The Unleashing
Page 72
Im just going to this studio today. To do a commercial. In a couple of weeks, Ill be in Nova Scotia on a location shoot.
What do you do about being Crow? Kera suddenly asked. What I mean is, how do you do your jobs when youre on location shoots?
I work with the local Crows. Nova Scotia has its own Crows.
Oh. Okay.
So youll come!
Actually, I meant, Oh, okay . . . Nova Scotia has its own Crows. I really dont think Im ready to
Of course youre ready! Isnt she ready, Erin?
Im not
Yardley cut off Erins words by digging her forearm into her throat.
See? Even Erin thinks you should.
Really? Because it sounded like she doesnt think
Great! Were all going! My car is waiting outside. Lets go!
Kera looked down at herself. She was in a pair of denim shorts, Led Zeppelin T-shirt, and burgundy Converse sneakers.
Uh . . . I dont think Im dressed for
You look great! Come on! I dont want to be late.
With one arm still around Erins throat and her other hand gripping Keras bicep, Yardley led-dragged both women out of the kitchen, through the hall, and to the front door, where the town car waited outside.
Kera really didnt know what was happening, but she was trying something new today. She was trying to just let things happen. Just trust the Crows. Even when they were acting really strange. Like now.
Because they were acting really strange right now.
Yardley released her grip on Erin, but Erin took that moment to try to walk off, so Yardley grabbed her back and released Kera. All this so she could open the front door.
She grabbed the handle, pulled the door open, and tried to shove Erin through it.
But a beautiful woman standing at the front door, her hand raised as if to knock, squealed dramatically and stumbled back on ridiculously high heels, almost falling on her perfect ass.
Yardley pressed her hand to her chest and took a breath. Jesus, Brianna! What are you doing here?
Im . . . Im here to see . . . Chloe. For Betty.
Oh. Of course. Ill get her. Yardley leaned back so that she could look past the door while yelling, Chloeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Why are you yelling? Chloe asked from a few inches away, startling Yardley and Brianna all over again.
Dont sneak up on me!
I didnt. Chloe studied Yardley. What is wrong with you?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Youre acting like somethings wrong. Whatare you hiding?
Nothing!
Yardley pushed Kera aside, grabbed Brianna, and dragged her into the house, shoving her at Chloe. Here! Briannas here to see you.
Yes. I know. Chloe looked Yardley over again. Youre acting so weird, she muttered before leading Brianna to her office.
Oh, Kera said. I need my backpack.
What?
My backpack. And Yardleys eyes narrowed on Kera as if she thought she was lying. It has my wallet . . . gum . . . emergency tampons.
Youre on your period?
No. Hence the title emergency tampons. You know . . . for surprises. Although Im a little uncomfortable with this discussion.
Yardley briefly closed her eyes. Of course, she said, sounding much calmer. Of course. Ill get your bag.
You dont have to
Ill get your bag, she growled between clenched teeth.
Okay. Kera gestured to Erin. And I think youre choking her out.
What? Yardley looked down at Erin and gasped. Oh! Sorry, gorgeous!
Yardley let Erin go and the redhead glared up at the superstar, her hand against her throat. I need my wallet, she spit out.
Ill get that, too. You guys go out to the car. Both of you. And Ill be right there. Yardley suddenly wrapped them both in a hug. I love you guys!
Yeah. This was definitely weirder than usual.
Jace was petting Lev and thinking about getting him some kind of tracker so she could find him if he ever got lost when Yardley came running back in.
Panting, she rested her hands against the back of a kitchen chair and looked over the Crows still in the kitchen. She pointed at Annalisa. Do me a favor, get Erins wallet and the new girls backpack. In their rooms.
Annalisa rushed off and Yardley looked at the Crows who remained. Jace!
Jace turned, surprised to have Yardley call out to her.
You, Yardley said, pointing at Jace. You find that dog.
Me?
Yes. The others will help. Just find her. Okay?
I . . . I cant
Please. Yardley stepped in close and said low, I know youll make it happen. I know youll bring her back before Kera gets home again. Just find Brodie.
Okay. Okay.
Great. Yardley caught the wallet and backpack that Annalisa tossed to her. And you have my number, right? Call me. Or text. Whatever. Just let me know whats going on.
What do you do about being Crow? Kera suddenly asked. What I mean is, how do you do your jobs when youre on location shoots?
I work with the local Crows. Nova Scotia has its own Crows.
Oh. Okay.
So youll come!
Actually, I meant, Oh, okay . . . Nova Scotia has its own Crows. I really dont think Im ready to
Of course youre ready! Isnt she ready, Erin?
Im not
Yardley cut off Erins words by digging her forearm into her throat.
See? Even Erin thinks you should.
Really? Because it sounded like she doesnt think
Great! Were all going! My car is waiting outside. Lets go!
Kera looked down at herself. She was in a pair of denim shorts, Led Zeppelin T-shirt, and burgundy Converse sneakers.
Uh . . . I dont think Im dressed for
You look great! Come on! I dont want to be late.
With one arm still around Erins throat and her other hand gripping Keras bicep, Yardley led-dragged both women out of the kitchen, through the hall, and to the front door, where the town car waited outside.
Kera really didnt know what was happening, but she was trying something new today. She was trying to just let things happen. Just trust the Crows. Even when they were acting really strange. Like now.
Because they were acting really strange right now.
Yardley released her grip on Erin, but Erin took that moment to try to walk off, so Yardley grabbed her back and released Kera. All this so she could open the front door.
She grabbed the handle, pulled the door open, and tried to shove Erin through it.
But a beautiful woman standing at the front door, her hand raised as if to knock, squealed dramatically and stumbled back on ridiculously high heels, almost falling on her perfect ass.
Yardley pressed her hand to her chest and took a breath. Jesus, Brianna! What are you doing here?
Im . . . Im here to see . . . Chloe. For Betty.
Oh. Of course. Ill get her. Yardley leaned back so that she could look past the door while yelling, Chloeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Why are you yelling? Chloe asked from a few inches away, startling Yardley and Brianna all over again.
Dont sneak up on me!
I didnt. Chloe studied Yardley. What is wrong with you?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Youre acting like somethings wrong. Whatare you hiding?
Nothing!
Yardley pushed Kera aside, grabbed Brianna, and dragged her into the house, shoving her at Chloe. Here! Briannas here to see you.
Yes. I know. Chloe looked Yardley over again. Youre acting so weird, she muttered before leading Brianna to her office.
Oh, Kera said. I need my backpack.
What?
My backpack. And Yardleys eyes narrowed on Kera as if she thought she was lying. It has my wallet . . . gum . . . emergency tampons.
Youre on your period?
No. Hence the title emergency tampons. You know . . . for surprises. Although Im a little uncomfortable with this discussion.
Yardley briefly closed her eyes. Of course, she said, sounding much calmer. Of course. Ill get your bag.
You dont have to
Ill get your bag, she growled between clenched teeth.
Okay. Kera gestured to Erin. And I think youre choking her out.
What? Yardley looked down at Erin and gasped. Oh! Sorry, gorgeous!
Yardley let Erin go and the redhead glared up at the superstar, her hand against her throat. I need my wallet, she spit out.
Ill get that, too. You guys go out to the car. Both of you. And Ill be right there. Yardley suddenly wrapped them both in a hug. I love you guys!
Yeah. This was definitely weirder than usual.
Jace was petting Lev and thinking about getting him some kind of tracker so she could find him if he ever got lost when Yardley came running back in.
Panting, she rested her hands against the back of a kitchen chair and looked over the Crows still in the kitchen. She pointed at Annalisa. Do me a favor, get Erins wallet and the new girls backpack. In their rooms.
Annalisa rushed off and Yardley looked at the Crows who remained. Jace!
Jace turned, surprised to have Yardley call out to her.
You, Yardley said, pointing at Jace. You find that dog.
Me?
Yes. The others will help. Just find her. Okay?
I . . . I cant
Please. Yardley stepped in close and said low, I know youll make it happen. I know youll bring her back before Kera gets home again. Just find Brodie.
Okay. Okay.
Great. Yardley caught the wallet and backpack that Annalisa tossed to her. And you have my number, right? Call me. Or text. Whatever. Just let me know whats going on.
