Page 187 of Three Reckless Words

The women and Arlo lighten the atmosphere, letting me melt into the background while they talk and laugh and tease.

Fine.

As nice as this impromptu family gathering is, I can’t shake the stress drenching my bones.

Dexter keeps quietly making inquiries. Patton does his best to distract me, prodding Arlo to talk everyone’s ear off about his latest additions to their fancy aquarium. I don’t think they’ll ever have enough cuttlefish.

Still, all I can think about is her.

Winnie, crashed in a ditch somewhere, smoke billowing from her crumpled car.

Winnie, bleeding by the side of the road.

Winnie, captured and gagged by some mean-eyed fuck who likes to lure women into the trunk of his car, an easy target.

She’s a fighter, but she’s too gentle.

Her world isn’t violence and pain and aggression. She grew up sheltered with parents who didn’t give a damn what her world became.

The only fighting she knows how to do is with words.

The hours crawl by.

I do my best to focus on anything but Winnie’s fate. Salem smiling as she gently rests on Patton’s shoulder and Junie gazing adoringly at Dexter isn’t helping one bit.

Eventually, I get up and face the inevitable.

I grab my phone, hit Winnie’s contact, and listen as the call instantly disconnects.

What the hell? Did she block me?

I stare at the screen in disbelief, my last fucks to give about today slipping through my fingers.

It’s getting late. The stars peek through the thick clouds. There’s a full moon, or close to it, which I’m unreasonably grateful for. Not that it’s much light if there’s someone alone out there, desperate for help.

Not Winnie, I’m sure.

Considering the other reasons why her phone might shut off like that, Ihopeshe blocked me out of spite.

“Do you want us to get out of your hair? Or can we help you find her?” Junie asks gently.

She swings her hair, and the movement reminds me of Winnie, too.

All I can think about is how depraved I am for blowing this to kingdom come.

“No,” I say. “You should get home. She’s probably just hiding out somewhere. It’s not your problem.” Even as I say the words, I know they’re lies. But Junie smiles, accepting my usual no-nonsense logic.

“You’ll see her soon, Arch. Give it time.”

Yeah,time.

If Winnie ever shows up again, I’ll be the happiest idiot alive, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I never lose her again.

“I’ll keep you guys posted.”

Dexter holds my gaze. “You mean you’ll actually call her? Brave man.”

“Don’t be an ass.” I don’t tell him I’ve already tried calling and received the worst response.Silence.

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