I could practically hear August dragging his hands through his dark-blond hair. He always did that when he was overwhelmed.
“How bad is it?” he eventually asked, his tone more defeated than I’d ever heard it. “Hearthstone, that is.”
I stopped pacing.
They knew what had happened probably when I did. The security system would’ve alerted August, but considering the cameras were no longer working because of the fire, they couldn’t know what shape the building was in.
I’d been too busy managing paramedics, doctors, Palmer’s bandages, and Hailey’s questions to talk to him before now.
“It’s bad,” I admitted. “But I think we might be able to save the structure.”
August let out a long, ragged breath. Then his voice dropped into something darker. “I’m going to fucking kill that man with my bare hands.”
The rage in his tone was palpable. I understood it—felt it, too. But rage wasn’t going to help us right now.
“We don’t know that he definitely caused the fire,” I said, though I was becoming more sure every minute.
“No,” August snapped, “but even if he didn’t, he deserves death.”
I didn’t argue.
Silence settled between us, and I forced myself to say the thing that had been pressing at the back of my mind since dawn.
“I don’t want Hailey here anymore.”
I was willing to keep her in her normal life, her normal routine, when I believed that she was safe here. That had changed.
“I understand,” August replied immediately. “It’s time we end this anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
I had never wanted to send Hailey to the safe house. But if this was Amos—if he was escalating, if he was targeting us—then I wasn’t going to risk her.
I tried not to think about what that meant for Palmer. I didn’t want to risk her either, but I had no control over what she chose to do.
“What I mean,” August continued, his voice hard, “is if Amos is looking for us—if he’s trying to draw us out—we’ll give him exactly what he wants.”
My heart stuttered. “What?”
“We can’t hide forever,” he continued. “And neither can he. I think it’s time to come back to Ember Hollow.”
I froze. “But I need Hailey to be—”
“Bring her to the safe house.” August cut me off. “I’m not bringing the family back until Anderson is eliminated. I’ll make sure everyone here is secure. But I’m going back home.”
I had longed to have my brothers back in Ember Hollow for weeks, but this wasn’t how I imagined it happening.
I understood what August hadn’t said out loud. He was done being hunted.
Wewould do the hunting now.
“When?” I asked, teeth clenched in anticipation.
“As soon as possible. I have a few things to put into place before I return, but I’m sure you don’t want Hailey there any longer than necessary. I can meet you halfway tonight to get her.”
My throat felt tight. I didn’t want to say goodbye to my daughter, but I couldn’t go with her right now. I couldn’t leave Ember Hollow, and I sure as hell wouldn’t leave my brothers to fight this monster by themselves.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll meet you tonight.”
