Page 206 of Ignite

“No.” She sounds like she’s whispering.

“How did you get my number?” I ask.

She chuckles.

“I have my sources.”

Who is this woman really?

“Is Hallie okay, Lily?” I ask, a sudden panic forming.

Why would her best friend be calling me while they’re on vacation, especially when she thinks I’m the enemy? And after Hallie’s drunk call, I don’t know what to think.

“Yeah. I’ve just sent her to the bar. Look, we have an issue, and I don’t know who else to call.”

I unlock my car and get in.

“Anything. What do you need me to do?”

“Okay. So, how are you with dogs? Golden retrievers, to be exact?”

Oh, fuck.

“I’m fine. I’ve met Bertie. I assume that’s who you’re talking about?”

“Yes. Georgia, my assistant, is dog-sitting. And, well, she thought she’d take him to the woods for a walk. She let him off his lead and was busy replying to emails, and…”

“Don’t fucking tell me she’s lost Hallie’s dog, Lily.”

“Watch your tone, Conan. But yes. She’s looking for him now, but I thought, seeing as you… have good hunting instincts and know your way around the woods here, you could help.”

Wow. She can manage to throw a jab at me in any conversation.

“I can’t believe this,” I mutter.

“Go easy on her. She’s only nineteen. She doesn’t even own a dog. She had no idea Bertie’s recall is about as useful as trying to get a fish to swim back to you.”

I bite back a laugh. But internally, I’m stressing. I need to find him before it gets dark.

“Which woods exactly?” I ask.

“Hawke Creek State Park.”

“Tell her to meet me by the entrance in about twenty-five minutes.”

“Okay.”

There’s a pause on the line.

“Is Hallie okay?”

She sighs.

“No, Conan. Not really. I hate seeing her like this. She was just getting her spark for life back again.”

I wince at her words.

“I never meant to hurt her.”

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