Page 115 of Sven

Hillary continued, “And the bullshit reason she was fired from her last job.”

Sven’s heart dropped, and adrenalin pulsed through his body. “Where is she?”

“We sent security up to get her during the third when we caught wind of the story, but she was already gone,” said Hillary.

“Yeah, she was going to take Winnie home after the second period. Let me call her.”

“How protected is your house Sven?” Hillary asked.

He walked over to his bag, digging his phone out. “Ummm. We’re over in the Arbor District, so we are off the road a bit, and I have a security system, but that’s about it.”

He pulled up Natalie’s contact and called her. She answered on the second ring.

“Sven.”

The panic in her voice activated the fighter in him.

“Where are you, baby?”

“I didn’t know what to do. This woman in the bathroom started asking me some questions. Then I got followed out by reporters, and they were taking pictures and shouting and?—"

“Baby, breathe. Where are you?”

“I’m at Sydney’s. I tried to go home, but there were reporters outside the driveway. I was so scared. Winnie was crying, and they were shouting, and I didn’t know what to do.”

“You’re okay. You’re safe now?”

“Yeah, they didn’t follow me here.”

Fuck. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

The panic she must have felt all while taking care of Winnie had him seeing red. He was ready to fuck some shit up, but he just needed to get to Winnie and Natalie.

“Can you send me the address? I’ll come over.”

“Where is she?” Hillary butted in.

“She’s at Sydney’s.”

“Okay, good. Tell her we are going to send a car for her,” Hillary said.

“Why don’t you guys come back to our place? We have plenty of room and a good fence and security system.”

“That’s a good idea,” Hillary agreed.

“Okay, baby, we’re sending a car for you. I’ll meet you at Conner McPhee’s house, and we will figure it all out. You’re going to be okay.”

“Okay . . .”

“Natalie, baby, are you okay?”

There was a long pause.

“Talk to me. Are you okay?”

“I don’t know . . .”

“Listen, the car will be there. I will meet you at Conner’s, and we will get this all figured out. You are safe. I promise to keep you that way.”

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