Page 52 of The Finder

Emma took it reluctantly. “Hello.”

“Are you okay?” Garrett asked.

“I’m fine, just like I told you. Kyle and Madison took care of them,” Emma said with a little bite in her voice.

“Kyle said you have something else to tell me,” Garrett continued.

“Of course, he did,” Emma said with a scowl at Kyle. She took a deep breath. “So, Kevin came into the shop today.” Emma paused. She didn’t hear a sound from Garrett. That wasn’t good. “I don’t really know exactly how it happened. I mean, I told him I couldn’t go out with him, but...” her voice trailed off. Still no sound from Garrett. “Anyway, well he kind of pushed me and I kind of agreed and I’m supposed to go out with him tomorrow.” She rushed through the words quickly and took a breath. She waited; still nothing from Garrett. “Garrett?” she questioned softly.

“I’ll take care of it,” he said in a voice that made Emma shiver.

“What are you going to do?” she asked, worried now for Kevin.

“Not for you to worry about,” he said in an angry voice.

“Just don’t hurt him or kill him or something. I’m pretty sure you can get into big trouble doing something like that to a policeman,” Emma said.

“Are you worried about him?” He practically growled the words at her.

“Don’t give me an attitude. Of course I’m worried about him. I've seen what you turn into,” Emma said.

“You good if we take off?” Madison asked softly.

Emma nodded. “Oh, wait,” she said to Madison.

“What’s wrong?” Garrett asked.

“Oh, sorry I was talking to Madison. Just a second, Garrett,” she said. She covered up the phone to look at Madison and Kyle. “I left my purse in there. Just let me grab it really quick.” She wasn’t used to carrying a purse around, but now that she actually had money, she was trying to get used to it. She wanted to be able to pay her own way whether it was when they ate out or when they went to the store. She needed her wallet just in case. “You guys can wait here. I’m just going across the street.” She stepped out of the car and jogged over to the other side of the street.

After using her key to open the shop, she stepped inside and put the phone back up to her ear. “Hey, Garrett, I’m sorry. I just had to run inside to grab my purse.”

“Are Madison and Kyle with you?” he asked.

“No, they’re right outside, and don’t get mad at them. I told them to wait in the car,” Emma said. She grabbed her purse from the back room and came back out into the shop.

“They’re supposed to stay with you at all times,” Garrett said.

Emma rolled her eyes as she walked to the front door. “You sure are bossy,” she said. A flash of something outside caught her eye and she looked out the window. Everything inside of her froze in fear. She watched in horror as her step-brother stopped in front of the shop. He had two of his buddies with him. Emma couldn’t breathe. Alec turned towards the window and Emma dropped to her knees behind the pillar near the front door. Suddenly, she remembered she was still on the phone with Garrett.

“Emma, Emma.” It finally registered that he was calling her name.

“Garrett,” she whispered in terror. “He’s here.” She couldn’t get any other words to form.

“Who?” Garrett responded immediately.

“My s-st-step-b-brother,” she managed to get out in spite of her terror. It was silent for a moment.

“Emma, listen to me. I put out a pack call. Madison and Kyle are coming now even as we speak. The others will be there soon. Go to the back room. Lock yourself in there until they get there. Go, Emma. Now.” If Garrett’s words hadn’t motivated her; the sounds of fighting outside would have. She stood up and began moving towards the back room. She glanced out the window and halted in her tracks. Madison and Kyle were still in human form, probably because they were in view of anybody that happened to walk past. That wasn’t what made her stop, though. What made her stop was that Madison had blood streaming down her face. The sight infuriated Emma. Madison was her friend and didn’t deserve to get pulled into Emma’s mess.

“Emma, answer me!” Garrett yelled in her ear.

Emma startled. “I have to go out there. They hurt Madison,” Emma said.

“Don’t you dare,” Garrett thundered at her. “Emma, you listen to me. Get your backside in the backroom, now! I’m not far.”

Emma heard a noise behind her and turned around. The blood drained from her face.

“Hello, sister. I’ve missed you.”

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