdie, and Cole, while a third waits near the road behind us. Yesterday I would have asked Andrei how many guards he’d added. Today I watch one speak into a radio as we pass and wonder how I’m supposed to feel safe when the place needs so many.

Andrei notices my attention. “Drew increased the patrols after the fence breach.”