“I can see the fireplace from here. If he looks like he’s going to do that, we can intervene.”
“Notwe. Me. You’re staying out of it.”
The kid had a point, though, and I nodded, holding a finger to my lips as I peeked around the side of the house to see what was happening. Aaron was only then getting out of the car, a phone pressed to his ear, which might have been the only reason he didn’t see me.
Whoever he’d called—Lukyan likely—didn’t seem to be answering.
As Aaron turned his back, aiming for the front door, I slipped along the side of the cottage, following. The call must have tripped to voicemail. Aaron paused on the front stoop as he recorded a message.
I stayed out of sight, only then realizing that Darcy was breathing down my neck.
“Get back,” I hissed.
He didn’t move, eyes bulging as Aaron spoke.
“Why the fuck aren’t you answering? I’m here. I don’t know what you want me to do with them. I’ll take them to my mother’s for now. She’s working, and I have a key. She still has all my shit stored in the basement, so I’ll bury it among the pile of boxes until things blow over. She won’t notice. Call me.”
The instant Aaron hung up, he let himself inside.
What was happening at the marina? I couldn’t stand not knowing and again reached for my phone, the urge to text Tallus insatiable.
Aaron would be a few minutes.
“Watch the back,” I said to Darcy, needing him out of sight. “If he goes near that fireplace, yell.”
Darcy sulked but did as he was told.
Unable to resist any longer, I placed a call to Tallus, one eye on the front door.
His voicemail kicked on after five rings, but unlike Aaron, I refused to leave a message. I called him again with visions of him and Lukyan in confrontation.
Four rings, and I anticipated it rolling over to voicemail again when he answered. Or rather,someoneanswered. I wasn’t sure the voice was human.
“Ghnahllah?”
My spine stiffened. “Tallus?”
A rough noise of confirmation prickled the hairs along my nape.
“Tallus, what’s wrong?”
“I… ow… fuck… broke… ghnlasses.”
“What? I don’t understand. Why do you sound funny? What’s happening? Where’s Luke?”
A clambering of noise came through the line. Muffled voices. Shouts. Tallus said something indecipherable, his speech severely compromised.
Another shout. Angry. Commanding.
A clatter like the phone had fallen.
The call disconnected.
Panic surged through my blood. I stalled, torn between racing to the marina—Tallus was clearly in trouble—and snagging Aaron and what proof might be in those coveted boxes.
My muscles tensed. I prepared to spring forward, run to the Jeep, and burn rubber when Darcy raced from the backyard, colliding with my back and sending me stumbling forward a step.
“What are you—”
