Page 20 of Wistful Whispers

The line goes dead and I drop the phone onto the passenger seat, sliding myself behind the steering wheel. I grip it, fingers digging in as I stare straight ahead, breathing in, breathing out, until I can’t feel the tremor in my hands anymore.

Grant might think he’s got the upper hand but I won’t let him get to her and if it’s the last thing I do.

Chapter 9

Hannah

Jake’s face is paleas he tells me and Ols what happened. His words come out in a low, tense voice, and I can see fear and fury written all over him. He keeps running a hand through his hair, messing it up even more than usual.

My brother paces the room, his jaw tight and his arms crossed. Normally he’s the calm one, the steady anchor when things gowrong. But now his movements are sharp and frantic as if he’s barely holding it together.

“So we’re just supposed to wait?” he snaps, spinning around to face Jake. “The police put a car outside and that’s it? We sit here hoping this lunatic doesn’t come near her?”

“Ols,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but he doesn’t let me finish.

“No, Hannah. Come on! You’re pregnant. If the police won’t do more we need to.”

Jake steps forward with his hands raised as if he’s trying to calm a cornered animal. “I get it, Oliver. Believe me, I do. But they told me not to engage with Grant. They said it could make things worse.”

Ols lets out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. “Worse? How much worse can it get? He’s already threatening her. Do you think I’m just going to stand here and hope he doesn’t follow through?”

“Ols,” I say again, more firmly this time, stepping between him and Jake. “Look at me.”

He stops pacing, turning to face me with fire blazing in his eyes.

“I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But we can’t just go charging in without a plan. We have to trust the police to handle this.”

“Trust the police?” Oliver’s voice rises, and I can hear the frustration in it. “That’s your plan? Sit back and hope they catch him before he does anything?”

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “What’s your plan, then? Are you going to confront him yourself? Do you want Jake to face off with him? Get into a fight and end up hurt—or worse? How does that help anyone?”

His shoulders sag slightly but the fire in his eyes doesn’t dim. “I just… I can’t do nothing. You’re my baby sister and that’s my niece.”

Hearing the crack in his voice feels like a punch to the gut. I reach out and take his hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’re not going to lose us Oliver. We’ll be careful. We’ll all stick together. But we’re not playing hero. That’s not how we protect each other.”

Oliver looks like he wants to argue but after a moment he gives a small, reluctant nod.

I know I should be falling apart. I should be the one full of fear. Of course I’m scared but I trust the police’s instructions. I have to because there’s no alternative.

Jake, who has been standing stiffly by the counter, shifts uncomfortably. “Maybe I should go… I should just leave Fellside,” he says, his voice hesitant.

“What?” I whip around to face him, the word coming out sharper than I intended.

He raises his hands, almost defensively. “Just hear me out. Maybe me staying here isn't a good idea after all. If Grant’s after me maybe the best thing I can do is leave. Keep him focused on me and away from you.”

“That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” I say, crossing my arms.

“Hanny-bee—”

“No! Seriously.” I step closer, forcing him to meet my eyes. “You think leaving will magically make things better? That he’ll just forget about me because you’re not here?”

Jake opens his mouth to reply but hesitates. “Maybe he won’t have a reason to go after you if I’m out of the picture.”

I laugh, though there’s no humour in it. “He already knows about me. And he knows about the baby. He made it clear that I am one of the targets. If he can’t find you he’ll use me to get you to come out of hiding.”

“What if I don’t hide?”

“Oh my God. I just told Ols. Nobody here will play the hero. It will only end with one of you getting hurt!” They’re driving me nuts. Can’t they see that I need them? I need Jake with me.

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