Lauren didn’t know how Nate would react to her admission. She’d never told any man outside of her family. To her delight, Nate completely surprised her.
His finger reached up to stroke her cheek. “Do not remember that as the day you lost your virginity. Nothing could be further from the truth, in my opinion. Your virginity is yours to give away.” He brushed a stray hair away from her eye. “That bastard committed a violent act that tore some skin and took your innocence, but he didn’t take anything from you. If you haven’t done it already, the day will come when you will give yourself to another person for the right reasons, and that man will show you how wrong that bastard was, and how beautiful love can be.”
That was the moment Lauren lost her heart to Nate Patterson. And the only thing she could think to say was, “You are my Alex.”
“What?”
“Nothing. That isn’t anyone else’s name.” He probably thought she was calling him by some ex’s name. She hoped she could tell him the truth someday, but she’d opened herself up enough for one night. “It’s meant as a compliment. Someone told me once that someday I’d find my Alex, my true…” she stopped. Was she ready to admit she loved him? Maybe not. “Just know I’ve never dated anyone by that name. It’s a compliment.”
He laughed, touching his lips to hers briefly. She cupped his face and kissed him, hoping she could silently tell him what she could not yet put it into words. When she teased him with her tongue, he groaned and reciprocated by delving deeper into her mouth, tantalizing her in ways she’d never experienced before. Their kiss went deeper and deeper, driven by the passion of two people who’d been without for a long time. She wanted him in a way that was confusing to her. These were needs she’d thought she didn’t have anymore, needs she had repressed for a long, long time.
When he ended the kiss, they were both panting, much to her delight. She’d hoped the desire pumping through her veins was not one-sided.
“Nate, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” she whispered. “I would like you to be that man.”
“Nothing would please me more, but when it happens, I need you to be sure. I don’t think this is the right time.”
Her hands ran down his chest and then reached for his hands. “You’re right. I’m not ready yet. But I trust you, and that has been very difficult for me. Your touch always leaves me wanting more. I hope you’ll be patient with me.”
“This is completely within your control.”
“You promise not to betray my confidence?”
Nate hesitated, but he agreed. “I won’t say anything unless your life is at risk. If something like that happens and you’re in danger, I’ll talk to Ryan, but I won’t say anything otherwise. I can’t help but wonder why you haven’t turned it over yourself.”
Lauren couldn’t explain what her gut told her. “I can’t really answer that. It’s just…something tells me I need to hang on to it. Privacy is paramount to support groups. Do you understand what I mean? I’d much rather just figure this out myself.”
“I agree with you that the answer is there. Don’t you trust Ryan and Jake enough to ask them not to compromise the information? Can’t they study it without talking to the victims directly?”
“I don’t know. I suppose I can put the question to Ryan. But he could force me to turn it over, and then it’ll be out of my hands. And what if his chief insists on taking over? Then Ryan won’t have any control over the situation.”
Nate leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Promise me to think about it? That’s all I ask.”
For him, she would. “I’ll think about it.”
She had this fear that everything would careen into a catastrophe if she lost control of the chart. While she didn’t understand why she felt that way, there was no denying she did.
***
Lauren moved into Stacy’s apartment on Thursday. With Nate’s help, it only took a couple of hours.
Stacy had taken an instant liking to Nate. “Oh boy,” she said after he left, “do you think you can convince him and his buddies to do one of those firefighter calendars?”
It felt wonderful to have some space of her own again, to assert her independence.
Lauren hummed to herself as she headed back to her car after her last class of the day on Friday. While the campus at Summerhill College was always busy, the quadrangle at Cornell was nearly deserted.
She’d almost made her way out of the Science Quad when a woman’s voice called out to her from behind.
“Ms. Grant? Lauren Grant?”
She spun around with a lump in her throat and a hand in her bag already reaching for her mace. The first thing she noticed was the fear in the young woman’s gaze. “Yes?”
She had long dark hair and looked very young. Lauren waited for her to speak so as not to frighten her away.
“Are you Lauren Grant?”
The girl drew close enough for her to see the tears welling in her eyes, and Lauren’s pulse and breathing sped up, though she did her best to slow herself down. She glanced around the quad and noticed several other students wandering about, but they ignored the two women.
Fear needled into her. Stay calm! This was a public place, and it was around five o’clock, and the sun shone bright. She was not about to be attacked.
“Yes, I’m Lauren Grant. Are you all right? Has something happened to you?”
The girl’s lower lip quivered and she gave a quick nod, her head spinning around to check the area before she brought her attention back to Lauren. “I have a message for you.”
“From whom?”
“From one of the frats at Summerhill College. I’m supposed to tell you that I was kidnapped last night because of you. Your brothers need to stop poking around. The investigation has to go away, or they’ll attack more women and tell them it’s all your fault.” Tears slid down her cheeks, and Lauren could see she was about to lose control.
“Let me help you. I can go to the emergency room with you. I can…”
“No!” Her shout carried across the campus. She lowered her voice. “No, please. Nothing has happened yet, so they won’t find anything at the hospital. But I’m being watched,” she whispered. “I was told I had to give you this message, or they’ll assault me tonight. All of them.”
“Who? Tell me which frat. Please.” Lauren reached for the girl’s hand, but she took several steps back. “You need to go to the police. I’ll go with you.”
“I’ve never been so scared in my whole life. I’m leaving campus as soon as I do as they instructed. They’re animals. I’m sorry, but I…I know they meant what they said, and I can’t let them hurt me. Have your brother stop. Please.” She lowered her voice and added, “They’re also waiting for you. I’m so sorry.”
She whirled around and ran down one of the paths toward the parking lot.
“Wait!” Lauren pleaded. “Tell me more, please.” If the woman had more information, this could be the break Jake and Ryan needed. But the stranger didn’t slow or even stop.
Lauren could feel the wetness of her own tears fill her cheeks. Her first thought was to follow the woman, but she had said they were waiting for her. What if they were lying in wait in the parking lot or near the bus stop?
Panic flooded her veins as her gaze darted from one person to the next, then the next, but they all continued on their way as if nothing had happened.
Her feet carried her backward until she hit a bench, and she collapsed onto it, unable to take another step.
The trembling started in her hands and traveled through the rest of her body until even her feet shook. How could she possibly walk home? It was a forty-five minute drive.
Which direction should she go? She was in the middle of the quad, it was still daylight, and she was scared shitless.
Maybe to the parking lot to catch the bus. But that’s the direction the girl had gone, and it was undoubtedly where they were waiting.
Maybe back into the class building to find her professor.
No, he’d said he was leaving right away. He’d even canceled office hours.
What time did they lock the buildings up?
What was her address anyway? Where did she live now?
She was losing her mind. She couldn’t even recall her new address.
Should she call her mother?
No.
Her heart pounded so powerfully in her chest that she wondered why it didn’t just explode inside her and end her misery.
What could she do?
The woman had implied that the frat guys wouldn’t attack either of them if Ryan stopped his investigation, but they might still attack her, frighten her, threaten her. She couldn’t take that chance.
Nate. Nate would help her if he were here. But he’d said he was picking up a shift today.
Take your phone out and call Nate. Even if he’s working, he’ll tell you what to do. Or Ryan. Call Ryan.
But Nate had gotten to her first when she’d been attacked last time.
She fumbled with her book bag, locating her phone and pulling it out, and glanced over her shoulder again to make sure no one would bother her.
Afraid to talk, she texted him instead.
Nate, help me.
He answered so quickly, it startled her.
Where are you?
Cornell U in the Science quad
Be right there. Working so I’m coming with the EMT vehicle.
Just come.
She knew he would. Her eyes drifted shut and she tried to recall everything the girl had said. Though she’d been hurt and threatened by members of a frat, she hadn’t identified which one. The girl had been frightened half to death.
Just as Lauren was now.
This meant that Ryan was on the right path. She’d been attacked by members of a fraternity, just like he thought.
She jumped up from her seat, recalling the conversation the guys who’d attacked her had carried on. A new memory had surfaced—a very important one.
“Did you get that?”
The leader had said that to one of the others. That could only mean one thing. One of them had recorded the attack on their phone. They’d taken a picture or a video.
Her phone lit up again, the little jingle calling to her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was a message from Nate.
Are you all right? We’re on our way.
Not hurt. Scared.
Why?
Threatened.
It took her three tries to type that one word into her phone close enough so the auto-correct would pick it up.
The texts kept coming, each one easing the feeling of being alone and afraid.
Ten minutes later, the EMT van pulled up in front of the quad, lights blazing. Or had it been twenty minutes…or five? She really had no idea.
Hurry, Nate.
She managed to stand and look in that direction. There was only one problem.
Her feet wouldn’t move.