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Love you

Me:

Love you

I wasn’t aware when I was taken before. I wasn’t prepared. Now I have some basic self-defense skills. The girls, Kenz, Harper, and I have been going to a class offered by the school. I reach into my pocket and take out the butterfly knife Luke gave me. I may be able to kick some butt, but it’s better if I can get out without interaction at all.

Luke

Jack makes sure I have the camera feed on my phone before Caden and I head out. We don’t know if this is an opportunity attack or targeted to distract us from Harper. But we’re not taking any chances and not leaving Harper alone.

Nico, Eli, and Jack have her. Jack’s parents are in the house if need be.

“He’s staying downstairs,” Eli says in my Bluetooth headphone. “It looks like he’s heading to your father’s office.”

“Dad’s home.” I park the car. Caden and I get out. Does this person know my dad is there or are they hoping to rifle through his files? Dad keeps his office locked when he isn’t there.

Caden hands me a Taser. After what happened at Homecoming, we aren’t taking any chances. Penny is safe and locked in her room. She’s on the phone with me still but staying quiet. My pulse is steady but worry floods my veins.

A shadow moves from one of the trees toward us. His hands are up and as he draws closer, I recognize Will.

“She’s safe, but we need to get her out.” I’m not surprised she notified him. “If we can get you to her, can you make sure she gets out safely?”

He pushes his glasses up. “As if my life depends on it.”

Caden jerks his head in a nod and offers Will a Taser. “You get one hit out of it and then it needs to recharge. There’s only one person in there, so don’t accidentally use it on any of us.”

Will nods and holds it down next to his side.

We enter through the back door and when we get to the stairs, I gesture for Caden and Will to go up while I head to make sure my father is okay. Caden grabs my shoulder and squeezes it before leading Will up the stairs.

“He’s close to your dad’s office now,” Eli says in my ear.

We have no clue who broke in. Jack checked Zach’s and Tanner’s trackers, and both are still where they’re supposed to be. It looks like Zach is in his bathroom. The door is shut. We don’t have a camera in the bathroom. But Tanner is in his bed.

If this isn’t either of them, who is it?

My dad has done some shady deals, so it could be someone seeking revenge. Either way, I want Penny out. She won’t be collateral damage.

“He just slipped into your father’s office.”

I hurry down the hall and pause outside the door, blending into the shadows. I don’t want to walk into something that could be a trap.

“You have about five minutes to explain yourself before the police arrive.” My father’s voice is strong.

“Don’t worry. The police think I’m still in my house.” Zach’s voice burns through me.

“Calling law enforcement now,” Eli says.

My father laughs. “Fine. I’d shoot you, but I’m afraid bloodstains don’t come out of wool very easily, and I happen to like this carpet. State your business and leave.”

The chair creaks as Zach sits in it. “I want out.”

I can just picture my dad’s arched eyebrow. Out doesn’t tell him what he needs to know. It’s too vague of a statement. My father never responds to anything vague. Zach needs to tell him exactly what he’s asking for.

“You said if I gave them Nora, they’d let me out.”

I keep an eye on the back stairs and on the door to make sure my dad and Zach don’t catch Caden and Will getting Penny out. I need to hear what they have to say to each other. We don’t have a camera or recording devices in my dad’s office. He’s too meticulous for that.