Chapter 4
Summer
Monday morning, after a run around another new trail, we take turns showering while E cooks for us, then we pack up our stuff. Once we are loaded up, I take one last look around. “So, what do you guys think of camping?” I ask.
“It was fun, Sunshine,” Seb says. “But I’m never putting that tent together again.” The guys all agree with that.
“Relaxing,” Alex adds.
“Yeah. It was nice to get away from everything for a few days,” E replies.
I look toward Nick, who just nods. Bay agrees it was an enjoyable weekend too.
When we get back to Mt. Pleasant, we stop at Bay’s house first and unload his bags.
I say hi to Olivia and chat with her while the guys dig out his stuff.
Next, we stop at my house. Zander comes outside to greet us as I unload my bags and tent.
We’re also keeping the extra gear here up in the loft.
Everyone helps me unload and carry it upstairs.
We switch Nick and Seb’s stuff to the Jeep, and the guys divide up the leftover food.
Once we’re done, I give everyone a hug before they leave.
Zander helps me carry my bags inside. “So how was it, darling?”
“Fun outside of the photos. The campground was well-run and clean. It was peaceful.”
“I’m glad you had fun. Tell me more about the photos,” he says, concern etching his features.
“They were of all of us except Nick. We were at work, outside Finn or, in my case, the plantation. Someone took them from a distance, so while disturbing, they weren’t invasive.”
Zander contemplates for a minute before sighing deeply. “I don’t like this, darling. I’m paranoid after what happened in the spring. The FBI can’t do much but watch for him since he’s out of state and hasn’t committed a crime.”
“I know. I promise I won’t go anywhere alone, but I don’t know what else to do.
” Photos, although unpleasant, aren’t overly threatening.
Do I like people taking pictures of me? No, but compared to what I’ve been through, it’s not that big a deal to me.
Thinking back, the flowers on my locker last year didn’t seem like a big deal either, but they led to my kidnapping.
Yeah, perhaps I should be more concerned.
“I’ve informed Officer Sean, so he’s aware. He has Patrick’s picture posted so the cops know to keep an eye out.”
“Nick is watching too, and he's gonna contact his hacker friend to do some digging.”
Zander comes over to pull me into a hug. “Be vigilant, my darling. I want you back in training with Nick regularly now that school is starting. Are you carrying your pepper spray?”
“Yes, always, but I can’t bring it into school. I was thinking we could store one in each of the guys’ vehicles, so I have access to it right after school.”
“Yes, good idea. Come into the office with me. I want to give you something.”
I follow him and take a seat opposite his chair at the deck.
Zander reaches into the bottom drawer and pulls out a small bag and a knife, setting them on the desk.
“This is a folding knife with a clip. You can clip it onto whatever you’re wearing,” he says, handing it to me.
“Not for school, obviously, but I want you to wear this as much as you can outside school. You can stash it in the guy’s vehicles in the morning before class and grab it after school again. ”
I pick up the knife and look it over. It’s really light.
Flicking it open, I see it has a black serrated edge to match the handle and clip.
“Get familiar with it. Hopefully, you never need to use it, but I’ll feel better if you have it available.
” Nodding, I lift the edge of my shirt and clip the knife to the waistband of my shorts.
“These,” he says, holding up the little bag, “are trackers.” He dumps two flat discs into his hand. “They can be tracked anywhere. How would you feel about wearing these?”
I lean forward to take one from him. They remind me of a small button battery, but thinner. “How do I wear them?” I ask.
“Put it in your pocket, your shoe, bra, or in your locket. Wherever you want, as long as it’s somewhere, you won’t easily take it off.
They are waterproof, but expensive. You only need one, but if you have to go away or aren’t with Nick or me, you can wear both of them in two different spots.
I suggest you tell the guys in person about those, in case your phones are being tracked. ”
“I can do that.” I open my locket and place one inside, then snap it shut.
Since I wear the necklace every day, I figure it’s a good place to keep it.
Zander hands me the other one in the little bag.
The idea of my phone being tracked is unsettling, though.
“How do I stop my phone from being tracked?”
“From what I know, it’s hard to do. That’s a question better answered by Nick. He may be able to tell if it’s happening. I hope it’s just paranoia, but I don’t want to take any chances after what happened. Thank you for indulging me, darling,” he smiles.
“The safer I can be, the better. I don’t mind at all.
How was your weekend?” Zander shows me the work he did on the siding while I was away.
He wants to paint next weekend with the help of the guys.
We harvest some flowers and veggies before going back inside.
I spend the rest of the day cleaning, preserving, and storing the herbs, veggies, and flowers.
That evening, I print off my class schedule and get my backpack ready. I send a group text to the guys to meet in the parking lot in the morning, then talk to Seb before bed. He had dinner with Beth today and said it was good.