Page 29 of Save Me

Duncan clears his throat. “What do you need?” Just like that. No question. No hesitation. Once again, I’m so grateful I have amazing friends.

“Ash took the Rover. He left about five minutes ago while I was asleep. I’m assuming he’s headed to Oliver, and I’m equally sure the house is being watched.”

“For fuck’s sake, Jamie. Your boyfriend’s an idiot! Isn’t he supposed to be some super brain or something? What the fuck?” The audio quality of the call changes and I assume Duncan switches to speakerphone because I hear water running and cabinets opening and closing.

I head back into the house to make coffee. “Not helping, Duncan.”

“Yeah, sorry. What can I do?”

I throw some kindling into the stove and start the fire before I head upstairs to get dressed. “He’s probablypersona non grataright now with the Marshals, but he’s walking into a trap, and we both know it. Do me a favor and call Mayhugh, tell her what’s going on, and discreetly get a team over to the Laszlo estate, if there isn’t one already in place. I need you to make sure he’s safe, because I can’t. Someone will have to drive out here and get me before I can follow him.”

“Right. I’ll call now. Keep me updated on your location and status and I’ll do the same.” He growls into the phone. “Your boyfriend’s a pain in my ass.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, he is. But he’s worth it.”

Duncan grunts into the phone. “He better be. I’ll talk to you later.”

Before I can say anything more, Duncan hangs up. The clock on the bedroom wall makes me wince. It’s one in the morning and anyone I call is going to be asleep. Any one of my family would come get me, but Quinn, as the youngest and only other single sibling, is probably my best bet. I just hope I’m not interrupting anything besides sleep. I dial his number as I pull on a T-shirt and sit on the end of the bed to put on socks and shoes while it rings.

Quinn answers on the second ring, sounding wide awake. “Jamie? What’s wrong?”

“Hey, Quinn. I’m sorry to call so late, but I need your help.”

There isn’t a moment of hesitation, and I’m so damn grateful. “No problem. I wasn’t sleeping. I’m working on a proposal for a client. What’s up?”

He yawns and I feel badly about the huge favor I’m about to ask. “I’m out at the cabin and I need you to come get me.”

“Uh, yeah, sure. I can do that. When?”

“Now.”

There’s a moment’s pause, and then I hear him moving through his apartment. “Everything okay? You hurt?”

There’s worry in his voice and I rush to put him at ease. “No! No. I’m fine.”

There’s a long pause and I can imagine him looking at the clock and processing how long it will take to drive here. “Alright. I can throw on some jeans and shoes, make a cup of coffee and be on the road in five minutes. I’m assuming there’s some kind of work emergency, or something?”

Where do I even begin? “It’s a long story, and I promise to tell you everything on the way back to my place. I’m stuck out here, and it’s vitally important that I get home as soon as I can.” His single-cup coffee maker gurgles in the background, and Quinn cuts off anything else I might say. “I’m getting in the car now and am on my way.” Moments later the front door slams. “Be there as fast as I can.”

I breathe a little easier. “I owe you, Quinn.”

“You owe me nothing. It’s what family does. Plus, you’re my favorite sibling. How could I say no?”

I grin despite the worry. “Well, I appreciate it. I gotta go pack everything up. Plus, this call is probably getting expensive. I’ll see you soon, Quinn. Thanks again.”

“See you soon.”

We hang up and I shove the phone in my back pocket, looking around at the bedroom. “Ash, you better be alright, because I’m gonna kick your ass when I see you.” I keep busy while I wait for Quinn, trying to occupy my mind so I don’t constantly worry about Ash. I strip the beds, pack the coolers and get everything back to how it was before we arrived. Then I sit and wait.

* * *

I’m outside, surrounded by all the things we brought with us when Quinn pulls to the end of the drive. He gets out and comes around the car, pulling me into a tight hug. He’s really strong for a tall, lanky guy. It feels good, and I squeeze him back. “Hey, thanks for coming out. It was a big ask.”

“Family.” It’s all the answer any of us needs. Every one of us would drop whatever to help each other out of a jam. “You sure you’re okay?”

I pull back and meet his bright blue eyes, full of concern. In the moonlight, his dark red hair looks almost brown, and his pale skin looks ghostly. Even though he’s come all the way out here because of my trouble, now I’m worried at how tired he looks. “Yeah, are you? You look exhausted. And when was the last time you saw the sun?”

He grabs a cooler and carries it over to his car, setting it down to open the back hatch. “Work has been overwhelming. I’m trying for a promotion and they’ve given me a shot at a really tremendous opportunity so I’m putting in a lot of hours.” I nod and pick up one of the coolers. I can tell it’s not the entire story, but I’m not exactly in any position to push. “What happened to your Rover?” I’ve had time to plan what I’m telling my family. Obviously they can’t be told the complete truth. There’s no way I’m endangering them like that, but they have to be told something. We load Quinn’s 4x4 and we climb in. He backs down the driveway and out onto the road, and I start talking.

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