Then another incoming call lights up the screen.
Brianna.
My lungs stop working.
I look at Jayce.
He is still out, or doing a very good impression of it.
I should wake him.
I know I should wake him.
But if I do, he will take the phone. He will say maybe. He will say trace, bait, trap, proof.
And maybe he will be right.
But my sister is calling me.
I move fast and silent into the bathroom, closing the door until there’s only a sliver left open. The tiny room smells like bleach and damp towels. I sit on the closed toilet lid and answer with shaking fingers.
“Bri?”
A sob cracks through the line.
“Talia?”
My eyes burn instantly. “Oh God. Bri. Where are you?”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice is broken. Breathless. Terrified. “I’m so sorry. The texts weren’t me. He had my phone. Landon had it. He made me send them, T. He said if I didn’t, he’d hurt you.”
Everything in me goes cold.
Then hot.
Then cold again.
“I knew it,” I whisper. “I knew something was wrong.”
“He told me you came to the villa. With a biker.” Her voice shakes so badly I have to press the phone harder to my ear. “He was so angry. He said you ruined everything. I thought he was going to kill me.”
The words come fast.
“No,” I say, gripping the phone. “No, Bri, listen to me. You’re okay. Where are you?”
“I ran.” She gasps like she’s moving, or crying too hard to breathe. “I got away this morning. I don’t know for how long. I don’t know where to go.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No. I mean, I don’t know. I’m scared.”
“Where are you?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
“Can you get to Lovefall Cove, near Swoon Peaks?”
A pause.
