Page 109 of Recipe for Rivals

“That shouldn’t be a problem. No one’s saying she’s endangering him.”

She hadn’t called the police about her son staying at their house, but I wouldn’t mention that right now. The woman was probably scared.

Dusty pulled along a dark road of houses separated by chain link fences. They were similar to most of the houses I’d seen closer to the heart of town, but looked more neglected—overgrown grass and weeds, discarded rusty cars. “It’s the blue one,” he said, pointing ahead. The lights were on and an older Toyota sedan sat in the driveway. He parked and shut off the engine.

“Let’s wait for backup. We can knock first and offer to take Brody to the event so we have a reasonable excuse to be there. Hopefully Patty will answer the door and provide permission toenter. It shouldn’t be too hard after that. Our priority is getting both of them out of the house first.”

“Got it,” Dusty said. “Just tell me what to do.”

I looked between the men in the front seat, then at the house, and closed my eyes. There was no way this would go as easily as that. Anxiety roiled in my gut, and the pleas I’d silently repeated the whole way here felt useless against real violence. I pulled out my phone and texted my mom. At least it was late enough here that they were probably having breakfast by now in the Philippines.

Nova

If you’re praying this morning, will you add my friends to your list? I’m watching a domestic situation unfold that is unsafe, and these guys could use all the help they can get

Mom

Can I call?

Nova

Not right now. I’m safe, don’t worry. The kids are with Gigi

Mom

Okay. We’re on it. Be safe and call me later, please.

Nova

Of course. Love you both

Mom

We love you too.

Travis put his phone away. “Hank is pulling up now. He’s going to park down the road and turn his lights off. If we can get Brody and Patty into the truck, then I want you to come with them.”

“I’m trained?—”

“You aren’t a police officer. We each have our parts to play.”

“Okay. True.”

I had the sense Dusty was just grateful Travis wasn’t making him wait in the truck, too. I could sense it was important to him this was done right.

“Ready?” Travis asked.

Dusty reached back and squeezed my knee. “Yep.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

DUSTY

WhenI first started getting to know Nova and fantasized about taking her on a date, breaking up a scary domestic situation in the middle of it wasn’t on my radar. Knowing she was waiting safely back in the truck made it possible for me to mount the cement steps to Brody’s front door with less anxiety, though.

Travis knocked on the screen a few times.

Minutes went by while we heard movement on the other side of the door. We exchanged a glance before I reached over him and knocked a second time.

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