I’m talking out of my ass right now but Ethan seems to understand, albeit reluctantly.“Fine.But she can’t stay there in that apartment.She should move to a safer building.”
“We want her to move home.”
I look over to see Mom approaching us, looking worried.
“I’ll talk to her,” Ethan begins but Dad appears right behind her.
“We tried.She’s not listening.”
“I’ve tried to get Megan to move in with us or even move into one of your buildings,” Mom says, her voice strained with concern.“But she thinks we’re trying to control her.”
“The neighborhood she’s in is safe,” Ethan says thoughtfully.“But I’ll talk to her about moving into a more secure building.If this is about the break-in, I can convince her to upgrade her security or do it for her?—”
Mom shakes her head, her silver hair catching the light.“There’s something else wrong as well.”She wrings her hands, a gesture she only makes when she’s truly upset.“One of Megan’s credit cards had some massive expenses.Normally we don’t ask, but your father did, and she got angry.”
I frown, shifting my weight from one foot to another.“Angry at Dad?”
“No, that’s what’s strange,” Mom says.“She wasn’t angry at us for asking.It seemed like she didn’t know about the charges.She was confused at first, and then we showed her.She got angry afterwards, and said she’d deal with it.This was a few days ago, and she hasn’t been in touch with us since.I know she’s okay since your Dad saw her social media, and she was active on it, but…”
“You’re worried about her,” Jake observes.
Mom nods, her eyes meeting mine.“I’m worried it might have something to do with her boyfriend.”
My head snaps up.“Her boyfriend?Why would you think that?”
Mom sighs.“She was upset about the situation with her boyfriend.She mentioned she gave him a card that he wasn’t returning, and she was angry about it.”
My stomach twists into knots.Tom.That sleazy bastard.Jake and I exchange a grim look.
“I’ll talk to her,” I say quickly, hoping I sound casual.“I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”The last thing we need is to worry Mom and Dad even more.
“Do you boys know something?”Dad steps forward, his brows furrowing.I'm saved from responding by a buzzing sound from the hallway—my phone.Thank god.
“That’s probably my phone,” I say, already sliding toward the door.“I need to check it.”I dart into the hallway before anyone can stop me, grateful for the momentary escape.My phone’s screen glows from where I left it charging, and I snatch it up.
A text from Eve.
My heart stutters when I read the preview:
‘Just ran into your sister Megan outside a bar.Her ex and some crazy woman were attacking her.Her car’s damaged but she’s safe with me and Iris.Going to my place now.She’s okay.’
Shock is followed by a roaring fury.I’m going to kill that bastard.I’m going to rip his head off, that sleazy, cheating piece of shit.We went easy on him before.When I see him next, I’m going to?—
“Who is it?”Ethan asks.
“Megan’s ex attacked her.Eve ran into them.Megan’s with Eve at her place.”I’m moving to the front door.“Come on.”Ethan’s already a step behind me.
“What’s going on?”Jake’s voice follows us from the hallway.“Where are you two going?”
“Going to pick up Megan from Eve’s place,” I say tightly.“Tom attacked her outside a bar.”
Jake’s expression pales.“Is she okay?”
“Eve says she is.”
“We’re coming with you!”Mom’s shaken voice has me cursing inside.I forgot she could hear us.
“Mom.”I stop to calm her down.“She’s okay.Eve’s got her.We’ll bring Megan home in?—”
