Chapter 148
Audrey’s POV
Blake’s words hung in the air between us, his voice low and intimate in the confines of the car.
My ears grew warm. Thankfully, the darkness hid it.
When Blake mentioned his “conditions” earlier, I barely registered what he was implying. My mind was consumed with worry for Ethan, the immediate danger he was in.
But now, in this quiet car, with that tone in his voice…
I tightened my grip on the wheel. The light turned green, and I pressed the gas harder than needed.
“We’re almost there,” I said.
Blake just grunted, focused on his phone as he typed messages.
We pulled into NYU’s campus lot. The men’s dorm stood ahead, windows still lit despite the hour. Black vans waited in the visitor spaces, exactly as Ethan described.
I killed the engine and grabbed my phone. Several messages had come through:
“Audrey, is that you helping? I can see the vans leaving from the stairwell.”
“Alexander says men in suits are still inside. They didn’t leave with the vans.”
“Some are at my room, some at the entrance, others searching floor by floor…”
“I can’t go back to my room tonight. No place to go. It’s freezing…”
I sent back: “I’m here. Coming to find you!”
His reply popped up instantly: “Audrey! I knew you wouldn’t bail on me!”
“I’m between the fifth and sixth floors!”
I answered: “Wait for us.”
I could almost see his relieved face. Poor kid was probably scared to death, hiding for hours while strangers hunted him.
I put my phone down and unconsciously glanced toward Blake. His eyes met mine, cold and filled with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.
‘I know where Ethan is,” I said, reaching for the door. “Let’s go.”
“The second we park, you text Ethan,” Blake said. “You sure care about him.”
I frowned. “Those men could find him any minute. Of course I’m worried.”
Vhapter 148
I stepped out of the car, but Blake’s words followed me. I stopped, suddenly getting it. I turned back as he got out,
Blake Parker, are you… fealous?”
He froze for a second, something flashing across his face before his cold smile returned.
“You’re quite confident about your charm, aren’t you?” he said, walking past me toward the dorm.
I rolled my eyes but hurried after him.
He didn’t deny it. Blake Parker is jealous of a college kid.
The thought was so ridiculous I almost laughed.
At the entrance, Blake stopped and held out an arm.
“Stay hidden,” he whispered.
“What’s your plan?” I asked, moving closer.
“Wait for my signal. I’ll distract them. When I do, slip inside and head for the stairs.”
I nodded and ducked behind a planter. Blake adjusted his tie and walked to the door where two men in suits stood guard.
“Excuse me,” one said. “What’s your business here?”
Blake looked offended. “When were you hired? I’ve never seen you before.”
The man straightened. “You are…?”
“I’m the dean of student affairs!” Blake’s voice carried perfect authority. “We’ve had reports of students sneaking out. I do night checks to track attendance.”
He stepped closer. “I was here yesterday. Who are you people?”
Blake pulled out his phone. “Explain or I’m calling the police!”
The men exchanged glances. “We’re Charles the security guard’s nephews,” one said. “He’s sick. We’re helping out.”
“Really?” Blake sounded skeptical. “I need to verify that.”
He motioned them to follow him away from the door, positioning them with their backs to the entrance. As they huddled around his phone, he made a subtle gesture.
I slipped inside, glancing back to see Blake watching from the corner of his eye. When he saw I was safe, he visibly
relaxed.
Those men aren’t helping any security guard, I thought, heading for the stairs. They’re waiting to catch Ethan.
I climbed quietly, listening for footsteps. By the fifth floor, I heard Blake following several flights below.
Between the fifth and sixth floors was a maintenance closet. I knocked softly.
“Ethan?”
The door cracked open. Ethan’s wide eyes peered out.
“Audrey!” He threw the door open and lunged forward, hugging me tight. “You came to the men’s dorm for me! At night!”
I froze, caught off guard. My arms hung awkwardly as he held on.
“Ethan, it’s okay now,” I said, patting his back. “You’re safe.”
“When I asked for help, I never thought… you’d come yourself!” His voice cracked. “No woman’s ever been this good to
me…”
“What are you doing!”
Blake’s voice sliced through the moment. Ethan let go and turned, his joy turning to shock.
“Why are you here?” he asked warily.
Blake’s eyes were ice. “Why am I here? Without me, you think Audrey could walk into a men’s dorm alone at midnight?”
He pulled me away from Ethan, positioning himself between us.
“Audrey, why did you…” Ethan started, his face falling.
“I’ll explain later,” I cut in, feeling the tension build. “Right now, we need to get you out.”
“Quiet,” Blake hissed, head tilting toward the hall.
We went silent. Footsteps approached, along with voices.
“We’ve searched forever and still can’t find him,” a man said. “You think he escaped?”
“No way,” another replied. “We’re at every exit. Even if he jumped, we’d find his body. He’s still inside.”
Blake grabbed us both and pulled us into the closet, locking the door behind us.
We stood frozen in the dark as the voices grew louder.
“What’s he wearing? I don’t want him standing right in front of you and you miss him.”
“Blue pajamas with a white denim jacket, and white slippers. His roommate told us.”
I glanced at Ethan. He wore exactly that.
“We’ve been at it all night. Haven’t seen anyone like you described…”
They stopped outside our door. My heart jumped to my throat.
“Think he’s in here?” The doorknob rattled.
“Doubt it. Looks unused.”
3/4
Chapter 148
“But what if? The key should be at the front desk. Go get it. I’ll wait.”
“On it.”
One set of footsteps left, but I could hear the remaining man shifting his weight outside. My pulse pounded so loud I was sure he’d hear it.
I grabbed Blake’s arm. “What should we do?”
Blake looked grim in the dim light. He checked Ethan’s clothes, then his own expensive suit. He sighed.
He handed me his jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt.
“Take off your clothes,” he told Ethan.
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