Chapter 402

A buzzing of a phone pulls me from my thoughts and I flinch, heart leaping into my throat. It sounds far too loud in the aftermath of everything that has just been said. Chase snatches up my phone, handing it to me as I stand. Mr Collins flashes on the screen and I answer it quickly.

“Dad?”

“Harper.” His voice sounds tight and controlled. Too controlled. “Are you safe?”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Yeah. We are all here and we’re okay. Are you all okay?”

“Yes, we are fine. I need you to stay wherever you are for the time being…”

“Is it true?” I cut him off and he goes silent. I close my eyes as fresh tears sting behind my eyelids.

Finley moves closer, placing a hand on the small of my back in support.

Deacon lets out a sigh. “What did you hear?”

“That Sage… That she’s…” I sob, unable to finish the sentence.

“Yes.” He says quietly. “We’re still gathering details, but… who told you?”

“Knox.”

“Does he know anything?”

“I think so. He said it was a message, that I’m not safe,” I say.

Another pause. “We think so. If Knox knows anything, he needs to tell us, Harper. Who ever did this is as invisible as he is at the moment. There’s nothing for us to work with, no clues, nothing.”

“I’ll ask him when he shows up again. What can we do to help?”

“Nothing yet. Just stay wherever you are until we know more. Your mum and Luke are working on a secure place for you and your bonds to stay until we get to the bottom of this. I promise we won’t let anyone hurt you, bean.”

“I don’t want to hide, Dad. Sage deserves justice and if they’re after me, then let them come. Let me draw them out,” I say, gripping the phone tighter.

Silence again.

“I hear you. Let’s not rush into anything. As your parent it’s my job to keep you safe, but I understand your need to face this, and as much as I hate it, I’m so proud of you. Just stay wherever you are for now. Give us some time to find out more. You and your bonds need some intense training, and I know just the man for the job. I will arrange for you to start tomorrow. Are your bonds listening to this conversation?”

I look up at my bonds, unsure how to answer. Chase nods.

“Yes, they hear you,” I say.

“Keep her safe. Any sign of trouble and you get out of there without a moment’s hesitation. Just port out. Do you understand?” He says, his tone serious.

“Yes, sir,” they say in unison.

“Good. We should not underestimate whoever is behind this. None of you are ready to face something like this yet, so no heroics. Not until we have you trained. Keep your phones on. I will call tomorrow.”

“Okay. Be careful, all of you. If anything happened to…”

“Don’t worry about us,” he interrupts before I can say the words that might break me. “Just look after yourself. I love you, bean.”

“I love you too, Dad,” I say, my voice cracking as my eyes well with tears again. “Tell everyone I love them, too.”

“I will. See you tomorrow,” he says before the line goes dead.

I lower the phone slowly, staring down at the screen as I process everything he just said.

I want to talk to all of my parents. I want to hear their voices and tell each of them I love them, but I know there’s a very good reason that it was Deacon who called me. He’s the only one that can remain objective. The only one that could resist the urge to come and collect me when it’s safer for all of us if I stay away, at least for now.

Instead, I send each of them a text. Telling them I’m okay and that I love them. Then I look up at my bonds. Life feels too short to hold anything back right now.

“I love you, all of you.”