Page 112 of Through the Storms

Oakley turned to Riley, who stood with her arm protectively around Chloe’s waist. Oakley suspected that Riley was the only thing keeping Chloe on her feet. “Do you want to go with Asher?”

Riley’s jaw tightened. “I’m staying with her.”

Oakley clapped Riley on the shoulder. “Okay, I had to ask.”

Asher gave Chloe a concerned look and opened his mouth to speak but then closed it. He looked from Riley to Oakley. “Be careful.”

Oakley squeezed his arm. “We will.”

“I’ll drop off the passengers at Two Trees, and then I’ll come to Summerton.” He stepped from the van and slammed the door.

“Go,” Oakley called to Britt, and the van lurched forward.

“Chloe,” Oakley said. When she didn’t respond, Oakley said louder, “Chloe.”

Chloe blinked and met Oakley’s gaze.

“I need you to sit and buckle up. We’re heading to Summerton, and we’re going to be going fast.”

“I’ve got her.” Riley guided Chloe into her seat, buckled her seat belt, and sat beside her.

Oakley looked down at Chloe and measured her words. “Chloe?”

Chloe looked up at Oakley with panic-filled eyes.

“We’re going to get there as fast as we can. Is there anyone in Summerton you can call to check on—”

“Shit.” Chloe’s eyes flashed with anger. “I need to call that son of a bitch.” Chloe pulled out her cellphone.

Riley gave Oakley a wide-eyed look, but she didn’t speak.

“Where the hell are you?” Chloe yelled into the phone. She set the phone in her lap and hit the speaker button.

“What the fuck is your problem?” a deep angry voice responded.

“Answer the goddamned question, Dennis,” Chloe said.

“I don’t like your tone,” he said. “I’m hanging up.”

“Summerton was just hit by a tornado,” Chloe yelled.

“What?”

“You heard me. I was talking to Mia when it hit.”

Dennis laughed. “Nice try. I have her phone. This is low, even for you.”

Oakley glanced toward Riley when she took a deep breath. Riley’s face was crimson, and the vein in her neck throbbed. Oakley suspected if Riley could find a way to climb through the phone and throttle Dennis, she would.

“Haven’t you been listening to the weather forecast? They’ve been issuing warnings since yesterday.”

Dennis snorted. “Those idiots don’t know what they’re talking about. They hardly ever get it right.”

“They did this time. If anything happens to my daughter, you—”

“I’ve had enough of your screeching,” Dennis yelled. “I can’t wait to tell my lawyer about this stunt of yours.” Then the line went dead.

Chloe’s hand trembled as she reached for the phone.