Page 82 of Home to the Hollow

“Amy Behle, you need to… Shut. Your. Mouth.Now,” Teddy growls in a dark voice that makes my girly bits tingle with excitement.

You’d think I’d be too distracted by the giant snake, half-dead bully, Skippers, or the appearance of my Harvey Wallbang to register that, but nope. My vagina is just trampy enough to flutter in excitement at the cavalry and Teddy’s booming command.

I’m fairly certain I have an illness. Is nymphomania communicable? Never mind, I know it’s not, but if it was, this town definitely gave it to me.

“But,Edgar, her stupid snake tried tokill me!”

His brow arches and I swallow hard again. I almost wish someone would kill me now—that or fuck me senseless because despite the wailing moron over there, this whole rescue bit it fucking hot.

“Amy, your father and the Mayor need to see you immediately. Your stunt in the paper has triggered a protocol and they need to speak with you,” Wolfie says softly, giving her an angry look. “Don’t dig the hole deeper; you’ll be lucky if you get out of this one without a lot of groveling.”

Presley looks at the Skippers with disgust. “Get her out of here and to Town Hall. Lock this place up and go home—all of you. I’d suggest looking for jobs, as you may not have one when this is over.”

“They won’t if I have the Mayor’s ear on the topic,” Doyle drawls, his lips curved in a malicious grin. “They’ll be lucky if they aren’t re?—”

“That’s enough, Haggerty.” Teddy glares at him and he rolls his eyes as if all of his fun for the day has been spoiled.

“C’mon, Jolene. Why don’t you and the guys come down to the store and I'll take you in the Speakeasy early?” Benjy murmurs. “I have the feeling you could all use a drink, and I’m happy to help.”

I nod, running my hand over the smooth scales of the giant snake that seems to have no inclination to let go of me. “I’m going to need another form, Doyle.”

“Aye, milady. I’ll get one and come back to join you.”

That said, I turn on my heel, whistle for my companions, and walk out of the Hollow Hollar for the first and last time.

I’ll never step foot in this building again if I can help it.

Enemy Fire

The hometown-style diner in the middle of the bustling city I’m sitting in is just off State U’s campus. Belle’s is an institution, and as always, it’s packed even after lunchtime.

I agreed to meet Jackson here after he texted about a potential source. My useless fishing expedition on the darknet didn’t yield solid information and, with the chaos surrounding my life in the Hollow, I haven’t had time to dive in again. I reluctantly handed my contacts and digital breadcrumbs over to him after the drugging incident because I knew we needed answers more quickly than I could manage on my own. I didn’t think he’d get a hit this fast, but when he messaged me, I had to come.

I’m here without my ‘entourage’ because despite their fury at the blow-up at the Hollar yesterday, every single one of my boyfriends, friends, and the stupid freeloaders had conflicts. Their absence is a bit sus after the scolding I got at home last night, but it’s not like they’re all off together at some secret ‘Jolene Protection Society’ meeting.

Presley had a full schedule at the office, Wolfie had to go to the farm to check a foal, Teddy had to see someone called ‘The Hook’, and Seer went off with her new playmates. I didn’t ask for more details because while it’s sweet that they’re protective, I won’t complain when they decidenotto smother me after a day like yesterday. I’m still processing my emotions and I can’t keep analyzing the motivations of my old bullies.

Besides, I have the animal contingent with me. Euryale had to wait outside because of her size, but the cats, dogs, and this blasted snake are all at the table. Jekyll and Hyde are perched on the chair with Kali and Hecate flanking them on the floor. The snake—who I haven’t named yet, but can seldom get to stay more than a couple of feet from me—is coiled around one leg and up to my waist with its head resting on the table. I must look like a reject from a Steve Irwin special to passersby, but Belle and her family have ties to the Hollow.

How do I know?

The cute freckled girl at the hostess stand damn near kicked someone out of their table to seat me without batting a lash at the menagerie following me. Then Belle herself trotted out of the kitchen to coo at my servals and promised I didn’t need to order because she knew what I needed to eat. I just nodded at her, deciding I’d had enough drama to last a month and I’ll just eat whatever the hell she brings. I wouldn’t even be in public today if it weren't for Jackson’s text and my gut deep belief that all of this weirdness starting from my background check to the latest bullshit is tied together somehow.

Whistler’s Hollow is the key to everything; I know it.

“How’s it hangin’, J-Dawg?”

I chuckle, looking up at my old college friend and the least lawyerly looking attorney this side of the Mississippi. “Jackson, it’s been a while. You look relaxed as hell.”

Tossing his blond surfer style hair out of his eyes, Jackson Ellison Thorn IV gives me a megawatt grin. “I sure as fuck do, doll. Since my dad finally kicked it, I restructured the firm and I have all the sibs handling the drudgery. Taxes, estates, civil class action, corporate—I only handle the bloody stuff besides you. Litigation keeps my blood pumping, and I only take the ugliest shit I can find.”

My lips curve. “And you take it via sandy beaches, I’d assume? You’re so tan that you might as well open a bar and serve umbrella drinks in Bermuda, dude.”

“Ah, well. I do like to plan my legal assassinations in locales that suit my temperament, Jojo. My dad would never let me move to the coast and be a surfing bum, so now I get to do both. It’s a win-win—much like everything I do.”

I roll my eyes at his arrogance. Jackson was the one who found me after Trevor left. I was holed up in my room, doing nothing but studying and homework for weeks. He was the RA on my floor, and when someone reported to him they hadn’t seen me leave for almost a month, he came barging in.

I was a stinky, malnourished, snotty mess he threw into a shower fully clothed. Once I stopped screaming at him, he helped me get back on my feet for the next few days and booked me in with one of the school therapists. He sort of saved my life, and we’ve been accountability buddies ever since.

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