Page 33 (2/2)

"Take care of uard her with my life"

Chapter 16

Hallie

Dune was in my dad’s office I just hoped I would hear the ambulance over the music

Since I was alone, I decided on a quick session of warm-ups The familiar routine usually allowed me to leave myself behind, just for a while I tried to letme anchored

Even so, I let out a shriek when I saw him at the

I opened the door and waved hiood"

"Are there carabbed ed me in, and shut the door Then he planted a fat one on ain

"Not that I’ on?"

I was still in the dressing roolass is on the way," he said

"He said yes" I was shocked Dune had been in his office fifteenhere"

My stomach pitched "Okay"

"So is Poe"

I stared at him

"And so am I"

We waited at NOLA, Emeril’s restaurant on Saint Louis Street

"Are you okay?" Dune asked

"I’m shell-shocked"

"They were already halfway here"

I nodded "What if Dad had said no?"

"They would’ve stayed in a hotel" He took my hand "They want to help you, Hallie It’s not like they’re coies"

I snort laughed "How did we get per up extra surveillance and he wanted you out of the house while he put it in," he confessed

"You’re a tech genius" I grinned, thinking about how he’d looked on oing to I promised your dad I’d take care of you, and I intend to keep it"

It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner The place was al rush The quiet was getting to me

Then the front door burst open

"We’re here!" A blond blur zipped across the rooy hair

"Glad to see you" The guy did the handshake-and-one-ar combo with Dune before he held his hand out to nized him from the picture I’d seen in Dune’s bedroom He had the self-confidence of someone much older "That makes you Emerson" I turned to face her

"Hi" In person, the perky cuteness I’d seen in the photo was teth, too "We’re all so glad to s and visible tattoos

"Kaleb," the guy said, turning tous"

"According to Dune, you were all going to visit, anyway"