“Come inside.” Livia opens the front door. She doesn’t so much as use a key; it’s unlocked.
With the collar attached to my neck there’s no reason to lock the doors. Leaving is a death sentence.
Twelve
Bristol
I can’t believe Liam jetted on a plane with his sister and the rest of his housemates, leaving my ass behind.
Jerk!
Yes, I’m worried about Harper, but knowing she’s missing and then being shoved aside isn’t fair. I want to help.
I’ve been texting Liam constantly, trying to get him to spill as much information as possible. There isn’t much he’s willing to tell me. Which sucks.
I grab the bus, but I’m not heading back to Great Falls.
I hope I’m not making a huge mistake.
As the bus pulls up at the Breckenridge bus terminal, I climb down the steps and outside. I text my mom, hoping she’s not too busy.
Can you pick me up from the bus stop in town?
Within seconds, she’s calling me.
“Of course, why didn’t you just call me? I’d have picked you up from school.”
I pause for a beat. “Because I’ve been staying with Liam. I didn’t think you’d want to drive down to Evergreen University.”
I shiver and pull my coat closed, zipping it up. “Can you just come get me?”
“I’m heading to the car now,” Mom says.
Within fifteen minutes, she’s pulling up and I hurry to the car as she unlocks it. I toss my bag into the backseat and then climb up front. The warm blast of heat inside the car feels good on my frosty fingers and toes.
“Thanks for picking me up,” I say, shoving my hands in front of the vents, enjoying the warm air. “Can we stop by your office?”
“We can,” Mom says and glances at me briefly while mainly keeping her attention on the road. “What’s going on, Bristol?”
She always cuts right to the point, and I bite down on my bottom lip, glancing at her. “Promise me you won’t be mad, but I need your help.”
She exhales and nods. “I promise. Just out with it.”
I open my mouth and then quickly shut it. “Can I wait until Jaxson is around? I’d rather only do this once.”
Mom raises an eyebrow and nods. “Good thing we’re only a few minutes out.”
We arrive in record time, and I leave my bag in the car and hurry into the building, Mom trailing behind me. I don’t bother knocking as I trample right into Jaxson’s office. “I need to talk with you.”
“Bristol!” Mom scolds as I hear her click the front door shut and her heels tapping over the floorboards on her approach.
She shuts Jaxson’s door behind us, assuming that whatever I intend to say may require privacy.
She’s not far off the mark on that one.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Bristol?” Jaxson leans back in his chair, staring at me. He glances briefly at my mother and I’m not quite sure, but the look they’re exchanging makes me uncomfortable.
“Mom, you should take a seat for this,” I say and gesture to the chair across from Jaxson’s desk.
