Playing in Secret(21)

"Yeah, what happened. I thought you'd be closer behind us."

"Huge accident that blocked all lanes on the 215. I'm thinking it wasn't actually accidental."

"I'd say you're right, Jake. It was too convenient. If I'd had my bike, I  could've gotten around it, but I brought my damn car today. The side  streets were hell," Matt tells me.

"Whoever is behind this has resources. Big resources."

"I didn't think anyone really wanted me. It wasn't supposed to be real. How is it real?"

I turn to Jeanne, and know she's going into shock. Having people with  guns and rocket launchers trying to kidnap you is not easy for someone's  brain to deal with. Especially when you're just a teenager.

"Jeanne," I say, taking her in my arms. "It's okay. You're safe."

"Right now I am. What about next time? When they come for me again? What  if they go to my house? Oh my God, my dad! Is my dad okay?"

"I'll call him right now. Isa, can you send some people to him?"

"On it."

I pull out my phone and dial. He picks up almost immediately and I  realize he's in his car. "I'm almost home. I had to stop for groceries."

"Change of plans. I need you to go to my apartment, and wait for me there. Some of my friends are going to follow you there."

"What's wrong, Dree?"

"I'll explain everything when you get there. Just go straight there, okay?"

"It's not like I can say no, is it? I just have to follow your directions blindly, right?" he asks, sounding frustrated.

I don't answer, because he's right. I've given him no choice. Not  because I'm trying to control him. I wouldn't do that. The fact that he  doesn't know that is a problem. It means he doesn't really know me.  Right now I'm not really sure that he wants to.





Chapter 15


Blake

I know I was being an ass with Audrey on the phone, but I don't do well  with just trusting everything to someone else. I like facts, and  information. I think about whether I can really be with someone who will  have to keep so much from me. The resounding answer going through my  head is "yes." I want Audrey, and I'll learn to deal with whatever comes  with that.

I follow Ainsley into the underground garage of the building, and Reina  pulls in behind me. I noticed them join me on the road minutes after I  got the call from Audrey. It was all very James Bond, but with the hot  women doing the protecting. It gets even more 007 when we go inside.  There are guards in the lobby, but also retina and hand scans, the  elevators work on their own, and I can tell that no one who doesn't  belong here will ever get inside. It's probably the safest place on the  planet.

"Audrey's down the hall to the right," Reina tells me as the doors open without even telling me what floor we're on.

"Thanks."

I knock, and am surprised when Jeanne answers the door. She throws  herself into my arms, causing me to drop my groceries as I catch her and  hold her tight. Audrey walks out and picks up the bags, taking them  inside and leaving us alone. I pull back a little to see Jeanne crying.

"They came for me. Really came for me."

"Who came for you?"

"Men. I don't know. They were following us, and then we had to get out of the car before everyone else could come and save us."

"Audrey was there to save you. You were in good hands."

"She couldn't save me."         

     



 

"Why not? Were there too many of them?"

She hesitates, and it makes me nervous, because she never hesitates  unless she's hiding something. "Yeah. There were like twelve."

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing. There were just too many."

"Hey, are you guys coming inside?" Audrey asks, coming back to the door.

She looks tired, and she's dressed down again. I know she didn't go to  work that way, and for some reason, it bothers me that she changed  clothes. Jeanne was almost taken, and she just decided to get  comfortable. What the fuck?

"Nice clothes, Audrey," I say pushing past her to walk in.

"Dad!"

"What? Am I supposed to be happy that Audrey is relaxed enough to change  out of her work clothes right after you tell me that some men almost  took you?"

"Your father isn't really upset about my clothes. He's upset about you  almost being kidnapped. My clothes are just something for him to focus  on."

"Don't do that. Don't try and dictate my feelings. Maybe I just care that you look like a slob."

"Oh-kay. I'm not going to apologize for being comfortable. It's been a rough day."

"Rough? Jeanne was almost kidnapped. For real. And you had a rough day? Poor thing."

"I am trying to be calm, because I understand why you're upset, and I  also understand that I'm the only person in this room that you can lash  out at. But please do not make me ask you to leave."

"You think I'm upset with you because you're convenient?"

"Yes."

"Well, you're wrong. Maybe you should try to get to know me before you  analyze me. I'm upset because my daughter is lying to me in order to  protect you."

"What?"

"I'm not, Dad. I didn't lie!"

"You said Audrey couldn't protect you, but you hesitated about why. I need to know the truth."

"I told you there were too many men."

"There's more that you're not telling me. Was she too intimidated by them? Did she freeze? Forget her gun? What?"

"'She' is right here, and can answer for herself."

"Then go ahead, and tell my why protecting my child was so hard for you."

"I'll answer your questions one at a time. There is not a man on this  Earth who could intimidate me enough to stop me from protecting Jeanne,  or anyone else. I did not freeze, and I had my gun. To answer your  bigger question, I knew I wouldn't be able to take them all on and come  out in one piece."

"So you worried about yourself. You put yourself before my child. That's what you're telling me."

"No, that's not it at all. Your child is always going to be first for  me. And Jeanne would've been taken while I was fighting since I couldn't  keep twelve men busy at once. I did what I could to buy us time before  my friends came, and it worked."

"How close was it?"

"It doesn't matter, Dad. Please just stop. Leave Audrey alone."

"It matters, and I want to know." I'm aware that I'm being crazy, but  this is my little girl we're talking about. Rational thoughts flew out  the window a long time ago where her safety's concerned.

"The main guy had her while we held guns on each other."

"He had her. He fucking had my daughter. You let him have her."

"No, I ran to him. I gave myself up," Jeanne tells me, and my rage intensifies.

"Because you didn't trust Audrey to protect you?"

"What? No. I knew she'd protect me, but I didn't want her hurt."

"It's her job to get hurt for you. To protect you." I turn to Audrey,  who has tears streaming down her cheeks as she looks back at me. "I will  never forgive you for this. Never."

"Then you should go."

"No. Audrey, tell him. You have to tell him."

"Tell me what?"

"I did everything I could to protect your child. Everything. That's all I  have to say about the situation." She turns to Jeanne. "I'll let Matt  know you won't need the room at Corrigan. My friends will protect you,  so I don't want you to be scared. No one will get to you."

"But Audrey … "

"No, Jeanne. Not now. Please."

Jeanne nods, and then goes into Audrey's arms. I watch as Audrey kisses  the top of her head, and whispers in her ear. "Let's go," I tell Jeanne,  needing us to leave. Now.

"You shouldn't leave the building. Aiden just moved in with Ellie, so  you can stay in his apartment downstairs. It's very minimalistic, but  you'll have beds. Tomorrow, you can let the front desk know what you  need, and they'll get it for you."         

     



 

She's right. We need to be protected. "Thank you."

"How minimalistic? I'm already bored with no electronics."

"His apartment is pretty bare, but you're both free to use any of the  facilities here. Inside there's a pool, ice rink, roller rink, movie  theater, library, bowling alley, and game room. Outside, there's a water  park, stable, and various ball fields and playgrounds. The outside is  protected as well, so you're safe."

"Sounds great," I tell her, and it really does. "Again, thank you. How will we get to Aiden's place?"

"I'll instruct the elevator to take you there," she says walking into  the hall, and placing her hand on the elevator panel. "It'll be on your  left."

I grab the bags of groceries, and follow Jeanne inside the elevator. It  takes us down, and we find the apartment. It's just as bare as Audrey  said it would be, but the beds look comfortable, and it's bigger than  our rental house.

"This place sounds cool, huh? You can even use the game room if you want."