“Give me good news, Cal.” Meredith’s barely calm tone sent guilt spearing through Mo.
“Mer, we’re fine,” Mo said. “What’s going on?”
A pause, then, “I’m going to superglue your phone to your hand, you moron. You’re never out of touch. Never. And you pick today of all days? What were you doing?”
“I was kissing Bronwyn. A lot.” Mo hoped the words would shock the fear out of Meredith.
Cal reached through the door and pulled Bronwyn away from Mo and into a hug.
Meredith, however, was not as easily appeased. “It’s taken twenty years to reach this point,” her voice came through the phone.
“Not quite that lo—”
“Do not interrupt me, Montgomery Quinn. I am on a very, very thin edge right now. Cassie called. Every Pierce she’s ever seen has descended on The Haven. June called her and asked if there was any way she could spare a few of the Hideaway staff to help the breakfast kitchen for an hour or so because they’ve all settled into the large conference room and started ordering food and drinks.”
Bronwyn pulled away from Cal, took the phone from his hand, and jogged toward Meredith’s house, telling Meredith something he couldn’t make out. Mo looked at Cal, and they took off after her.
“Meredith, I’m handing the phone back to Cal. And I’ll call June as soon as I get my phone. Please call Gray and tell him what’s happening. We might need law enforcement.”
She paused on Meredith’s porch, tossed Cal his phone, and focused on Mo. “Please call Cassie.”
“On it.”
Bronwyn ran inside.
Cal pointed toward his truck. “I’ll drive.” He sprinted to the driver’s side.
Mo didn’t argue. He was in no condition to drive. Bronwyn was too distracted to get behind the wheel. And there was no way to keep Cal from coming, regardless.
Bronwyn ran out the door, phone to her ear. Mo took her hand and led her to the passenger seat. As soon as she was in, he closed the door, then climbed in the back of the King Cab.
Cal drove with a focus that Mo appreciated.
Mo dialed Cassie’s number, and she answered with a breathless, “Mo, where are you?”
“On my way, sweetheart. Hang in there. Fill me in. I heard that the family is causing a ruckus.”
“I’ll say. It’s chaos over there. I don’t know who they think they are!”
“Cassie, they own the place.”
“Doesn’t matter. The guests come first. Everyone knows that.” The sound that came through next was a little bit terrifying given that it was coming from his usually bubbly cousin. “Here’s what you need to know. If the food orders are any indication, they’re settling in for a siege. Also, June has Marcus standing by, presumably to keep the family safe, butweall know it’s so he can report back to Bronwyn.”
“Smart. I’ll tell her.”
“Here’s the other thing. There’s a couple of people who’ve been here for dinner the past two nights that give me a bad vibe.”
“The reporter?”
“Yes. He is creeptastic.”
“Agreed. Who else?”
“Security for one of the guests. He says his name is Bob, butthere’s something off about him.” She wasn’t wrong about that. “You’ll fix this, won’t you, Mo?”
“You know it, sweetheart.”
“You’re the best. Oh ... Donovan’s calling.”
