Nothing.
My pulse pounded so hard it felt like it was cracking my skull. I cut off the shrill alarm, my ears ringing in the sudden silence.
What if I was too late?
My chest caved in on itself. I returned to the kitchen, my hope draining away. I called her name.
I froze when I thought I heard something. I cocked my head, directing an ear toward the noise that was so faint I might’ve imagined it.
I waited, straining to hear.
It came again, a rustling coming from the pantry.
I spun toward it, gun raised.
“Palmer?” My voice came out hoarse and desperate.
She didn’t answer. I hesitated at the pantry door, lowering the gun slightly as I reached for the handle and yanked it open.
My legs about buckled with the relief that flooded me the moment I saw her. There she was, curled on the floor of my mother’s massive pantry. She had tucked herself between the shelves and the back wall, knees pulled to her chest. Her eyes were glassy with terror as she stared at me.
I rushed to her and dropped to my knees so hard, it jarred my bones. I set the gun on the floor and reached for her, cupping her face in my palm.
“Are you okay?” My voice shook. I didn’t even try to hide it. “Palmer, tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m okay,” she said quickly, nodding. “I’m okay.”
Her voice was small but steady, and something inside me gave out.
I pulled her into me, wrapping both arms around her. I held her so tight I felt her heartbeat against my chest.
I’d thought she was gone.
My body shook as I buried my face in her shoulder. I thought I’d failed her like I failed everyone I loved.
I wasn’t sure I would survive that again.
Redandbluepolicelights flashed through the broken window. Palmer and I stood in the foyer as she answered the questions the young officer had.
Palmer had a thick blanket draped over her shoulders, and she pulled it tighter around herself. I wasn’t even sure who had given it to her. Maybe one of the officers. Maybe she’d grabbed it herself. All I knew was that I was standing as close to her as physically possible without climbing inside her skin.
I had one arm wrapped around her, holding her to me.
I couldn’t make myself let go.
The officer in front of her scribbled in a small notebook while I tried to keep my breathing steady. I was still shaken; everything inside me felt fractured and raw.
When the front door burst open, I jumped, stepping in front of Palmer by instinct. I relaxed at the familiar cadence of boots on the hardwood. August’s dark-blond hair was scattered with fresh snowflakes when he came into view, and I wondered when it had started to snow.
The tracks in the backyard might not last long.
August’s eyes swept the foyer, then the living room, where broken glass glittered across the floor like ice. “What the hell happened?” he barked.
My arm tightened around Palmer, tucking her firmer against my side. The rest of my brothers filed in behind August.
“Someone broke in,” I said.
August’s gaze snapped to me, rage flaring. “How is that possible?”
