Page 92 of Time Out

So, I liked hearing people think I was a good guy. It would always be a better compliment than if it was about my talent. Character mattered more.

Always.

“That does mean a lot to me. Thank you.”

“All right now, child. Didn’t want you worrying. You save this number, and I got yours now. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks again.”

“It’s our honor. Trust me. Speak soon. Bye.”

She hung up, and I yanked Maggie into a hug. “We’ll keep her safe. I swear it, Maggie, and we’ll make sure none of your sisters are hurt ever again.”

“Damn straight,” Dad muttered, and when I peeked at him, his eyes held their own shimmer.

I fought mine down and held Maggie tight.

We’d figure all this out.

Together.

Chapter 28

Maggie

“Thank you, Madison. Thank you so much for understanding.”

Did I feel bad lying to my boss about being too sick to work today?

Yes. Was I doing it anyway?

Absolutely.

“It’s no worries, Maggie. Come in tomorrow or call me if you don’t feel well. It’s truly not an issue.”

Fortunately, Mondays were the slower nights of the week.

We said our goodbyes, and after I ended the call, I tossed the phone to the bed and scrubbed my hands through my hair.

No way would I focus on taking orders or care how someone wanted their steak or what type of addition they’d like to it while I waited for an update about Ruth.

It was after breakfast, after I’d showered. Davis and his dad were cleaning the kitchen and sounds of the television filtered down the hallway to his room while I had called my boss.

Davis’s offer to quit rang in my mind. I couldn’t. Not with Ruth hopefully coming, and oh god…

I hadn’t even considered where she’d stay. Would I have to move back to my apartment? She wasn’t eighteen for three more months, and I only had one bedroom. And with Davis…

“Damn,” I whispered. This was all happening so quickly, and a part of me still couldn’t believe it was.

My sister had called me for help. Or at least to warn me.

What had happened in the last three years that she’d feel comfortable doing so? How bad had it gotten for her that she called to warn me? And what were my father and uncle going to do? Hunt me down in Nashville and kidnap me back to Missouri?

There was no way, but I needed a plan.

Once they found out Ruth was gone, if they hadn’t already, I’d be the first person they thought to come find.

I hurried out of the bedroom and practically slid across Davis’s wood floor in my socked feet. I’d changed from the sweats I threw on that morning into another pair of jeans. I had on a tank top beneath my oversized red and black flannel shirt that was only halfway buttoned and as I slid, the shoulder of the shirt slipped off mine, so I ended up sliding into his living room like a maniac, pinwheeling my arms like a crazy person.

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