Page 75

“I’m with Tommy and Declan,” he replied. “I’ll make sure they’re okay. And then we'll come home to you.”

“Do you promise?” I hated how weak I sounded. How vulnerable. At that moment, I was nothing more than a forlorn child wanting confirmation that she was loved.

“Promise. I’ll always come back to you, don’t you know that?”

This time, I couldn’t keep the sob from escaping. I brought my fist to my mouth to muffle the sound.

“I love you, Fallon.” The confession escaped me before I could reel it in. And, surprisingly, I didn’t want to.

There was silence on the other side.

“I love you too.”

“But I-”

“I know. I know. And it’s okay. We’ll figure it out together. All of us. But I have to go now, okay? I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

The radio slipped from my fingers, safely landing on the bed. Tears cascaded down my face, but they weren’t tears of sadness. No, they were tears of happiness. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt such contentment.

Not even the pain in my stomach could diminish the elation I felt.

“Addie!”

The bedroom door was thrown open, and Calax stood in the entryway.

“I just finished talking with Fallon.” I nodded towards the radio. “I’m going-”

“No time.” Before I could protest, Calax scooped me up in his arms. I cried out as pain speared my stomach. “We need to leave. Now.”

I bit my lip to keep from crying out, but there was no denying the urgency in Calax’s voice. The fear in his eyes. The panic.

“What’s going on?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Holding me securely against his chest, Calax turned to face the closed door. From behind it, I could make out growls and shouts, steadily growing louder.

“Ragers. A whole bunch of them.”