“Yes, ma’am, you can.”
“The soda cans everyone’s talking about.”
Every nerve in my body tightens. “What about them?”
“Are they all like the one on Jay’s truck?”
“What? Empty?”
She shakes her head. “Are they all the same kind of soda or a mix?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and a cold chill runs down my spine.
“They’ll all the same.” We’ve been trying to figure out what message the Mountain Dew cans were sending, but couldn’t come up with anything.
She bites her thumb and uses her feet to push back into the corner of the couch.
I’m quickly in front of her, pulling her thumb from her teeth and cupping her face in my hands. “Christina, talk to me. What do the Mountain Dew cans mean?”
“I’m not positive.” Her breathing quickens.
“It’s okay if you’re wrong, but if you’re right, even the tiniest detail will help us.”
She’s not wrong. I can feel it. She grabs my wrists and squeezes.
“It was the only soda Sean used to drink.” She releases a shaky breath. “When he was mad, he’d throw them at me. Sometimes they were empty.” She drops her eyes, refusing to meet mine. I already know what she’s about to say. “Sometimes they were full.”
Now my breathing is erratic. I’m going to kill him. I haven’t forgotten how battered and broken he left her. We’ve been searching for Sean Gilbert for twelve years. He never should have come back here. I need to call Mack, but first, I need my woman calm and safe.
I lift her face until our eyes meet. “Chrissy, you’re safe. I promise you are. He won’t hurt you again. I’ll die before I let it happen.” And I will.
“You think it’s really him?” She’s asking for hope. It guts me that I can’t give it to her.
“I hope not, but we’re not taking any chances where you’re concerned. Not with you, love. You sit right here.” I place one of the guns in her hand. “I’m going to check the locks again and call Mack.” I point to the gun. “Don’t shoot unless someone breaks into the house.”
She nods. I hate leaving her, but I have no choice. I quickly check the doors and windows again. They’re still locked. I stand in the kitchen where I can see her on the couch. I can’t leave her by herself for too long. I pull up Mack’s name and hit the call button.
“You okay, man?”
“No.” I try to keep my voice low so she can’t hear me.
“What happened?”
“It's the Mountain Dew cans, Mack. He’s here. Sean Gilbert is in Willow Creek.”
Mack doesn’t hesitate. “What do you need, Worley?”
“Throw the SOS and send as many men as you can to my house. He’s not touching my woman.”
“Consider it done, brother.” Mack ends the call. The SOS dings on my phone seconds later.
Thunder booms again. Nina jumps. I hurry to her, take the gun from her, and pull her into my arms. Something tells me her fear of loud noises has something to do with her ex, too. I’ll figure it out later. For now, my brothers and I will do what we have to keep her safe.
Chapter 27
Worley
“You need to calm down.” Mack leads the way into Church. Our brothers are already here.
