“Hi, Mama.”
She let out along, deep sigh. “Baby girl. Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Thebracelet worked. Huck, Cash, and Razor found me really quickly, and the guywill never hurt anyone again.”
I heard her sobover the phone. “If anything happened…”
“I’m okay, Mama.I promise.” I could feel tears streaming down my face as I spoke. “Is Kim withyou?”
“Yes. I’mstaying with her and Uncle Knight until Daddy gets home.”
“That’s good.Kim will keep you distracted.”
“She’s plying mewith tequila as we speak.”
I smiled. “Good.I really am okay, Mama.”
“Okay, baby. Ijust need to get my arms around you.”
“I know, metoo.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Go ahead andgive Daddy the phone back.”
I handed thephone back to my dad and he walked out of the room. Archer took this chance tohug me. “Sorry I freaked out about your face, Ducky.”
I hugged himback. “Thanks, Arch.”
“You sure you’reokay?” he asked once he released me.
I nodded. “I’mgood.”
Dad and Huckwalked in a few seconds later and to say I was glad to see Huck was the understatementof the fucking century. I loved my brothers, I really did, but I wanted out ofthat room, STAT.
I made my way tohim and wrapped my arms around his waist. “All good?”
“Yeah. Youready?”
“Yes. Beyondready.”
He smiled.“Okay, let’s head out.”
“Okay, CroodFamily, time for me to go.” I gave them a finger wave and said in a sing-songvoice, “Byeeee.”
Dad chuckled,pulling me in for a hug and kissing the top of my head. “I reserve the right tocheck on you later.”
“Text first,” Idemanded, grabbing Huck’s hand, and pulling him out of the room. “Which way?”
Huck chuckled,guiding the opposite way I had been heading. “This way.”
Once at theroom, he unlocked the door and stepped back so I could step inside, then heclosed us in, and I crumbled.
“I got you.”Huck scooped me up and carried me to the bed, stretching out beside me andpulling me into his arms.
I slid an armaround his waist, burying my face in his chest and sobbed, letting the stressand fear of the day completely release from my body. “He was going to filmeverything and make you watch it before he cut you into pieces,” I sobbed out.
