Unless he’d been at the house and she hadn’t seen him.
She wanted so badly to see him one more time.
She’d known this was coming. Even if Donna hadn’t come and interfered, Mallory herself would have seen to the demise of any kind of relationship between her and Jacob when she revealed Renee was her stepsister.
She’d hoped—foolishly hoped—he would let her explain. Listen to everything she’d put in place to protect Maddox from his mother and grandmother. She couldn’t blame Jacob for his reaction.
No. The blame fell squarely on her shoulders.
If only she’d had the nerve to tell him before she left for San Francisco. At least then it would have come from her and maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t have seemed as deceptive as it looked now that Donna had revealed her identity.
There was no time for regret though. No time for should haves or could haves or if onlys.
Priority number one was getting the information she had in her hands into Jacob’s hands.
And at this point, the woman in the house in front of her might be her only option.
Stiffening her spine and sucking in a deep breath, Mallory headed up the walk to knock on the door.
When no one answered, she tried again.
And again.
And then one more time before she accepted the fact that if Rylan and Mazey were home, they wouldn’t be opening the door to her.
Mallory had one more option. It was one she’d hoped not to use but desperate times…
Heading back to her car, she slipped inside and rummaged in her purse for her phone and the card she’d gotten on one of the first days she’d been in Sunnyville.
Tapping in the number, she brought the phone to her ear and waited.
It finally picked up on the fifth ring. “Detective Malone.”
“Detective. It’s Mallory Dawson.”
Silence greeted her.
“Detective?”
“Yes.”
“I need your help.”
“Go on.”
“Something happened and I need—”
“I’m aware.”
“Oh. I see.” His short answers suddenly made sense. “Are you with Jacob or Maddox Conners now?”
“Affirmative.”
“Okay. Well, I’m sure you know he’s kicked me out of my apartment.”
“I do.”
“He wouldn’t give me a chance to explain and I know you’re aware of the reasons I’m here so I’m asking you if you would pass on some information I have for him. It’s about Maddox. About protecting Maddox.”
