Page 66 of Home Coming

“And now we get to have a serous conversation about security,” Xander said, moving on with or without her to the next topic of conversation.

Bailey rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Stop rolling your eyes at me. This is serious. And not just because I don’t need Captain Sweatpants flying back from California to beat me up because I didn’t keep you safe.”

“He wouldn’t—Wait, how do you know he’s back in California?”

“He texted me before dawn to tell me he was at the airport because he had to leave… and to demand that I make sure you have proper security no matter what you have to say about it. So here’s me, doing that. Make sure you tell him.”

If she ever talked to him again. Which was doubtful. Apparently he’d texted everyone except for her. Even Xander.

And that was exactly why she needed to do this tour.

“Okay, Xander. Fine. I’ll write the songs. I’ll go on the tour. And I’ll take whatever security you decide to hire for me—but you’re doing the hiring, not me.”

His smiled beamed through the cell phone as brightly as one would expect from a man who’d just gotten his way. “I’m on it. I’m really glad you’re doing this, Bailey.”

A small smile bowed her lips. “Yeah. Me too.”

That wasn’t even a lie.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

Hey, bro. What’s happening? Since you’re not answering any of my many MANY texts—not that you ever do—I’m going to assume you’re somewhere doing something super secret and not that you’re just being—you know—you. Email when you can!

Josie

OMG!! Call me if you can! So much is happening here you won’t believe it when I tell you!

J

Hello, brother dearest.

Mom and Dad are getting home tonight. During the cruise when they called it was easy to avoid telling them you were here while you were, you know, actually still here. But once they’re home I can’t keep lying to them in person. You know Mom has that radar for lies. I’m going to have to tell them about your visit. Sorry!

Josie

Hey, Q! Mom is super pissed at you because she missed your visit all because you didn’t tell her you were coming. You better message her! Asap!! Dad says hello. Are you ever going to email or call?!

Josie

Hey, bro. So there’s a female cop from the Sidney Police Department stationed outside our house like almost every night. And Mark Peyton from high school is always hanging around here too. I’m thinking you had something to do with that. FYI—Bailey is not pleased. But Mom is having the time of her life making cookies and hot cocoa for the police patrols. Things are so weird here! Another FYI—still haven’t heard back from you!

Josie

Okay since it’s obvious you’re not going to call or email I’ll just tell you. I’ve been keeping a secret for like ever and I can’t anymore or I’ll explode!! Bailey is cutting a freaking album! And she’s going on tour! Like a legit country-wide concert tour with Olivia freaking Rodrigo and a whole bunch of other super powerhouse female singers. I can’t believe you’re missing all this!!!

J

Christ. Quinn hadn’t been gone all that long but you’d never know it by the number of emails from his sister. Not to mention all that had happened, according to her. If Josie was to be believed he’d missed a ton of shit happening back home.

Her emails created more questions than they gave him answers. What had happened that Mark had not just police patrols driving by but also an officer stationed outside his parents’ house all night? Had there been threats? Paparazzi? Another break-in but at his house this time?

Jeezus. The possibilities had his jaw clenching.

And here he was helpless, waiting around for command to provide either orders for another op or transport back to the states. Stuck in the fucking Negev Desert at a partially constructed base.

He’d gotten on a computer as soon as he could, as soon as internet was actually working, and had found more than he’d wanted to.

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