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No. No way. Not again. The man had literally sacrificed his freedom to help me once. I couldn’t ask him -- or his friends -- to do anything more for me. Especially since this could really get someone hurt. I’d hurt Xavier enough. I didn’t need to destroy his family as well as his life.

My stomach clenched painfully. I needed a different option, but who could I call? My only friend in town was a barista I’d talked to three times. Even if I had a friend nearby, I didn’t know anyone who would know what to do in a situation like this.

The number Xavier had given me burned in my memory. He’d been insistent. “Anything at all you need.” Could I really call? Wouldn’t that mean I was using him yet again?

Outside, a branch scraped against the window. I nearly dropped the skillet as I jerked toward the sound. My heart hammered wildly in my chest, and I could feel sweat erupt over my skin as I fought to catch my breath.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe I was the most horrible person imaginable to take advantage of someone’s kindness, or to take a chance on getting Xavier’s friends hurt, but I knew I was going to make the call.

With shaking fingers, I pulled up “Xavier’s Friends” in my contacts and hit “Call.” The phone rang three times before a deep, gruff voice answered.

“Yeah?”

My voice caught in my throat. What was I supposed to say?

“Hello? Who’s this?” The man’s tone sharpened.

“I -- I’m Tillie,” I managed. “A friend of Xavier’s.”

There was a beat of silence, then the man’s entire demeanor changed. “Shit. You all right?”

“I-I don’t kn-know.” The relief coursing through me made me lightheaded. I could also feel myself start to lose any control I had.

“Where are you? What’s the address?”

I gave it to him. “Be careful. I came home to find a stranger waiting for me. He told me not to leave the house, and he didn’t seem like the type of person to ask questions before he started shooting.”

“Understood. Are you armed?”

“O-only with a cast-iron skillet.”

The guy on the other end coughed a couple of times. “Good, honey.” He cleared his throat again. “That’s good. Is your phone charged?”

“Yes.”

“OK. I’ve got some guys in Terre Haute I’m sending your way. Don’t hit one of ‘em with that fuckin’ skillet.” He sounded amused, though I wasn’t sure why.

“I’ll try not to.”

“Just keep the phone with you and stay where you are, honey. They’ll be there in less than fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.” My voice cracked on the words. “I’m sorry to --”

“Don’t apologize, Tillie. Xavier would have our heads if we didn’t help you, and rightly so. You’re family now. We protect our own.”

I sobbed out a muffled relieved cry, putting my hand over my mouth. I didn’t want to make any noise if I could help it. I kept my voice as soft as I could.

The line was silent for a moment before he spoke again, his voice gentler. “Stay on the line with me until they get there, all right?”

“OK.” I clutched the phone like a lifeline, still gripping the skillet with my other hand.

“Name’s Knight, by the way.”

“I’m Tillie.”

“Yeah, honey. I got that. I’ll get word to Xavier we’re going after you. He’s gonna want you to come back with my guy. Will you do that?”

“G-go with a s-strange man?” My voice got higher as fear bit me hard.

“Hey, hey. It’s all right. Would it help if Xavier told you himself what he wanted you to do?”

“Xavier? But… but he’s…”

“I know, honey. I can get a phone to him. Tiny was on the way to Xavier, anyway. They can both come to you.”

“What?” I thought my heart would stop. “What does that mean?”

“Honey, he wanted to surprise you when you visited him tomorrow. The truth is, we knew there was trouble headed your way, so a guy we know moved up Xavier’s release. Him and Tiny are headed your way now. Fifteen minutes tops.”

I couldn’t help it. I let out a sob of relief. “Xavier.”

“Yeah. I’ve got him on the line now. He wants to talk to you.”

“Yes! Xavier!” I was officially losing it. I was going to dissolve into hysterics, and there wasn’t a Goddamned thing I could do about it.

“Tillie? Baby, it’s me.” Xavier’s deep voice washed over me, steadying me like nothing else could.

“Xavier, oh God, I’m so scared! There was a man. He threatened me. Told me not to leave the house until Monday.” The words tumbled out between hiccuping sobs.

“Listen to me, baby.” His voice had that deadly calm I remembered from the night we met. “I need you to stay exactly where you are. Don’t move, don’t make noise. As long as you don’t move or try to leave the house, you’ll be OK. Tiny and I are almost there.”

“You’re really coming?” I whispered.

“Yeah, baby. I’m really comin’. I’ll be there before you know it.” Xavier’s voice held a fierce promise that warmed me despite my terror. “Stay put and keep that skillet handy, just in case.”

I nodded before realizing he couldn’t see me, then I whispered, “OK.”

Minutes stretched like hours until I heard the faint crunch of tires on gravel. My breath caught. The instinct to run out the door to Xavier was so strong, I nearly managed to get to my feet before falling back on my ass.

“Xavier? Is that you?”

“Yeah. It’s me. Stay where you are. I’m coming to you.”

I pulled my knees to my chest. I still clutched the skillet. From a seated position, there wasn’t much I could do, but it seemed better than nothing.

The front door opened. I heard the click of the locks as they slid out of place, then the soft thud as the door was shut again. There was a soft murmur of male voices, then I heard footsteps going through the house.

“Clear.”

“Clear here too, Xavier. Let’s get your girl and get the fuck outta here.”

“Tillie? Come on out, honey.”

I stood, the skillet falling to the floor. Later, I was sure I’d be embarrassed at how I acted, but I threw myself at Xavier, wrapping my arms and legs around him, and sobbed into his neck.