Page 53 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Fifty-Three

CALEB

A fter I followed Lauren back to her dorm room, my gut kept telling me to get my car… that she was up to something and if I didn’t move quickly enough, I’d lose her. Knowing she was safely tucked up inside—for now—I ran back home, vowing to myself to start adding cardio to my workouts.

Revving the engine, I pull out of my drive and head back toward campus, praying like fuck that I haven’t missed her. Something’s going down, I just know it.

Getting to Lauren’s dorm in under ten minutes I sit and wait, tapping my fingertips on the steering wheel, restless, hoping I haven’t got this wrong and end up looking like an idiot.

An hour later and I’m starting to regret my choices. My ass has gone numb, and my legs are aching. Running a hand through my hair, I decide that I’ve got this wrong, that I’m just being an overprotective asshole, and I need to go home, maybe book in a therapy session or something .

Just as I’m about to turn on the ignition, two figures emerge from the doorway, heads down and heading towards a Mini Cooper that’s parked up outside.

I fucking knew it.

I smile at the fact I was right, normally I’m way off base, but then the apprehension sets in…

where’s she going in a hurry? And what the fuck is she wearing?

Her dress—if you can even call it that—shows off every inch of her.

A growl rumbles in my chest, and I clench my hands around the steering wheel, willing myself to calm down.

There must be a logical explanation as to why my girlfriend is wearing next to fucking nothing.

Lauren and Sydney drive off and I quickly follow them, trying to keep as much distance between us as possible, but also being close enough that I can see where they’re going.

Weaving in and out of traffic, which is thankfully light, we turn off at an exit before heading farther into town.

They keep driving for a few more minutes before pulling into the Florence Hotel.

What the fuck?

The car idles as I sit and wait to see what happens next. Luckily my windows are slightly tinted so I can see them but they can’t see me.

Lauren gets out of the car, taking in a deep breath before heading inside, head down the entire time. I hear the engine start up on Sydney’s car and watch as she goes to the parking lot opposite. Following suit, I do the same, parking a couple of spaces down.

I get out of my car and head over to Sydney. She’s just closing her door when her head snaps toward the sound of me approaching and she looks at me with wide eyes. “Shit.”

“The fuck is going on, Sydney? Why the hell has my woman just walked into that hotel all dressed up? ”

“McHotStuff, I don’t have time for this,” she pleads, barging past me. “I need to get inside.”

“Why? What’s going on?” I gently clasp her arm to get her attention. Frustration that Lauren’s put herself into a dangerous situation, and Sydney not answering my questions threatens to send me nuclear.

Sydney sighs. “Can we walk and talk? I need to get in there. Like, now.” The urgency in her tone makes me stand up straighter.

“Start talking, Sydney,” I grit out.

Sydney begins walking briskly toward the hotel and I fall into step beside her. “Dean Williams has been threatening Lauren,” she whispers. “She was told that if she didn’t do as he said, both of you would pay the price.”

I blink, the words taking a second to sink in. “Are you fucking kidding me? Why didn’t she tell me?” I whisper yell back. My strides getting quicker, needing to get to her now .

“She was trying to protect you,” she snaps.

“From what?” I exclaim. “I’m a big boy, Sydney, I’m perfectly capable of dealing with the asshole without putting Lauren in fucking danger.” I’m nearly shouting at this point, but concerned looks from other hotel goers causes me to lower my voice. “What the hell were you both thinking ?”

The anger flooding my veins is enough to level a building. How fucking stupid can she be?

“We weren’t thinking of anything other than trying to fix this. Lauren’s first instinct might be to protect you, but my first instinct is to protect her ,” she replies angrily.

“If you think this is protecting her, Sydney, you still have a lot to learn.” We get to the elevator as I ask, “What floor?”

“Third,” she mutters .

The doors open and we step inside, I stab the button a little too hard and the doors close. I glance over at Sydney and some of the anger drains from me—she looks scared, terrified.

“What was the plan here, Sydney? Go in and seduce him?” I feel sick at the thought.

Sydney starts pacing around the small compartment. “To a certain degree. We wanted to get it on tape, to bury him, so that he can’t do this again.”

“For fuck sake, that’s the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard,” I shout.

“Well it seemed like a good idea at the time, alright?” she shouts back, tears forming along her lash line. “Caleb. She’s my best friend, you think I want her in this situation?” she sighs.

“A good idea? That’s the woman I love up there, going through god knows what,” I exclaim as I run a hand through my hair.

I swear to god, as soon as this is over I’m tanning my girl’s ass a beautiful shade of red.

Sydney’s head snaps up, but we’re saved from having that conversation as the elevator doors open.

We begin walking down the hallway when we hear, “Sydney” screamed.

I don’t hesitate, I run.