5. The Counterintelligence
The Counterintelligence
Harper
Much as I love wearing skirts for my guys, today I wear jeans and a tight t-shirt. Caden kept me busy in the shower, but we still had time for breakfast at a diner where Luke, Eli, and Jack joined us. Nico was already at the hospital being prepped for surgery.
In the school parking lot, I don’t want to get out of Caden’s car. Predators lurk around every corner. I thought I knew who the monsters were in our school, but apparently my guys aren’t the only ones.
Caden reaches across the console and takes my hand. “One class at a time.”
His green eyes capture me and hold me. They’ll keep me safe. They’ll be with me all day. There’s not a class where I won’t have anyone in it. Except for half of art, but Kenz will be there.
There are no Homecoming festivities today. Except it’s one of the theme days. I don’t even know which one it is because I’m not interested in trying to blend in anymore. I probably couldn’t blend in even if I tried.
“Give me a kiss and let’s go figure today out, little nympho.” His eyes sparkle with mischief, and my insides pulse remembering his mouth on my pussy, waking me to a mind-blowing orgasm first thing in the morning.
Leaning across the console, I press my lips against his.
He captures the back of my neck and slides his tongue against my parted lips.
My lips open, and he takes his time to conquer me one more time, until I’m a trembling mess, ready to climb across onto his lap and finish what he started, taking his cock deep inside me again, becoming his.
He draws away with a chuckle, brushing his nose against mine. “Don’t worry. Tonight, I’m going to bury my cock inside you every way I can until we’re both exhausted.”
I open my eyes to the promise in his and tingles chase through me. It’s hard to focus on anything but him when we fuck. It’s the only time my mind is blissfully quiet about everything else going on.
My car door opens, and I turn to see Jack ducking his head to see inside the car.
“If you fog up the windows any more, people will start filming.” His smirk is warm as he winks. “And by people, I mean me.”
He holds his hand out, and I grasp it, letting him pull me out of the car. He crowds me back against it and leans down to brush his lips gently over mine. A whimper escapes me at the far too brief kiss. I chase his lips as they move away from mine.
His chuckle is dark. “People are watching, sweetheart. While I don’t mind putting on a show, maybe we keep it PG for now.”
I draw in a shaky breath and focus on the other students walking into the school. Most aren’t paying attention to us. After all, this has been going on for over a month, it can’t continue to hold people’s attention.
Thank god.
But then I see Hannah and Emma walking up the sidewalk. I tense, ready for the insults. It must be pajama day. They both wear pajamas in blue and silver and slippers on their feet. Hannah has her hair twisted into a bun and Emma has two braids.
Caden leans his arms on the top of his car as they glance over at us. Hannah rolls her eyes, but Emma puts her hand on Hannah’s arm before coming over to Jack and me.
Jack still has me pressed against the side of the car and our bodies are touching from chest to knee. He doesn’t pull away or even attempt to put space between us.
Emma smiles. If she hasn’t been sleeping, no one would know it, but her makeup seems a little heavier than normal.
“I just wanted to say thank you again, Jack. For checking up on me.” Emma drops her gaze to the ground before turning to me and giving me a soft smile. “Thank you, Harper, for letting him come over.”
My breath catches, but I nod.
“Come on, Emma.” Hannah gestures with her head toward the school.
Emma’s cheeks grow pink, and she drops her gaze before returning to Hannah. What the fuck just happened? Neither of them called me names or pet or anything like I’m beneath them? Jack taps my chin, and I close my mouth to look at him.
“Did that just happen?” I ask.
Chuckling, Jack steps back and puts his arm around my shoulder. “Emma’s not that bad. She usually just follows Sidney’s lead.”
I reach into the car and snag my backpack. Jack leads me toward the school sign where Luke and Eli are talking. Caden comes up on my other side and takes my hand. This right here is worth all of the attention. Having them with me. Supporting me.
Mrs. Lee is supposed to text me when Nico comes out of surgery. That’s what I’m choosing to worry about this morning. Everything else can wait until Nico is in the clear.
Eli reaches out to me, and I leave the shelter of Jack and Caden to take Eli’s hand. He draws me against him. His warm scent surrounds me as I let him take my weight.
“Things don’t really ramp up for Homecoming until Wednesday.” Eli’s front is to my back, but he’s leaning against the sign so his feet are on either side of me, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.
Luke nods, but his gaze is sharp, watching everyone who enters the school like they’re a suspect. Part of me wants to go to him because some of that tension will lessen if I do, but I also don’t want to leave the shelter of Eli’s arms quite yet.
“Nico wants to come back to school as soon as possible.” Jack sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “If he does, we’re going to have to look out for him. One wrong move and he could have irreparable damage to his knee.”
Caden leans beside me and Eli on the sign, but his attention is as focused as Luke’s. I miss having all their attention on me, but I’m grateful they’re watchful for the threats.
Speaking of. Sidney gets out of Zach’s car. They’re both dressed in pajamas, and he puts his arm around her shoulder, drawing her tight into his side.
“Did your little pet not get the memo?” Sidney stops beside us and looks me up and down, shaking her head. “That’s not showing school spirit. You’re on the court. Act like it.”
Jack doesn’t say anything as his gaze locks on Zach.
“We can’t wear to school what we wear to sleep.” Eli holds me tight against him.
Zach gives Jack a wink before turning his gaze on me and taking in my outfit. Caden steps forward like he’s going to block Zach’s view.
Zach smirks. “I like what she’s wearing. It’s very tight. Is she still tight after taking all of you? Or have you already worn out that pussy?”
My cheeks flush as his cocky gaze goes to Caden, Eli, Luke, and stops on Jack. No one says a word. We can’t give him any ammo.
Sidney clears her throat and puts her hand on Zach’s chest to push him toward the school. “I’m sure we don’t want to know.”
Her gaze slides to Luke. There’s hope in that look, like he might still want her, but he doesn’t even acknowledge her.
“I’d worry about your own pussy, Zach.” Eli strokes his fingers along the waistband of my jeans. “She seems a little too interested in something she can’t have.”
Sidney’s gaze narrows on Eli, and her lips press together.
Zach laughs. “We’re doing just fine.”
He tugs on Sidney as he heads toward the school. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your girl plenty warm on bonfire night.”
A trickle of fear runs down my spine as his eyes collide with mine.
“Fuck, is there some way to put him down before Wednesday?” Caden growls and his fists clench. “I could at least break him. A lot.”
“And get charged with assault.” Luke shakes his head and his gaze rests on me. “We stick with the plan.”
“We have a plan?” I arch an eyebrow.
Eli’s lips press against my neck. “Close to one, kitten.”
“This is our top priority.” Luke holds his hand out, and Eli gently guides me in his direction.
I drag in a breath as our hands lock together. It’s time to face the rest of the school. I’m not ready, but we don’t really have a choice.
The hallways are packed with students because the first warning bell hasn’t rung yet. It’s like an echo chamber with so many voices coming at us at once. We make our way to our lockers, and Caden helps me with my books. He tips my chin up to look at him.
“I’ve got you, Harper.” He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. I want to sink into it and not feel the heavy weight of everyone’s stares on me. But it’s hard to feel safe when you have a target on your back.
Caden searches my eyes and rests his forehead against mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I cup his jaw and he leans into my touch. If anyone can protect me from what’s coming, it’s these guys. I can put my trust in them, but I also know that if something bad is going to happen, whoever does it will make sure they aren’t able to help.
Jack nudges against our sides, drawing our attention. His focus is on Caden. “Pretty sure it was your dad that tried to get on your computer during the break-in.”
“You said you couldn’t tell from the image.” Caden tenses against me.
“I looked into their most recent cell records and your mom was on her phone texting someone. Your dad’s phone wasn’t being used. Ava was watching something in her room and chatting with Beth and Cassidy.” Jack glances over his shoulder. “That leaves your dad.”
“But we don’t know what he was looking for?” I ask.
Jack shakes his head. “Maybe he was hoping we’d keep the connection open so he could access the other computers. It’s sloppy though, which is why it doesn’t make sense. Why send in your dad when they have computer experts they can try to hack in with?”
“Never underestimate my dad.” Caden pulls me in close before releasing me. “He’s just as evil as Luke’s father. He just hides it better.”
“We need to get to class.” Luke holds his hand out.
I kiss Jack on the cheek and walk to take Luke’s hand. Eli nods at me, but his mind is on other things.
Luke looks at Jack. “I want everything we have on Zach and his crew tonight, so we can start dismantling his empire.”
Jack nods. “I’ll bring anything else I have on Sidney too. Might as well get both of them at once.”
Luke nods and reels me into his side. “Pay attention today. Anything unusual, report back.”
I glance around the hallway. About half the students are in pajamas, while others are in their normal clothes. This is the week to topple the would-be king and queen. I just hope I don’t end up a casualty.
Eli
“You have a leak.”
Penny startles as I lean against the locker beside hers. Her hand covers her heart, and she looks around like she expects others to be there.
When she turns back to me, she wets her lips nervously and swallows. “What?”
“In your group.” I watch the other students walking down the hallway. Penny’s dressed in pajamas today, but that makes sense. She wants to be popular. Her connection to Luke elevates her to a certain level, but that doesn’t make her popular. It makes her a target.
“My group?” Confusion laces her tone.
I sigh and give her my full attention. “Natalie, Isabelle, or Victoria. It makes sense that your father would be paying one of them to report back to him. And by them reporting on you, they’ll be reporting on us now too. You need to figure out which one it is.”
Her lips press tight as she thinks about it. She shakes her head, making her low ponytails dance. “No. We’ve been friends forever. They wouldn’t be disloyal like that.”
“Maybe at first they didn’t think they were being disloyal.
” I blow out my breath. I hate having to explain what’s obvious.
“Maybe, at first, they thought they were helping you by letting your dad know what a good person you are. But then he demands more. Or maybe you dated someone they wanted to date. Maybe she’s never really been a friend but was always your father’s way in to check up on you.
Or he’s blackmailing one of them or offering them something they can’t refuse. ”
Her eyebrows furrow, and she looks down and to the side. She knows I’m right.
“You said it yourself. Your father seems to know things. William Foster isn’t stupid. He wouldn’t risk some kid on the outside giving him information. He’d want someone already on the inside. Someone you already trust. Or someone he knew you’d trust.”
“But—” She cuts herself off. The wheels are turning and she’s going to figure it out, but it’s going to take time. Time I don’t have. We need people we can trust.
“When you figure out who it is, don’t do anything about it.”
She glances up at me, confused. “Why?”
“Because we’re going to use them the way they’ve used you for years.” I’d rub my hands together, but I’m sure she sees the excitement in my eyes. It’s a game, and I love to win games. “She’ll send false information to help us.”
Penny looks like she wants to protest still. It’s hard to believe someone you’ve shared everything with is a traitor, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.
I lower my tone. “She probably is your friend now. It would be hard to hold herself apart when trying to get that close. She would have told you secrets to gain your trust. I don’t think any of your friends are sociopaths or psychopaths, but someone is being used to get information on you and potentially us.
Maybe she doesn’t want to, but he’s making her. ”
Penny exhales and looks down the hallway. “What else do you need me to do?”
“Did Sidney ask you to drug Luke?”
“No!” Her wide eyes turn back to me. “Would she do that? Does that work? I mean, I get how you could drug a woman, but would it work on a man?”
“Maybe not the same way, but she could take compromising photos if Luke was passed out.” I study her because her reaction will tell me what I need to know.
“That’s not right.” Her gaze bounces up to mine. “I wouldn’t. That’s a violation. I didn’t even like the idea of having her over.”
I nod. “Then when you do, watch her. If she tries to drug Luke, spill his drink or ruin his meal in some way so she can’t do what she wants.”
She nods, still clearly disturbed by the idea of Sidney drugging Luke. Or maybe still contemplating which of her friends is a traitor. I hate to tell her, but it could be the whole group. She’ll figure it out. She’s got William Foster’s DNA to help her out.
“Find your mole and make sure Luke stays safe.” I’ve said what I needed to. But before I can walk away, Penny touches my arm. I narrow my eyes on her hand and she drops it.
“If you need help this week, let me know.” Penny straightens. “Whatever those guys have planned won’t be good. I hope Harper counts me as a friend now, but I know I have to work on building up her and your trusts. I want to be useful, but I’m not looking for handouts.”
“What are you looking for?” I cock an eyebrow and wait.
She swallows. “Family. Something real.”
I nod. Her logic is sound. Let’s just hope she only harbors a traitor and isn’t one herself. “Let me know what you find out.”