Page 78 of Her Nightshade

“They’re both tough,” Callan added, as if reading my mind. “And fucking smart. They’ll be okay.”

I let out a shaky breath, gripping the window frame as I stared into the night. “I hate this,” I muttered. “I hate waiting. I hate knowing they’re in there with him.”

“I know,” Callan said. “But we have to do this right. Jake’s dangerous, and if we rush in blind, we’ll just give him morepower. Bart gave us this chance. Jake has no idea we’re here. We use it.”

I nodded stiffly. The waiting was killing me, but Callan was right. Bart had flipped for the money, and now we had to trust that he’d done his part.

A moment later, Callan’s phone vibrated loudly in his pocket. He answered, putting the call on speaker. There was no greeting, just faint, muffled sounds. I realized Sloane called and hid the phone, likely in her pocket.

“Get your phone out. Record this,” Callan whispered, gesturing to his phone.

I nodded, pulling my phone out.

Through the static came Jake’s voice, sharp and angry.

“You think you’re clever, don’t you, Ana?” he snapped. “Sneaking around, thinking you can manipulate me?”

“I’m not doing anything,” Ana replied, her voice wavering but still steady.

Jake laughed coldly. “You really think I believe that? You always were a terrible liar. You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to? That Charlie hasn’t been sniffing around?”

My blood boiled at the sound of my name on his lips, but I stayed silent.

“You’re paranoid,” Ana said, her tone sharper now. “No one’s coming for me, Jake. You’ve made sure of that.”

“Paranoid?” he shouted, and then there was a crashing sound, like a chair had been turned over. “You don’t get to call me paranoid. Not after what your pathetic little boyfriend did, trying to get into my business.”

“Leave him out of this,” Ana shot back loudly.

“Why should I?” Jake snarled. “You think he’s going to protect you? He’s nothing. And if he shows his face here, he’s dead. Do you hear me? Dead.”

Callan’s jaw tightened beside me but he stayed silent.

Then, Sloane’s voice cut through, muffled but clear. “What are you talking about? Why are you threatening Charlie?”

There was a pause, the kind that made my chest fill with dread.

“Sloane,” Jake said, his voice cold. “How long have you been standing there?”

More muffled shuffling came through the line, and then Sloane spoke again, her tone firmer. “Long enough. What are you doing? Why are you threatening Mom and Charlie?”

Jake let out a low, humorless laugh. “Oh, sweetheart. You really don’t understand how the world works, do you?”

“Then explain it to me,” Sloane pressed.

“You want the truth?” Jake said, his voice hardening. “Fine.I’mthe reason Sarah’s gone.You’re welcome.She thought she could play me, just like your mother does. But no one crosses me and gets away with it. And your mother is only here because she’s protecting her precious boyfriend sincehe’sthe one who started all of this.”

My stomach dropped. Callan stiffened beside me as he processed Jake’s words.

“Wait. You had Sarahkilled?” Sloane asked, her voice full of disbelief. I was impressed with how well she was feigning ignorance.

Jake scoffed. “She was a liability. Just like Charlie will be if he comes anywhere near this house.”

“You’re insane,” Sloane said, her voice stronger now.

Jake’s tone turned icy. “Careful, Sloane. You don’t want to push me.”

“You’re threatening Mom, threatening Charlie, and you think I’m just going to stand here and let you?” she snapped.

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