Mason looked from one to the other, knowing this was a battle he couldn’t win. Evie was a stubborn enough person by herself, but with her offspring and a reformed version of Kylie ready to get back at the Lullaby Killer? He didn’t stand a chance.
“I just don’t need you here,” he told them. “I love you all, and I’m really grateful for the help, but don’t you see you’re just playing into his hands? If he finds all four of us together, we’re only making it easier for him.”
It was Evie who stepped forward, putting a hand around his arm. “It’s not really up to you. That’s my sister-in-law out there, and I want to help.”
“It’s not your concern.”
“It is.”
“Just go,” Mason said, then turned to walk away.
Until her hand clamped his bicep like a vise. The nails broke skin.
“Excuse me,” Evie spat. “It’s not about you anymore. Don’t you see that? I want to help save Diane because I wasn’t here when I should have been. I couldn’t help Amy any more than you could, so give me a chance to redeem myself here. Let me in, you stubborn bastard.”
Mason stared into her eyes. There was no sign of anything less than total seriousness. He looked around the room to find the other two girls—young as they were—ready to follow Evie to the ends of the earth. Was this supposed to be empowering? Was he supposed to just roll over and let them run headfirst into danger like him?
Before he could get a word out, his phone rang. Mason ripped it from the wall charger and took a quick glance at the screen. A private number. It could be anyone, he realized as his legs threatened to fail him. It could be the Lullaby Killer, calling to tell him how he could save his wife… or that she was already dead.
Taking a long, steeling breath, Mason stared around at the pale, wondering faces of those around him, ensuring himself he was doing the right thing. When he finally mustered up the courage, he returned his gaze to the phone and pressed a button.
He took the call.