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“It’s nine-zero-nine-nine Indigo, off Chimney Rock on the eastbound side,” I tell him.
“How the hell do you know which side is the eastbound side?” he asks.
“I’ve heard her say that before, Hayes. Can you ask me these questions later? Please make that call.” I’m practically yelling.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” he says softly, soothingly into the phone.
“Don’t try to calm me down, Hayes. I’m not going to calm down. Cass sounded scared. I know you don’t understand how urgent this is because you’ve never been forced to try and stay afloat in water you have no choice but to swim through. But every second counts. Please. Make that call,” I say through gritted teeth and then hang up.
I start to throw my jeans on but realize there’s no point in getting dressed. I don’t know anyone in this house, and I have no clue where Hayes is in it.
I sit back down on my bed and stare at my hands. A minute later, my phone rings. “King” flashes on my screen, and I pick it up before it has a chance to ring again.
“Tesoro, I spoke to my contact at the mayor’s office. They’re going to add her to the emergency list, but they may only be able to take the people who absolutely need to leave,” he says in a rush.
“Okay.” My answer comes out in a stuttered sigh as I try to think about what I can do. I know Cass and her dad will go crazy if her mom is taken and they can’t go with her.
“Listen to me. If they can’t take your friend, I’ll go get them myself when I’m done. My brother Beau’s truck is parked at the house while he’s away. It’s one of those monster trucks and it’s lifted more than six feet off the ground, and it’ll get through that water. It only seats five; we’ll only be able to take three other people.”
“I can stay home to make room for one more,” I say immediately. “If the rain doesn’t stop and they’re not rescued, they’ll end up spending the night on their roof and I can’t even imagine that for Cass,” I say.
“Okay.” He blows out a breath and says, “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. That truck is a nightmare to drive on a dry, clear day, but if the city doesn’t come through, I will.”
* * *
FOUR HOURS LATER
“Oh my God, TB, thank you so much,” Cass cries and throws herself into my arms as soon as she and her parents trudge into the foyer. They’re soaked, but safe. I look over her shoulder and take in the six other people Hayes brought with him. I only recognize Mr. and Mrs. Gold, Cass’s parents. The other three are a small, pretty woman and two children, a boy and girl, who, judging by their appearance, are between the ages of ten and twelve. The girl is as long and skinny as a beanpole, and her big eyes scan the room in amazement. Her mother puts a hand on her shoulder and says, “Stop staring,” and then smiles apologetically at me. I smile back and turn my attention back to Cass.
“Where’s Hayes?” I ask her.
“Parking the truck. He dropped us off first. You should have seen him, TB,” she says, wide-eyed. “The police put a blockade up on the street to stop any more rescue attempts. He drove straight through it. He backed up right to the front door and even though he only had enough seat belts for—”
“What is happening here?” A woman’s voice, as cold and clear as a bell calls from behind us. I jump, and right before I turn around, I see the little girl’s eyes nearly bug out of her head with fear before she ducks behind her mother’s legs. The little boy’s eyes narrow, and he steps in front of his mother and his sister.
“Uh, hi,” I say and wave at the redheaded, Jessica Rabbit lookalike, down to the red dress wrapped around her impossibly exaggerated curves and bright red lipstick. She stares down at me with hostile eyes and frowns.
“Who are you?” she asks through her pinched lips.
“I’m Confidence Ryan,” I say and try not to sound like I want to piss in my pants.
“I don’t care what your name is, girl. I want to know what you and this ragtag mob of interlopers is doing standing in my foyer?” she shouts and the little girl starts to cry.
I let go of Cass completely and walk toward her. “I don’t know who you are, and I’m sorry that you’re walking into an unexpected scene, but we are all guests of Hayes—" I start.
“Hayes?” she asks like she has no clue who that is.
“Yes, Hayes.” I cross my arms over my chest and eye her suspiciously. “Who are you?” I snap at her.
“I am Mrs. Eliza Rivers and this, you little guttersnipe, is my house,” she responds haughtily. Then, she pulls a small pearl handled revolver out of her purse and points it squarely at my chest in a grip that tells me she knows how to hold a gun, but no idea how to aim it. I don’t move, but my heart is sprinting like a hare running from a hunter. I stare at her, beyond shocked.
Behind me, pandemonium breaks out. I can’t hear anyone clearly, but they’re all shouting. The children are both screaming. Cass grabs my elbow and tugs me backward.
“TB, let’s go,” she says, her voice a desperate whine.
“Go where?” I shake her loose. I take a step closer to the woman pointing her gun at me and look her square in the face. “This is not your house, and it hasn’t been for a long time. I am Hayes’s guest. So are these people, including the children you’re pointing a weapon at.”
Her expression falters briefly and then she tightens her grip on the butt of her gun. “How do I know what you’re saying is true? Where is Hayes?” she asks, her voice slightly fretful. I want to turn around and assure the people behind me that everything will be okay. That she’s about as harmless as a fly. But I don’t dare take my eyes off her. Because she is actually very dangerous. Especially with her clear lack of practice.
