The tip pressed into my throat. I froze, held my breath, afraid the slightest inhale would help her impale my jugular.
Kayla laughed.
I tried not to picture her face covered with blood spurting from my arteries. That wouldn’t happen. Couldn’t happen. I tried to ignore the pain. Tried not to think of anything but getting away.
I pulled in a small breath and screamed. “Help!”
“Shut the fuck up!” Her face. Furious. The pain. Oh God.
I clamped my pained lips, fighting the urge to scream or vomit or run or drop to the floor or do anything at all. I needed help and I needed it now before she killed me.
31
Dylan
“You’ll be okay,” I said. “You were very brave and you’re in good hands.” I shut the ambulance door, and watched it drive away.
Considering one car had been flipped on its side and another had been crushed against a tree, it had been relatively easy. One driver in each car, and both were already en route to the hospital with non-critical injuries.
With the urgency fading and only cleanup remaining, my eyes flickered back to the truck. How many texts and calls did I miss, and how crazy were they? Was Juliette still safely at the mall with Jenna?
“What’s up?” Liam asked.
“Nothing.”
“Brother.” The word and tone were a sharp reminder that we didn’t lie to each other.
“Worried about Juliette. I don’t like her out there with Kayla like this.”
“Juliette’s never seen her around, right? You think Kayla knows where she lives?”
“No, not that I know of. And her threats are all towards me, but still. I want to get these messages to Quint. Give him a reason to go talk to her.”
“We’re almost done. Go ahead.”
I almost said no. I had a job to do and no reason to think Juliette was in danger. Except for the burning pit in my stomach.
I sprinted to the truck.
Surprisingly, there were only two missed messages, both from Juliette: a picture of a Victoria’s Secret bag and a text.
Juliette:I’m going to stay at your place tonight. I’ll be wearing this, waiting for you to come home tomorrow.
Fuck.I didn’t have to look at my phone to remember Kayla’s last message.I’m coming for you.
A feral cry tore from my throat. I couldn’t be too late. I couldn’t. I didn’t know what was happening, but Iknew. Juliette was in danger.
My brothers were there in a second. Everyone was. I turned to the closest police officer. “Potential assault, assailant possibly under the influence, mentally unstable. Assume armed and dangerous.” My voice shook as I gave him my address. “Call it in. Now.”
I turned and I climbed up into the truck’s driver seat.
“I have to go. I have to go save Juliette.”
Ryan grabbed me and I pushed him away, trying to close the door.
“Talk to us.”
“I have to get home. Kayla said she’s coming for me. Juliette went to my apartment.”