Page 53 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

“What are these for?”

“Just in case.” I run a hand through my hair after putting my phone back in my pocket. There are still a couple guys I trust to get the others. “We don’t know what I’m walking into. If something goes wrong, you’re going to need to get the others’ attention. We don’t need you owing Angela Harris anything more.”

Nico grunts and grows quiet as I walk forward. He has my phone’s location to track me.

“You’re getting close to where her ring stopped transmitting.” Nico clears his throat. “What if this is a trap?”

I stop and stare at the little trail ahead of me. He’s right, it could be a trap. No one knows about Harper’s ring. Her phone was off at the high school. If it was a trap for us, they would have left it on so we had a trail to follow.

I blow out a breath. “It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is Harper.”

Fuck, I actually mean that. Whatever is happening out here is happening because we own her. Do I think someone might have taken her if we’d never shown interest? I release my breath.

Did Luke’s father only become interested in Harper after our friend sent a warning shot across his bow? Or would he have always thought Harper knows more than she does? Why does it feel like we were always meant to collide?

“She’d never forgive me if something happens to you.” Nico’s tone is solemn. “She’s always been open to love, but while she cares for a lot of people, she doesn’t always let herself fall completely. She loves you, Eli.”

My heart pounds a little harder as I let some of the panic rise to the surface. If anything happened to her... My stomach clenches. “I’ll be okay.”

“Maybe we need to call the other guys.” Nico blows out a breath into the receiver. “You need real backup. Especially if this is more than just a walk in the park.”

I try to think rationally about this. Try to wrap my mind around waiting for the others, while Harper might be out there being hurt. I can’t stomach it. Fuck it.

I continue down the path, more determined than ever.

“Seriously, there’s got to be someone who could be backup f⁠—”

The phone cuts off. I stop and grab my phone. When I bring it up to look at the face, there’s no cell service. I look around, but the forest is more dense here.

I step back until cell service returns. My phone buzzes in my hand and I answer Nico.

“What the fuck, man?” Nico sounds like he might have pissed himself.

“Worried about me?” I smirk and look around. There’s no obvious barrier. No reason my signal should have quit like that.

“Your trace went away, and I was worried you broke your phone or someone jumped you.” Nico seems to be calming down.

“Glad to know you care, brother.” I glance around. “I don’t know what’s blocking the signal.”

“What’s the plan?”

“I can’t just wait here for her. You said her dot disappeared. Was it around here?”

“Yeah.” Nico is quiet. “You’re going in there?”

I run a hand across the back of my neck. “Yeah.”

“Give me a time.” Nico sounds resigned.

I blow out a breath. “I’ll go forward and see if I can find a signal. If not, I’ll walk back to here in fifteen minutes.”

“Fuck.” Nico’s quiet for a moment. “I’d say don’t be a hero, but...”

“But it’s Harper,” I finish.

“Yeah.”

“Fifteen.” I disconnect the call and walk into the area, watching my phone. After a few minutes, I come to what looks like a small trail that hasn’t been taken much. It runs both directions though, and I can’t see anything beyond twenty feet.