Page 27 of Hear Me Roar

Muting the call, I gripped the phone tightly in my hand, and lifted my gaze to where Knox stood at the end of the bed. “This isfucked.”

He nodded warily. “Very.”

“I want to helpher.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. We can't pretend she never called. Imagine how Bernie would feel if he knew what she’s been goingthrough…”

“He'd be sick to his fucking stomach,” Knox grittedout.

“Exactly. She's his baby, and she's in serious danger. If we don't help her, he could kill her. She said it herself, it gets worse everytime.”

Sighing deeply, he ran a hand through his hair. “So, what do you think we shoulddo?”

“I say we find a ticket for the next week or two, and let her hunker down here. We can have Karley send divorce papers, if that what she wants, and help her rebuild. Bernie left money and his house, so it's not like she doesn't have anything to come hometo.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, a concerned look dragging across hisface.

“Why, youdon't?”

“No, I do, but this is huge, baby. It could get complicated andmessy.”

“I don't think we have a choice, to be honest,” I said, as he came to sit beside me once more. “I'd be failing Bernie if I simply dismissedher.”

Taking my hand in his, he placed a kiss on my wrist and gave it a light squeeze. “Then let's do it. We’ll look at flights over the next few days and give her some options. How soon does she need toleave?”

I don'tknow.

But we were about to find out. Tapping the microphone on my screen, I unmuted the call and brought the phone back up to mymouth.

“Maya?”

“I'm still here,” she answered, the blaring horn of a taxi resounding behindher.

“Okay, so, we can get you a one-way ticket from New York. Your dad left you his house, but you’re more than welcome to stay with us until everything blows over. We’ll have security covered, too, regardless of where you decide tostay.”

“We?” The word sounded foreign on hertongue.

“Yes, my boyfriend and I. Karley’sbrother.”

“Oh my God, you two livetogether?”

“Yes… Why is that a problem?” I asked, trying to keep my voiceeven.

“I don't want to intrude…” shewhispered.

“It's not intrusion if we’reoffering.”

“I know but, couples shouldli-”

“Do you want the help or not?” I questioned, suddenlyannoyed.

“Y-yes,” she stammered. “Yes, I want thehelp.”

“Then just take the deal. You'll be safe here,Maya.”

The line went silent, and for a moment I thought it might’ve cut off, or worse, he caught her on the phone. I checked the screen, only to find we were still connected. Panic raced through myveins.

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