in threes
Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Alex‘ POV

When we arrived back home, Lottie and Anna were waiting anxiously at the pool, their eyessearching ours for any sign of an update.

I handed them their meals, hoping to bring a moment of comfort amidst the tension, as they smiledand thanked me – having not ate yet that day.

The two of them looked quite hysterical, in their baggy male swim shorts, wet hair, and oversized t–shirts.

We would probably need to take them back for more clothes today too..

“We have confirmation,” I begin, my voice steady but laced with determination as they both perk upslightly.

“We didn’t see them at school… so we called your old school Lottie and the receptionist confirmedthat they didn’t go into school today. It’s very likely that they’re already in town or are on their wayhere at least! Do you know how they would get here? Can any of them drive?” I ask suddenly, asthat could be a great help when we tell our guys to look out for them…

I watch as they both nod and fork into their pasta before Lottie opens her mouth to speak-

“Tommy’s father has a navy blue pickup truck… they steal it often… Tommy has a fake license, Ithink, because he’s been driving it since fourteen. I don’t know if they would risk driving it this farthough – so maybe they took the bus like I did.” Lottie’s quiet voice tells us, as I nod in approval ofthe new information.

It might be best to send someone to the bus station… perhaps one of us…

“I won’t let them hurt you again,” I reassure Lottie, my voice filled with conviction, as she smilesslightly and nods – continuing with her pasta.

“Which is why we are going to try out the fight plan… if it’s organised then it will cover our backstoo… and we will get our revenge.” I finish, as Anna claps her approval – mouth full of pasta andLottie pauses for a moment.

“We’ve also called in our backup, and they’ll be here tonight to help us. Del adds, as the both ofthem stare up at us weirdly.

“Backup? What the hell do you mean? I’ve never seen you talk to anybody other than one another!”Anna snorts, as Lottie almost chokes through a laugh.

“Who they are is none of your business! They are coming to help and that’s all that matters!” Jacegroans, something he tends to do often whenever Anna speaks and mocks us.

Del, Jace, and I exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding passing between us. We had aduty to protect Lottie now, not just because she was my girlfriend, but because she had becomefamily to us and we don’t accept just anybody into our group.

They didn’t need to know who our backup were and what they’ve done in the past, they just neededto trust us. We have everything under control so far…

“So what did the instagram messages actually say last night? Have they sent anything else overtoday?” Anna randomly questions next, bringing my thoughts back to Lottie’s phone which I hadn’tactually checked since this morning.

There had been nothing this morning when I first woke up. I also have to keep in mind that the appcould be a useful tool in contacting and negotiating in the future with them if needed…

By negotiating I refer to convincing them to not be pussy’s and to step up and fight me!

I haven’t checked today… and there was nothing much said last night either – just stupidcomments.” I cut the conversation short on purpose, having decided that whatever came through onthat phone – I didn’t want Lottie having to know of or read.

It would only send her into another panic attack which is not what anyone wants or needs right now.All I need is for her to feel safe here

with us – which so far, she does.

I head back inside, leaving them out back on the loungers as they finish their lunch, with theintention of heading upstairs to check the phone again.

I head to my bedroom, pull open the drawer that I had hidden it in and retrieve the newly boughtiPhone from it. It was just a shame that she hadn’t gotten to use it much because of them!

I swipe open the app, curiosity getting the better of me again.

As the app loaded, my eyes instantly landed on the five message notifications – causing me totense. I click on them instantly, sighing when seeing that two of them belonged to Erik.

I open the chat with Erik, seeing he had just tagged Lottie in a couple of story posts from the festival– harmless.

I then click on to the chat with “T_55‘, cringing again at the blank user. I mean, why even bothergoing to the lengths to hide your identity if we know who you are already? Idiots.

There were three messages, two sent over three hours ago and another sent only an hour ago…

Hide & seek begins this week princess…”

‘It won’t be hard to replace you… a tramp amongst the rich!‘

‘Cat got your tongue? Not responding to us now princess? Saving it all for when we replace you? Suityourself!‘

I grip the phone, eyes burning down at the messages – always taunting and trying to bully her.However, I wasn’t intimidated, if only they knew it were me they were texting!

My fingers press the keys, typing a response out of anger.

‘Game on… that is if your Dads beat up old truck doesn’t breakdown on the way here!‘

The text is strategic, as I smirk down at my own tactic. At least it was confirmed now that they werecoming here today.

I hit send, feeling a surge of defiance.

It was time to face them head–on and put an end to their torment. From what they remember, Lottieis no more than a scared defenceless girl on the run… they despise her that much that they fail tobelieve she could ever make friends or live a better life on her own…

As I close the app, a sense of purpose washes over me. Lottie’s safety was paramount, and I woulddo whatever it took to protect her at this point.

She was mine…

I place the phone into my pocket, before I walk back downstairs to head outside to join the others, aconfident smile playing on my lips.

“They’re on their way here there is no doubt about that. We will send out our backup tomorrow afterwe fill them in tonight. They will be based around town until somebody sights them and is able to

follow them for us. I want to know where they are staying, where they visit, who they speak to andanything else that may be important to us…” I speak to the group, who listen to me intently.

“So in the meantime, Jace could you park up at the bus station and watch for them there? Theymight already be here, or they might not

be getting the bus in, but just be our eyes for a couple of hours anyway before the meeting? Myselfand Del will take you both back to Anna’s so that you can pack up more clothes… you’ll be here awhile!” 1 finish, as everyone nods and seems to understand the plan.

It was do or die… and by all means, we won’t be the dead ones in the end…