“Shelly?” she whispered.
“It’s going to be fine. Have I ever let you down?”
“Not once,” she replied, her voice clear and even. “Except for that time you crawled into bed with Mason. That was pretty shitty.”
“It’s not like I wanted to fuck him.” I smiled. “I’ve never let you down. And I won’t let you down now.” I turned to face Mason. “Pack up. You leave first thing in the morning. I’ll bring a car and some cash. You’ll find it outside. The keys will be in the wheel well.”
“Where are you going to get a car at this time of night?” Lynn asked, her mouth hanging open almost comically.
“You let me worry about all that. Pack your things. Be ready to go.” I pointed at Clark. “You’ll stay with them tonight.”
“I’m going with you.” He hitched his pants a little higher. “I have a friend who can guard the door.”
“Call him,” I barked out.
“Is all this really necessary?” Lynn asked.
“Yes,” we all said at the same time.
Clark stepped into the kitchen to make his phone call, and I could hear him clearly, which allayed some of my nerves.
“Shelly,” Lynn whispered. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to find her. I’m going to be sure she’s somewhere that she can’t hurt anybody, least of all you or that baby.” I grinned at Mason. “Or Mason.”
“Thanks,” he deadpanned.
“He’ll be here in twenty minutes,” Clark said as he walked back into the room.
“Good.” I looked around. I had a list of items in my head that I needed to purchase.
I needed a few flirty dresses.
I needed a couple of nice handbags.
I needed some sexy shoes.
Because I needed to be something I’d never been: I needed to be a girlfriend.
I bit back the shiver that crawled up my spine. The idea of turning myself into someone’s arm candy nearly turned my stomach. “I have a lot to do tonight.”
“You’ll take care of her, right, Clark?” Lynn asked around the fingernail she absently chewed.
“I won’t leave her side,” he replied.
Chapter 16
Clark
“What is this place?” I asked, brushing brambles out of my face as I followed Shelly down the overgrown path to the garage of a tiny little house deep in the forest.
“Why does that matter?” she asked as she brushed back a limb of a small tree and stepped forward. It swung back quickly and slapped me in the face. I bit back my grunt and trudged along behind her, suddenly wishing I was wearing something a little sturdier than the dress pants and button-down shirt I’d had on before. Walking this path would be easier in walking shoes instead of the shiny dress shoes I had on.
“Just curious,” I answered tersely.
A thorn snagged the back of my hand and I bit back an oath.
“I bought this place a while back,” she said. “No one comes here but me.”