Page 42 of War

She pulled the phone out and frowned at the screen.

“I don't know this number but it's local. Hello?” she asked, raising the phone to her ear. She moved to a seated position and used one hand to adjust her bra and tank top to the correct positions again.

Her eyes widened. Fear filled her face.

Oh, I didn't like that one bit.

She asked, “Is he okay? Is everyone okay? ...Yes, of course! Please treat it. Do what you need to do.”

She listened for a minute then said, “Of course. I’ll be right there.”

Amantha ended the call and stared at her phone.

“What's going on? Is everything okay?” I asked.

She spoke with shock. “That was Detective Berger. Neo was in a drunk driving accident tonight.”

Chapter 20

Alarm shot through me. “What? Is he okay?” I sat down beside her.

Amantha looked like she was about to cry so I wrapped my arms around her.

“He's okay.” She sniffled and buried her face in my shoulder. She hugged me desperately. “They said he was a little banged up, but he'll be fine. He broke his arm but they said it's only a few bruises otherwise. I'm supposed to pick him up at the hospital.”

I stroked her hair and held her close.

She lost control and cried against my shoulder.

“What happened?” I asked.

She sobbed. “The detective wouldn't tell me. All he said was everyone's okay. I feel like I failed Neo. He didn't deserve this.”

I tried to call her down. “Shhh. No. You didn't fail him. This was an accident. You couldn't have done anything.”

She sobbed more. “I'm sorry.”

“Nah, don't be sorry. Cry it out. Get out all that doubt and negativity so you can straighten your back and face this head-on. When you're ready, I'll drive you to pick up Neo.”

Sometimes even the strongest people needed a minute to break down and pull themselves back together. That was Amantha's moment.

I held her as she cried.

The feeling her tears gave me was awful. I wanted to rain Hell on the people who caused her to cry. I needed more details, then I would come up with a strategy.

Amantha finally finished crying. She pulled away from my shoulder, wiped her palms over her eyes, and took a few deep breaths.

I hated to say it, but Amantha was a cute crier. Even with swollen eyes and a red nose, I found her irresistible.

I brushed her hair behind her ear. “Come on. I'll drive.”

She nodded. “Okay, let's go.”

She moved to get up, but instead of watching her walk to the car, I said, “Incoming,” and scooped her into my arms.

“Zion!” she protested.

“Shh.” I ignored her protests. “Grab your purse.”