Page 111 of I Don't Need Your Protection

He bends forward and connects his lips with mine. Hekisses me in this desperate way, showing me just how worried he was and how overjoyed he is that I’m okay. He’s showing me so much.

He pulls back and says, “I’m so sorry I pushed you away these past few days. I—”

“Never mind that.” I kiss him, pressing myself as close to him as I can, wanting to become one with him.

“Addie,” he whispers. “If I would have lost you...” His lips are on mine again, even more intense and passionate than before. He holds onto me like I’m precious to him, like the second he lets go, I’ll shatter into pieces.

When we stop to take a break, I ask, “How did you find me?”

“I put a tracker on your phone. I didn’t want to do that at first because I wanted you to have some independence. And it felt wrong to invade your privacy, and your grandfather agreed. But after the sleepover, I didn’t want to take any chances or ask permission. I traced your phone to the forest, but when I got here, I found it on the ground. You were nowhere in sight.”

“They took it from me.”

He nods. “I was about to give up hope, but then I heard you shouting. I followed your shouts and then found you.” He grits his teeth. “When I saw them with their hands on you, I nearly lost my mind.” He wraps his arms around me. “You have no idea how glad I am that you’re okay, Addie.” He draws back. “Did those jerks hurt you?”

“No. They just grabbed my arms. It stings a little, but I’m okay.” I trace his swollen eye. “But you’re hurt.”

He shakes his head. “I’ll be okay. The important thing is that you’re okay.”

His phone beeps and he answers it. After listening to the person on the other end, he hangs up and says to me, “They caught the guys who infiltrated the school. The police are on their way to arrest them. They’ll interrogate them and find the people who hired them, and arrest them as well. Don’t worry, Addie, it’ll all be over soon.”

“Infiltrated the school?”

“Yes. I’m not entirely sure yet how they did it, but they must have found out you were here and placed fake security guards around.”

My eyes widen. “Hudson was in on it, too.”

He nods. “I know. He was also arrested. We’ll learn more soon. Right now, I need to take you back to campus.”

He stands and helps me up. He winces as we return to the school building, but he’s pretending like he’s not in pain.

I hold my hand out to him and with a sweet smile, he places his inside.

“Caleb?” I ask.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for saving me.”

He stops walking and faces me. He bends forward and presses his forehead to mine. “Like I’ve said a million times, I’d do anything for you, Addie.”

He sweeps his lips across my cheek until they meet mine. His arms come around me as he kisses me softly and gently, savoring every single second. I kiss him back just as gently.

I don’t know what this means—whether we’re more than friends now—but I don’t really care. I’m just glad to be in his arms again.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Addie

By morning, the entire school has found out what happened last night. They also learned the truth of who Addie Nelson really is. The media has run wild with this story. Why not? Nathaniel Bradshaw’s long-lost heir discovered? Of course the world is going crazy.

But as for me, I’m sitting on a bed in the school infirmary with my friends surrounding me. Lots of kids are outside, trying to get a glimpse of me or talk to me. Even the cops have questioned me. Caleb, too. It’s a little too much. I just want to be alone with my friends. And with Caleb. He’s sleeping on the bed next to mine. The poor guy had a hard night yesterday—the past few weeks, really. I’m glad he’s able to get a good night’s sleep now.

Sophie, Carly, and Raven still can’t get over what happened last night. They keep asking me a million questions. But themost important one, other than me being alive and well? It’s my kiss with Caleb. My lips still tingle.

“Does this mean you and him are…?” Carly asks.

“I don’t know. But the way he kissed me? Like I was priceless.”