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Abby noticed the cell sticking out of the pocket of the chick’s short shorts.

“You think I can borrow yours? I know it’s a lot to ask, but you have my credit card, so you know I’m not going to take off with it.” She crossed her fingers and held her breath, while the waitress seemed to debate it.”

“Yeah, sure. Here. I’ll go get your drinks and come back for it.” Natalie unlocked her cell and handed it over.

“Thank you so much. You are a life saver.” Abby slid out of the booth. “I’m going to head toward that back hall, so I can hear. Eat, but don’t run off again,” she admonished Ash.

Abby dialed her mother while heading toward the back of the club.

“Dammit,” she cursed when it went straight to voicemail.

She forgot how early her mom went to bed and wasn’t about to leave what she had to say in a message. Before she got locked out of the waitress’s phone she dialed her sister.

“Come on, Hope, I know it’s a weird number but pick up.”

“Hello?” Hope answered.

“Thank God! Hey, it’s me. My phone got wet and I’m borrowing a stranger’s.”

“Hey, Peanut, are you coming to visit Nana with us?”

“No, listen up, Hope. We had some visitors yesterday. They had info about Providence. Dad sent me out of the house, but I was like screw that and came back around. Anyway, men in black took Dad and one of the visitors.” She glossed over who the visitors were, not wanting freak Hope out.

“What the hell are you talking about? It sounds like you’re in a bar. Are you drunk?”

“I’m not drunk, Hope,” she hissed into the phone. “I saw the Spec-ops. They shot out Dad’s window when I was driving away with one of the visitors. Dad has been taken and I think Frank is the only one who can help us. Providence is alive, and I need you to stop asking questions and get your ass up here to pick us up.”

“Abby, this isn’t funny. You’re really freaking me out.” There was a tremor in Hope’s voice.

“I know, but please, I’m not joking. I really need you.”

“Okay, I’ll go through Mom’s phone and get Frank’s number. Are you still at the beach?”

“Yeah.”

“It’ll take me a few hours to drive up there.”

“All right. Thank you.” She gave her sister the location of the club then hung up.

Ashtoret de Origa

Ashtoret kept an eye on the corridor Abby disappeared down. He hated not having eyes on her, particularly with the nude males prancing about attempting to seduce females. He glanced toward the stage and growled under his breath.

What male would let his female take part in this rite?

The human male was currently upside-down gripping the legs of a chair some poor female was sitting in. He was jiggling his tail at the crowd of inebriated females, while shaking his shaft in the seated female’s face. Abby insisted the females were fine, and most of them appeared amused, but the one in the chair looked like she wanted to crawl in a hole somewhere.

This was not something he wanted Abby witnessing, however, she was right, it was dark in the pub, and they had food. He repressed another frustrated growl by shoving a handful of the fried sticks into his mouth. By themselves they weren’t very flavorful and kind of pasty. But the gooey orange covering, bits of meat, and tangy red sauce added good flavor. It was a welcome relief after going so long without food.

He smiled and relaxed when Abby exited the back hall.

“Did that even make a dent in it?” she asked with an amused snort as she stared at the plates.

He glanced down and realized one platter of the fried sticks was empty. He grinned sheepishly at her from beneath the hood and nodded.

“Sorry.” He pushed the other plate toward Abby, glad he hadn’t inconsiderately consumed that, too.

“Thanks. My sister is on her way. It’ll probably be midnight before she gets here. She’ll get us out of town till we can reach Frank and figure a way to get Dad and your friend out of lock-up.”