Julian (Trinity Academy 4)

“Yes, Sir.” Preston adjusts his glasses on his nose, then unlocks his phone’s screen, “I made a video in case we need it.” He comes to stand next to me, and I watch as Preston moves through the suite, pointing to a plug, then to the fire alarm. As he continues to point out two more cameras, a sickening feeling grows in my stomach. “There were four in total. I haven’t taken them down yet.”

“So, they’re still active?” I ask.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Give me the keycard to the suite.”

Preston quickly hands the card over. I walk out of the suite and not having the patience to wait for the elevator, I rush down the stairs. Entering Jamie’s old suite, I move closer to the fire alarm.

Staring at the object, rage begins to bubble in my chest.

“I hope you can hear me,” I grind the words out. “You’re a coward for preying on women. I’m going to find you.”

Glaring at the sensor, I wish I could strangle the psycho.

“I’m going to fucking find you, and then I’ll destroy you. You chose the wrong girl.”

Feeling blinded by rage, I wish I could yank the bastard right through the camera and kill him with my bare hands.

“Julian?” Hearing Jamie behind me, I swing around and jogging over to where she’s standing in the doorway, I push her back before shutting the door behind me.

“Don’t go in there until they’ve been taken down. I don’t want him seeing you.”

“That makes two of us,” she mumbles. “Mason called. He’s on his way to meet me here. He’s called the police, and they should arrive at any moment now.”

Just then, the elevator doors open, and two men step out. “Mason Chargill?” They ask as they near us, taking out their badges to identify themselves.

“I’m Julian Reyes. Mason will be here shortly,” I explain.

“I’m Detective Olsen, and this is my partner, Detective O’Neal. You reported an invasion of privacy?”

“Yes, a student has found four hidden cameras in his room. Give me a moment to call him.”

Taking hold of Jamie’s elbow, I pull her closer to me as I bring up Preston’s name on my phone. When he answers, I say, “The police are here. Please come down.”

Ending the call, I place my phone inside the inner pocket of my jacket.

“Is this the room?” Detective Olsen asks.

“Yes.” Letting go of Jamie, I take the keycard from my pocket, and I swipe it, opening the door for them. Not wanting to leave Jamie and not wanting her in the room, I glance at the elevator and let out a sigh of relief when the doors open, and Preston rushes out. “Will you show the Detectives where the cameras are hidden?”

“Yes, Sir.”

The moment he steps inside, I pull the door shut behind him, then turn back to Jamie. Seeing the distressed look on her face, I move closer and place my arm around her shoulders, drawing her into my side.

“Thank you for being here,” she whispers, her voice tight with tension.

I press another kiss to the top of her head, which has her looking up at me. “I didn’t take you for the protective kind.”

“Oh?”

She gives me a grateful smile. “I really appreciate it.”

“I know.”

She grows quiet and stares at the wall for a couple of minutes. “How long has this person been watching me?”

The elevator doors open. Mason, Falcon, and Lake step out.

Lake is the first one to reach us, pulling Jamie away from me and enveloping her in a hug. “How are you holding up?”

Drawing back, she tries her best to smile. “I’m okay.”

“Can you stay with her?” I ask Lake, so I can go into the suite with Mason and Falcon.

“Sure, you go ahead.”

“The Detectives are inside with Preston,” I tell Mason and Falcon, as I open the door.

Stepping inside the room, my gut tells me this is only the beginning of our nightmare.

I can only hope we find him in time before he does something worse.Chapter 17“The hunt just got more exciting.”JamieFeeling utterly frustrated because the one lead I had is inconclusive, I begin to chew on my thumbnail.

Kingsley reaches up for my finger, pulling my abused thumb away from my mouth. When I glance at her, she gives me a comforting smile while squeezing my hand.

“So, they think the cameras could’ve been placed while Kingsley was staying in that suite?” Layla asks. “Do you think Serena or Clare would do that?”

“I wouldn’t put it past them. They did try to kill us,” Kingsley says.

“I wish there was a way to know when the cameras were planted in the room,” Falcon murmurs.

“The security team will have to sweep every room on campus. We can’t risk assuming anything at this point,” Julian adds.

“I’ll make the call.” Mason gets up and walks out onto the balcony as he pulls out his phone.