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I shook my head, I wasn’t supposed to want him touching me.

Chapter 42

Meg

Ididn’t see anyone as Jack walked me to his office. It had two desks, and four leather chairs clients could use. He pulled out a chair in front of his desk and offered me a seat. Organized chaos was the only way to describe Jack’s desk. Stacks of files covered with colored post-its lined the front edge. A monitor stood off to his right, a keyboard in front of it. Off to his left was a closed laptop and a coffee mug with the SSI logo on it.

After offering me a water, Jack picked up where he’d left off, not leaving out any details as he explained how he asked for help after noticing the red flags. He said Jamie and his dad learned my birth name after a facial recognition program matched a current picture of me to a junior high school photo. I always knew that might happen, but counted on most people not caring enough, or having the ability, to do it.

I played with my water bottle as he told me everything I was too pissed to hear the night I walked out.

“SSI is monitoring Sullivan and watching for strange activity at Grannie’s and your apartment.”

I almost spit out my water. “Did you say you’re watching my apartment? What the fuck Jack?” My knees pushed the chair back when I jumped up.

“I’m not. I swear. But yes, there’s a camera set up to monitor the parking lot.”

“So you are watching me.”

He held his hands up. “No.” He rubbed his face. “We’re not. I’m not. My dad and Jamie are the only ones with access to the footage, and they can’t see inside your apartment.” He pleaded, “I swear, it’s a safety precaution. I can have one of them show you the feed if you want.”

“I would.” I sat back down with a thump and crossed my arms over my chest. It wasn’t what I needed to focus on but I was too shocked to let it go. “So your dad and Jamie, they know everything?”

“Yes.”

That was all he had to say? “What, no apology?” I mocked him. I was being a bitch, but I couldn’t help it, hearing they were watching my apartment threw me for a loop. I came here to talk to him, to hear him out, but he wasn’t making it easy for me to stay calm.

“No, you don’t need to hear me say I’m sorry again. I am, but you need answers, not more apologies.” Jack paused and ran his hands through his hair, making it stand up on end. He was doing that a lot today.

“Here’s the thing, I want to work this out with you if you’ll give me a chance. I also want to help you. Right now, those two desires are at odds. I can’t answer all your questions, but my dad and Jamie can. Tell me what you want, or need, me to do and I’ll do it.”

I wanted to understand why I wasn’t as pissed off at him as I thought I would be, as I should be. But he couldn’t answer that question for me. He lied to me, spied on me, and betrayed my trust, so I should be mad. But my strongest emotions were pain and shock, because I didn’t expect it from him. He’d been kind, patient, generous, and caring.And apparently, he’s been protecting me from Sullivan.

If I was being completely honest with myself, I hadn’t been honest with Jack either and after everything he’d done for me; he deserved the truth as much as I did.

“Meg?” Jack sounded nervous.

I searched his eyes. He wasn’t hiding his pain or fear. It floored me to see he wasn’t handling this any better than I was.

I needed answers.

“I’d like answers, please. What about AJ & Doug? What do they know? How involved are they in all of this?” I whispered as my heart raced in my chest. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer, but I needed to.

“Not much, less than I do, actually. Doug set up the cameras, and he and AJ are monitoring the feed from Grannie’s.” He must have seen me cringe because he quickly added, “But not your apartment. Do you want me to ask them to come in too?”

I didn’t answer right away. Did I want to talk to all of them? No, I didn’t want to but I decided on the ride over I’d tell Jack the truth. I hadn’t planned on talking to anyone else at SSI, but they already knew so it didn’t matter. I didn’t have any secrets here.

I nodded, then added, “Yes. Please.”

My feet tapped out a quick rhythm as I waited for Jack and the rest of the SSI guys.

Jack handed me another bottle of water when he came back. He suggested I move to his chair so I could see everyone. I stared at my shoes as I walked around his desk. I was grateful it also provided a barrier between us. AJ sat at his desk, Doug sat in a chair in front of him, turning it so he faced me. Neither of them spoke. Jack sat in front of his own desk off to the right, and John and Jamie moved chairs to the space between Jack and Doug.

John’s voice was all business. “Thank you for being willing to talk to us. We’ll answer any questions you have.”

“Thanks.” Regret and fear set in immediately. I clasped my hands under the desk to hide them.You can do this.I cleared my throat. “I’d like to see the view from the camera in my parking lot.” My voice squeaked, so much for sounded strong.

Jamie opened his laptop, then brought it over so I could see the screen. The feed showed most of the parking lot, including my door. Jack hadn’t lied. They couldn’t see inside my apartment. “Where is it?” My voice squeaked.

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