Page 34 of Never Forget

I would have brought up the texts before if I had thought it was important. And now… I want to tell them, but now there are too many unknowns. I can’t risk losing my job, not because of money or anything other than I wouldn’t be able to deal with not being the one to protect Naz. I need to keep him close.

There’s also the fact that I don’t know enough about the threat to know if reporting it will set them off and potentially put Naz or the other guys in more danger.

Because now I know they’re a real threat. Assuming they are connected to the attempted bombing. Which I don’t know for sure, but I’m treating it like they are. I’m taking them seriously now.

Whatever they’re after, they finally have my attention. I can’t remember when the texts started. I blocked them at first. Thanks to mainstream and social media, everyone knows I’m connected to Lest Is Moore.

At first, I just assumed some asshole journalist had tracked my phone number down. It’s not like it would be hard to do considering it’s the same number I’ve had since high school. I haven’t changed it because it’s the only connection I still have to my sister. It’s been eight years since I left home, and I don’t even know if she still lives there, much less have an easy way of contacting her to give her a new number, so I’ve kept this one. Other than my employers, no one ever calls me. It’s been years of mostly wrong numbers, sales calls, and spammers, all of which I block after I hang up. But I still answer every time it rings and read every text that comes through. Hitting the block button is second nature.

Except this time. This time they got my attention.

The night before last, just as I was walking out of the meeting clearing me of any misconduct, I got a very pointed message that sent a chill through my bones. One that let me know, under no uncertain terms, that these texts haven’t been random.

It was a photo of Naz, wearing a ball cap and a jacket with the collar pulled up as if it could make him less recognizable. It looked like he was getting into a vehicle at a private airfield. Very recently, if I’m not mistaken.

Below that was a text.

Unknown: Are you ready to listen now?

Someone had been watching him. Someone knew where he was, and presumably, could have followed him anywhere.

And they’d wanted me to know it.

He’s okay though. There’s no one here, no signs of danger. And I won’t let him out of my sight.

NINE

NAZ

I’m almost relieved to be forced out today, even if it’s for something I don’t particularly want to deal with. My grandparents aren’t the easiest people to be around on a good day, but my grandfather is in the hospital. I only found out because I called them, not because anyone thought to alert me two days ago when he was admitted.

“I’m just going to the hospital, I really don’t think you need to come with me for this.”

Logically, I understand Scott is here to protect me from a legitimate threat, but it feels like too much to have him see me deal with private matters like this. I already gave him too much when I spilled my guts and vented about my grandparents' stubbornness. And then last night…

I just really need space right now.

“Don’t you have… I don’t know… Stuff to do?” I gesture to his phone, which he’s been looking at all morning.

“You’re the only stuff I need to do,” he says, winking as a wide grin spreads across his face. “Professionally, of course.”

“Of course.”

“You won’t even know I’m there, I promise.”

I doubt that. If anything, I’m even more aware of his presence than I was yesterday. I’m pretty sure I’ll suffocate on the awkward silence during the drive, but it’s not like I really have a choice.

“Fine.” I relent with a huff, bypassing his rental truck and trudging up to the big house.

“Are we walking there?”

“I have my own car.”

Scott doesn’t have any arguments until I pull my car out of the garage.

“That’s your car?”

“No, I stole this one. Why? What were you expecting?”