Protecting Olivia

CHAPTER FIVE

ETHAN

Despite getting home early morning, I was out the door of the house while Jordan and Jane were getting ready to leave. I honestly didn't want to see them all over each other, as happy as I am for them, and I really am, it's not something I want to be exposed to every second of the day.

Besides, I've never been good being cooped up in a house. Preferring instead to be outdoors, away from everyone and everything. Perhaps that's from my upbringing, taking Kate away from the house as much as possible, only really returning to go to sleep.

I lay my surf board on the pristine sand and look at the waves rolling in. There isn't much of a swell right now, though it should pick up later. The little cove I found just off the popular Point is perfect. Not many people, if any, come here, having to climb over rocks and boulders to get to it. It gives me the peace I need.

Fetching my phone out of my pocket, I sit down in the sand and scroll through my contacts until I find the number I am looking for.

I've built a lot of connections since being in the army, people I can call on to keep an eye on things when I'm not home. Hitting the call button, I put the phone to my ear and wait for the call to connect.

"I see you made it back alright." The gruff voice states as a greeting causing a small smirk to form on my lips.

"Can't get rid of me that easily." I quip earning a chuckle to come through the speaker.

"Always thought you were indestructible." He states.

"What have you got for me?" I ask, getting straight down to business.

"Honestly, not much." He sighs, "They've been doing the tourist thing, had a couple more meetings with the judge you mentioned, but not much else."

I nod my head, though he can't see, feeling uneasy. I know they are up to something; I just don't know what. My parents aren't the types of people to just holiday, they are always planning, scheming, and I know this time isn't any different.

"No other people have come into their lives?" I ask the question I always ask, knowing that I would have received photos of any new people they would associate with anyway. Still, I can't afford for anyone to be missed.

"No, only casual contacts like servers and such." I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that for the time being, everything I've worked so hard to keep hidden, remains so. But I also know I can't ever let my guard down when it comes to my father.

"Thanks mate," I tell him earnestly.

"Anytime." He chuckles before saying goodbye and cutting the call. I toss the phone in the sand next to me and lean back on my elbows, looking out at the surf again, allowing myself to relax for the first time in ages. The waves are hypnotic, calming me and allowing my mind to wander back.

18 years ago

Kate and I sat on the swings in the small neighbourhood park. The sun was beginning to set and I knew we were going to have to go back home soon. It's the last place I wanted to go, the last place I wanted Kate to be, but I knew not returning would be so much worse.

I'd met Kate at the gate of her primary school and walked us to the park to wait until the very last minute before returning home. It was the first school day of the year, my first day of high school and I was relieved when those school gates were open. Kate would have a safe place to spend her day, surrounded by teachers and students where for just a little while, I wouldn't have to worry so much about her.

Though I was anxious to be going to a separate school, I was thankful it was just across the road from her and I could see her during the breaks, playing with whatever friend she had made that day. I was glad that until the term break, we wouldn't have to wander the streets from sunrise to sunset.