H er shift was only half over, but Perci couldn’t shake the feeling that something had happened .
She’d asked Tiff for an extra hour on her lunch break. That would give her time to drive home and check for herself. If her car had just started, but once again it had given out right when she needed it most .
She had no other option; she knocked on Nate Masterson's office door as hard as she could. It was like nails through her heart to ask him for help but this was for her family. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her family .
He jerked the door open, a clear look of annoyance on his face. Perci didn't give him a chance to say anything. "I need a ride home now. My car won't start. Hurry !”
He held up a hand and glowered down at her, like always. He would be almost handsome if he didn’t glare all the time. But that didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he had wheels. “Calm down. Tell me what's wrong .”
"Pip's in trouble. Right now. I just know it ."
"How do you know ?”
“I just do . I always know when she's in trouble. I need to get home . Now .”
“Let me grab my keys. Call Joel .”
“I've already tried. He's out of cell range. Something's wrong, Nate, really wrong. Please, hurry .”
“I'll get you there. But this better not be some wild goose chase. And I’m docking your pay until we get back here .”
"It isn't a wild goose chase. It's my sister ."
They had just pulled out of the parking lot when his phone rang. He looked at her. Surprise was in his dark green eyes. “It's Pan. Answer it ."
Perci did. She listened to her sister's panicked words, fighting off the nausea. "Nate’s driving me home now, Pan. I'll be there as soon as I can. Okay. I understand. Yes, I have money. I'll take care of it. We'll be there as soon as we can. Don't let Pip out of your sight. You have the gun? Good. Don’t let her out of your sight. It’s her he’s after. I just know it. We'll be there when we can. Stay safe and I love you.” She disconnected and looked at the man driving her. His expression had darkened at her words. "We need to stop by the general store. I need… I need to buy new underwear ."
"Now? What the hell is going on, Perci ?"
She shivered--she couldn't stop shivering. Why was this happening again? "Someone broke into our house. He slashed all of my underwear into pieces. And he took Pip's. All of hers. Every last pair of her underwear is just gone . I need to buy her new underwear. Before I get home. My sister... We need new underwear... Can you drive me to the store, please ?”