Page 17 of Callahan's Haven

Give me strength.

He turned around with the phone still lifted high while she stomped her foot and crossed her arms.

“He’s going to find out one way or another,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “So why not let me call him? Plus, I’m ready to get out of this cold.” She looked him up and down, a fleeting look of concern crossing her face when her gaze lingered on his shoulder. “Where’s your coat? You have to be nearly frozen.”

“I haven’t paid attention.”

At least not for himself. Hehadpaid attention to Haven shivering more and more the longer they’d stood in the frigid air. The van was still running, but letting her warm up in there would unleash a whole ‘nother set of problems. She’d see their setup. “I promise I’ll give you your phone, but first I need to make a call. Then we need to talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Do you promise?” He held back a laugh at her pinched face.

“Promise,” she said in a rush.

“Good.” He grimaced at the locked screen before lifting his eyes to hers. “What’s your passcode?”

She pressed her lips together, then let out a sigh. “One…two…three…fourfivesix.”

“Original.” He arched a brow at her slight shrug and then dialed Declan, who answered on a yawn. “Whoever this is, it had better be good.”

“It’s me.”

“What… Whose phone are you on?”

“Haven’s”

“Haven’s? Why do you have Haven’s phone? Is she hurt? Do I need to get everyone?” Declan’s rapid-fire questions didn’t give him a chance to get a word in. “Well?”

“So, I can answer now?”

“Yes,” Declan said on a low growl. “You can answer. Just tell me what the fuck’s going on.”

“Haven was nearly killed tonight.” Cal held up a hand when Haven began to protest, then used it to cover the speaker. “What?” he asked while a string of expletives filled his ear. “So…you weren’t?”

“I…” She frowned and pursed her lips. Damn, even with the mulish set of her mouth, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. She let out an irritated huff and stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Carry on.”

He grinned and uncovered the speaker.

“Cal…Cal…Where the hell are you?”

“I’m in the parking lot in front of the library about halfway to the other side. Bring my car and a medical kit.”

“Who needs a medical kit?”

“Me. Just a nick.”

“Right. Last time it wasjust a nickyou’d nearly severed a finger.”

It was true. “Look, I need my car here so I can call campus security. We’ll let them decide about the ambulance.”

“I’m getting a headache.” Cal grinned, imaging his friend’s grumpy expression. “You said it was just a nick. And campus security?”

“Remember the drunk from Friday n—”

“Friday night?” Haven blurted out. “You were watching me Friday night?” She looked up into the night sky, saying through clenched teeth, “Dad…”

“What’d you do,” Declan asked, with a slight chuckle, “kill him? That’d make Garrett happy.”

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