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“Alright, son. We’ll be ready.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up and slid the phone over to Holly, sighing heavily. “I’m sorry, baby. I just wanted to make sure he came with us.”
“I know,” she answered quietly.
I grasped her hand in mine, but she didn’t say a word for the rest of the drive. As soon as I pulled into our cul-de-sac, I looked for any signs that anyone had been here, but the house looked clear.
“Stay right behind me. Remember what I told you about clearing the house.”
She nodded as she fought to control the shaking in her hands. I got out and walked around to her side, pulling the weapon from the back of my jeans. Opening the door, I helped her down, taking her hand in mine.
“Alright, let’s move quickly. Stay right beside me and do what I tell you to.”
Her hand squeezed mine tight as we ran for the house. As soon as we got to the front door, I released her hand and unlocked the door. Turning the knob, I caught the faintest flash of a green light.
“Baby, run!”
I turned just as she did, sprinting off the porch. We barely made it halfway through the yard when a massive explosion shattered the house. I reached for Holly, grabbed her around the waist, and tucked her against my body as we were thrown. Her terrified scream pierced my ear, but that was nothing compared to the full-body shake that took over the moment we hit the ground.
I held her close to me, trying to calm her, but we didn’t have time to wait around. We needed to move now. I rolled her over and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at me.
“Holly bear, look at me.” Her frightened, watery eyes locked on mine with steely determination. “We need to move, okay?”
She nodded, sniffling back the tears. “Okay.”
“I need you to trust me. We’re going to get through this.”
A shuddered breath left her chest as she nodded. “I trust you.”
I crushed my lips to hers, relieved that she still felt that way. Then I was on my feet, pulling her up as the fire blazed behind us. We didn’t spare even a glance at the house. There was no time. Our hopes and dreams had gone up in flames, but the only thing that was important right now was staying alive.
I hit redial, connecting with her mother instantly as I tore down the street. “Carol, be ready. We’re coming now.”
“Why so soon?”
“I’ll explain when we get there. Just be ready to go.”
I hung up and dialed Wyatt, hoping he was on his way. “Come on, come on,” I whispered when the phone kept ringing.
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s not answering.”
“Maybe he’s packing.”
He wasn’t. He knew to answer. This situation was too hot. There was no way he’d leave me hanging with all the shit happening right now.
“Asher…what’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong.”
“What are we going to do?”
I glanced over at her, unsure what to do. “If we go after them, we leave your parents vulnerable.”
“And if we don’t?”