Page 41 of Savage Protector
My jaw drops. I never thought of that. How was I so stupid? But…
“How do they know about the video? I never mentioned it.”
“I did. In fact, Uncle Knobhead has a copy of it, just to remind him how badly things could go wrong for him if he attracts my attention ever again. I guess he showed it to his charming offspring.”
I can only gape at him. “You? But when? Why?”
“Two years ago, just before you left Caraksay. And I just told you why.”
“So, it was you who told them I wasn’t killed that day,” I accuse. “And you hurt Uncle Abdul.”
“I did. Knee-capped him. Always works to deliver a lesson. As for telling him you were alive, guess I did. I told him to leave you alone. In any case, they could probably work it out when they watched the home movie. What I didn’t tell them was where you were now. You managed that.”
“I never?—”
“How long were you on the phone?”
I shrug. “Twenty minutes, maybe.”
“Ample time to track your phone and locate you.”
“How would they manage that? They’re not exactly tech wizards.”
“All it would take is a half-decent private detective. I’d suggest they hired one as soon as they realised their nasty little scheme had gone tits up. His job…to find you.”
My heart sinks even lower, if that were even possible. “So, what am I to do now? If they find me…”
“Drink your coffee. I need to make a few calls.” He gets up and paces away from me.
“Zayn, I don’t want?—”
He turns his back on me, phone to his ear, deep in conversation.
I sip my coffee and wait for him to tell me what happens next.
“I found you a safe place.Just outside Glasgow.” He sits back down opposite me. “You can easily get to the university from there, but I think you should give it a miss for a week or two. Chances are they’ll be watching the university as well.”
“I can’t miss my lectures! I’m struggling as it is, with all…all of this.”
“I get that, but your safety comes first. You can catch up.”
I probably can, if I work all hours and forget about sleep for a while. A few months, at least.Shit.But I know, deep down, I know he’s right. Now that they know I’m alive I represent a serious threat to my family, and they’ve already shown how merciless they can be. Iamin danger.
I nod helplessly. “Where is this place? Another flat somewhere?”
“You’re moving in with me.”
My jaw drops. “I am not!”
He continues as though I never spoke. “It’s called Caernbro Ghyll. You’ll like it there. I have an apartment. Jack lives there, too, and his wife. Tony’s family have another apartment, and Rome. So, you’ll know people.”
“I’m going to be living with a load of…of gangsters? You must be joking.”
“Better than dying in a grotty university shared flat surrounded by fucking undergraduates armed with stethoscopes, compassion, and worthy intentions.”
“I was not going to?—”
He fixes me with a glare that leaves no room for argument. I fall silent.
