Page 94 of Under His Protection
“Don’t worry, Haley,” Mateo says as he puts his arm across her shoulders. “It’sgoin’tabe fine. Charlie and I will keep aclose eye on youdawhole time. If this guy makes one wrong move, he’ll have to dealwitus.”
Chapter 27 – Haley
That evening, my phone rings nonstop. First, it’s my mom calling to ask me how I am. I’m not surprised Dad called her to let her know about the tracking device and the upcoming sting operation.
She puts Dave on the line. He’s his usual supportive self, while I can hear mom in the background peppering him with more questions to ask me.
Then Erin calls.
I tell them all pretty much the same thing.
“I’m okay.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I’m safe here.”
“Philip’s fine. Everyone’s fine.”
“You’re pretty popular,” Philip says when the calls finally stop.
“Yeah, but not for a good reason. They’re all worried sick.”
It’s a few minutes before nine, and we’re both sitting on his bed leaning against the headboard. I’m doing homework, and he’s reading a Stephen King novel.
Philip captures my hand and brings it to his mouth to kiss. “I’m proud of you. You handled everything really well this evening, especially your dad. He can be intimidating.”
I laugh. “That’s an understatement. But he means well.”
Someone knocks on Philip’s bedroom door, and we look at each other.
“I thought they were in the security shack,” I say. “We’re busted.”
“It’s just me, guys,” Charlie says through the door. “I know you’re both in there. If you’re decent, let me come in.”
“Of course, we’re decent,” Philip says. “Come on in.”
Charlie opens the door and stares at the two of us. “Aren’t you two cute? Doing homework together?”
“She’sdoing homework,” Philip says. “My homework days are far behind me. I’m reading.”
“Adorable.” She walks farther into the room. “Haley, if you have a minute, can you come downstairs? There’s something I’d like to show you.” She tosses a glance at Philip. “That’s if it’s okay with you, Romeo.”
* * *
“Please don’t blame Philip because I was in his bedroom,” I tell Charlie as we walk down the main staircase to the foyer. “I kind of insisted.”
Charlie chuckles. “Oh, honey, I don’t care. I was just giving him a hard time.”
We follow the main wooden staircase down to the foyer and into the parlor, where we find Mateo waiting for us.
The stately grandfather clock in the foyer chimes nine times.
“I think a bit of self-defense training is in order,” Charlie says. “Just in case.”
That catches me off-guard. I’m not exactly the physical action type. “I’ve never—I mean, I don’t know how to—”
“I know,” Charlie says. “That’s why I’m going to teach you a few basics.”
