Dread of Night: Critter Catchers, #7

By Hank Edwards

A vengeful monster. An unsuspecting small town. Two men willing to sacrifice everything to save those they love.

 

Cody and Demetrius's quiet days of marital bliss are disrupted by the surprise arrival of Cody's teenage niece, Summer, and the continually strange behavior of Demetrius's Aunt Amelia. As the two juggle family drama and critter catching, they learn a number of people around Parson's Hollow have either been bitten by a mysterious large dog or gone missing, while others have been brutally attacked, including one of their clients.

 

Sheriff's Deputy Lucia Durant, refusing to entertain any notion of paranormal involvement, questions them mercilessly before calling in a State Police sergeant for assistance. As the evidence the Critter Catchers uncover points to a werewolf hiding in plain sight somewhere in town, Cody and Demetrius must try to convince Lucia and the mayor the truth about what is happening, and what it could mean if those bitten were to leave town.

 

When Cody's obnoxious brother Roman shows up unannounced to take Summer back home, the attacks take an even more personal twist, and Cody and Demetrius race against the clock, narrowing down their suspect list and counting down the days until the next, possibly fatal, full moon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hank Edwards
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215090923

Hank Edwards

Hank Edwards has been writing gay erotic fiction for more than twenty years. He has written over two dozen novels and even more short stories. His writing crosses many sub-genres, including romance, rom-com, contemporary, paranormal, suspense, mystery, and wacky comedy. Find out more at www.hankedwardsbooks.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Demetrius took another branch to the face, leaving scratches across his cheeks. He was trying to make as little noise as possible, but panic expanded in his chest like a balloon, making it difficult to breathe and maintain silence. His left side twinged with a small but sharp pain, and he knew he’d need to stop running soon to catch his breath.

And probably die.

When he came through a thicket of low-hanging limbs, Demetrius stopped and bent at the waist, hands on his knees as he gasped for air.

In his panicked state, he’d gotten turned around and had no idea how far he’d run or in which direction. He looked for a familiar landmark, but every tree, fern, and bush looked pretty much the same, especially in the eerie orange evening light. Each passing minute whittled away what little hope he’d had of heading back toward his truck parked on the side of the road. Dammit, all of this had happened so fast. This should teach him to pull over and go into the woods to take a piss.

Branches rustled nearby.

Demetrius held his breath.

An eerie silence filled the woods. No birds twittered or hopped branch to branch. Insects and frogs ceased their calls. Nothing stirred. Nothing except—

More rustling, closer now. Demetrius dropped to a crouch. His heart pounded and a fresh layer of clammy sweat coated his back, making him shiver even in the humid air. He tried to see through the trees and foliage to get a good look at the animal stalking him, but the steadily deepening gloom hampered his ability to see very much. If only he had his phone, he could call for help or use the flash to see better. If only Cody were with him, he’d know what to do.

If only, if only, if only. That kind of thinking wasn’t going to do him any good. He needed to act fast.

He dropped to his hands and knees and crawled as quietly as possible to a trio of closely spaced trees. Getting up on his knees, he pressed his torso against one of them, putting his arms tight around the trunk. The rough bark beneath his fingers and against his cheek made him feel grounded and safe and helped to level out his breathing. He leaned his head to the left and peered around the tree.

Several yards away, a large shape moved through the shadows. From what Demetrius could see, it was big and walked on four legs, its large head held low. He could hear it quietly snuffling and growling as it crashed through the trees. It was too big to be a coyote. Maybe a bear, but from what he could see now, it didn’t move like one. Most likely it was a wolf, but he wasn’t sure any wolves still lived in and around Parson’s Hollow.

Unless it was the kind of wolf he didn’t even want to consider at the moment. And if it was, where the hell had it come from, and what the hell was he going to do now?

Demetrius turned around, sat on the ground, and pressed his back against the tree. He pulled his knees to his chest and clasped his hands around his mud-splattered shins to make himself as small as possible. He automatically spun the ring on his left finger. Cody had caught him doing this several times over the last year and joked that the only reason Demetrius had wanted to get married was so he could have something to play with on his finger. Dammit, he really wished Cody were with him.

The animal—he should just call it a wolf—didn’t come any closer. It actually sounded as if it had turned away and was moving deeper into the woods. At least, Demetrius hoped it was going deeper into the woods. He’d gotten turned around when he’d started running, and he wasn’t sure if the wolf was heading toward the road or not. When it came right down to it, he supposed, there was only one way to find out if his sense of direction was correct.

He let out a long, quiet breath and stood up, keeping his back against the tree. After a couple of deep breaths, he moved away from the trunk and, with slow, careful steps, started off in the opposite direction of the wolf. He increased his pace as he went, and he was soon running through the trees once again. He tried not to make too much noise, but all he really cared about was getting back to the road and his truck before dark.

As he dashed through a clearing, Demetrius glanced up at the sky and stopped short. He gasped for breath as he stared at the moon coming up. It wasn’t totally dark yet, so it was obviously one of those weird times where the moon appeared before the sun had set. And there it was, looming over the trees.

Full moon.

A big creature stalking through the woods.

Oh, shit.

Demetrius swallowed hard and looked behind him, straining to see into the shadows. He didn’t want to simply stand and wait for whatever had started chasing him to catch up, but he suddenly couldn’t seem to make his feet move. And, if he was completely honest with himself, he wanted to get a better look at the thing and see if his fears were on point. The rational side of his brain argued against the idea, but Demetrius’s feet seemed to side with his more curious nature and remained in place.

A flashing light in his peripheral vision made him draw in a quick breath of surprise and turn in that direction. Red and blue lights pulsed between the trees, and relief rushed through him. Just the thing to get him moving once again.

That had to be a light bar on top of an emergency vehicle, a police car most likely, which meant he had been going in the right direction after all and was almost back to the road. It also meant a police car had pulled someone over or stopped on the shoulder, and someone with a gun was waiting not far away.

Not that a gun would really help, if whatever was chasing him was what he feared. If the gun wasn’t loaded with silver bullets, it wouldn’t do much.

With the promise of rescue close at hand, he ran with renewed energy, dodging trees and shoving aside branches. The red and blue lights brightened steadily, and he kept his gaze fixed on them, using them as a beacon. When he heard the squelch of a police radio, he nearly laughed.

A vicious snarl from his right startled him, and terror quickly replaced his relief. Whatever had been stalking him now ran in time with and parallel to him, angling closer through the trees. It was big, gray in color, and moving fast. So fast he didn’t think he was going to make it back to the road in time.

Determination flared inside him, and he somehow found the energy to put on more speed. He burst through branches as his pursuer closed in. The lights ahead pulsed in a beckoning rhythm, and now he could see the light bar atop the roof of the police car. It was parked right behind his truck, and he let out a breathless laugh. He’d miraculously headed back to very nearly the same spot he’d gone into the woods.

Help! Demetrius was so out of breath, it came out as barely a croak.

Not much farther. Just a few yards now. He could make it.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the wolf narrow the distance between them even more. And then, it jumped. Demetrius dodged around a tree and felt a sense of gratification when he heard the thump of it hitting the trunk and letting out a yelp.

Who’s that?

A woman’s voice, throaty with a granite-hard edge, came from the road. The sound of her voice filled him with happy relief, which was a distinctly different reaction than usual.

It was Lucia Durant, deputy in the Parson’s Hollow sheriff’s department, and a friend since high school. Well, maybe friend was too strong a term. Acquaintance would be more appropriate.

No matter how he defined their relationship, Demetrius was glad to see her as he stumbled out of the last of the bushes, gulping in air, covered in sweat and dirt and brambles. His sudden arrival startled Lucia, who drew her gun and moved behind her car.

It’s me! Demetrius managed to say, holding up his hands. Help... Me.

Demetrius? What the fuck? You nearly got shot!

Something... Demetrius looked over his shoulder as he staggered into the drainage ditch at the side of the road and up the other side. Chasing me.

Chasing you? Lucia said as she holstered her gun.

No! Demetrius waved at her weapon and back at the woods. Keep your gun. It was right there.

Lucia drew it again. What was right behind you? She looked between the woods and Demetrius. I don’t see anything.

I don’t know. He held up a finger as he gasped for breath. I think it was a wolf. Didn’t get a good look.

Why the hell did you park your truck on the side of the road?

I had to pee.

Lucia sneered and shook her head as she looked back at the woods. Men. Gotta mark your territory everywhere, don’t you? What did you do, piss on it and make it angry or something?

Before Demetrius could respond, a long, deep howl sounded from somewhere back in the woods. A wave of goosebumps spread up Demetrius’s arms, and his heart pounded even faster. Did they have another fucking werewolf—

wolfman, he heard Cody’s voice say in the back of his mind—

Here in Parson’s Hollow?

The howl faded off into an unsettling echo, and Lucia looked at him with wide eyes. I guess it was a wolf.

Demetrius pointed up to the full moon. But what kind? You tell me.

Lucia looked up and her mouth tightened. Son of a bitch. She adjusted her grip on the gun as she glared at the line of trees. Son of a bitch. I am not going through this again with you two.

I think we should get out of here, Demetrius suggested.

It’s probably a wild dog or a plain old wolf, and you want to leave it running around loose?

Do you have silver bullets?

No, goddammit, I don’t have silver bullets. I have standard issue bullets that will still be able to kill whatever chased you.

You saw the video from the nursing home when Arnold Kelmer turned, he said. Silver bullets were the only thing that stopped him.

I do not want to hear you say werewolf one more fucking time, do you understand me? For fuck’s sake. She let out an angry breath and glared hard at the woods.

Almost dark now, Demetrius said. I wouldn’t suggest going out there.

You’re fucking animal control, she snapped. Go out there and control this thing.

I’m not going back in those woods!

This is your fucking job.

Public safety is your fucking job, and I’m a member of the public.

Lucia stepped up close, drilling her icy glare into him. Are you talking back to an officer of the law?

Yes, if it’ll get me arrested rather than forced to go out in those woods to be torn apart by that thing.

Goddammit! Lucia paced in a circle several times, gun still out as she looked between the trees and Demetrius. She came to a stop in front of him again and jabbed a finger in his chest. Do you know for sure it was a wolf?

A wolfman?

She seemed to deflate when he said it aloud. Her shoulders sagged, and her gun hung limply at her side. Goddammit, Demetrius. I can’t do this all over again. None of us can.

Demetrius almost felt sorry for her… almost. I don’t know it for certain, no. But it was very large, and we both heard it howl.

We aren’t sure that whatever was chasing you made that howl.

Fine. Okay. You’re right. You can explain it all away if you want, but I’m standing right here and telling you in plain English that I believe we have another wolfman in Parson’s Hollow.

She turned away and holstered her gun. Fine, you can say that all you want, but it doesn’t make it true. And if it is true, then fuck you for bringing it here.

Me? Why is this my fault?

Until you and that walking clump of testosterone you married started your fucking business, we never had to deal with this kind of shit. So, yeah, I’m looking you right smack dab in the eye and saying fuck you, Demetrius Singleton, for bringing this kind of bullshit here.

Another howl, farther away this time, made them both look toward the trees. When it had faded out, Lucia gave him one more glare before turning her back and stomping to the police cruiser. She yanked open the driver’s door and got in. The tires spun and she pulled away so fast gravel sprayed out behind her as she steered around Demetrius and his truck.

What the fuck was that about? Demetrius whispered to himself.

Lucia was tough and full of hard edges, but she had always been fair, at least with him. She and Cody had dated in high school, so there was a lot of history there, and she pretty much resented Cody’s very existence. But she had never gone off on Demetrius like she’d just done.

Wolfmen really wound people up.

Demetrius got into his truck and locked the doors, though he knew a wolfman could break through the glass with ease. He grabbed his phone and saw he had a few missed calls from Cody. It also was not as late as he thought. His whole ordeal in the woods had lasted less than thirty minutes, though it had felt like hours.

A couple of deep breaths helped to steady his hands, and he reached for the key he’d left in the ignition. The truck started right up, and he pulled back onto the road before he called Cody with the phone on speaker.

Hey, Cody said. Where’ve you been? We’ve got kind of an issue here.

Something chased me, Demetrius said.

What?

In the woods. Something chased me. And it was big. Demetrius ducked his head and looked up at the dark blue sky, searching for the moon.

Oh, shit. Are you okay?

Scratched myself a couple of times running from it, but I’m okay. He lowered the window and stuck his head out, looking all around until he found the moon.

There it was, round and full and getting brighter with each passing minute.

Shit, he said.

What’s that noise? Sounds like you’re in a hurricane. And why did you say shit like that? Cody’s voice was rising in pitch, a sure sign he was getting agitated.

I had the window down. Demetrius powered the window up, then clenched the steering wheel. Have you seen the moon?

No, I’ve been inside the house dealing with... Cody cleared his throat and lowered his voice. Our issue.

Can whatever the issue is wait until I get home? Demetrius asked. I’m feeling kind of scattered and nervous right now, and I just want to be there.

Yeah, okay. It can wait.

Thanks. Go look at the moon.

Cody sighed. All right, fine. I’ll go outside and look at the fucking moon. I will not be surprised if it’s drenched in blood, just so you know.

Demetrius chewed his lower lip and looked at the night-shrouded trees to either side of the road as he listened to Cody open the front door of their house. The hinges squeaked—he really needed to remember to oil them, or spray them with something—and then he heard Cody sigh.

I’m standing on our porch and looking around the sky, Cody said. I’m looking... I’m looking... Oh. It’s full.

Yep.

What are you saying?

We have another werewolf.

Wolfman.

It was the automatic correction Cody made whenever Demetrius said werewolf, and the normalcy of the conversation, despite the topic, instantly calmed Demetrius. The tight feeling in his chest loosened a bit, and he managed to smile.

Right. Wolfman. Lucia stopped to check on the truck—

Did it stall?

No, I pulled over to pee.

You drink way too much tea.

Not the point.

Cody huffed. It kind of is, because if you hadn’t had to go into the woods to pee, you wouldn’t have been chased by a possible wolfman.

Fine. I’ll stop drinking so much tea. My point was that Lucia was at the truck when I made it out of the woods, and we both heard it howl. After that we had an argument, and she drove off really fast.

She yelled at you? That’s not like her. She usually saves that up for me.

Yeah, well, she might have some left for you next time you see her.

Did you get a good look at it?

The wolfman? Not really. It cut me off from the truck, and I ran deeper into the woods and circled back. It all happened really fast, and it was getting dark, too.

Shit. Cody took a breath and let it out. Okay, get yourself home, and we’ll talk more about it.

I’m about ten minutes away, Demetrius said. He felt more centered now that he’d talked with Cody, so he asked, What’s this issue at home?

Well... Cody lowered his voice again. It’s complicated.

Demetrius’s anxiety started to build again. How complicated?

We have a house guest.

Oh. Who?

Before I tell you, I think it’s important you know I had nothing whatsoever to do with this, and it took me by complete surprise.

Cody, Demetrius said, his voice a low growl. Tell me.

My niece is here.

Demetrius paused and blinked. Your niece Summer? But they live...

In Utah, yes. She left home and took a bus here and showed up on our doorstep.

She took a bus? But she’s only fourteen.

Fifteen, she’s corrected me twice already now. Oh, and she cut her hair really short and dyed it rainbow colors.

Demetrius shook his head. What?

Like I said, it’s complicated. Be careful coming home and just know we have someone staying the night.

Just one night?

I’ve left a few messages for my brother and his wife. So far no callbacks.

Cody’s older brother, Roman, was a very conservative investment banker who had married a similarly conservative woman named Madison. They owned a large house in Utah and attended one of those megachurches that looked like a Vegas auditorium. Summer was their oldest child, and they also had a boy named Brock. Because of their differing viewpoints, Cody didn’t speak to his older brother very often.

Okaaay, Demetrius said, drawing the word out. I’ll be home soon, and we can all have a talk.

We’ll be here, Cody said. Both of us. You be careful.

I will. See you soon.

Hey, Demmy?

Yeah?

I love you. Cody’s voice was soft and deep, and the combination of the words and his tone helped soothe Demetrius’s nerves.

I love you, too.

Demetrius disconnected the call as he reached the downtown area of Parson’s Hollow. The lights and familiar storefronts helped relax him even more as he headed for home through the light of the full moon.

CHAPTER TWO

Cody disconnected the call with Demmy and turned to go back inside the house. Summer stood just inside the screen door, staring out at him. He gasped and took an involuntary step back. A second later, he frowned and pulled the screen door open.

Stop sneaking around like that, he said.

Was that Demetrius? she asked, walking back to the couch and giving him a good view of the back of her buzz cut and multi-colored dye job. Cody wished he could have been in Utah to see Roman’s face when he had first seen his darling daughter’s hair.

Yep. He’s on his way home.

You two live here together. It was a statement, not a question.

Cody frowned. You know we got married last June.

Summer flopped onto one end of the couch and laid back, hanging her legs over one end. She reached down to rifle through the backpack she had been carrying when she’d shown up on their porch and pulled out a comic book.

Dad and Mom weren’t too keen about you marrying a man, Summer said as she flipped through pages. Dad didn’t want to attend the wedding, but Mom told him it would look bad if he didn’t. She gave him a side eye. He’s been waiting to hear from you about his gift.

Cody clenched his jaw. A couple of weeks after he and Demmy had returned from their nearly fatal honeymoon on Heaversford Lake, they’d gone through the small pile of wedding gifts. Roman’s gift had been a large box professionally wrapped and very lightweight. Once Cody had torn the paper away, he discovered it was the empty box that had once contained the drone intended for Roman’s son, Brock, as a Christmas gift. Taped on the outside of the box was a short note in Roman’s writing: This should square us up.

The December before their wedding, when Cody and Demetrius had been visiting Cody’s parents in Colorado, Cody had taken the drone to aid in the search for their missing father. During the craziness of the search—and their subsequent escape from a burning shack and raging sasquatch—the drone had been lost in the fire without any chance of return for a refund.

Such a dick.

Yeah, well, Cody said to Summer, he can keep on waiting.

You’ll have to talk to him eventually, Summer said.

And so will you, you know.

I know. She looked over at him. Why did Demetrius tell you to go out and look at the moon?

Um, well, because it’s a full moon, and it looks really pretty tonight. That’s all.

Didn’t seem like that to me. Looked like it scared you.

Cody clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Hey, I know. Why don’t I call your Dad and put him on speakerphone? Just let him know you’re here and you haven’t been abducted or something.

Summer went back to her comic book. They don’t care.

That’s not true. Why would you say that?

Because it is true, and they barely notice I’m alive.

I bet you got some attention with that haircut, Cody said.

She shrugged. Not why I did it.

Of course not, God forbid. He looked her over and nodded. Looks cool, by the way.

Yeah? She might have blushed a bit, but Cody couldn’t really tell with the comic book in front of her face.

So you didn’t say anything at all to your parents before you left? Didn’t even leave them a note?

Nope.

They have no idea you headed out here to stay with us?

Nope. You’re in the clear.

That wasn’t my point.

Oh, sorry. Think you could get to one before you need to go to bed?

Cody crossed his arms. There’s no reason to lash out at me.

I wasn’t lashing out. I just know you’re old and need your sleep, and your internal clock is set two hours ahead of mine.

What the hell does that mean?

I live in Salt Lake City, which is on Mountain Time.

I know what that part meant, Cody snapped. I was referring to the crack about me being old.

Well, what are you, forty?

What? No!

Sorry, jeez.

Cody threw his hands in the air. I just turned thirty last year. Come on!

All right, you’re thirty. That’s still pretty old.

It’s not that old.

Older than half of your brothers.

Cody glared at her. You know, I’ve been assuming all this time you ran away from home. But now I think they probably kicked you out.

That wasn’t very nice. She flipped a page of her comic book. I did run away, thank you very much.

Okay, so that’s settled. And what brought this on? Did you have some kind of argument with your parents?

No. I just couldn’t take their bullshit hypocrisy any longer and decided I had two choices: go stay with Grandma and Grandpa or come here. Out of those two choices, the bus ticket to Parson’s Hollow was surprisingly close in cost. Also, I figured coming here would keep them away for at least a few days longer than if I went to Colorado.

Cody sat on the other end of the couch with a heavy sigh. As flattering as that all is, you know you’ve put both of us into a shit ton of trouble.

Summer swung her legs around so she was sitting upright. See, this is what I was looking for. Some honest talk about the situation. How are you going to get into trouble? I’m the one who ran away.

Yeah, to my house. Once your parents are done chewing your ass up one wall and down another, they’ll start in on me.

I highly doubt either of my parents will make any kind of effort to come get me.

I think you’re wrong about that. And we have to call them.

Summer flinched and looked down at her hands. Can we wait until tomorrow?

No. They’re worried sick about you right now, I’m sure of it. They’ve probably got half the city out looking for you.

Dad’s probably demanding they arrest half the immigrants.

A quiet laugh snuck up on Cody, and he quickly shut it down. Well, if that is the case, then we should definitely call them tonight so the immigrants can sleep a little better. And he would only do that because he loves you and wants you back home safe.

They don’t care about me, she said, sounding too old and worn down to be so young. All Dad cares about is his investments and that we all look shiny and happy when we go to church. And that he has the perfect family picture to send out each year for Christmas.

Guess you messed that up for him with your new hairstyle, huh?

That earned him a small grin even as she lifted a shoulder in half a shrug. That’s not why I did it.

Sure about that?

Okay, it might have been part of the reason.

There we go.

That church is way too big for people to get to know anyone.

Maybe that’s how they like it.

She smiled and nodded. Precisely. Love thy neighbor, but from a distance, and only if they’re as well-dressed as you and live in a house as big as yours.

You’ve taken a turn to the dark side since we saw you out in Colorado.

That was a year and a half ago, Summer said. Are you the same person you were back then?

Point taken, Cody said.

The sound of Demmy’s truck pulling in the driveway made him feel a bit better.

You guys going to kiss?

Cody’s face burned as he stood up. No. Shut up.

He stepped out on the porch and stood with his arms crossed, watching Demmy sit in the cab of the truck and gather stuff to bring inside. It was a trait they didn’t share. Cody left everything but his phone inside his truck each night. Demmy liked to bring things inside and organize himself for the next day. Because of course he did.

The interior light popped on as Demmy opened the door and got out. Cody noticed the scratches on his cheek, and a prickle started at the back of his neck. He didn’t like seeing Demmy injured in any way. The near-death experience with the lake monster last year still haunted his dreams.

Demmy rounded the front of the truck and smiled when he saw Cody waiting for him. Hi, handsome.

Hi, yourself. Cody tipped his head toward the screen door. We’ve got a pair of prying ears, just so you know.

I’m not listening to you! Summer called from her spot on the couch.

Demmy grinned and raised his voice. Hi, Summer.

Hi, Demetrius.

Cody touched his own cheek. You catch a branch or something?

Yeah, Demmy said, fingers going to the scratch. It’s fine. I just need to clean it up.

Feel like a walk around the block before that?

Um... Maybe not. Demmy shifted his weight and glanced up into the night sky. Cody followed his line of sight up to the full moon.

You really think so? Cody asked, voice pitched low.

Demmy shrugged. Didn’t see it very clearly. But, gut reaction? Yeah, I really think so.

Fuck.

I heard that, Summer said.

Cody cringed, and then looked up at the moon with his hands on his hips. I wonder how long it’s been out there?

No idea. We’ll need to talk to Lucia about that. See if there have been any weird sightings. Demmy walked up the two steps and stood beside him. Let’s go get Summer settled in the guest room.

Cody grunted. Wait until you talk to her a bit. You might suggest a tent in the yard.

Demmy chuckled and reached past him to open the screen door. As he walked into the house, Demmy cupped Cody’s left ass cheek with one hand. Cody grinned and, with a final glance at the moon, followed him inside. As Cody closed and bolted the interior door, Demmy approached Summer where she stood in front of the couch and hugged her.

It’s good to see you, Demmy said, then he stepped back to get a look at her. I really like what you’ve done with your hair.

Yeah? Thanks. Summer blushed and sat down on the opposite end of the couch. Sorry to, like, bust in like this. But I needed to get out of there, and I really couldn’t think of anyplace else to go.

Grandparents’ house, a friend’s house, a youth hostel, Cody grumbled, getting a stern look from Demmy.

You’re welcome here anytime, Demmy said. We just need to make sure your parents are notified as soon as possible. They’ve got to be worried sick about you.

She gave a derisive snort.

I’m serious, Summer, Demmy said. How long was the bus ride out here?

Long. Like, almost two days.

Two days? Demmy turned to Cody. Call your brother. Right now.

I’ve tried calling him, he doesn’t pick up.

"Call again and again and again until he does pick up, Demmy said. She’s been missing for two days. You have to let them know she’s here and she’s safe."

Aw, man. Cody gave Summer a gentle glare before stomping to the coffee table and grabbing up his phone. Fine.

I know it’s going to suck, but we have to let them know. Demmy looked back at Summer. It’ll be all right.

You’ve met my Dad, right?

Demmy sighed and nodded. Yeah. I know. But this is the right thing to do.

Cody found Roman’s number in his contacts list and hesitated with his finger over the mobile number. With a deep breath, he tapped the number and held the phone to his ear, settling his gaze on Demmy’s face.

Roman answered, surprising Cody so much he nearly hung up immediately. I can’t talk right now, he said in lieu of any kind of greeting. His voice was gruff and heavy with emotion.

Summer’s here, Cody said. She’s safe.

What? Oh, my God. Oh, thank God. Roman took the phone away and shouted, She’s safe! She’s safe. He was back in a moment. She’s there in Parson’s Hollow? With you? What the hell? How? Just... Is she okay?

Yeah, she’s fine. A little road weary, but she’s okay.

Summer made a sound of disgust and Cody gave her a stern look.

Road weary? How the hell did she get there? Oh, my God. I think I aged fifty years the last couple of days. Let me talk to her.

Talk to her? Cody repeated, and raised his eyebrows as he looked at Summer. She shook her head and crossed her arms. Cody’s stomach tightened; he hated getting involved in his family’s bullshit squabbles. Well, she was pretty wiped out from the travel, so she fell asleep.

I don’t care if she’s asleep, wake her the hell up. She had us worried sick out here. I’ve had the cops looking for her for the last two days.

You sound a little on edge right now, Cody said. Maybe now you know she’s safe and all, it’s best to let her sleep and hopefully you all can get some rest. You can talk when both of you are a little less...

What? Roman demanded. "A little less what?"

Emotional.

Roman huffed. I’m not emotional.

Your daughter dropped out of sight for two days, of course you’re emotional, Cody said. Because you’re a good father and you care about your family.

Summer pretended to gag herself and mimed vomiting all over the couch. Cody saw Demmy cover up a smirk before he escaped into the kitchen. Absolutely no help there.

Roman let out a bitter laugh. Apparently, not a good enough father to keep my daughter home.

Don’t beat yourself up, Romes. Cody used the hated nickname their oldest brother Grant called Roman to try and lighten the mood a bit.

The tease worked as he heard Roman laugh tiredly. You’re an asshole, Codes, you know that?

Cody grinned into the phone even though his own nickname irked him as well. He turned away from Summer and