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“It’s not putting us out. We have the room to accommodate you. I’ll be transparent that I’ve already texted your info to the detective, and he just ran your background. He is confident you are safe for me, and I trust him. Once we know you are safe, they will go after him.”

“I’m just sick of being hurt by him. Everything happened so fast,” I say. “Send some info about yourself over so we can verify you, and we will get on the road tonight. Where are you?”

“Charlotte, North Carolina,” she says. “I’m messaging you some information.”

Oscar takes my phone and types in his at the same time. A few silent minutes later, he nods to me. “I guess we are coming to you,” I say.

“I know this is fast, but I promise you will be safe,” she says. “Detective Jasper Omen is who you can reach out to. He said to call the nonemergency line and ask for him, and they will transfer you so you can verify me and what I am saying.”

“I’ll do that now,” Collin says with a matter-of-fact tone.

“So what, do I just run away and start over? Is there a plan?” I ask.

“Right now, it’s about your safety,” a man says. “I’m not saying the cops can’t do their job, but I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt the way Liza was. You don’t deserve anything he has done to you.”

“Julian is right. I’ve been there, and I know how he wears you down until you just give in. He is relentless,” Eliza says. “We have the money and the property to keep you safe.”

“I just want a normal life,” I sigh.

“Hun, you are dating your brother. You are past normal,” Eliza giggles.

“Stepbrother,” I laugh.

“Hold on,” Julian says. “Oscar, you have a dismissed murder charge?”

“I do,” Oscar says simply.

“May I ask what that’s about?”

“Yeah. I killed my father,” Oscar says. “I was eighteen, and Cassidy was sixteen. I walked in from work and heard crying. I ended up finding him raping her, so I shot him. We called the cops, and I was arrested. Eventually they took her statement, and when her rape kit came back, I was cleared, and charges were dropped. He had been raping her for years, apparently.”

“Oh my God,” Eliza says. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

“He had a tiny dick, if that counts for anything,” I say. “Gladly not a trait passed down.”

“Dirty girl,” Oscar chuckles. “I have a temper, and I will absolutely kill again for her. Our relationship is… odd, but she is my world. I won’t stand for anyone hurting her.”

“And Troy?” another man asks.

“Francis at the office is asking if you want to help kill Troy,” Eliza laughs.

“Absolutely, but her safety is my priority. Running is preferable right now because there is no telling what he will do. I’m not willing to risk her life for revenge until I know,” Oscar explains.

“I understand,” Ryan says.

“Who is Francis?” I ask.

“A friend of ours that runs one of our clubs,” Julian says.

“We are good,” Colin says, walking back into the room.

“Send us the address, and we will be there,” Oscar says.

“I gave all of our info to Jasper, so you can get it from him,” Collin says.

“Perfect. Let us know if you need anything and keep us updated,” Eliza says.

When the call ends, we sit in silence for a moment before Gunner nudges me. “Let’s get the truck packed,” he says.