Present - 29

Paul did not want to scare her, but he did not want her to be unprepared. "He does. I met him a few nights ago and tried to buy him off. But he would not take the money."

"What?!" She pulled away and looked into his face, stunned. "You offered him money?!"

"You were asleep. I offered him forty million. I thought if I offered that amount to him, he would forget about you and move on. But it did not change anything. He still wants you."

"Forty million dollars?!" Her mouth dropped, and her tears stuck to her cheeks.

Paul nodded.

"You were willing to pay that much just to save me?"

"I will do everything to protect you."