Page 97 of Unspoken Promises

I love her.

And love is not a cage. There is only one answer. She needs to meet Anton. If it ends up being her father, or if Anton isn’t who she says he is, I’ll be ready.

My core churns with energy. I feel fear and vengeance and love and hate all at once. Taking the risk is unbearable, but I believe we can close the door to our pasts together.

Ava is not my redemption.

She’s my healing.

There are more terrible things happening in my life at one time than most people could handle. Than I’d wish on anyone. But the company hacks, Ava’s father, her uncle… I can face it all. As long as I have her by my side.

30

The conference roomat the police station felt full to the brim though it was only a small, need-to-know group. Still, as this whole ordeal was set up to discuss me, it might as well have been a stadium full of eyeballs.

It was just Callum, two of his decorated officers—Rory and Luke—and from GhostEye, Enzo and Rio. When I protested I couldn’t handle a huge room full of some big operation, Enzo made sure to keep it as private as possible. Callum assured us when we met with him that any other officers or special teams needing involvement could be briefed without me there.

As it stood, I felt so on display as wediscussed how I would go step by step from texting back Anton, to meeting him, to hopefully, taking us both to safety.

It’s painful listening to the plan, knowing that Anton will see I didn’t trust him enough to meet him alone.

Callum has always been attractive, but I have to say, I bet Pen would love to see him now. He’s standing at the front of the room, tall, imposing, and suited up. She said she has a thing for men in uniform, and for a moment I let my mind linger to my sweet friend, the one who plucked me off the breeze and helped make this place feel like home.

It is my home, and no matter what’s in front of me, I’m not leaving here willingly. I’m not going down without a fight.

Enzo joins Callum at the front. We came straight from the trails after calling Callum. We’re both still dusty and a little sweaty. Enzo is still in his t-shirt and jeans and looking very much the only man I want by my side for this.

“In order to help gain more information, we have the cell tower triangulation set up for all further texts.” He discusses the way in which GhostEye plans to keep track of Anton’s whereabouts through analyzing cell signal distances.

Enzo explained to me that they’ve worked closely with law enforcement many times before, busting crime rings. He assured me this isn’t he and Rio’s first rodeo. It’s both incredibly sad to think someone out there needed this kind of support and makes me proud that my man was the one to give it at the same time.

“The meeting place is set here.” Enzo points to a location on a map that looks something like a big wooded area. “We need Miss Scott to be out of the Main Street areas, so she’s agreed no meeting will take place unless it is in Grant Park or Forest Glen.”

Callum glances at Luke and Rory. “I’ve coordinated with Mount Hamilton PD and special ops teams to have extra officers, mounted and on foot, familiar with the terrain. The chosen locations only have two entrances and exits accessible by vehicle. We can’t be certain the suspect is acting alone…”

Suspect.I hate Anton being referred to as a suspect, but this is cop speak. I suppose being on a first-name basis would be strange. Anyway, the more Enzo and I have spoken, the more I have to consider that if Anton is only an hour away from Echo Valley, Father could be, too.

Enzo is skilled in this. His history in bringing down criminals comes into its own, and if I thought I could think of options, he has a hundred more scenarios it could be. It’s sad to consider some of them, but his thorough view is what makes me feel safe despite the potential danger. Despite death being an option.

Rory and Luke take notes. I take it they’ll be Callum’s men leading the offers in Mount Hamilton. They avoid eye contact with me. Do they knoweverything? Do they hate me for bringing this trouble to their town?

I suppose everyone in Echo Valley will hear of this eventually. I don’t plan on lying to Penelope, Callum would have to then, too, and making your friends hold secrets feels unfair. Anyway, all of this is to live freely, in the new life of my own design.

But just as soon as my blood pressure rises at the thought of being judged, I calm down. I think of Town Hall and how caring people were there. How this whole town comes together to hold strong, support one another, whether it’s dealing with dangerous pesticides or giving a quirky artist a chance.

Maybe I’ll have to brave the occasional unwantedsympathetic stare or even a few people treating me like I’m brittle. I’m not. In time, I’ll just be me, Ava Scott, nerdy, clumsy hacker girl.

When the meeting is over, Callum needs to leave to meet with other law enforcement, but he comes to where I’m seated and puts a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it. The look in his eyes tells me he wishes he could hug me, but I guess that would be unprofessional.

“Ava, you will come out of this,” he says, gripping the sides of my arms solemnly.

My words are just short of a plea. “All I ask is that Anton does, too.”

“If he doesn’t try to hurt you, he’ll come out of it.” He squeezes again then leaves with Rory and Luke.

Enzo and Rio sit on either side of me, and I know it’s time to text back Anton. My fingers shake. This is the second time I’m being dishonest with the only person who ever showed me care in my life. First, I stole his money and left him in a very dangerous position. Surely, even if he isn’t working with Father, he’ll be angry with me?

I stare at my cell, not ready to put this plan in motion. “If Father is behind this like you suggested he could be, he’ll probably know you’re coming.”

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