“Listen to me, I don’t have a lot of time. Where is Ayden?”
She sighs. “He isn’t the one I’m worried about?—”
“I am. I fucking am! I was attacked by those same two police officers we reported for spying on Ayden. Something iswrong!” I shout, voice raw. “Three-way me to Calista. I know you have her number.”
“O-Okay. One moment.”
I hear a beep, and then the phone ringing. “Are you okay?” Britt asks.
“No,” I answer curtly.
I’m not. I’m sure physically I’m hurting somewhere. I’ve got blood on my wrist, but I feel nothing. Mentally? I’m sure if I sat tothink about it, I’mdefinitelynot okay.
“Hello?! Britt?” Calista answers the phone frantically.
“Calista, it’s Keoni.”
“Oh my god, thank fuck!” Her words come out in a hushed panic. “You need to come back to Sapphire Valley, now!”
I groan as I navigate off the windy road and peel out onto a paved one. A red-and-white “DO NOT ENTER” sign lies broken as I keep driving down the mountain.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Michael’s at the cabin. I rushed to Starlight because Ronan and Levi are out looking for you. I called them but they’re about thirty minutes away…”
I have to keep myself from shouting and punching the dash. “Did you call the police?”
She hesitates, before letting out a soft whimpered cry. “N-No… Michael came in an officer’s uniform. I didn’t know it was him. I-I had no idea, and I didn’t trust anyone. I’m worried who else could be?—”
“You did the right thing. Britt?”
“Yes?”
“Can you call Dom?”
“I’ll call them now?—”
“No!” Cal cuts her off. “No… Keoni, where are you?”
“I’m on my way. Why the fuck wouldn’t we want to call Dom?! He’s probably closer?—”
“Levi said not to get anyone involved…”
“I don’t give a fuck! Ayden’s life is in danger.” My shout bounces around in the car. “Fuck! What about the goddamn billionaire?! Does he have a gun?” I swear my entire body is shaking, but I have to stay focused. The last thing I can afford is to lose it and careen off this road.
“He doesn’t have a gun…” She pauses, and I can hear footsteps, before she continues, “Ezra wants to help, but police were here again on Christmas, and if he gets involved… Jayde made him promise to stay out of it.”
I’m about to lose my goddamn mind. “Fine. Thank you, Cal. Call Ronan and get their ETA.”
The phone beeps without another word. “Britt?”
“I-I’m here.”
“I…” I pause. She’s my friend, but confessing to her that I just killed two people may be stupid. So, I divert. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh… Keoni, I?—”
I hang up the phone and dial up Ayden again. As expected, no response.
