Page 28 of SEAL's Sky
“I get it, I really do. I’d feel the same way, but you weren’t being punished, it was for your protection.”
“I know, believe me. And I feel like a petulant child,” she said with a lot less heat to her words. The anger evaporated as she realized things were going to have to change. “I’m not safe here anymore, am I?”
“No, you’re not. I’m going to call the guys and Tex. We’ll figure something out. It’ll be okay.”
“You keep saying that, and I want to believe you, but it’s getting harder as each day goes by. I’d really hoped he’d stopped looking for me.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. He even added to the reward. It was on the news earlier. Now he’s offering seventy-five thousand for confirmed proof of your whereabouts. He is determined to get you back and for that amount of money, people won’t care if they’re breaking the law to grab you.”
Jen nodded and leaned back on the couch. As she stared at the ceiling, he sent a text to Jake. He’d call Tex after they got to the apartment.
“They’re on the way over. When they get here, we’ll call Tex. I spoke to him earlier and he’s been hitting a brick wall. But I can’t believe that you’re the first woman Walker brutalized. He had his act too well-rehearsed and knew exactly how to manipulate you. That only comes with years of practice.”
“And Tex still hasn’t found anyone else?”
“No, not a single long-term relationship. He’s either very lucky or very smart,” Murph remarked as he checked his phone.
“I think it’s both. He had a computer at the loft, but he kept his office locked and never let me use it.”
“Did you have your own computer?”
“A laptop. Shortly after I moved in it ended up on the floor with the screen shattered. He said he banged into it because I left it on the edge of the table. Then he did a great job of convincing me it was my fault it fell. We looked up repair shops and he took it with him to drop off on his way to work. But I never saw it again. Now I’m sure he just stashed it somewhere or tossed it.”
“What a slimeball. Yeah, all of this is too practiced. He’s hiding something or lots of somethings.”
“That’s probably the understatement of the century,” Jen said with a sigh.
He hated what this was doing to her, but maybe this was a good thing. Now Walker would know where she’d gone, and they could lure him in.
Jake texted that they were downstairs, and he went to let them in. Sky had gotten out more beer and handed them each one as they came into the apartment. He was relieved she was able to calm down.
They were still talking and plotting when Pam walked in about an hour later.
“You didn’t ask permission to have a party, Jen,” Pam said as she put the burger on the kitchen counter. “If I’d known you were all up here I’d brought food for everyone.”
“It was sort of a spontaneous get-together,” Jen replied.
“What happened?” Pam asked, her voice peppered with worry. It must have been hell being a teenager and trying to pull anything over on her.
Jen shrugged. “Go ahead, tell her, Murph.”
Pam turned toward her and nailed her with the ‘mother’ look, one eyebrow raised, and a no-nonsense expression.
“Sky went to the drugstore for more hair dye and on her way back she was spotted. Best guess, he worked for Walker in some capacity, and got lucky.”
“Why wouldn’t you just ask me to pick it up for you?”
“Because I needed air and space outside of these four walls. I know I screwed up,” Jen replied with frustration.
Before Pam could say anything else, Jake interjected, “Actually, it’s probably a good thing. Now he knows she’s in Virginia. He’ll figure we’re moving her, which we are, and hopefully come after her himself.”
“Moving her where?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. Someplace secluded but not too far from here,” Jake replied. “One of us will always be with her to make sure she’s safe, and if he comes for her we’ll be there to stop him.”
“And if he doesn’t? You can’t keep this up forever. You’re all part of the same team. If one goes, you all go. Who will take care of her then?” Pam asked.
“That’s what I said too, Mom. But Tex has a plan to drop enough hints he won’t be able to resist coming for me.”
