Again, silence.
I'm breathless for some reason, like I just ran a mile even though I haven't moved from this seat.
Oh God.
I just word vomited to a group of people who I don't really know, who don't really know me. They're absolutely going to ask me to leave…
"Paul?" Tonya cracks through the silence like a sledgehammer. "That's his name?"
I nod, cautiously.
"Last name?"
I frown and tilt my head, "O'Connor... ?"
Callum straightens at that, recognition flashing across his expression. I'm about to ask him about it when Tonya pulls my attention away once more. She's got her phone out now, fingers flying as she types away.
"Last known address?"
"Uh... why?"
"I need to know where I can find him," Tonya deadpans, herface completely serious. "Because I'm going toskin him alive.
Chapter Nine
Sophie
"No, we should roast him over a fire," April says, not even looking up from crocheting. I didn't know someone could crochet angrily, but apparently, April can. "Pig roast style."
"Could go a few rounds with him at the gym," Atticus grunts, curling his large hand into a fist that looks like it could dent a skull without much effort.
"Poison would be easier," Jane says calmly, her voice a calm contrast to the deadly intent of her suggestion. Her hands are folded neatly in her lap, her expression unreadable, but there's a subtle satisfaction in her tone. Atticus grins at her and Jane just shrugs. "...no cleanup."
"I got a friend at the morgue," Tonya throws in, flashing me a shark-like grin that's all teeth. "I'm sure we could work something out."
I glance around the room, bemused and also a little concerned because they all seemveryserious. There's a loving menace crackling in the air.
It seems an unspoken rule that if you hurtoneof them, you hurtallof them.
I meet Parker's eyes, who just shrugs while reclining in his chair, though his face looks a little tight with tension. "We're readers, we haveveryactive imaginations."
But it's Callum that my eyes feel the pull toward. His jaw’s clenched tight, his hands curled into fists, and there's a certain look in his brown eyes. It’s a quiet rage that feels more dangerous than loud spitting and hissing.
He hasn't said anything, yet to me he's said the most.
"God, Sophie, that'shorrible," Bailey whispers with the saddest look on her face, her voice trembling.
In a flash, she pulls me into a warm hug that I can't help but melt into. She whispers, "Sorry, I'm a hugger."
This kindness given to me by someone I met less than an hour ago makes a stinging sensation appear in my nose, the telltale sign I'm seconds from falling apart.
Then I feel another presence, and suddenly April is hugging me from the other side, just as warm and welcoming. Then another pair of arms around all of us, these are lanky and long—Parker.
A large hand on my shoulder—Atticus. He hangs back slightly while Jane remains beside him, her hands twisting together nervously. She doesn't step forward, but the look she gives me is full of empathy.
Tonya winks at me and drags her finger against her throat while mouthing,just say the word, cutie.
Finally, a pair of large arms circle around all of us, and I look up to meet Callum's eyes. They're a little wet, but they crinkle at the edges when he smiles. His strong arms tighten around us all, but he keeps his eyes trained on me, scanning my face and making sure I'm okay.
