Page 68 of Always Us

“I’m going to try to get a flight out today.” I take my laptop, facing it away from Jade. When the screen pops up, I pull the timer icon to the trash bin. “But first I need to see if William can get someone out here to watch the house.”

“Why do I need that? Holton’s at the clinic and he said he’d leave me alone until the end of the year.”

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to tell her about the timer and my theory about how it got there. But I have to tell her in order to explain why she needs protection and why she needs to be extra careful while I’m away and even when I get back.

No more secrets. She needs to know the truth. All of it.

“I need to show you something.” I pull the icon out of the trash and turn so that she can see my laptop screen. “I found this when I turned the laptop on earlier.” I point to the icon.

“What is it?”

“It’s a timer.” I click on it and the numbers appear. “It’s counting down to the end of the year.” I shut the timer down and the message appears, telling me time is running out.

Jade inhales sharply and covers her mouth with her hand.

I set my laptop aside and pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry, Jade. I didn’t want to show you that, but I had to because I need you to know how serious this is. I need you to protect yourself and not take any risks.”

“How did your grandfather do that? How did he get that timer on your laptop?”

“I don’t think it was him. I think he might be working with someone.”

Her shoulders fall and she lets out a heavy sigh. “You said the other members didn’t care about you anymore. You said they weren’t in on this.”

“I don’t know if it’s another member. It could be someone else. A freelancer he hired.”

“To do what? Scare me? Kill me?”

I hug her tighter. “No, Jade. That’s not what I meant. He’ll keep his word. He won’t do anything before January. But he could have someone watching you. And who knows? Maybe that person would do something to scare you. I have no idea. Which is why I need you to be extra cautious. And why we need the security guys.”

She pulls back and looks at me. “What are you going to tell William? You can’t tell him what’s really going on.”

“I’ll just tell him I’m going to visit my grandfather and don’t want to leave you here alone. He’ll understand. He knows the risks involved in families like ours. He travels a lot and I’m sure he has a security team to watch over his wife. You can never be too careful.”

I pick up my phone and call William. His voicemail answers and I leave a message. Then I take my laptop and start searching for flights.

Moments later, my phone rings. It’s William.

“Garret, I got your message. You said you needed something?”

“Yes, I need to get someone to watch the house for a few days. I have to go to Connecticut to see my grandfather and I don’t want Jade here alone. I want to hire a security guard for while I’m away. I thought maybe you could give me a recommendation.”

“I’ll do better than that. I have several security personnel who travel with me. They’re all excellent and I’d be happy to send a couple of them out there to watch the place while you’re away. You’ll need two so they can work in shifts.”

“That’d be great. Would it be possible for them to be here by tonight?”

“Absolutely. I’ll have them leave right away. But Garret, why are you calling me instead of your father? He, too, has an excellent security team.”

“We’re kind of having a fight,” I lie. “We’re not talking right now.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need anything else from me?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Okay, well, once I have it arranged, I’ll send you the details about the men I’m sending out there so you’ll know who to look for and when to expect them.”

“You’re sure we can trust these guys? You’ve done background checks? You know them well?”

“Yes, the men I’m sending out there have been with me for years.”

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