Paige lived less than fifteen minutes away, and she showed up at my front door in jeans and a heavy winter jacket, wearing a fiercely protective expression.

She pulled me into a tight hug the moment she stepped inside.

“Where are the girls?” she whispered.

“They’re all fast asleep upstairs,” I replied.

“Are you completely safe right now?” she asked, searching my face.

“Yes, we’re safe,” I assured her.

“Is Austin involved in whatever is going on?” she pressed.

I lowered my eyes to the floor without thinking.