Page 90 of Sweet Torment

“Yes, of course, that’s fine.” She pulls back, wiping her eyes. “Take whatever you want. Do you want me to pack this food up for you?”

“If you want to...” I manage a small smile. “I do have four huge alphas to feed now.”

“Will you bring them over soon? Your dad will want to talk to them—make sure they’re taking care of you.” Her attempt at normalcy breaks my heart.

“Yes, I will.” Another promise I’m not sure when I will be able to keep.

Mom nods and begins packing up some of the food she made, her movements looking mechanical and stilted. I’ve given her a lot to process. I watch her for a moment, then turn to Winston when he returns from the garage.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

Winston doesn’t ask questions, just pulls his phone from his pocket and hands it over. “Take your time.”

“Thanks, I’ll be in my room.”

I slip upstairs, my feet finding the familiar path without thought. Fourteen steps, turn right, third door on the left. My bedroom door still has the “KEEP OUT” sign I hung when I was thirteen. I push it open and step inside.

I dial the emergency number for the refuge, my heart pounding as it rings. What if they’re not actually okay? What if Dr. Montgomery lied?

It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Hello.” Ezra’s voice fills my ear, and my knees nearly buckle.

“Oh my God, Ez,” I whisper, pressing my back against my bedroom door to stay upright. “You’re really okay. I’ve been losing my shit.”

There’s a beat of silence, then, “Bianca? Is that you?”

It takes everything in me not to burst into tears at the sound of his voice—calm and steady, just like always. “It’s me. I don’t have much time.”

“Are you safe? Where are you? We’ve been losing our minds⁠—“

“I’m at my parents’ house, but I’m being watched. On a short leash.” The words tumble out in a rush. “He’s got us in Whitney’s house, cameras everywhere, guards following us. I don’t know what his endgame is, but I’m with the guys. We all have trackers.”

“Fuck,” Ezra breathes. “We’ve got trackers too.”

“Ezra... thank you. Thank you for helping them find me. You saved my ass once again.”

“I will always do––”

“Bianca?” Megan sounds high and breathless, like she ran to get to the phone.

A sob escapes before I can stop it. “Megan. Fuck. I miss you.”

“You little biatch! You scared the shit out of me.” I can hear the tears in her voice despite her attempt at bravado.

“You know how it is. Trouble finds me.” I laugh through my tears, sliding down the door until I’m sitting on the floor.

“Sure. But seriously, I’m glad you escaped those assholes. Mason said they have some concerning online activities.”

“They don’t anymore.”

Her laughter fills the line.

“What’s the plan?” Ezra must have grabbed the phone back. “How do we get you out of this? What can we do? We’re limited with the trackers but—” I glance at the time on Winston’s phone. The driver will be coming to take me back to the mansion soon. “Don’t know yet, but I’m working on it. I gotta go, but I will call soon.”

Megan again. “Be careful.”

I end the call and sit for a moment, letting the sound of their voices echo in my memory. Then I rifle through the backpack and pull out the book from Whitney’s office. My fingers tremble slightly as I crack it open, hoping like hell it has something useful inside.