“What the fuck was that!” I demanded as we sped down the highway. Luckily, we’d escaped the library and evaded the campus police. Now we had to hope that we’d make it back to the cabin without being pulled over. Meanwhile, I was shaking all over, still in shock at how close I’d come to being dead. “You almost killed that guy!”
Mason glanced over at me as he switched lanes. “I told you not to talk to anyone.”
Anger clenched my stomach. So he thought all of that was my fault?
“You could have killed him, Mason,” I repeated. “Murder.”
As if you needed anymore trouble.
Mason set his jaw. “He wouldn’t have thought twice about killing you.”
I shook my head, shuddering at how close I came to being taken by someone who at first seemed so innocent. I still wasn’t sure if he would’ve truly harmed me, but I’m glad I didn’t get to find out. “That doesn’t make it right.” I sighed. “And I didn’t mean to talk to the guy. He came up to me and started chatting. I just thought it would be rude to just ignore him. He looked harmless, like your average student.”
“I told you, Carly, Anonymous has eyes everywhere, especially where anti-government sentiment is popular.”
“I’m sorry,” I said simply.
“Don’t be.” Mason’s voice softened. “You just don’t understand who you’re dealing with, that’s all. And it’s mostly my fault for pulling you into this mess.”
“I told you once and I’ll tell you again, you’re doing the right thing—”
“I lost control. When he threatened your life, I blacked out. I was filled with rage.”
I felt cold all over. Mason just admitted he came close to murdering someone . . . for me. As sick as it was, I almost felt special. Almost.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you and it caused me to panic.” Mason’s voice was thick with emotion and I was taken off guard by his intensity.
Wow, maybe he really does care about me, after all.
After Mason had walked out on us, I’d convinced myself that he didn’t care about anyone but himself. But now hearing the anguish in his voice, I was beginning to change my mind.
“I’m just glad you came along when you did,” I said softly.
“I am too. Had I been a minute longer, he’d have probably gotten you through that door. Then who knows what would’ve happened.”
A cold chill went down my spine and the hum of the motor and the buzz of passing cars filled the silence for the next several moments.
“Were you friends with that guy or something?” I asked, finally breaking the silence. “He knew your hacker name and everything.”
Mason grunted. “Unfortunately.”
“Who was he?”
“Aubrey Locke — a douchebag hacker that never could pull his own weight. We were just in high school when he got me into Anonymous. I don’t know how he got in to be honest, he’s more of a brute. I’m sure he thought he could elevate his status by bringing me in. Not sure what he was doing at the library right then, though, probably a stroke of luck, but then again, maybe not. The worst part about all of this is now they know you’re with me.”
A feeling of dread settled on my chest. Suddenly, I remembered why we’d come to the library in the first place “Did you get the video on my site?” I asked. To me that was more important than anything else at the moment or this would’ve all been for nothing.
Mason nodded. “The only thing that went right today. After I got it set up, I forwarded the link to the video to all the major news and media outlets. By the time we get back to the cabin, the mayor should have been exposed for the scumbag he is.”
Despite the dark pall that hung over us, I was filled with sudden giddiness. Shortly, my name would be known in all of the news circles and then . . .
Jesus Christ, get a hold of yourself!
I was irritated by my need to be validated by my peers and my hunger for recognition. There was much more going on here than just my career. Mason was a wanted man, and now I was possibly just as wanted by the hackers that were after him.
“Mason,” I said as he pulled off the freeway, “we’re going to need to start planning how we’re going to clear your name and make these Anonymous people leave us alone—”
A vibration in the pocket of my skirt interrupted me. I frowned. It was my cell. I thought I’d turned it off, but now was a good time to do it. It would be only a matter of time before it would be vibrating off the hook.
I slipped a hand in my pocket and pulled it out. Mason reached over to stop me before I could press the power button.
“Who is it?”
Funny, I hadn’t even bothered to look at the screen. When I did, my mouth went dry and I looked over at Mason with trepidation.
“It’s your father,” I replied.
Chapter 11
Carly