Page 101 of Something like Redemption

Staring at the note, attempting to decode it, I murmur, “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means he’s wishing it washisname you were screaming out last night.”

“Quinn, you need to rein in this alpha crap.”

“I didn’t hear you complaining about my alpha crap last night,” he adds, turning to look at me with a dimpled smile.

This is true. And I know deep down, I like Quinn’s possessive streak over me because I have never had anyone want to possess me the way Quinn does.

“So you don’t think there is an ominous message behind this?” I ask, rereading the note.

Quinn sighs, snatching the note from my hand and scrunching it up into a tight little ball. “The only ominous message will be the message I give him if I ever see his face again.” He tosses the note into the trash can across the room. “Forget about him.”

Nodding, I reply, “Okay, you’re right. We’ve got bigger fish to fry. So what do we do next? Call Abi today?”

I’m hopeful her dad might have some good news.

“Yes,” Quinn replies, deep in thought.

Here’s hoping that good news is really good news.

I don’t realize how much I miss Virginia until I call the diner.

“I miss you.” Abi sighs softly. “Things aren’t the same without you.”

“I miss you too. Your dad isn’t any closer to clearing our name?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound ungrateful because I know he’s sticking his neck out to help us.

“Nothing yet. Sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I just feel hopeless. I wish I could do more.”

“Abi, you have done so much for me, and I will never be able to express how much I appreciate it. I will never be able to repay you,” I add because without Abi, Quinn and I would not have been able to bribe our way through this god-awful experience.

“I don’t expect you to. I just want you home,” Abi says, and I can hear the exhaustion in her voice.

Tears prick my eyes, and Quinn brushes my cheeks as he half steps inside the phone booth.

“So your dad still thinks we’d be safer in Canada?” I ask, leaving out that if or when Quinn and I head to Canada, my father will die, as I know Abi will think our plan is a suicide mission.

“Yes. With the laws the way they are, the US government can’t touch you without going through Canadian channels. It’ll buy us some time,” she replies as if reciting her dad’s words.

“Okay, Abi. Thank your dad again for me.”

“Of course.”

It looks like Tabitha’s father has no fresh leads or ideas. Therefore, our plan of hunting down my dad and putting him and Phil down, like the sick dogs that they are, is our best plan.

Although I haven’t divulged my plans to Abi, I’m certain she knows what Quinn and I intend to do.

“How are you getting around?” she asks, attempting to change the subject of me committing first-degree murder.

I look at Quinn, who clenches his jaw. “We’ve been hitching a ride with an old school friend, Justin Miller.”

Stupidly, I realize I should have had Abi’s dad check him out. But he’s done enough for me.

“Do you trust this guy?”

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