“I have to call them,” I say. “I have to tell Rhett. And Boone. And Knox.”
“Do you want us to drive you?” Dot asks.
“No,” I say. “I have to do this. I have to tell them... so they don’t think I’m... I don’t know. Trying to jump them.”
“Okay,” Pearl says. “Call them. We’ll be here.”
I pull out my phone. My hand is shaking. I scroll to Rhett’s number.
“Hello?” he answers on the second ring.
“Rhett,” I say.
“What’s wrong? You sound strange.”
“I need you to come to The Salt Lick.”
“Are you okay? Are you safe?”
“I’m safe. But... something has happened. I missed my shot. The heat... it’s coming, Rhett.”
The silence on the other end is heavy.
“How soon?” he asks.
“I don’t know. Soon. Hours? Maybe tomorrow morning. I have an appointment tomorrow, but until then...”
I trail off. I don’t know how to ask for what I need. I don’t know how to ask them to stay away, or maybe... I don’t know what I want.
“We’re on our way,” he says.
“No,” I say. “I’ll drive back. Just... be prepared.”
“We’ll be ready,” he says.
He hangs up.
I look at Pearl and Dot.
“Well,” Pearl says. “That was... brave.”
“I’m going to die,” I mutter. “Or I’m going to do something incredibly stupid.”
“Stupid is okay,” Dot says. “As long as you’re safe.”
I grab my keys. I have to go back. I have to face them.
I walk out to the truck. The wind is cold, but it feels good against my overheated skin.
I think about the APBRA executives. About the circuit coming back. About Knox.
If the circuit is back, maybe he comes home. Maybe he doesn’t have to go to Louisiana.
I start the engine.
I have to survive the next twenty-four hours first. I have to survive the heat. And the three Alphas who are waiting for me.
I put the truck in gear. I head toward the ranch. Toward the men who drive me insane.
