“For people in abusive relationships who need help. A number that’s easy to memorize, and it’ll go to a phone he set up for me. I just want people out there to know they’re not alone and there’s someone they can call. Even if it’s just to talk. Maybe I can give them advice, but mostly I want to offer them a thread of hope, because sometimes that’s all you have to hold on to.”
I worried my lip and looked at the back of Tak’s head. It could bring trouble to his pack to get involved in someone else’s drama.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Joy said before turning to Salem. “Isn’t it a wonderful idea?”
Tak turned and showed me his profile. “How will you manage this phone day and night with work?”
“I can keep it up there.”
He shook his head. “If they call you in the store, they won’t get privacy. You should only operate the phone at the house.Select a small group to handle those calls. Think carefully about every scenario you might encounter and discuss it with your team. Lucian, figure out if you can add a subtle voice changer to disguise our voices. Nothing creepy. As a pack, we must still be careful how involved we get. But I like this idea.”
I could have hugged him. “Maybe we could compile a list of connections if we need to get someone out. I brainstormed a few ideas if you’d be interested in helping.”
Staring at my reflection in the television, Tak said, “I always have time to help. But this plan won’t work unless everyone here agrees to keep it secret. You can’t tell anyone we handle these calls.”
“I agree,” I said. “People need reassurance that their partner won’t find out. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize anyone’s safety. But how can I advertise the number in the store and separate myself from being affiliated with it?”
Tak finally twisted around to face me. “I’ll speak privately with the local business owners. The more places it’s advertised, the better. Then no one can trace it to us.”
Mercy sat on Bear’s lap. “Calvin would have no issue putting that on his wall. And if he does, I’ll talk some sense into him.”
Melody flagged my attention. “I’ll talk to Atticus so he can hang it up at Dragonfly’s.”
Archer stroked my back. “Cici’s doing a good thing. It might be harder in a small town like this for people to find help or get away. Maybe posting the number all over will make these jokers think twice about assuming they can abuse someone without consequences.”
Krys grabbed a pillow from the sofa and then lay on the floor like a body in a coffin, his fingers laced across his chest. “What’s the movie tonight?”
Archer grinned. “It’s my choice.”
I frowned when I remembered his taste in films. “It’s not a horror, is it?”
“Well, Iknowyou don’t like horrors,” he began. “And I don’t like musicals. But I found a compromise.”
Archer lifted the remote control from the back of the sofa and clicked a button. The TV popped on, and he scrolled through a list of movie posters and landed on one with a scantily clad man sitting in a pair of red lips.
Virgil stood. “Rocky Horror Picture Show? No one gave me any advance warning!”
Lakota snorted. “For what?”
“You have to watch this movie in full regalia.” Virgil stared at our blank faces. “You people are either too young or too sheltered. Got any leather I can borrow, lover boy?”
Krys threw his pillow at him. “If you call me that one more time?—”
“You’ll what?” Virgil asked, a dare in his voice.
Joy twisted in her spot. “This movie doesn’t have Vampires, does it?”
“Come with me,” Archer said quietly, taking my hand.
“But it’s movie night.”
He led me to the front door and called out over his shoulder, “Be right back.”
A lightning bug blinked a friendly hello before disappearing down the porch. Meanwhile, everyone inside continued chattering about garter belts, movie Vampires, and abuse hotlines.
Archer faced me. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
