Page 66 of Under His Protection
“How about my apartment?” Philip suggests. “That’s sort of an obvious choice, since I’ll be directly involved in Haley’s protection. The apartment building has state-of-the-art security.”
Shane shakes his head. “While the apartment building is secure, it would be difficult for us to patrol it adequately. There are too many variables involved—there are people coming and going from the building at all hours of the day and night. Plus, as Haley already stated, we don’t want to bring trouble to anyone else’s door.” He makes eye contact with Mack.
“We could install her in an apartment off campus,” Philip suggests. “There are plenty of options in the area.”
Shane raises a finger. “Actually, I have a solution. My brother-in-law, Tyler Jamison, owns a townhouse in a nice residential neighborhood not far from campus. Beth, my wife, was living there when we met. Currently, it’s unoccupied. Tyler still owns the property, and he’s given us permission to use it. It’s already wired from the ground to the rafters, totally secure, plus there’s a separate security apartment in the gated backyard. Haley will have all the protection she needs. Philip will escort her to and from campus, shadow her while she’s at school, and reside with her in the townhouse. Charlie and Mateo will live on-site as well in the separate security apartment.”
Everyone’s back to looking at me. “I hate to inconvenience anyone, and I don’t want to take Charlotte and Mateo from their current tasks.”
Mateo brushes off my concern. “Nah,mon,” he says in a strong Jamaican accent. “No worries. ’Tis fine.”
“It’ll be a nice change of pace for us, Haley,” Charlotte says with a genuine smile. “And you can call me Charlie.”
My dad clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Does this mean Philip will be living with Haley in the townhouse?”
Suddenly, all eyes snap back to me. Why does everyone want to make this so awkward? As my face heats, Philip reaches underneath the table for my hand.
“It sure looks that way,” Shane says. He clasps his hands on the tabletop. “Haley will reside in the safehouse until her stalker is identified and apprehended. Once the risk is removed, she can return to her dorm room. The only problem we can’t get around is that the campus has a non-negotiable no-carry policy. That means Philip won’t be armed when he’s on campus. It’s state law, so there’s nothing I can do about that. We’ll just have to live with it. Any questions?”
There are lots of conversations going on simultaneously around the table. Mom and Dave are conferring, as are Dad and Erin. Jake is leaning back in his chair with his big brawny arms crossed over his chest and an amused expression on his face.
“Hey,mon,” Mateo says to Philip. “Charlie and I can help you move Haley’stingsout of her dorm room and into the safehouse.” His th’s turn into t’s. “I’ve already got my duffle bag in my car. GoteverytingI need to move in.”
“Then it’s settled,” Shane says, addressing Charlie and the guys directly. “Move Haley into the safehouse this afternoon and stay in touch. We’ll monitor how things are going from the office.”
“Are you sure she’ll be safe there?” my mom asks.
Shane nods. “With three professionally-trained and armed bodyguards at her disposal, she’ll be perfectly safe. That place iswired like Fort Knox. If a neighborhood cat crosses the property, my people will know about it. Try not to worry, Mrs. Williams. You can stay in touch with Haley, and of course we’ll provide you with regular updates as the investigation progresses.”
I squeeze Philip’s hand beneath the table. “I’ll be fine, Mom. Really.”
As everyone stands, it finally dawns on me that Philip and I will be living together, under the same roof. A wave of heat sweeps through me as I realize what that might lead to.
“I assume there’s more than one bedroom in the safehouse,” my dad says to Shane. He’s clearly not happy with the living arrangements.
Shane nods. “There are three bedrooms, all located on the second floor.”
Mack redirects his gaze to Philip. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. I think Philip gets the message loud and clear.Watch yourself, buddy. You’d better not take advantage of my daughter.
* * *
I leave the McIntyre Security office building with Philip in his pickup. Mateo and Charlie follow behind us in Charlie’s gray Civic. We drive straight to campus. Philip parks his truck outside my dorm building, while Charlie parks in the nearby visitor’s lot. We wait here at the truck for the others to join us before we go inside.
When Charlie taps on my window, Philip unlocks the cab doors. I hop out, and Philip comes around the front of the truck. He leads the way inside the building, while the other two walkbehind me. I’m practically surrounded. Philip opens the door for me, and I walk inside. Mateo and Charlie follow us in.
The community room is packed this afternoon as small groups of students sit chatting in clusters. Ryan, the RA, is leading one of the groups. When he sees me, he waves and excuses himself from the group.
“Haley, wait.” Ryan jogs over to us. “I just found out you’re leaving the dorm.” He looks perplexed. “Can I ask why? Is there a problem?”
“It’s for personal reasons,” I say, “and it’s only temporary. I’m sure I’ll be back soon.”
He smiles. “I’m glad to hear it. Good luck to you, and I hope you come back soon.” Then he nods at Philip. “Nice to see you, Philip. You’re helping her move?”
“Yes.”
Ryan eyes our two companions but doesn’t say anything. He reaches out to touch my elbow, giving it what seems like a friendly squeeze, but instead his touch makes my skin crawl. I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t trust anyone. I try to be subtle as I pull my arm away.
“Sorry, but we’re in a bit of a hurry,” Philip says to Ryan as he steers me toward the elevator.
