Page 43 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

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 the most 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.”

“That’s because you are priceless,” a voice says.

My cheeks warm when Caleb slowly sits up in bed. He keeps his eyes on me, a boyish grin on his face. He looks at me like I’m the most important person in the world. Like he wants to float over to my bed and kiss me senseless, showing me just how much I mean to him.

Sophie, Carly, and Raven exchange glances. “We’d better go,” they say. They wish me and Caleb a speedy recovery before leaving the room with bright smiles on their faces.

I feel Caleb’s eyes on me, and when I look at him, I find him climbing out of his bed and making his way to mine.

“What are you doing?” I hiss. “They’ll catch you!”

He grins in a way that makes my stomach twist and slips under the blanket, snuggling up to me.

“You’re the granddaughter of the richest man in America.

I’m sure you can get away with anything.

And is it wrong for a boyfriend to want to be close to his amazing, beautiful girlfriend who he nearly lost only a few hours ago? ”

I gape at him. “Did you say…?”

He nods, eyes intense as they stare into mine. “Boyfriend, yes. If that’s okay with you.”

I smile so widely my cheeks hurt. “Of course it’s okay with me!” I bend forward and we kiss softly and sweetly. “But what happens now? Are you leaving?” The thought of him not being here anymore crushes me. “Will you get another job?”

He sighs heavily, plowing his hands through his hair. “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay with you. But it’s my job, Addie.”

I nod slowly, my insides tearing into pieces.

Lifting his hand, he strokes my cheek with his finger. “We’ll figure it out,” he says softly. “Let’s just get better first.”

“Okay. How are you feeling?”

“Better now that I’m with you.”

I bend close and kiss his cheek.

Someone clears their throat. Caleb and I quickly break away from each other and find my grandfather standing in the doorway.

Caleb jumps to his feet. “Mr. Bradshaw.”

My grandfather steps up to the bed and leans forward to close his arms around me.

He’s stiff for a few seconds, but loosens up a bit.

He mumbles under his breath how happy and grateful he is that I’m all right.

I hug him back, actually feeling okay that this man who I barely know is hugging me.

He’s my grandfather, the only family I have left.

Then he releases me and hugs Caleb, thanking him for protecting me and saving my life.

Caleb nods. “Of course, sir. About what you saw…” He looks like he’s trying to find words to explain why he was in my bed, but my grandfather lifts his hand.

“No need to explain, Caleb. I know exactly what this is.”

Caleb and I glance at one another .

My grandfather pulls a chair near my bed and sits down, motioning for Caleb to do the same. His eyebrows furrow as he lowers himself next to me.

“I was young once,” Grandfather says. “I know what it’s like to be in love.”

This is a little awkward. A lot awkward. I hardly know this man and he’s talking about love?

Wait…did he just say love?

“I understand you two have developed feelings for each other,” Grandfather continues, making me feel even more awkward than before. “And I’d like you to know you have my blessing.”

Caleb stares at him. “Sir…”

“You’re a fine young man, Caleb, and there’s no one else I’d want for my precious granddaughter.”

Okay, this is still weird.

“Thank you, sir.” Caleb dips his head. “That means a lot to me. I will protect and care for Addie with my life. I’ll cherish her.”

“I know you will. Now, I think we need to discuss the events that led up to this moment. You’ll be pleased to know that my enemy and all those associated with him have been arrested. Your life is no longer in danger, Addilyn. You’re free to go to school here with no worries.”

I sigh in relief. “Okay, that’s good. So am I staying at this school?”

“Yes.”

I glance at Caleb. “But what about…? ”

Grandfather nods in understanding. “Caleb will need to move on, I’m afraid. Your father wishes to speak to you after we’re done here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Caleb takes my hand, understanding just how I feel. I’ll miss him so much. He gives my hand a squeeze, letting me know he’ll miss me, too.

“Now you probably have many questions regarding what happened last night. How did the enemy manage to infiltrate the school when it was secured? What we discovered was that my enemy searched and searched until they suspected Addilyn was staying here. But they needed more information. They recruited a student who goes here and bribed him to spy for them.”

“Hudson,” I say.

He nods. “Hudson was tasked with discovering if my granddaughter attended this school. He was nearly certain you were Addilyn, but he still had some doubts. When Caleb went to Clarissa’s house that Saturday night and demanded to know where Addilyn was, Hudson concluded that you were my granddaughter. ”

“But how did he find out what Clarissa and the others did to me at the sleepover?”

Grandfather shrugs. “The girls most likely bragged about what they did or he must have overheard. As soon as he was sure you were Addilyn and Caleb was your bodyguard, he told those who hired him and they bribed a few of the school guards—who should have been protecting the students—to go after you, Addilyn. They knew they had to get rid of Caleb before they could reach you. When Caleb was guarding outside your friends’ room, a few school guards grabbed him and locked him in a supply closet.

Then Hudson fabricated a story that Caleb and the other boy, Warner, were fighting so that you would leave your dorm.

The usual guard stationed outside the building was one I hired, but they ambushed him as well and replaced him with one of their own.

” He reaches to pat my arm. “I had the top security team watching over you, but unfortunately, they weren’t perfect.

The enemy did a good job of infiltrating the school.

I’m really sorry, Addilyn. I did my best.”

Caleb nods, looking very guilty.

I shake my head. “I appreciate everything you and those working for you did for me. You, too, Caleb. But things went wrong. That’s life, right?”

“For people to be so cunning,” Grandfather says.

“To manipulate and harm children? How depraved can you be?” He pats my arm again.

“But they’re no longer a threat to you, Addilyn.

You have my word. And there will always be security around.

You don’t have to live in fear. I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your time here. ”

I smile. “I’m looking forward to staying at this school, too, and being with my friends. But Caleb…”

Caleb squeezes my hand again. “It’ll be okay,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my temple.

I guess there’s video chat and texting, but it won’t be the same .

Grandfather answers any more questions we have and then invites me to take a walk around campus. There are some things he wants to talk to me in private. I wave to Caleb, telling him I’ll see him later.