Page 49 of Betrayed

“Jack once told me, when I was arguing about his need to protect me, that he doesn’t protect me because I’m weak, but because I’m important.”

Emily added, “There was a point when I’d convinced myself Jamie thought I wasn’t capable of taking care of myself. When I started a fight about it, he said he didn’t do because he thought I couldn’t, but because he loved me and wanted to treat me how I deserved to be treated.”

Listening to them talk, I realized their husband's behavior didn't diminish their strength—it amplified it.

My shoulders sagged as my chin dropped to my chest. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“It’s okay.” Emily said.

“You’re under a lot of stress, and they’re in a room making decisions for you, so it’s understandable,” Meg added.

“No, no way am I leaving my phone and laptop. I can’t.”

Jamie had just told me they’d secured a safe house, and I’d be going there in the morning. With AJ. He’d be with me twenty-four-seven.Why does it have to be AJ?Why not someone who isn’t confusing me?

Having no say in the planning or control over my situation pissed me off.

“They can be tracked, so you can’t take them to the safe house,” Jamie patiently explained. AJ had told me all that before, but surely I’d be safe at the safe house. It was in the fucking name. After fuming for a few seconds, I asked, “How am I supposed to attend classes or do my homework without my laptop or phone?” I’d come up with a plan to ask my professorsto let me attend classes virtually. Hiding away shouldn’t mean I had to fail the semester.

They shared a look that made it clear I wouldn’t like the answer.

“You don’t. I’m sorry, but we can’t risk it,” Jack answered.

“You can message your professors before you leave here, and let them know what’s happening,” Jamie said.

“So I can have my phone back?”

Jamie answered, “No, you’ll have to message them from one of SSI’s secure servers and I’ll need to read it before you send it.”

He needs to read my email?I rolled my eyes and huffed in disbelief. Did they really think I'd say something wrong?

“I know it seems like overkill, but your phone doesn’t need to be on for long to be traced, and I won’t risk anyone’s safety.” Jamie looked at Emily as he responded. Love, concern, and determination written all over his face.

AJ leaned against the counter as Jack and Jamie answered my questions and countered my arguments.Why isn’t he saying anything?Maybe he had nothing to say. Maybe it was because Jack and Jamie were his bosses. I shook my head; it didn’t matter.

“How will I talk to my dad? My friends?” I asked. The idea of being alone with AJ, unable to contact anyone else, filled me with dread.

“We can relay messages to your father, but he’s the only person you’ll have outside contact with,” Jack answered. “Blake, I know this is hard, but everything we’re doing is for your safety. And while I can’t promise you it’ll be over soon, I can promise we’re doing everything we can to bring this to an end as quickly as possible.”

My eyes stung with unshed tears.I can’t believe this is happening. By now, everyone on campus had probably heardabout what happened. Paige and Danny must be worried out of their minds.Well, Paige, at least.

“Can I get a burner phone, like they always do on TV?” I asked, feeling smart for suggesting a solution to my problem they hadn’t considered.

“Blake, that only works on TV. The minute you contact your father, the person looking for you will trace the call back. It’s frightening how easy it is to track people these days.” Jack’s answer wiped away my smugness.

“But they can’t track yours?”

“Yes, and no. We’ll contact your father from the office. If they trace the call; it won’t lead them to you,” Jamie answered.

AJ still hadn’t answered any of my questions, which bothered me for no other reason than he usually had something to say. And in a way, I missed his sarcasm.

Before I had time to process that revelation, a new question occurred to me.

“Will AJ have his phone?” I asked, frustration lacing every word.

“No. He’ll have a company burner phone to contact SSI,” Jack answered.

“And Doug will monitor it, so we’ll know if it’s traced,” Jamie added.

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