Page 79 of Shadow and Skulls

“Dan, he saved your mother.”

“Because he was stalking our daughter,” he grits out quietly.

“He didn’t say anything inappropriate.” Again, she tries to reason with him.

They’re silent for a moment. “I want her to stay at the warehouse,” he says sternly before he ushers her toward the door.

They step out, their whispers becoming muffled as one of them pulls the door closed.

My chest tightens.What does that mean? Stay at the warehouse?

No matter. I have no choice but to stay the course.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kelsie

The next morning, my parents ask to speak with me as soon as they’ve poured their morning cup of coffee. The boys look up from their pancakes, but my grandfather remains focused on his paper.

“Um, I’m not finished,” I tell them, holding up an inch wide piece of toast.

My dad folds his arms across his chest.

“Okay, that serious, huh?”

I pop the last bite in my mouth, brushing crumbs into my hand. I’m sure they know I’m stalling as I walk over to the trash, then go back to the table to retrieve my empty glass. When my dad snaps, I pick up the pace.

“Geez,” I whisper under my breath.

As soon as I sit down on the couch, they drop on each side of me. “We have some bad news.” My mom pats my hand.

My dad had Tank killed.

Adrenaline surges through my veins before my brain has a second to reason things out.

“We are going to have to move Grandma to a facility.”

The rapid way my brain misfires is scary. But then what my mother just said registers, and my face slowly falls. “What?”

Dad wraps his big hand over my knee, turning me toward him. “Last night wasn’t the first time she’s wandered off. We can’t risk that happening again.”

My gaze travels across the room, toward the kitchen. My grandmother is sitting at the end of the table, staring into space.

“We’re trying to get her into Sunnyside back home. Grandpa’s going to move in with Mom and me for as long as he wants to live there.”

I blink at him. There are no words to explain what I’m feeling. I take a moment to process. Then, I realize what it is … I’m sad for my grandparents. It’s been hell being away from Tank, and I just met him. They’ve been together for years and years. I can’t imagine.

My gaze goes back to my grandmother. Grandpa is gently tapping a spoon to her mouth, trying to get her to eat something. She doesn’t acknowledge it’s there; she continues to stare at the wall. He gives up after several attempts.

“Mom and I are going to stay and help him get things in order. The twins are going to drive you back home,” he finishes.

Mom rubs her hand over my back. “I’ll be home Friday morning so we can pack for our trip to Iowa. Dad isn’t sure he’ll be able to go, but he’s asked JD to go with us if he can’t make it.”

She dips her head, trying to snag my gaze when she doesn’t get a response from me.

Great.I’m still feeling a little awkward around JD.

“We don’t have to go to Iowa,” I say quietly.

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