Chapter 21 – Meeting Nathan

Saturday morning, Jack was up by five thirty. He jumped in the shower and then shaved. He double checked his luggage, then moved everything near the door. He grabbed his laptop and headed to the kitchen while the coffee was brewing. Jack checked the world news and his stocks. He saw that the stock that he had sold the day before had dropped even more. He was glad that he had sold a bunch of it to cover himself. After checking the stocks, he didn't see anything that needed to be adjusted. He opened up the page to the bank and moved some money around so it would be easier to shop in Saratoga. He knew he needed a new pair of black boots and it sounded like Elizabeth wanted some boots as well. He was also going to get her a hat if she wanted. He wanted to look at a new one as well, he didn't wear them other than when he was working on the ranch, so he didn't have a good one and thought it might be nice to have one to wear to the dinner and dance.

At one point Jack got up and made himself a bagel to have with his coffee. He was going to let Elizabeth sleep as late as possible, he knew that she had had a number of emotional days. He was also a little worried about how his mother would react to her. He hoped that she liked Elizabeth, but he was not quite sure. Jack was also worried about what Tommy was going to do, he could have a serious attitude toward people. Jack wasn't quite sure where he got that, but it was getting old. Jack wondered if part of Tommy's attitude was just being fifteen. Either way, Jack was going to talk to his grandfather about it and see if he could get through to Tommy. As Jack was lost in his thoughts staring at his computer, Elizabeth padded out into the kitchen in her pajamas and robe. Jack didn't notice her right away. Elizabeth breathed in the smell of the coffee Jack had made. She waited a moment to see if Jack noticed her. She was worried about him, it looked like he was staring off into space. After Elizabeth had a few sips of coffee, she decided to make sure Jack was okay.

"Morning Jack." Elizabeth said, touching his arm.

Jack jumped when Elizabeth touched his arm.

"Sorry." Elizabeth said.

"It is okay." Jack said. "I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been sitting there?"

"A few minutes." Elizabeth said.

"I was going to let you sleep until after six." Jack said. "I was up not long after five."

"It is almost six." Elizabeth said.

Jack looked at his computer and then looked at Elizabeth again.

"Guess I lost track of time." Jack said.

"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I set my alarm since I knew we were going to be leaving early."

"Devin should be here soon." Jack said. "We can stop and grab something for breakfast if you want. I had a bagel."

"I think I will change." Elizabeth said.

"Bring your stuff out and put it by mine in the living room." Jack said. "The guys will take care of everything and it will be stowed in the cargo hold of the helicopter. I usually have my laptop bag with me in the helicopter."

"I might do that as well." Elizabeth said.

"Okay." Jack said.

"Anything in particular that I should wear?" Elizabeth asked.

"Dress comfortably." Jack said. "The helicopter can be a little cool, Ma likes it that way."

"I think I will wear jeans and one of my new henley shirts then." Elizabeth said.

"I plan on throwing a plain button up long sleeve over my tee-shirt." Jack said.

"Thank you for letting me know." Elizabeth said. "I am going to change before Devin gets here. If we have time I would like to stop for breakfast."

"We will make time." Jack said.

Elizabeth smiled at Jack before heading back to her room. Elizabeth pulled out a pair of jeans and packed the shorts she had planned to wear. She grabbed one of her tee-shirts and the black button up. She made sure that she had everything that she would need and then brought everything out to the living room and set her luggage next to Jack's. She noticed that her new blue and silver luggage was similar to his red and black luggage. She smiled to herself, thinking that Katie did it on purpose. Elizabeth walked back over to Jack with a smile still on her face.

"What are you smiling about?" Jack asked.

"Just thinking about something Katie said." Elizabeth said.

"Care to share?" Jack asked.

"Nope." Elizabeth said. "It was between us girls."

"Fine." Jack said with a smirk.

Jack thought that it must be about him, but he wasn't going to push Elizabeth. He would figure it out sooner or later. Jack was just glad that Elizabeth was smiling. She had been through a lot the last few days and Jack hoped that getting out of the city and away from everything would make things calm down. Jack wasn't worried about his grandparents liking Elizabeth, because he was sure that they would love her just as much as he did. He just hoped that Elizabeth would relax and have fun while they were up there. Before Jack could get lost in his thoughts again, his phone chimed an incoming message. He picked up his phone and looked at it and saw that it was a message from Devin.

"Devin and Nathan are here." Jack said. "He is wondering if they can come up?"

"I am ready." Elizabeth said.

"I will let them know." Jack said.

"Why did he text?" Elizabeth asked.

"He was being nice." Jack said. "He didn't want to come up if you were still getting ready. The last thing that any of us want is to make you feel uncomfortable or rushed."

"Thank you, I guess." Elizabeth said. "I am not used to people taking my feelings into consideration. Normally my sister would just barge in or pound on the door until I let her in. I guess she gets that from our father."

"Well." Jack said. "Get used to it. Until further notice, this is your apartment and you have a right to say who comes and goes."

"Again, thank you." Elizabeth said.

Jack just gave her a dimpled grin. It wasn't long and there was a knock at the door. Jack knew that he could call out and Devin would key in, but instead he got up and opened the door.

"I come with coffee." Devin said.

"Thank you." Jack said. "I did make some, but I think Elizabeth will be happy, since she only had one cup."

Elizabeth came over and took her coffee.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

"Let's sit at the table and talk for a bit." Devin said.

The group settled around the table. Devin handed out the rest of the coffee and opened the container that held fresh bagel bites.

"Help yourself." Devin said.

Elizabeth grabbed one and so did Nathan.

"Before we get too far." Devin said. "JP and Elizabeth, this is Nathan Grant. He will be traveling and hanging with you while you are in Saratoga. I have made this change, because we need to be careful and Mr Thornton was hoping that by having Nathan there with you, especially when you are in town, it might cut down on the gossip."

"Thank you for that." Jack said. "I have explained to Elizabeth that we will have more freedom up there, but we can't stop people from taking our picture to sell or post to social media."

"Speaking of social media." Devin said. "Elizabeth, do you have social media?"

"I have facebook and instagram." Elizabeth said. "I don't post a lot, but do occasionally put a photo up."

"Okay." Devin said. "We aren't going to tell you that you can't post pictures, but maybe we can set some ground rules."

"Such as?" Elizabeth asked.

"Try not to post pictures of me." Nathan said. "It could jeopardize my work. I do a lot of undercover work."

"I can do that." Elizabeth said. "Anything else?"

"If you do, post pictures." Devin said. "Don't tag a location or post where you are. If you just want to say a general location, that might be okay. We just want to respect people's privacy and also keep you safe."

"I can do that." Elizabeth said. "Anything else?"

"If you haven't already done it." Nathan said. "It is suggested that you unfriend and/or unfollow the Kensingtons. It might be helpful if you also block them so they can't access your pages."

"I didn't think of that." Elizabeth said. "I haven't done that, but I will."

"Again." Nathan said. "We aren't trying to limit your freedom, but we really want to do everything to keep you safe."

Nathan looked at Devin to see how much he could say. Jack caught the look.

"I explained a little to Elizabeth last night." Jack said. "But I didn't tell her everything."

"What didn't you tell me?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Jack.

"I didn't tell you about the threats." Jack said.

Elizabeth looked at Nathan and Devin, then back at Jack. Jack could see the fear in her eyes. He reached over and took her hand.

"This is why." Jack said. "I didn't want you to be scared. I will keep you safe."

"Jack, please tell me." Elizabeth said. "I can handle it. I think that the more that I know the easier it will be to be alert."

"I agree." Nathan said.

"The Kensingtons have been making threats and demands." Devin said. "Charlie has been posting that you're his and he will never let you go. They have also been demanding access to you and saying that it was JP or Doug who hurt you and are now holding you hostage and/or they kidnapped you. They are saying that we won't let you talk to your family or friends and we lied to the NYPD or that the NYPD is helping to cover things up because the Thorntons paid them to do so. The Kensingtons have been very busy and vocal on social media the last thirty-six hours or so."

Elizabeth's eyes got huge. She looked between the three men that were sitting in front of her.

"Before you get mad." Devin said. "There is evidence that it was Charlie. I have personally talked to the judge and he believes your story. That doesn't mean that the Kensingtons can't try to dirty the waters. They have money and influence and are trying to use it."

"Too bad they decided to tangle with a Thornton." Jack quipped.

"John Parker." Devin said in a warning tone.

"Sorry." Jack said. "But I have never liked him and you know it, he knows it and so do others."

"Which is why he made threats on your life as well." Devin said. "I have briefed the security team in Saratoga and added a few additional people. I want to give you as much freedom as possible, but we also need to keep you both safe. That is why Nathan is here."

"Thank you for everything." Elizabeth said. "For the record, I have never gone out alone with Charlie Kensington. We went out once in a group of about twenty people, but I barely talked to him the entire time. Most of the people were friends of friends. I only actually knew about five people in the group. Everyone else I met that night or had only seen in passing. They were mostly all friends of Rosie's from school. I have never dated Charlie and don't want to. I got a bad feeling about him right away. This was set up between my father and his father as part of a business deal. I didn't know anything about it until this all blew up. Apparently, my father is more interested in furthering his business than my safety. Apparently, both men signed some sort of contract giving me to Charlie Kensington in exchange for business or contacts or something. I didn't question my father about it, I overheard a little of what he told my mother."

"Good to know." Devin said. "But it isn't just the Kensingtons that have made demands. Apparently, your father is demanding that you return home and stands with the Kensingtons that JP kidnapped you and is holding you hostage. I have shown the judge the messages between you and JP. I also reminded him that you are both adults and free to choose what you want. Like JP said, if you want to go back home and for us to leave you alone, we will, all you need to do is say the word."

"The last thing I want is to go back home." Elizabeth said. "I don't trust my father to keep me safe."

"Okay." Devin said. "I don't want you to worry about it. You may need to talk to the judge, but at this point we are okay."

"So what is the plan?" Jack asked.

"You are going to fly to Saratoga and have fun at your grandparents house." Devin said. "The only change will be that Nathan will be there. He will be staying at the house with you guys, like any of your friends would do. He will also go with you anytime you leave the ranch. He will stick closer than other security. Yes, there will be other security when you are up there, but they will keep a distance unless Nathan signals to them. They are to follow his lead. Please don't leave the ranch without Nathan and please listen to him when you are out."

"Can you handle this?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Nathan said. "I am trained in close protection. I am also highly skilled in other areas of protection."

"Mind me asking how?" Jack asked.

"No." Nathan said. "I was in ROTC in high school. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I ended up going to community college and getting a criminal justice degree. I have trained with the FBI, but am not employed by them."

"Devin said you are a student." Jack said.

"I am taking some law classes at NYU." Nathan said. "I don't exactly want to be a lawyer, but I thought some of the classes would be helpful. I originally wanted to be a police officer, but went into security and private investigator work as a compromise with my family, specifically my mother."

"Thank you for sharing." Elizabeth said.

"I promise if you ask me a question I will be honest with you." Nathan said. "We are supposed to be a group of friends. I will be upfront and let you both know that I have been briefed about both of you."

"So what is the story of how we met, just so we are all clear." Jack said.

Nathan looked to Devin, who nodded.

"I am not a fan of lying." Nathan said. "However I understand when working undercover, there is a certain amount of deception, however I feel this is a different situation and want to be as honest as possible."

"Okay." Jack said. "I repeat, what is the story? I will let you know that I am also not a fan of lying, but I have to tell people something and I would like for us to be clear before we get into that situation."

"How about this?" Nathan said. "We were introduced by a mutual friend and you invited me to come up to your grandparents to get out of the city and on a horse for a couple of weeks."

"You ride?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Nathan said. "I have rode for many years. I jumped when I was quite a bit younger, mostly schooling shows. I also have done some rodeo activities. I still ride and jump for fun when I have the opportunity."

"Sounds good." Jack said. "So if anyone asks, you meet Elizabeth just before heading north."

"Agreed." Nathan said.

"Agreed." Elizabeth said.

"Full disclosure." Nathan said. "I am twenty-five and originally from just outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania."

"Thank you for telling us." Elizabeth said. "As you know, we are both eighteen."

"Yes." Nathan said. "But that is okay. I don't see why we can't be friends, also I have been told that I don't look twenty-five."

"You don't." Jack said. "I would have put you at twenty-one, maybe twenty-two."

"Good." Devin said. "You guys can talk more in the car. Chris and I will drive you three to the heliport. JP, your mother and brother will meet you there."

"They know?" Jack asked.

"Your mother knows that Nathan is part of the security team." Devin said. "Your father knows as well since he has met with Nathan. Your grandparents know that you have security. We told them you are bringing two friends. I figured I would let you explain. What they told Tommy, I don't know."

"Good enough." Jack said.

"One question before we go." Nathan said. "What should I call you?"

"Please call me Jack." Jack said. "Only my family and people who don't know me call me JP. All my friends call me Jack. The only people that call me John are my parents when I am in trouble."

Jack looked at Devin as he said that.

"Jack it is." Nathan said.