Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
“Won’t the police want those records?” he asks.
“That’s what copies are for Mr. Drummond. Give them the duplicates and send the originals to me. If there are any issues or further questions, you know how to get in touch with me. One more thing, Carl.”
“Yes, Mr. Archer?” His shoulders sulk, his eyes plastered to the ground.
“I expect the other parents to be made aware of what happened here this morning and for the security measures to be updated accordingly. Just because Jeremy won’t be returning doesn’t mean the students should remain at risk. That’s all.”
My tone is dismissive, forcing him to retreat inside the school to do as I command. After dealing with him, I head back to the car, where Lana continues to stand guard.
“Thank you again for what you did today,” I say, reaching out to shake her hand once again. There’s an allure to Lana that draws me to her, making me want to touch her constantly. Her strength is admirable. Her courage to act is undeniable.
The softness of Lana’s skin against mine reminds me of how long it’s been. Burying myself in work these past few years while taking care of Jeremy has me blind to the touch I desire in the quietest moments of the night. The way Lana’s eyes lock onto mine makes me miss those intimate moments, if even for a second. Unfortunately, I must put it out of my head.
There’s a subtle raspiness to her voice when she speaks. “It’s no problem, really. I’m just happy I was here to do something about it. This school has too many holes in its security operations, but I get it. This cozy little town dulls the senses and provides a false level of safety.”
I agree, and I’m ready to leave this illusion of security. “Can you meet me at my office in about an hour?”
After fishing out a business card, it gives me another reason to touch her as our fingers graze each other. She pulls her hand away instinctively, like I’ve electrocuted her, and I have to stop myself from reaching for her again.
This sudden, intense emotion takes me by surprise. Perhaps it’s from the earlier adrenaline and anxiety of almost losing Jeremy. Or perhaps it’s something more.
She tells me, “I’ll be there.”
I watch the confident sway of Lana’s slender hips, walking away from me toward the parking lot. Her car moves slow enough for me to catch a glimpse of her license plate. It only takes a few seconds for me to jot it down to look up later.
I like Lana. I need to have her vetted to see how well she’ll fit into our daily routine. Today is proof that Jeremy needs a bodyguard for now. If that guard can have a nurturing side, that’s even better. I know my boy can learn a lot from someone like her.
“Where are we going, Dad?” Jeremy’s voice cuts into my thoughts.
“We’re going to my office, bud. I need to go to work, but I want you to be safe, too. I don’t want you coming back here or going to any other school until I know this won’t happen again. Do you remember anything about the woman who walked you out of the school?”
I don’t want to pressure him. I damn sure don’t want him to see the fear nestling in the pit of my stomach. Our eyes meet through the rearview mirror, and Jeremy shrugs.
“She’s the new library teacher, I think. I don’t see her a lot,” he says, his gaze shifting to look outside. I nod as we drive to my office in the heart of Downtown Avonia, a cozy mid-sized town along the coast of North Carolina.
“Do you remember her name?” I ask him.
“Miss Ashley. She kept telling me you were outside and brought me lunch. But I knew she was lying, Dad.”
“Oh yeah? How did you know?”
“Because you never just bring me lunch. You show up at lunchtime and buy lunch for everybody. You also tell me the days you’re going to do that so I can tell everybody to leave room for pizza.”
That gets a soft laugh out of me, along with a pause of relief that my little guy is observant. Observation skills aren’t enough anymore. He needs some sort of self-defense training. I’d do it myself, but I fear I’d hold back too much to be effective.
By the time we arrive at my office, there are a dozen messages and meetings that I’m late for. I don’t hesitate to reschedule them and set Jeremy up in the empty office beside mine. My secretary adores him enough and sees to it that he’s busy any time I bring him in.
I’m not in the office long before there’s a call from the security guard in the lobby. Lana’s on her way up, and hearing her name alone makes my heart slam against my ribcage. I have to stop myself from checking whether I look okay. Fuck me.