Page 133 of Midnight Curfew

I recognize the number, even though I don’t have it saved.

“AK?” I answer.

Two quick intakes of breath hit my ear, then a sniffle. “Dallas?”

I bolt up, her voice unnerving me more than the crying. Normally, it’s light and innocent like sunshine, like she’s speaking through a smile all the time.

Now it’s heavier.

“Where are you?” I demand.

She sucks in short, stuttered breaths. “In…your classroom.”

Jumping up, I grab my T-shirt without a word to Macon and head around the house. “I’m coming to you now,” I assure her.

I pull the phone away from my ear long enough to pull on my shirt and dig my keys out of my pocket.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her.

“I don’t want him to find me.”

“Callum?”

She’s scared of him?

She starts sobbing again. “He’s going to be so mad.”

Striding across the lawn, I round my car. “Keep the light off in my room,” I say, trying to sound calm. “Stay in the nook. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Stay on the line,” she gasps.

I think I heard that she sees a doctor, but I’m not going to try to get their number out of her. She called me for a reason, and it doesn’t escape me that I don’t hesitate. Not like I did with my mom.

I pull open my door just as Iron rushes out of the front of the house. “What are you doing?”

He gapes at me. It’s almost midnight.

But I don’t have time to explain. “Call Army,” I say to him in a low voice. “Tell him to meet me at Marymount.”

I might need a cop on my side.

“But it’s almost curfew,” he bites out.

I ignore him, climbing in the car. She’s alone, she’s terrified, and she called me. No woman has ever called me for help. What am I supposed to do?

Pinching the phone between my ear and shoulder, I start the car, but the passenger door opens. Iron is still shirtless.

“No.” I hold out my hand to stop my brother. “Stay here.”

They would love to get their hands on him.

He leans down, practically glaring at me. He’s worried.

I shake my head. I know, all right? I know.

I shift into reverse. “Call Army.”

He slams the door shut, and I put my phone in the cup holder, hitting the speakerphone.