Page 4 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

Addie

The sunlight shines in my face and my eyes open.

They widen as I absorb the area around me.

The floor-to-ceiling window, the beautiful furniture, and the large TV.

It takes me a second to remember what happened and where I am.

Being taken out of the group home, meeting my grandfather for the first time, being told my life is in danger.

“Good morning, Miss Addie,” a woman says with a bright smile as she enters my room. “Please get dressed and go downstairs for breakfast.”

I glance at the huge closet. My grandfather’s staff helped me pick out quite a few outfits last night. I’ll be taking some of them to school with me today. They’re already packed in suitcases.

“Is my grandfather eating with me?” I ask as I sit up.

Her face falls, as if she feels sorry for me. “Unfortunately, no. He had to leave for business in Germany.”

I nod slowly, remembering him telling me he needs to keep his distance from me. On the one hand, I’m a little glad because things were so awkward yesterday. On the other, I’d like to get to know him. He is my flesh and blood after all.

Considering my life hasn’t been mine since my parents died, I’m not surprised that all these people are making decisions for me.

The staff member leaves the room, giving me some privacy to get ready.

Once I’m done, I head to the kitchen and sit down to eat.

A few staff members wait on me, something that makes me a little uncomfortable, but I don’t say anything because I don’t want to offend anyone.

From what I can tell, the people here enjoy their jobs.

Louis enters the kitchen, holding a tablet. “Your father left a message for you, Miss Addie.”

I watch the video as I eat. My grandfather is on what looks like a private jet and he reiterates the rules. Then he wishes for me to have a good year and ends the video.

I guess I can’t complain. He did make sure to send me a final message before I’m gone. Who knows when we’ll see each other again?

Once I’m done eating, Louis leads me to a car, where the staff has loaded all my suitcases.

Colin opens the passenger door for me. I thank him and get in. Before we drive off, Louis bends his head in and says, “I wish you a lot of luck, Miss Addie.”

“Thanks.”

** *

Lately, it seems like all I do is stare at extravagant buildings.

My face is pressed to the car window as I absorb what will be my new home for the rest of the school year.

Colin and I just drove through a tall, massive gate that seems like it holds treasure instead of students. The words “Harrington Bay Academy” are written on top in fancy lettering that appears like it’s from another century.

Past the gate are a few buildings that make up the campus. I’m assuming some of those buildings are dormitories while the others are for classes or recreational activities.

The entire area is surrounded by greenery, just like at my grandfather’s house. This place looks like it belongs in a Regency movie, but at the same time, it’s modern as well. And right behind the school is a forest.

Each building has stone pillars on either side of the doors, and a few have balconies. I’m assuming those are the dorms.

Clutching my backpack tightly, I think of Mom and Dad and how wonderful our life was. How much I enjoyed my plain school without these fancy pillars or balconies or flowers. What would Dad say if he could see me now? How would he feel about my attending a fancy boarding school like he must have?

I bite my lip as I squeeze my eyes shut, holding back my tears.

“We have arrived at Harrington Bay Academy, miss,” Colin says as he opens the car door for me.

I blink and glance up at him. I’m not sure I have it in me to get out of the car and face this place. My new future. A future in hiding.

“Miss Addie?”

Nodding, I take a deep breath, release it, and place my hand in his. The minute I’m out of the car, I can’t stop staring at the building before me. It’s even prettier up close, with fancy designs, beautiful architecture, and the doors are golden. Golden. Totally not from this century.

There isn’t a soul around, except for security guards. I guess everyone is in class or in the dorms. The school year has already started, after all.

“Your bodyguard is waiting for you inside,” Colin lets me know as he tilts his head toward the school building. “Your bags will be taken to your room.” He faces me. “Well, I suppose that is all. Have a good school year, miss.” He tips his hat.

I don’t say anything as I watch him return to the car. Before he gets in, he turns to me, nods again, and folds himself inside.

“Thanks,” I whisper as the car drives away. Even though I was only at my grandfather’s mansion for a day, it feels like I’m being abandoned here. Alone. With no one to talk to, or help me.

Taking another deep breath, I tighten my hold on my backpack and slowly make my way up the stairs. There are quite a few of them and I can’t help marveling at how beautiful they are. Marble and smooth. I feel like my new shoes will soil them.

The golden doors appear massive as they stand before me. Well, here goes. The start of my new life.

The guard at the doors opens them for me, slightly bowing his head.

I thank him, walk in, and I’m immediately blown away by the foyer.

There’s a large space with many chairs and sofas around.

An area for students to hang out and relax.

On either side of the foyer are two staircases that must lead to the classrooms and perhaps the offices.

“You’re late,” a voice says from my left.

Turning in that direction, I find a tall guy with dark hair staring into my eyes with his so blue my breath hitches in my throat. I’ve never seen such beautiful eyes in my life. They’re like the color of the ocean. Something so soft and serene that you can get lost in every second of every day.

He takes hold of my arm. “We need to get moving.”

I pull free. “Excuse me?”

“Your safety is Mr. Bradshaw’s number one concern. Don’t make my job more difficult than it already is.”

I just stare at him, my eyebrows furrowing as I take him in.

He looks around my age with a heavily-muscled chest and arms. They strain against his black T-shirt.

And he’s wearing a scowl which somehow makes him look like a Greek god.

But I also note something else on his face—in his eyes—something I can’t describe.

But it’s so profound I feel it deep in my heart.

This guy has experienced loss, too.

He takes hold of my arm again. “We need to get you settled in and not arouse suspicion.”

“You’re…you’re my bodyguard?” I ask. “But you’re just a kid.”

His grunt is so loud I bet they can hear it on the other side of the country. “Don’t ask questions and do as I say.” He pulls me, but I yank my arm back.

“How do I know you’re my real bodyguard? For all I know, maybe you’re here to hurt me.”

He sighs heavily like he’s losing patience.

“I don’t even know your name,” I go on. “Or anything about you. Why should I blindly follow you?”

He grabs hold of my arm again, gazing into my eyes with frustration and irritation. “I told you not to make this difficult, Addilyn,” he hisses.

I shove him off me. “Will you stop grabbing me? I’m not some prized possession. I’m a human being and I deserve to be treated as such.”

“My priority is your safety, nothing else.”

I throw my hands on my hips. “I don’t need your protection.”

He’s about to retort, but a female voice says. “There you are!”

I turn around and find a girl with red hair and green eyes bounding toward us. “I was waiting upstairs, but you were here this whole time.” She smiles. “I guess you’re a little late, but that’s totally okay. It’s Addie Nelson, right?”

I just stare at her.

Still smiling, she holds out her hand and I shake it. “Carly Simmons. I’m supposed to show you around. You and…” She glances around until her gaze lands on the guy. “Um, hi. Caleb Foster, right? Both of you are new.”

My eyes meet his. He’s also enrolled in the school?

I guess it’d be strange for an adult bodyguard to follow me around. Having him pose as a student makes sense…but how old is he? Maybe he’s not my age but looks younger.

Carly looks from me to him. “Are we ready to start the tour?” She notices my backpack. “Oh, we can have someone bring that to your room.”

I back away. “No. This doesn’t leave my arms.”

“Okay. Ready?” She looks at the guy—Caleb—who doesn’t even glance her way. He just stands there with his arms crossed.

Carly leads us up the stairs, where she talks about the history of the school.

When it was founded and by whom. Apparently, there was this rich family called Harrington who founded the town, Harrington Bay, and they opened the academy.

The family still owns the school and the principal is their great-great-granddaughter.

As she talks, Caleb walks behind me, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the area. He’s so focused on his task I doubt he’s even listening to her. And he’s still sporting that scowl.

“Principal Harrington wants to see you, Addie,” she tells me as she gestures to the office. “I’ll wait out here until you’re done.”

I thank her and enter. My bodyguard enters with me, but he slips into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

The office is a large room with a few inner rooms in the distance. A woman at one of the desks lifts her head as I approach.

“Can I help you?” she asks.

“I’m Addie Nelson. I’m supposed to talk to the principal?”

“Of course. She’s ready for you in her office.

” She nods to one of the rooms in the distance.

After thanking her, I make my way there.

Before I walk in, I peek inside. An older woman, maybe in her fifties, sits at her desk and is jotting things down on a paper.

She’s dressed in a suit that looks like it cost more than my entire former wardrobe. She’s dripping with elegance and money.