Page 79 of Five

Jesse’s lips pinch tight, and he watches me with brooding eyes over the rim of his coffee mug.

“Well?” I prod, frustrated with his silence. Cope places a hand over mine, an attempt to distract me, but I shrug him off. “If it’s about me, I deserve to know!”

Jesse grunts but maintains his silence, otherwise. His glance shifts to the rain lashing down outside, and his expression tightens.

That’s it.

Jesse may not want to talk, but I have ways I can find out what’s going on. I can look at my phone. I can call Caroline.

“Let me up.” I poke at Oliver’s side.

He doesn’t move, swallowing a bite of his oatmeal instead before speaking. “Look, I’m sure—“

He stops when I lift an eyebrow, silently daring him to continue, and after a long look he reluctantly begins to slide out from the bench seat.

Jesse snorts and shakes his head.

Ignoring him, I leave the table and walk swiftly to my rooms, nearly tripping on Jamie Fraser, who’s gotten brave and made it as far as the dining room entrance. He dashes away with an affronted expression.

In my suite, I pull my phone from the charger where I placed it a couple of days ago and turn it on, panic making the blood rush from my head and turning my knees unsteady as I see the number of calls and messages I’ve been ignoring.

Dozens of calls.

Hundreds of texts, some from parents over the daycare’s continued closure. That’s a problem for another day. I can’t keep their children safe from an enemy I can’t stop, and I won’t risk keeping the facility open.

Most of the calls, though, are from an unknown number.

Wendy.

Where are you, Wendy?

It’s time to come out, Wendy.

We want you to come and play with us.

Accept your destiny, Wendy.

With a screech of rage, I throw the phone. It hits a vase on the table, knocking it to the floor with a crash.

Accept my destiny.What the hell does that even mean? Who is this nutjob?

“Neve—“

I turn, shaking, to see Jesse in the door, the others behind him.

“He’s still calling me. Still texting me.” I stoop and begin picking up the shards of glass. “I’m so sorry for the vase—“

“Fuck the vase.”

Strong arms scoop me up as Jesse lifts me away from the vase and seats himself on my sofa, me on his lap. “I’m sorry, Neve.” From the corner of my eye, I see Remi backing out of the room, pushing Oliver and Cope with him. “I really didn’t want to tell you this. Not with everything else happening.”

Fear makes my hands icy, and I tuck them into my armpits. “Just tell me.” His arms around me are strong. A safe haven from the ugliness that stalks me. I burrow closer to his chest, seeking his warmth.

“A child was taken last night from a grocery store parking lot. Right from under her dad’s nose.”

“No—”

He nods, face grim. “Neither Oscar nor I wanted you to worry about something you can’t do anything about. We’re going—”