McNally sent him a salute. “We thank you.”
I looked up at the sound of the front door opening. The same way I’d looked up every time, just waiting for Hadley.
“You’ve got it bad,” Mac muttered.
“Shut up.”
As Hadley moved through the entryway and into the living space, the light from the large windows hit her face. There was no typical blush staining her cheeks. In fact, there was no color in her face at all.
I was moving towards her before I consciously gave my legs the order. My hands went to her face, brushing strands of hair away that had fallen out of her bun. “What’s wrong?”
“I think someone posted my phone number online somewhere. I started getting a bunch of texts and phone calls. So many, I’ll have to shut off the service.”
As she gave me the device, her hand trembled. That miniscule movement sent rage pumping through me. Hadley was one of the strongest people I knew. The fact that this asshole had her shaking made me want to rip them limb from limb.
I scanned through the missed calls and text messages. My grip on the phone tightened as I read disgusting messages about what some guys would like to do with Hadley. I slowed as I read one that made bile creep up my throat. “What in the actual fuck?”
“It’s bad, right?”
“I don’t want you looking at these.” I didn’t want her to see one ugly word that graced this phone. “Come on and sit down.”
I guided her towards one of the couches, easing her down onto it. I pulled out my phone and hit Hayes’ number.
“Hey, man. What’s up?”
“You need to get over to the station. Hadley’s phone number was posted on a website somewhere. She’s getting some pretty ugly messages.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
We both hung up without another word.
I sat down next to Hadley, pulling her into my arms. I didn’t give a damn that we were at work or that half a dozen people were staring. I hauled her right into my lap. “Baby, I’m so sorry.”
Her hand fisted in my shirt. “Some of those messages, Calder…”
“Don’t think about them. They don’t exist for you.” Rage pumped through my veins, thick and heavy. My hands itched to break something. I focused on not holding Hadley too tight. I ran a hand down her hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Is it, though? Who hates me that much? I stopped making videos. I don’t even go on the damn site anymore.”
“I don’t know. God, I wish I did.” But I couldn’t be trusted if I found out who.
The door to the station banged open, and Hayes charged into the space, a female deputy on his heels. He’d made it way under five minutes. “Hadley,” he barked.
“Tone it down,” I warned.
Hayes took a steadying breath. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
Hadley straightened, sliding off my lap. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” he shot back.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “If you already know how I am, then why did you bother asking?”
Hayes took the seat on Hadley’s other side and pulled her into a hug. “Sorry, baby sister. I’m worried about you.”
She patted his chest. “I know, but I really am okay. Not physically hurt in any way.”
Emotionally was something else altogether. I stared down at her phone, the list of messages taunting me. I handed it to Hayes. “You should see these.”