Wes rolled his eyes. “What he means is… if he’s anything less than a gentleman, tell us, and we’ll move you right away but because of who his father is…” He nodded. “His security is probably better than mine and Gabe’s combined.”
“He?”
“Tristan,” they said in unison.
I smiled.
Gabe groaned. “Stop smiling.”
I smiled harder.
“Don’t make me regret this, Lisa. I’m serious!” He pointed his finger at me and stood. “Just pack up enough stuff to stay for the week, and next weekend we’ll help you move. I can’t today because I’m flying back down to Portland with Saylor for a wedding, and Wes has practice.”
“Okay.” I stood. “Did you talk to the police?”
“Going there next. Your safety is first. The police tracking this bastard down is second. Just be careful, carry your Mace, and stick close to Tristan.”
I smiled again.
At my third or maybe fourth smile, Gabe barked, “And stop looking so damn happy about it.”
“Love you, Gabe.” I ducked into his arms and sighed as he wrapped them tightly around my body.
“Love you too, Lisa. Just be careful, okay? Not just in general, but with your heart. I couldn’t handle it if it broke.”
“Promise.” I kissed his cheek and went over to give Wes a hug too. Both guys left a few hours later, after going over more of the plans they were going to put into place around campus, and by the time they left, I was exhausted.
I set my alarm so I’d wake up in time to meet with Jack and fell into a dreamless sleep.
“Don’t move,” a voice said. “Keep your eyes closed. I like you like that.”
Terrified, I didn’t move. My heart rammed against my chest. Someone was in my room! Someone was with me in my dorm.
“It’s almost time, Mel.” The voice was muffled, like the guy was talking through layers of clothing. “Almost time… shh… so pretty lying there, so innocent, when we both know you aren’t. I’ll be back. You can count on that. Scream, and I’ll only hurt you. Call the police, and you’ll just look crazy. Now keep your eyes closed like a good girl so I can leave.”
I squeezed my eyes tighter.
Terrified that if I opened them, the guy would attack me.
When I heard the door shut, I jolted from the couch and ran after the guy. When I opened the door, it was Jack waiting on the other side, raising his hand to knock. “Whoa!” He gripped my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“A guy—” I choked out the word. “—a guy came into my room, and he — he said things, and… did you see him?” I tried to peer around him, but Jack’s expression was furrowed, his eyebrows drawn in.
“Lisa, I’m not trying to be a prick, but I’ve been standing here for at least a minute. There wasn’t anyone leaving your room. They would have run right into me.”
“But, Jack, he was here! I swear!”
Jack nodded. “Okay, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but what were you doing when he came in?”
I backed away. “Sleeping, but—”
Jack shook his head. “Then it was probably a nightmare.”
“But he was in my room!”
“Lisa.” Jack braced my shoulders again. “You’ve had a lot of stress lately, with having your room broken into and being romanced by our professor.”
Great. He was making jokes.