I took off, using every bit of my five-foot-nine frame to propel myself forward, throwing my latte as I did. It felt like a sin to ditch it, but it would only slow me down.
When I reached the sidewalk, I knew I was caught, the pounding of feet sounding to my left. I ignored it, crossing the street, nearly meeting my end via taxi cab in the process.
I lost a flat in the frenzy and kicked off the other shoe to maintain my speed, running barefooted down the sidewalk while the mob was in hot pursuit. I didn’t look back, keeping my eyes fixed on the distance, spying the Tahoe on the opposite side of the road ahead. I tested fate again by dipping back into traffic, tears running down my face as I did.
As I approached, a massive man jumped out of the back seat of the SUV, a beast who looked like he could crush me like a bug with a shaved head and handlebar mustache. I didn’t care. I launched myself at him, and he climbed into the running car with me still wrapped around him like a koala, the driver taking off as soon as the door shut.
I was buckled in the center seat before I knew what happened, and when I looked to the front I was horrified not to see Ethan. I scanned the whole vehicle and felt my heart plummet when I realized he wasn’t there.
“How did you…?” I trailed, terror sinking in my bones as I scanned the interior. Holy shit. They could be kidnappers for all I knew.
“Mr. Barrett,” the man to my left replied as he rubbed a hand along his mustache. “I was coming to pick you up when you surprised me and came out first. Sorry you had to experience that.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, watching the city zip by as we headed north - the opposite direction of my apartment.
“Seaport,” he replied.
The driver paid me no mind, eyes fixated on the road ahead as he cut off cars left and right. He was nearly as large as the man next to me, a handgun strapped to his muscled thigh.
I looked back out the window, anxiety skyrocketing upon seeing the gun. Seaport? What the hell was in Seaport? Docks? Piers? Were they going to stow me away on a barge somewhere? “I don’t live in Seaport.”
“I know.” The man sat like a boulder beside me, a sharp turn all it would take to flatten me. He was as emotive as one, too, face as frozen as slate.
“So, where are we going?” I wasn’t going to blindly head to some mystery destination, even if Ethan did set it up.
“Mr. Barrett asked us to take you to his home.”
I wanted to argue he lived in South Boston like he’d always said, but it seemed like I didn’t know anything about the man I considered a friend for two years. “Who are you?”
“Private security.”
Where did Ethan get money for bodyguards?
“Sorry I jumped on you.” Regardless of how big the man was, it had to hurt to have me plow into him at full speed.
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“They came out of nowhere,” I breathed, brushing tears from my cheeks. “Like a swarm of hornets.”
“You’re safe now.” The boulder patted my knee gently with a huge hand, brown eyes looking me over from head to toe. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine. Just scared.” More tears broke through the dam as I admitted the fear, shocked I was trusting my life essentially to two strangers.
“Mr. Barrett’s home is secure. He asks that you stay on the premises. We will be posted outside.”
“I have a job…” I trailed. Not to mention school, my laptop and books still in my apartment.
“Taken care of.”
I turned to face him, feeling the color drain from my face. “What do you mean taken care of?”
“A leave of absence was requested.”
“I need to work! I have bills to pay!” I didn’t know whether to cry or scream. I worked hard to take care of myself. I didn’t need Ethan mucking that up.
“Taken care of.”
Rage ran through my blood, so much that my hands shook as I wiped furiously at the tears. “He had no right.”
“I know it’s hard, but it’s been handled, Miss. It isn’t safe for you to go about your normal routine right now.”
“They’ll go away, right?” They had to. Rick would be more than embarrassed when he had to issue a formal apology. God knows I’d demand one. Maybe even a televised one. Knowing Ethan, he’d want one nailed with Rick’s balls to Fenway Park for all to see.
“In time. They follow the headlines. Right now, you’re a hot commodity.”
“The whole thing is stupid,” I muttered with an eye roll. “How can they take one man’s word? I’ve seen a million Ever Uncovered articles over the years. Do they stalk each and every one of them?”
All the boulder mustered as a response was a grunt, attention fixed on the outside world through the tinted glass. I was probably chattier than his usual clientele, but I didn’t care.
“Will Ethan be there?” Going to his place alone felt strange, especially if I was going to be there awhile.
The boulder shrugged, another cue he was done with my game of fifty questions.
So I pulled my cell out of my pocket, a river of notifications already draining my phone to sixty-percent. Great.
Mom: WHERE ARE YOU? CALL ME.
Dad: Keely, please answer your phone. Your mother and I are worried sick. Please come home.
Jorge: Girl. I leave town and the shit hits the fan. Spill the tea, mama.
Rick: Call me.
I stared at Rick’s text, rage escaping a cage deep inside. How dare he. He had me cornered by a pack of hungry dogs. He put me and Ethan in danger for his own benefit.
I expect a full redaction and apology immediately, or you’ll be hearing from my attorneys.
I wanted to throw a whole lot of f-bombs
