Chapter 784 Chapter 784
Calla followed Kumar outside and looked at the houses as they walked. There were no barred windows or locked doors that she’d found. Why did they react that way?
Zuri stood inside the open garage door. He looked out at them as they walked by and gave her a slight nod.
Calla’s animal was tense and poised inside her now. Just a few more hours, she mentally told her animal. They just had to get through the next few hours, and it would be over.
Leon and Ellery, along with the other one she’d met at the mall, stood in the dining room when they went in.
Leon nodded to Ellery, who leaned over the table and did something on the laptop. When he finished, he looked at her and motioned to it.
“Sit down. Make your call.” Leon told her.
Calla set the cup down and sat in the chair. “On a computer?” The screen was a big dial pad.
“Yes. No one can trace it.” Leon told her and crossed his arms over his chest.
“You think someone will trace it?”
“You never know.”
Calla looked at the screen. “Give me a second. I have to remember the number.” She turned and glared at Kumar. “It was in my phone.” Turning back to the screen, she closed her eyes and pictured the text messages; nodding, she opened them and entered the number on the pad on the screen.
It rang twice before Eaton answered. “Hello?”
“Hey, girl. It’s Missy.”
“Oh my god. Where have you been?”
“Searching.” She could see Leon’s reflection on the screen. “I found him. I found Leon.”
“What? That’s great. Is he like everyone says?” Eaton whispered.
Calla glanced over her shoulder at him briefly. “Yeah. He’s got it all figured out. How is everyone else?”
Eaton scoffed. “Scared. Sick of snow. How soon can we come? Where are you?”
Kumar got her attention and shook his head.
“I can’t say where others could be listening.”
“Right.”
“Did the guys get back?” She hoped Eaton could follow where she was going with this.
“Oh, yeah. They’re here with extras.”
“How many?” Ellery whispered.
Calla nodded. “So, how many do we have to pick up?”
“Uh, fifteen, I think. Yes. Fifteen. When are you coming?”
Kumar shook his head. “I’ll let you know when it’s figured out.”
Leon leaned over her and tapped the space bar. “I want a list of names before any arrangements are made.”
“Right now?” Callas looked up at him.
“You’ll call for it tomorrow.”
She nodded.
He tapped the button again.
“Listen, I’ll call back tomorrow with more details. I need a list of everyone coming, okay? We need to make sure everyone checks out.”
“You think one of them is a spy for the Alliance?” Eaton whispered.
“It doesn’t hurt to check, right?”
“Right. Okay. I’ll get all the names.” Eaton said. “I’m so glad you called. Hearing your voice makes me feel better.”
“Same. I should go.”
“Okay, hey, Missy—I don’t know where you are, but we’re in for one hell of a storm here in a few hours, so just stay safe and ride it out if it hits there.”
Calla took that to mean they’d sent some serious backup to come in. “We’re all together and safe here, don’t worry, okay? Just get everyone together and be careful.”
“Okay. Talk to you soon.”
“Absolutely.”
Leon reached in front of her and hung up.
“Where are they located?”
Calla picked up the cup and took a sip like she didn’t have a single worry. “I can’t be sure of the exact location. We stay on the move as much as possible.”
Ellery looked at Leon. “Fifteen is a good number, boss.”
Leon studied him for a moment and then nodded. “It is.” He put his hand on Calla’s shoulder, and she had to keep herself in check so she wouldn’t shrug it off. “I’m very pleased that you found us.”
Calla smiled. A real one and looked at him. “Me too,”
“Edda wants her back to prep food.” Kumar told Leon.
“Edda is fond of you, Missy. That’s good for you.” Leon turned on his heel and walked away.
“Go back over to Edda,” Kumar ordered her and then followed Leon. The other one did as well.
“Just going to drink some of this before more snow falls in it.” She took another sip.
Ellery grabbed the laptop and spun it around so he could type on it. In a few seconds, he looked in the direction the other men had gone four times. He then spun the device back so she could see the screen.
It was a text box for the number she had just called. He’d typed, don’t bring women here. Missy. She looked at him. He glanced to the other side of the room again and then hit send. Before Calla could blink, he erased the history and slapped the laptop closed.
His hand was shaking when he picked up the computer and hurried from the room.
Calla looked at the table where it had been sitting and then in the direction he’d gone. What the hell was going on?
Grabbing the cup, she rushed back to the door, put on her boots, and practically ran outside.
Zuri gave her a curious look when she glanced at him. She kept going. Did she hide in the bathroom and message Eaton? The entire vibe here had shifted in such a short time. Her cat wanted to run. Calla slowed down when she reached the driveway too the woman’s house. They weren’t running. If anything, she now had more reasons to disconnect that box and let the team come and grab up Leon and the others.