Page 86 of Wicked Promises

“Margo, it’s Detective Masters. I took some pictures of the room and am heading out. Just wanted to let you know that I’m going to look into what we discussed.”

“Thanks,” I call.

Caleb stares at me. “Can’t wait to hear what youdiscussed.”

“The police are supposed to be the good guys,” I whisper.

He just shakes his head. They’re outside now, and someone is yelling after them. Theo yells back, but the words are snatched away on the wind.

“We’ll be there soon, okay?”

I nod, and he hangs up.

My head falls back on the door. I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do. Whatcanwe do? We’re teenagers. Kids, really.

My eyes fill with tears. The whole situation is hopeless.

See what I said about hope? It can drop you.

Real fast.

Chapter 26

Caleb

“Food,” Eli demands. “We can be hospitable and bring food.”

Theo rolls his eyes. “How about delivery? That’s easy.”

“I’m in the mood for sushi,” Liam adds, “but only if someone else is buying. Or lobster.”

I twist around, looking him up and down. “Your mom isn’t doing the soup for every meal thing again, is she?”

He shrugs. “It’s all we can afford at the moment. Do you know how cheap it is to make a million different soups? They last us a while.”

“You’re starting to run more,” Eli points out. “Which means you need to carb up…”

“Winter sucks for us,” he mutters. “Always has, always will. Doesn’t mean we won’t get through it.”

“So, maybe Chinese?” Theo says. “The Bryans aren’t going to like us crashing their house.”

I contemplate that. Robert just got out of the hospital. Anyone who knows them would also know she’s been sleeping there. It isn’t rocket science. They have a solid marriage. Reallove between them. I’d have been more shocked if Lenora left his side.

Eli gets us to Margo’s house almost too fast. He drives recklessly at times, but right now, there’s a growing feeling of dread building up in my chest. It’s going to explode if I don’t see Margo safe.

I jump out before the truck has fully stopped, jogging up the walkway.

Margo yanks the door open and launches into my arms.

I scoop her up, breathing in her scent, and she locks her legs around my waist.

“Thanks for coming,” she whispers in my ear. “I told them you all were on your way. I think Lenora is going to ask if I can stay with you guys again.”

I wince. “It’s that bad?”

She leans back into my arms, eyebrows raised. “It’s…”

I set her down, and we all enter the house.