He bolted upright, immediately alert.
“We’re okay,” I assured him in a rush. “But my niece and nephew are in trouble. I have to go. Please stay with Mason.”
I didn’t know what I’d be walking in to and I wasn’t risking bringing Mason with me.
“Jill, you can’t leave,” he replied, his voice thick with sleep.
“Mack, I have to,” I emphasized.
“If you have to, then wait for one of the guys to get here. It might be a little bit but one of them will get over here and either they or I will go with you. Cal would have my ass if I let you leave here alone, Jill.”
I had a sinking feeling that no amount of convincing was going to change his mind. My promise to Max echoed in my mind. I didn’t have time to wait and I wasn’t bringing Mason.
That left me with one option. An option I knew to be risky. An option I knew would get me in major trouble with Cal. But the voice of reason was outweighed by the need to get to Max and Emmie.
I pretended to consider his response before nodding. “Okay. I’ll wait.”
I felt terrible lying to him, but I was desperate. He was still half asleep and accepted my acquiescence, picking up his phone to text one of the guys.
I forced my feet to trudge back to my room.
Without hesitation, I opened the bedroom window and pushed out the screen. Cal was going to be something beyond mad but I’d just have to deal with it.
There were two kids who were depending on me, and I’d be damned if I let them down again.
Chapter 23
Isped down the freeway, debating how in the hell to tell Cal what was going on. Maybe I could get away with a voice mail? He was most likely on the road, since he’d called earlier in the evening to let me know he was headed for home. Maybe I could wait to call him.
I was in full avoidance mode.
I’d already heard an earful from Mack. I’d called to make sure he knew I’d left. I wanted to make sure he checked on Mason.
My capacity for dealing with pissed off alpha males was already at capacity. Especially when it came to dealing withthealpha male.
When Cal’s name flashed across my phone moments later, I winced.
Speaking of the alpha.
“Hello?” I answered hesitantly.
“Tell me I heard Mack wrong,” he growled without preamble. I could hear cars rushing past and could picture him pulled off to the side of the road, straddling his bike with a scowl on his handsome face. “Tell me you didn’t climb out our fucking bedroom window!” he bellowed.
“Well, I, um, could tell you that...,” I replied.
“Do not fucking bullshit me,” he clipped. “I want you to pull over to the side of the road and wait for me,” he commanded. “Or better yet, turn your ass around and let me handle this.”
My voice was quiet as my foot hit the accelerator that much harder. “I can’t do that, Cal. Max called. My sister abandoned them in a motel. They’re hungry and scared.” I choked out the last part. “I know you’re mad but I promised him that I’d come get them. I intend to keep that promise. I’m sorry.” I waited before soldiering through the tense silence. “This is something I have to do.”
There was a long pause. “Fuck,” he clipped. “I don’t like it but I get it. I’m not far away—I want you to promise me you’ll wait out front for me. I’ll meet you there.”
I nearly wilted in relief.
He didn’t like it but he accepted it. For me. Because he knew this really mattered and because I knew he cared about Max and Emmie.
I knew then with a jolt that I loved him. I loved him in a way I’d never loved another man. He could be an over-the-top alpha who didn’t take no for an answer. But when it really counted, he listened. He respected my wishes. The man got me in a way no one ever had.
I had to swallow back my emotion before I could answer him. “Thank you, honey,” I murmured, beyond moved.
