Tina squeezed her lover’s hands. “Bette, I had to do that. I couldn’t tell you the truth.”

The surprise Bette had been feeling began to give way to anger. “Yes, you could have! And you should have. Escaping the hold your father has on you, was no excuse for lying to me. You could have just told me the truth.”

Tina refused to let her emotions drive this discussion. Bette had a right to be upset with her. She needed to stay resolute and even-keeled. She gazed deeply into the angry brown orbs, her voice quiet and calm.

“And then what?” she asked.

“What?” Bette replied, her brow furrowed.

“And then what, Bette? You would have been so angry with me, we would have been over. You were supposed to see Sidney that day in rehab. You couldn’t even go in. How could I tell you about all of this?” asked Tina.

Bette stood up, starting to pace. “You didn’t even give me the chance! I can’t believe you lied to me. Just lied right to my face.”

Tina stood as well. “I’m sorry, Bette. I did lie you to. But I’m telling you everything now.”

Bette folded her arms across her chest. “How the fuck do I even know that, Tina? How do I know you’re not lying to me now?”

Tina placed her hands on her lover’s arms. “Look at me, Bette. I promise you, I’m not.”

The dark brown eyes met Tina’s worried gaze. “And the guards, Tina? I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. What do you think he will do?”

The blonde shrugged. “I never want to find out. I could never live with myself if something happened to you.”

Bette shook her head, wiling the chaos around her to make sense. “You think he would go that far?”

In truth, Tina wasn’t sure. But something in her gut led her to hire the security team. It helped her sleep easier at night. “I don’t know. But he might. It wasn’t worth the risk, Bette. You’re too important to me.”

Bette looked confused and hurt. But the power of the love she had for the woman before her battled those feelings. “I don’t know what to think, T.”

Tasha chimed in. “Those guys out there, that’s high-end security. They change those cars daily. They use video surveillance, audio surveillance. Top of the line. Mostly ex-green beret or special forces. Some ex CIA. They only hire the best and they pay them very well. Tina obviously cares about you.”

The brunette nodded, returning her gaze to Tina. “I know you love me, T. I told you that. I can feel it.”

“Then just please, trust me.”

Tina wanted her trust. Bette didn’t know if she could give that to her, so she said nothing.

Bette sighed and sat back down. Tina sat beside her.

Realization dawned on the gallery owner. “So, this is why you haven’t answered any of my texts or phone calls this week.”

“Yes.”

“Damn. This is wild, Tina,” said Alice.

Tina looked at her. “This is my reality. This is why I told you, you have no idea what I am doing to protect Bette. I would never allow her to be harmed because of me.”

Bette’s eyes grew wet with tears. “Tina, you’d do all this just to be with me?”

“I’d do more. I’ve been flying all over the place, Malaysia, Sweden, Curacao, setting up banking accounts and biometric access. I have been hiding my assets.”

“I can’t believe this. I had no idea. I just, you were distant, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know you were doing all of this,” said Bette.

Tina held her hand. “I would do it all over again.”

“Is there more?” asked Bette.

“Yes,” she replied. Even in the dim lights of the glowing Christmas tree, Bette could see the blush rushing from Tina’s neck.

“What did you do, T?”

“Read the messages on my iPhone. Between me….and Henry.”