“So because of the unfortunate circumstances of today, Bella and Connor are officially locked out. That means the rest of you are safe, and I’ll see you all very soon.”
With that, Alex saunters off through the side gate and disappears into the setting sun.
That’s it?
The crew all pack up and also take their leave; meanwhile, the rest of us stay completely still.
“Where did they take Connor?” Angel asks finally.
“Why the fuck do you care?” Mason snarls into her face before storming off.
She watches him go for a moment before chasing after him. Savannah sighs before standing up, yanking on Noah like he’s a dog on a leash and needs to heel. I don’t miss the wanting look he shoots Courtney as he follows Savannah. Courtney does, though, as she’s staring into the fire pit with a look full of conflict and despair.
I slip my arm around her, pulling her into me so I’m holding her tight. I don’t think I’ve fully allowed myself to accept the fact that it could have easily been Courtney in Bella’s position today.If it had been… that’s a thought I can’t even entertain. I don’t know what I’d do. I’d lose my goddamn mind. Virtually overnight, this woman has become the center of my entire universe, and with danger literally everywhere around us, all I want is to protect her.
I just don’t know how. And it’s fucking killing me.
Courtney looks up at me, her eyes practically begging. I know what she’s asking, she doesn’t need to say a word, but I don’t know how to tell her no. That it’s too dangerous. It’s like we’re having a completely telepathic conversation, though, because I can almost hear her response in my head.
“Please. They have to know. We have to protect each other.”
“Do you guys want to go for a walk on the beach? Hang out?” I ask Shane and Luna.
They shoot me confused looks but nod slowly.
Courtney squeezes my hand gratefully, and I nod as I press a kiss to the top of her head.
“Can you grab us a couple of sweatshirts? Luna and I are getting cold,” Courtney says to me.
It’s still really hot out, why would she be…?
The way Courtney is messing with her necklace, slipping it beneath the neckline of her shirt, has me piecing it together.
I nod. “I’ll grab some for Shane and me too.”
Shane shakes his head. “I’m good, man.”
I give him a quick but stern look. “Just in case.”
His eyebrows dip in confusion, but he nods all the same as I head off.
Chapter Thirty Two
Courtney
Once Landon brought back the sweatshirts, I slipped one on, purposefully keeping my shirt and the sweatshirt over the microphone necklace before playing with it through the material like we did in the shower. Luna watches me carefully before doing the same.
Thank God she’s so observant.
Landon and Shane walk a little slower behind us, both wearing sweatshirts as well, despite the warm sun that’s just beginning to set for the night.
“I just thought we needed a walk after all that,” I say loudly.
I don’t know how closely they’re watching all of us, but it seems suspicious to walk together in silence or whispering the whole time. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid.
No. They killed Bella. I can’t prove it, but I know it’s true. God knows what’s happening to Connor right now. I was ready to run after him, to help, but Landon gave me a quick shake of his head, and I knew it would be a mistake. One that could cost me literally everything. So, as selfish as it felt, I stayed. For myself but mainly for Lily.
Leaning my head against Luna’s shoulder, I loop our arms together to keep us close as I whisper into her ear.
