Page 67 of Under His Protection
The four of us ride up to the third floor. When we reach my door, I knock first in case Melissa is in. There’s no answer, so I unlock the door and step inside. Melissa is sitting at her desk, typing away on her laptop, presumably doing homework.
“Hey,” I say as I walk into the room.
When she doesn’t reply. I wave at her, catching her peripheral vision.
Melissa laughs as she pulls out her earbuds. “Sorry. I was listening to a class lecture.” Her eyes widen when she takes in my entourage.
“Philip and a couple of my friends are here to help me pack up my things. I’m moving out of the dorm.”
Melissa frowns. “Moving out? Why? Is it because of the magazine picture and thatother thing?”
“It’s only temporary. I hope to be back soon.”
Melissa notices the time. “I’ve got to run to the library.” She closes her laptop and grabs her purse and phone. “I hope they catch whoever’s harassing you. I’ll miss you.” On her way out, she stops to hug me before she slips out the door.
The second she’s gone, Mateo takes a small electronic device out of his pocket and starts scanning the room.
“What are you looking for?” I ask.
“Bugs and cameras.” He systematically sweeps the room, skimming his device over every lamp, outlet, and fixture. “All clear,” he reports.
Charlie turns to me and says, “Have you got any boxes?”
“Under the bed,” I say.
Charlie pulls all the broken-down cardboard boxes out from beneath my bed. “Please tell me you have tape. I didn’t think to bring any.”
“Actually, I do.” I open one of my desk drawers and grab a roll of packing tape.
While Charlie reassembles the boxes, Philip and I gather my things and pile them on the bed. I’m not bringing everything, just what I’ll need for the short term. I can always come back to get something I forgot. It doesn’t take long for us to pack.
My phone chimes with a text notification.
UNKNOWN: DID YOU LIKE THE MAGAZINE PICTURE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY IT WITH ME? I PROMISE YOU’LL LOVE IT.
Philip peers over my shoulder to read the note. “What an asshole. I’ll screenshot this and send it to Bauer.”
Charlie steps close. “Let me see.” When I show her the message, she frowns. “What a pervert. I’d love for him to show his face right now. We’d make short work of him.”
Once all the boxes are taped shut, Charlie says, “Is this everything?”
I nod. “Thank you,” I say to all three of them. I feel so much better having them here with me.
We take the elevator to the ground floor. When the doors open into the lobby, Mark Hoffman is standing there, blocking our way.
His gaze goes to me, and then to Philip. “What’s with all the boxes?” He scowls.
“I’m moving out,” I say.
When Mark doesn’t budge, Philip loses his patience and pushes past him, clearing the way for the rest of us.
Mark follows. “You’re moving out? Why? Are you moving to a different building?”
“No. I’m moving off campus.”
“But you can’t do that. Freshmen are required to live on campus. You can’t just leave because you feel like it.”
My heart is pounding now. “I got an exemption.”
