I took a deep breath. “Yeah. Sunny, it’s been a lot.”
“Hailey…”
“Preston’s pack is here.”
“He has a pack?!” Sunny screeched so loudly, I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
“Yes, okay. They insist that Preston is a good guy, but they arereallycagey about why he’s incarcerated.”
“Well, you need to get to the bottom of that. You've got to think about how this doesn't just affect you. If Preston is in big trouble, then it could reflect badly on Merrick, and there’s a baby to be concerned about.”
My stomach dropped.
I hadn't considered that. I was so worried about Preston's reputation gettingmeinto mess at work that I hadn't even stopped to think if it could damage Merrick.
I had always viewed him as untouchable, but as the realization dawned on me that I had put him in such a precarious position, my stomach turned uncomfortably.
“He wouldn't get into trouble, would he?”
“I didn't think so, but hewillinglybonded into a pack with a known convict. You know how strict background checks are to work in emergency services.”
Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, and Sunny heard the small sob escape my chest, saying, “Oh, Hailey, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm so sorry.”
“No, I needed to hear it. We've been in this weird bubble for several days now, and I think we need to have a long conversation about what the hell is going on. You know, his pack mates are being cagey when I ask about him.”
Sunny snorted. “What? No way. You’re pack, you have a right to know.”
“They aren’t telling me anything about why he’s at Camp Bower—I’m starting to think that Preston left his pack mates out of the loop. Maybe he’s ashamed of whatever he did.”
“Look, I know you didn't want your bonding to be public knowledge, but you need to knowexactlywhat’s going on with your pack.”
“I know… Just need a bit of time to wrap my head around everything.”
“I love you, Hailey, and I want you safe and happy.” I heard the pause. “Just some advice.”
“I’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise. I’ll make them talk to me. I want it as much as you do. There’s a baby, Sunny. We need to know.”
“Be careful. If I don’t hear from youregularly,I’ll be calling in reinforcements.”
“Thank you.” I chuckled through a sniffle, my emotions swirling, and then hung up the phone.
Thankfully, when I went back to the living room, Wilder and Nolan were already there. Opening boxes of takeout pizza that were on the coffee table.
“We need to talk,” I said.
All three of their heads shot up.
“What's wrong?” Merrick was the first to ask, his face a mask of concern.
“I need to know what the deal is with Preston. I keep lying to my friends, my work, and I can't do it anymore.”
Nolan’s face went gray. “What do?—”
“I need to know everything. Why is he incarcerated? How long is his sentence going to be? I can't keep hiding this anymore.”
“Prestonisn’ta bad guy, I swear.” Nolan was exasperated. “He’s just?—”
“We need answers,” I said, crossing my arms and facing Nolan. “No more of this evasive bullshit. Explain the situation with Preston. Now.”