Page 57 of Under His Protection
I shake my head. “No, thanks.” I’m not officially on duty right now, but I might as well be. Drinking is out of the question. “I know it’s late, but if I don’t call Mack and let him know what’s going on, he’ll have my head.”
Chrissy nods. “Of course. Go ahead, Philip. I know he’d want to be here.”
I step into the hallway and call Haley’s father.
He picks up on the second ring. “Philip? What’s up?” I can tell from the tone of his voice that he’s on alert. He has to know something’s wrong, or I wouldn’t be calling him at this hour of the night.
I give him the news and reassure him Haley is safe at her mom’s house.
His response is exactly what I’d expect. “Tell Haley I’m on my way.”
After I hang up, I tell everyone Mack is coming. He’s only about fifteen minutes away, so I wait by the front door for him to show up.
When he pulls into the driveway, he and Erin both hop out of their SUV and rush toward the door.
“Where is she?” Mack says as I open the door for them. His voice is tight, and it’s clear he’s trying to rein himself in.
“In the family room with Chrissy and Dave.”
Mack pats my back as he brushes past me. Erin follows him, and I bring up the rear.
“Sweetheart,” Mack says the moment he lays eyes on his daughter. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
Haley jumps to her feet and runs into her father’s arms. I think he’s always been her protector ever since she was little. In her eyes, her big, strong daddy could never do any wrong.
Mack wraps Haley in his arms and hugs her tightly. “It’s going to be okay,” he murmurs to her. “Whatever it is, it’ll be okay, I promise you.”
Chapter 18 – Haley
By the time I rehash everything I’ve been going through with my dad and Erin, I’m so worn out I could collapse.
Mom sits beside me on the sofa and puts her arm across my shoulders. I listen as everyone in the room debates what should be done about me.
“I think Haley should withdraw from school and stay home until this stalker is caught,” my mom says. “Obviously, it’s not safe for her to live on campus at this time.”
“She can stay with us,” my dad says. “Our apartment building has a great security system.”
“Our house has a great security system, too,” Dave says.
“Guys, hold on,” I say as I get my second wind. Hearing my life planned out without my input is enough to do that. “First of all, I’m not withdrawing from school. That’s not an option.”
All four of my parents start talking at once, and I can’t make out anything any of them are saying. I glance across the room at Philip, who’s leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He’s watching me with a hint of a grin on his face, like he’s saying,You go, girl!
“Haley—” Mom starts to say.
“No! I’m not withdrawing from school. I’m not going to let some deranged criminal derail my educational plans. I’ve worked too hard—”
Mom frowns, frustration written all over her face. “I’m sure you won’t lose your scholarship just because you have to delay a term. We can talk to the university—”
“No, Mom. I started the term, and I’m going to finish it. I won’t let this guy win.”
“Then how do we keep her safe?” Mom asks my dad. Then she looks at Philip.
“I’ll call Shane,” Dad says. He pulls out his phone and makes the call. “Shane, I need your help.”
Dad puts Shane on speaker so everyone can hear his responses as Dad catches him up to speed on what’s been going on. “Philip’s here, too.”
“I’ll call a meeting tomorrow,” Shane says. “Just a minute. Let me grab my calendar.”
