Chapter 11 #2
“We’re not taking chances.”
I glance out the window, then back at my friend. “Do you think they’ll find her here?”
Kelt pauses. “Unlikely, but not impossible. Vance has resources and so does Aldridge. They can hire private investigators and mercenaries to try to capture her and make her death look accidental, or entirely our fault. We need to be ready.”
I nod grimly. “What’s our response protocol?”
Urdan joins us. I greet my other friend and we settle down to discuss contingencies, communication channels and emergency codes.
I document everything, ready to give this knowledge to Anna.
“I’ve been thinking about digital security,” Urdan remarks. “You said earlier that Anna destroyed her phone when she left her apartment and ran for the bus station. But what about email? Social media? Is she off all of those?”
“She hasn’t accessed anything.”
“We should keep it that way. No digital footprint until this is over.”
“I think she already knows and is doing that herself, without us telling her. After all, she was on the run for three years without being found by them until recently. She’s good at this. But I will mention this to her, just in case.”
After about an hour and a half, I’m ready to head back to my cabin. Anxious to see her and make sure she’s okay. The separation felt longer than it was.
I’ve missed her.
“If anything feels wrong, remind Anna to call immediately,” Kelt says as I exit. “Even if it’s nothing. Better safe than sorry.”
I grunt in agreement and walk out to my vehicle.
The weight of responsibility settles on me as I drive back.
I’m the communication hub. Information flows through me and I coordinate legal strategy, protection and prosecution between Maine and California.
It’s a lot, but for Anna, I’d do anything.
There is no way I’d allow a team of mercenaries to break into this commune and take my female or harm her in any way.
They might think they can easily infiltrate an orc commune, but they will be very wrong.
In our entire history, no humans have ever successfully breached our commune and lived to tell the tale. This time will be no different.
Back at the cabin, evening has arrived.
Anna naps on the couch with a kitten on her lap and her cell phone dropped on her chest. I stand and stare at her, enjoying this moment when I can examine her entire body, without the need to disguise my hunger.
She has no idea what her figure, even covered with clothes, does to me.
Since that first moment when I held her in my arms, pulling her back from Garlen’s feral rage on the school grounds, my body awakened.
I want nothing more than to see those perfect lips around my hard cock, sucking me to completion.
She awakens, startled, with a light touch on her shoulder, then she stretches in a luxurious way which I have a feeling leaves her unaware of the fact that I can now see the poke of her nipples through her clothes. “Oh, Keric, hi, it’s good to see you. How did your meeting go?”
I force myself to keep my eyes on her face and ignore the thickening of my shaft. “It went well. We’ve increased security around the entire perimeter.”
She sits up fully, blinking away sleep. Dinah stirs but doesn’t wake. “What does that mean exactly?”
I sit in the chair across from her, giving us both space. “Motion sensors at all three main access points to the commune. Patrols are doubled. Our cabin is under surveillance, not invasive, just watchful. If anyone approaches who doesn’t belong here, we’ll know immediately.”
“Do you think they’ll find me here?” Her voice is quiet, worried.
“Unlikely. But Kelt and I agreed to prepare for the worst.” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “Vance has resources. So does Aldridge. They could hire private investigators or even mercenaries. If they get desperate enough after the evidence goes public, they might try to track you down.”
Anna’s face pales slightly. “And if they somehow found the commune? If they got inside?”
This is the part that’s been churning in my gut since the meeting.
“That’s what we planned for. If somehow they breach the perimeter—and it would be difficult—there are protocols.
” I meet her eyes directly. “You stay in the cabin. Lock yourself in the bedroom. I have a panic button installed that goes directly to security. They’d respond in under two minutes. ”
“Two minutes is a long time if someone dangerous is in your cabin.”
“Which is why I’d be here with you.” My voice comes out rougher than intended. “I’m not leaving you alone until this is over, Anna. Not for hunting trips, not for anything. You’re my responsibility.”
She looks at me for a long moment. “Your responsibility.”
“Yes.” I pause, searching for the right words. “And more than that. But yes, keeping you safe is my priority.”
“What’s the worst case scenario? If they got inside the commune, past security, to this cabin?” She’s asking the hard question. Wants the truth.
I respect that about her. No sugar-coating.
“Worst case? They try to take you. Or silence you before the evidence goes public.” I watch her process this.
“But that won’t happen. We have trained warriors here.
Kelt, Urdan, myself, dozens of others. Any human who tried to harm you would have to go through all of us first.”
“And you’d fight for me.” It’s not a question.
“To the death.” Simple truth.
She swallows hard. “That’s terrifying and comforting at the same time.”
“You’re safe here, Anna. I promise you that.” I stand, needing to do something with my hands. “Kelt is checking in every six hours. Jonus is coordinating with the lawyer. Garlen has extra security on Ellie and Zoe back in Truckee. Everyone knows the stakes.”
“I handed over the only leverage I had.” Her voice is small. “If something goes wrong—”
“Nothing will go wrong. The evidence is encrypted and secured. Multiple copies in multiple locations. Even if they somehow got to you, it wouldn’t stop the investigation now.
” I move closer, crouch in front of where she sits.
“You did the right thing. The hard thing. And now we protect you while the system does its job.”
She nods slowly. “Okay. I trust you.”
Those three words hit me harder than they should. “Good. Now, I’m going to make us dinner. You’ve had a long day.”
Anna manages a small smile. “Thank you, Keric. For everything.”