Page 37 of They Will Fall

My feet don’t stop moving while I bypass all the unread messages and missed call notifications. I tap my dad’s name and hold the phone to my ear.

It only rings twice before he picks up. “Maddox Crane, where the hell are you?” His tone is laced with anger. “I’ve been calling every fucking hour for the last twenty-four!”

“I’m fine, Dad. Thanks for asking.” My sarcasm is apparent and I hope he caught on to it.

“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be calling me. Now, where the hell is that Cross girl? I know you and your friends are hiding her, and the punishment of your involvement is already up for debate by The Elders. No son of mine will be banished as a member. You hear me?”

“Loud and clear, Dad. As forthe Cross girl,I can honestly say I have no idea where she’s at. That’s not why I’m calling, though. I need your help.”

“You need my help?” He barks out a laugh. “I’ve been asking for your help since the school year started and all you’ve been doing is going against me, your assignment, and your role as a Guardian.”

“Yeah, Dad. I’m a fuckup. We all know it. Are you gonna help me or not?”

“Where are you?” he deadpans.

“Boulder Cove Academy.”

“Boulder Cove Academy?” he shouts. “What in God’s name are you doing there?”

“It’s a long story. But I need you to come pick me up and we need to have a nice, long chat on the way back. Meet me at the gate as soon as possible.” I end the call before he can ask any more questions. If he wants answers, he’ll come.

CHAPTER13

RILEY

“This is all too coincidental.Don’t you think?” Temper asks with a mix of anticipation and worry.

“I really can’t say,” I tell her honestly. “I’ve probably said too much already. I think the best person to ask is Ridge.”

She jumps up from where she’s sitting beside me on the edge of her bed. “Then let’s go. What are we waiting for?”

“Not so fast.” I pull her back down. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a wanted woman. I can’t go anywhere.”

“How long is the hideout supposed to last?” she asks, disappointment lacing her tone.

“I’ll be out of your hair by morning.”

“What if you get caught?”

“I won’t, but there is someone I have to find. He’s the only person who can clear my name.”

“Is this person a member?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “It’s actually Ridge’s best friend, Lev.”

I’m not sure why I’m divulging so much information to a stranger. I guess it’s because she doesn’t feel like one. And because she helped me get away from those creepy bastards in the woods.

“Is he cute?” Her eyebrows waggle. “The friend, I mean?”

“He is.”

“Brother’s best friend. I could dig that.”

“Please don’t get your hopes up with Ridge. This really could all just be a coincidence.”

I stop myself from going into more detail about Lev because then I’ll be forced tell her about Maddox, and this girl will question all my life choices if she knows I’m in a relationship with multiple men. We’re not quite there yet.

“I’m not. I’m just daydreaming about a life with a brother as you talk. So, tell me more about Ridge. I need to know everything.”

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