Page 131 of Saved By My Buyers

“What was that about with Mr. Adamson?” she asks. Ciara has specs of everyone who will walk into the school, including students and parents. Today was a nightmare for security because of all the new people.

Everyone on the team has been a little on edge.

“I think Arina pushed her father into that little stunt,” Jack grunts. “I need the team to dig deeper into him. I think he showed too much interest in Dee.”

“Yeah?” Ciara frowns. “I saw a skull tattoo that makes me think that may be a good idea.”

“Like a gang tattoo?” I ask softly, taking a bite of my late lunch. It’s an Italian sub and delicious.

Jack describes a tattoo that Bronwyn saw when that gang member attacked her, and Ciara nods. “Well, there went my very boring babysitting job,” she teases, smirking. “I’ll be outside the door if you need me. Glad you’re eating, Dee.”

Watching her slip out, I focus on eating, really hoping that he’s not connected to Gareth. The Boxley gang could believe anything my stepfather tells them, thinking I’m a runaway that needs to be returned. I’d rather just get to live my life, thank you.

Jack sits next to me, quickly updating his team as I rest and just process everything. I can’t believe I sang that song in front of so many people! While the tears have dried on my cheeks, the remembered emotions I felt as I sang it, still wait for me to acknowledge them.

Sullivan opens the door to the lounge, looking tired as he walks inside.

“I did know Adamson was a Boxley member, by the way,” he says, sitting next to me. “I don’t know why that’s important. Ciara just interrogated me.”

“Ugh, I don't want to get into it,” I groan, taking a sip of water. “My life is imploding, that’s all.”

“Dramatic much?” Sullivan grunts. Jack and I simply gaze impassively at him, and he blinks slowly. “You’re not being dramatic.”

“Nope,” I respond. “You heard the words I sang, do you think I’m someone who freaks out easily?”

“Not at all,” he says slowly. “How the hell do I help protect you from something I don’t understand, Dee?”

I gaze at the wall stonily, mad at the world. I want to keep my secrets, because I don’t want anyone to pity me or look at me differently. I’m a fucking survivor, not a tragic tale.

“Okay, let’s do this,” Jack says softly. “Somehow, a person from Dee’s past found her over the weekend. He sent her an email he shouldn’t have been able to find, threatening her. This is connected to Bowen getting the shit beaten out of her by a Boxley gang member.”

“You’re not running from the Boxleys though, are you?” Sullivan asks. “This is too cloak and dagger for it to be about that.”

“No, my stepfather,” I rasp, swallowing hard as I look back at him. “I think he’s working for them. There’s more to it, but Mr. Adamson was really interested in me. I’m unsure if it’s because of my performance, or if he somehow recognized me. Based on the email that my stepfather sent me, it makes me think that he knows I work for you.”

“Which means, he’s going to try to break her down by taking the things she loves,” Jack rumbles. “Dee loves this job and going to school here. It would hurt for her to lose that.”

“Well, we just solidified your position here,” Sullivan says. “The only reason we’d have an issue is if you broke the code of conduct.”

My eyes shift to Jack and he shakes his head sharply. Gareth may threaten to send that photo, but it’s proof of raping a minor and child pornographic material. He wouldn’t risk it, even if it would do the job.

“Jedi mind fucking?” Sullivan asks sullenly. “I don’t need to know, but I feel really left out.”

My lips twitch despite the darkness of our conversation. “I thought of something that could possibly be an issue, but Jack said it’s not,” I explain. “Yes, I know I’m being cryptic.”

“Okay, okay. Jack, I really was thrown when Adamson and Arina loudly complained that I was playing favorites to anyone who would listen. He was on the tour, because his son is attending in the spring. Personally, I think he didn’t need to be here,” Sullivan says.

“Yeah, I’m starting to think that was all a set up to embarrass Dee,” Jack says begrudgingly.

“Well, I can reduce the access that parents have to the school beginning immediately,” Sullivan says. “They’ll need to schedule an appointment if they want to come by. This will reduce whatever fuckery Adamson has going on.”

“I’ll update the security team as well,” Jack says, firing off a text to Rivek. “Thanks for that.”

“What do you mean!” Sullivan yells, finally losing his patience. “I would be fucking lost without Dee here. She’s usually the first person here and the last one to leave. I don’t want my employees, or my students hurt, Jack. Stop keeping me in the goddamn dark!”

Ciara steps into the room, silently watching as Sullivan screams at us. I think she might let him throw a punch at Jack. It’s impossible to know with her.

Blowing out a breath, Jack drops his phone on the table, leaning in. I think that’s a bad call, because it puts him even closer to Sullivan’s fists, but they’re both big boys. They’ll figure it out.

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