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In the footage I’m taking, I walk right past Jack, holding the camera up as I speak into it. I now see an evil grin on Jack’s face as his beady eyes stare me down. A shiver runs up my spine, knowing how close he was to me on several different occasions.
No telling what could’ve happened if Tristan hadn’t been with me. While it’s annoying that he’s always around, and sometimes I feel awkward filming in front of him, I’m glad he was there. Tristan was on high alert because I decided to vlog in public to mix up my content. At first, he was against it but agreed after my father approved. I’d already filmed a lot of things in my apartment and needed a different setting.
I glance over at Tristan, and his nostrils flare.
“I had no idea he was in New York,” I whisper, staring at the deranged man on the screen.
“He was too chickenshit to try anything. It’s almost like he was hoping for attention at your sister’s wedding. Like he’s trying to get a headline or something.”
“I thought about that, actually.”
“So did your dad. It’s why he’s paid the newspapers and magazines not to run the stories because word that someone broke into the event has spread.”
“Damn,” I whisper-hiss, the guilt of what happened still sits on my shoulders.
Tristan notices my demeanor change. “It’s not your fault, Piper.”
I shrug with a frown. “Doesn’t make me feel any better.”
We finish scanning through more footage and don’t see Jack in any more frames. Tristan excuses himself to call my father and tell him what we found.
An eerie feeling creeps over me that this man has been following me in broad daylight, and I had no idea.
I decide to close my laptop and take a break. Though I’m halfway done editing the video, I’m not even sure I’ll post it now.
Infiltrating my life has probably been his intention all along, and I hope to God they find him sooner than later.
CHAPTER SIX
TRISTAN
DAY 6
It’s been a couple of days since we found out Jack was in New York following Piper. Mr. Montgomery was pissed when I told him, but he wasn’t shocked, considering the photos and threats he sent. Since he hacked Piper’s cell phone, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Jack knew exactly where she was at all times. I’m almost positive he was waiting to get her alone so he could follow through with his plan. Unfortunately for him, I was always next to her, and I’m sure that frustrated him.
Could be why he crashed the wedding.
Anytime Piper was out of the house, I didn’t let her out of my sight and was usually within arm’s length. The paparazzi made comments and asked if I was her boyfriend, but Piper never confirmed or denied it. She’s twenty-one and is just starting her adult life. Meanwhile, I’ve been through hell and back.
I’m sure when we return to New York, we won’t talk as much, and the invisible wall will be put up again. It’s fine with me. Piper has tried her hardest to get me to open up before now, but I’ve refused to allow myself to do that.
The Montgomerys are very protective of their daughter and pay me extremely well to keep her safe at all costs. I’ve vowed to protect her like she’s the fucking president and will take a bullet for her too.
After I’m dressed and go downstairs, I find Piper recording as she sits in front of the windows that face the ocean. She’s upbeat as she talks about what she’s been doing. I quietly move into the kitchen, then lean against the counter and watch her.
“And it’s been such a relaxing vacation, guys. I can’t tell you how amazing it’s been given the circumstances, but I’d highly recommend you all take a moment to yourself every once in a while. Enjoy the sunshine and work on your mental health. Anyway, love you guys.” She blows a kiss toward the camera and then waves, like usual, before ending the video.
I lift a brow at her and smirk.
“What?” She scowls
“Nothing.” I shake my head, then fill the coffee pot with water and add some grounds.
“It’s obvious you have something you wanted to say.”
“Just wondering why you’re so different when the camera is on compared to how you are in real life?”
She rolls her eyes. “We’ve talked about this, Tristan. It’s social media. You get to be whoever you want online. On YouTube, I’m Miss Positivity, who can always find the bright side of every situation.”
“So, you’re playing a character? Like an actress.”
“No, I wouldn’t go that far. I really do try to find the silver linings about life. I’m me. It’s just my online personality is an extreme version of me. There’s enough negativity in the world today, so if I can be a slice of sunshine with an overly bubbly personality, then I will.”
