I cleared my throat. “It’s settled then. Kade will go with Sage to her grandparents’ place. Once she’s there, she’ll check in with Kade at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. every day to confirm she’s okay. Does that work for you?”

Sage nodded. “Perfect.”

Chapter Eighteen

Willow

“Let’s go to your apartment so you can pack,” Ronan said, glancing from me to Sage. “Both of you. I don’t want you to have any reason to go back later.”

“Okay,” I agreed. Honestly, having a couple of people with weapons nearby would be comforting.

“I’ll follow you,” Kade said. “Then the wild child and I can continue to Wisconsin.”

Wild child?

I looked at Sage and raised a brow, but she just rolled her eyes.

“I’ll stay behind and work on pulling what I can from the security footage,” Zeke said. “Call if you need anything.”

We took the elevator to the ground floor, and Ronan guided me and Sage to a black Honda Civic.

“What, no Lexus?” I joked to cut the tension.

“This is better for getting around unnoticed.” He unlocked it electronically and climbed into the driver’s seat. I got in opposite, and Sage sat in the back.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right without me?” she asked quietly.

“I’m sure.” Even though I would have preferred to have her company, I wasn’t willing to expose her to more risk. She reached forward to take my hand, and we gripped each other until we arrived outside our building.

“Let’s do this,” Sage said, stepping out.

Kade pulled up behind us and we made our way up the stairs and along the corridor, pausing outside the apartment, where police tape crossed the open doorway.

I glanced over my shoulder.

Kade’s face had turned thunderous. “The assholes are lucky they’re not still here, or they wouldn’t be walking out alive.”

“Come on.” I took a deep breath and ducked under the tape.

Sadness welled inside me at the sight that greeted us. Furniture was overturned, powder dusted most surfaces, and a few drops of what looked like blood had soaked into the carpet—presumably mine.

I swallowed and picked my way through the mess without stopping to think about it. If I did that, I’d break down, and now was the time to be strong. I went to my bedroom, grabbed a suitcase from the closet, then started shoving things in it. Clothing, jewelry, my favorite shoes. I didn’t know when I’d be back, and to be honest, I didn’t think we’d ever be able to live here again. I’d never feel completely comfortable.

“Willow.” Sage appeared in the doorway with a backpack over her shoulder. She’d changed into a loose-knit boho-style blouse and denim cutoffs. “You okay?”

“We’re going to have to move.”

She nodded. “I know. We should make sure our insurance company fixes everything as soon as possible, then hand in our notice. There’s an unrestful energy about the place.”

She came into my room and closed the door behind her.