Page 4 of Rescued By Four Alphas
I wave as she drives away, trying to shake off the sudden chill that has nothing to do with the autumn breeze. As I turn to go back inside, movement across the street catches my eye.
A figure in dark clothing stands partially concealed behind a tree, a camera with a long lens pointed directly at our house. At me.
My heart rate spikes, and I step back into the doorway, one hand protectively covering my stomach. I blink, and in that split second, the figure vanishes.
Chapter 2 - Evan
"No, that's not fucking acceptable," I slam my fist on the desk, making the glass of water jump. "I want a full perimeter sweep every thirty minutes, not every hour."
"Sir, we don't have the manpower for that level of surveillance," Matthews, my head of security, stands his ground. "We're already stretched thin with the current rotation."
"Then hire more people." I loosen my tie, suddenly feeling choked by the silk. "Money isn't an issue."
Matthews exchanges a look with Parker, his second-in-command. "With respect, Mr. Blackthorn, throwing more bodies at the problem won't solve our legal constraints."
"Explain." I drop into my chair and pinch the bridge of my nose.
"We've identified three separate agencies monitoring your property," Parker steps forward with his tablet. "The FBI, Homeland Security, and what appears to be a private outfit with government connections."
"Hammond's people?"
"That's unlikely," Matthews shakes his head. "Hammond remains in custody, but he has allies in various departments. The surveillance seems mostly observational."
"Mostly?" I raise an eyebrow.
"There was an incident this afternoon," Parker swipes through his tablet. "A photographer on the perimeter. Our team spotted him, but he disappeared before they could intercept."
My blood runs cold. "Where exactly?"
"At the east side of the property, across from the main entrance."
Fuck! Fuck!!
"Did he get photos?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Almost certainly," Matthews confirms. "But here's our problem: we can't legally detain these people unless they trespass on your property. The injunction filed by the ACLU prevents us from interfering with 'legitimate journalistic activities' in public spaces."
"Taking photos of my pregnant mate is not legitimate journalism," I snarl.
"The courts disagree," Parker says. "After the Crimson Plague and Hammond's arrest, the public interest defense is strong. Dr. Baldwin is considered a person of significant public interest."
I want to throw something. Instead, I take a deep breath. "What about the drones?"
"The no-fly zone over the estate remains in effect," Matthews nods. "We've intercepted three unauthorized drones this week alone."
"And the counter-surveillance?"
"In place, but limited by the same legal constraints," Parker brings up a map on his tablet and places it on my desk. "We've established a clean zone here, here, and here." He points to three areas of the property. "These locations are swept hourly and completely secure."
I study the map, noting that the bedroom wing, my home office, and Dahlia's lab are all within clean zones. "What about the rest?"
"We jam signals where we can, but they adapt quickly," Matthews admits. "The technology race is... challenging."
"Not good enough." I stand and walk to the window, looking out over the city skyline. "I want better solutions. Now."
"Sir, we're doing everything legally possible," Matthews sounds exasperated. "Unless you want us to start breaking laws..."
I turn to face them. "What I want is for my pregnant mate and our unborn children to feel safe in their own home. Is that too much to ask?"
