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“Only a couple of minutes, tops,” Martha says, her gaze going to Arthur’s. “Tell her what you did.”
My gaze switches between the both of them, curious. “What did you do, Arthur?”
He smiles at me. “Martha walked in right when you dropped and I went to the phone and hit the redial button.”
“Multiple times,” Martha adds.
“And the man you tried to call answered.”
Relief floods me and I almost slump back onto the floor again. “What did you tell him?”
“That I had a pretty blonde woman in a black sweat outfit passed out on my deli floor.” His smile is small. “He cursed up a storm.”
“He’s my brother,” I admit, thinking that sounds just like Finn. They all curse when they’re mad. Happy. Whatever. “His number is the only one I could remember.”
“He said they would be here right away, once I gave them my address,” Arthur says.
They.I wonder if he’s with Perry. Does my husband even care that I went missing? He was supposed to come home early so I could make him ‘dinner,’ and instead I’m in a deli in Bishop’s Landing and oh my God…
“Have you ever seen a dark-haired man with an Irish accent come in here?” I ask Arthur.
“No, not that I can recall.” He sends a look to his wife, and I’m sure he must think I’m out of it for asking that. “Come on. Let’s get you on your feet.”
They stand on either side of me and haul me up to my feet and the moment I don’t need them holding me upright, Martha takes off toward the back.
“Getting you some aspirin, young lady! For that knockin’ your noggin took!” She pushes her way through the door that separates the deli from the actual kitchen, disappearing from view.
“Did my brother say when he would be here?” I ask Arthur, hating how anxious I suddenly feel. My gaze keeps drifting toward the deli entrance, worried that Seamus could walk in at any moment. He could easily overtake Arthur. And if he came with his gun, forget it.
“He said he was on his way.” Arthur takes a step closer, his voice lowering. “Are you okay? Is someone trying to—harm you?”
I stare into his kind brown eyes, so grateful I chose the deli over the convenience store across the street. “Can I hide out in the back until my brother shows up?”
“Of course you can.” I love that Arthur doesn’t ask me any questions. Just automatically says yes. “And you can eat your sandwich back there too.”
I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude I wrap him up in a bear hug, startling him. “Thank you,” I say, my voice muffled against his shoulder. “For helping me.”
He gives me a tentative pat on the back. “Come on. Let’s get you that sandwich.”
Chapter Six
Perry
Finn’s phone keepsringing.
And he keeps ignoring it, which annoys the hell out of me.
All of us really.
We got hung up at Winston’s because Myron called right before we were supposed to leave, filling my brother in with all sorts of details. Which leaves me still pacing, my brain coming up with all sorts of ideas as to where Charlotte could be. I don’t know why we’re not already in a car and headed for Bishop’s Landing.
We’re wasting time. We need to get the fuck out of here.
Now.
For once in my life, I actually want to be in Bishop’s Landing. I want to be on the streets, searching for her. For him. If I find him, he’s dead.
It’s that simple.
