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“The thought crossed my mind.”

  “But you didn’t because of our argument last night?”

  “Right. You could ground me, but that wouldn’t be as bad as making me move away.”

  “For the record, I don’t have any intention of moving.”

  “Mom’s already made up her mind.”

  “A decision this big involves everyone’s input.”

  Ariana snorted. “Doesn’t sound that way to me. Can I go back to sleep now?”

  “Let me talk to Emily, so I know you’re really there.”

  “I don’t want to wake her.”

  “Ari, I want to believe you but I can’t help thinking you’re really at Damon’s.”

  “I can prove it. I’ll send a selfie with her in it. I’ll put her phone in the picture so you can see the date and time.”

  Alex sighed. “Okay.”

  “Give me just a minute.”

  The call ended, and after about thirty seconds he got a picture in their texting thread. Sure enough, Emily was sleeping next to an annoyed-looking Ariana, and the phone next to them showed the right date and time.

  He finally relaxed and his eyelids grew heavy.

  Then another text came in.

  Ari: See? I’m telling the truth.

  Alex: Thx.

  Ari: I don't wanna come home today.

  Alex: U need to.

  Ari: Not until Mom drops the moving issue.

  Alex: That’s going to take more time.

  Ari: I’ll wait.

  Alex: U have to come home.

  Ari: Talk her out of it.

  Alex considered what to say in response. Zoey was so adamant, it would take longer than a day to convince her.

  Alex: What abt ur homework?

  Ari: I’ll wait.

  Alex: U need to come home.

  Ari: Y?

  Alex: Ur part of this family. If u dont want to move, u need to tell her. I cant convince her alone.

  Ari: Fine, but I want someone else home with us.

  Alex: Who?

  Ari: Aunt Macy. Nick & G. Or ur parents.

  Alex: You’ll come home if I can get one of them?

  Ari: Yes.

  Alex: I’ll make it happen.

  Ari: LMK when u do. I’m going back to sleep.

  Alex: Goodnight.

  Ari: Luv u.

  Alex: U2.

  He tossed his phone on the other side of the bed and collapsed onto the pillow. It would be tricky to have someone come over to discuss the issue without Zoey feeling ganged up on. If that was how she felt, she would be more likely to dig her heels in. But he did have to do something.

  After he got some sleep. Then he would tackle that obstacle.

  Chapter 40

  “What are you doing still asleep?” Zoey’s voice sounded like it was coming through a tunnel of water.

  Alex rolled over, pulling the blankets with him, and tried to stay asleep.

  “Alex!”

  “I’m sleeping,” he muttered.

  “Ariana won’t come home unless we have an intervention with Macy or the Fleshmans. You have to talk some sense into her.”

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s almost noon.”

  Alex pulled the blankets from his face. That meant he’d gotten about five hours of sleep. Definitely not enough, but it would have to do. He sat up. “Why not have them over? We haven’t spent time with them since they had the baby. If the topic comes up, we can get their thoughts.”

  “They’re still settling into their house. They’re not going to see my perspective—not that we need their permission to move.”

  He rubbed his eyes. “I never said that. But it wouldn’t hurt to get their thoughts. Nick and Genevieve are fully aware of the kidnapping ring situation, and it’s affected their family as much as it has ours.”

  “I don’t like this idea.”

  Alex sighed. “Or we could discuss this together.”

  “We have. We’re at an impasse.”

  He studied her. “Do you really believe that?”

  “Yes. We’re completely opposed to each other on this topic.”

  “No, I mean about us having discussed the issue. Do you really think we’ve had a talk?”

  “Of course we have. Twice.”

  Alex shook his head. “That’s not true. First you bombarded me with your decision, having given me no prior heads up.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “You know I’ve been wanting to move. I’ve brought it up numerous times.”

  “I had no clue you were thinking this seriously about it and had already made up your mind behind my back. Especially since the topic hadn’t come up in at least a year.”

  She frowned. “You can’t blame me for jumping at an opportunity to move my family somewhere safer.”

  “If you’re really worried about a notorious crime ring, you have to know they’d find me wherever I go. Nothing is one hundred percent safe, ever.”

  “But there are plenty of places that are safer than this cursed town.”

  “Cursed? Now you’re calling it cursed?”

  “There’s a reason we call it the Bermuda Triangle for kidnappings. And the recent events prove as much.”

  He sighed. “Let’s give it a week or so, and then we can discuss this after our emotions have cooled down.”

  “Are you calling me emotional?”

  “Not in the slightest.”

  “Then you can call Ariana and try to get her home. I’m going to call Brenda.”

  “Who?”

  “Brenda from high school.”

  Alex tried to remember who that was. “Still not ringing any bells.”

  “She’s a realtor.”

  “You’re still going forward with this, even though we just decided to give this a week?”

  Zoey took a deep breath. “You decided that.”

  “Doesn’t feel very good, does it?”

  Her brows drew together.

  “I’m getting in the shower. Call Genevieve and see if they can come over. Or call Macy or whoever. That way, Ariana will at least come home. Then we can decide what to do from there.”

  “Why do you have to be so difficult about this?”

  “Difficult? We aren’t trying to decide what movie to watch. This is a decision that will uproot our entire family.”

  “A decision that will keep us safe.”

  Alex rose to his feet. “This is something that we need to decide together, but you’ve already gone ahead and made the choice for both of us. You didn’t tell me until after the fact. I don’t see how you expected a different reaction.”

  “And I don’t get why you can’t see what’s so obvious.” She stormed from the room and slammed the door.

  He threw his arms in the air. How could this be happening? It could’ve gone so much better if Zoey had clued him into what she was thinking. He might’ve been able to get on board if given the choice, but she took that from him. Now she was forcing him to pick between everything else in his life and her.

  With any luck, Genevieve or Macy could talk her down.

  Alex grabbed his phone and looked at the list of people he’d made to call and see if they would talk to Zoey. He called the ones he hadn’t spoken with yet, then headed upstairs to get a shower. It felt like he hadn’t gotten any sleep at all—he wasn’t sure if it was because of the late night or from arguing with Zoey.

  How would they ever come to an agreement when they both felt so strongly about their own side?

  He could only hope a week would give her perspective. Not only would everything calm down with no more abductions in the area, but the feds were getting closer to two more ringleaders. So many had already been taken down, there couldn’t be many left. Their power was diminishing with each arrest.

  When he returned downstairs, Zoey and the twins were eating lunch in the kitchen.

  She didn’t look up from her salad. “Nick and Genevieve are going to bring their kids over. Emily’s mom is going t
o drop off Ari.” She looked up at him. “You can attempt an intervention to change my mind, but know that nothing will work. It’s my job to protect my children, despite what anyone else thinks.”

  He sat down and put his hand on top of hers. “Whatever we decide, it will be together. And we’ll keep our kids safe. I promise. Let’s just not make any hasty decisions. How about I mark next Saturday on the calendar? We can decide on something then.”

  Sadness filled Zoey’s eyes. “You can do that, Alex, but I’m moving the kids away from this place, with or without you.”

  The words were like a punch to the gut.

  Author's Note

  Thank you for reading Careless Whisper. It’s hard to believe we’ve spent eleven books with Alex and his friends and family. (More if you count the Gone Trilogy!) There’s one more book in this saga — how do you think it will end? With a crashing bang? A happily ever after? I’m considering a spin-off series down the road. It’ll be fun to follow another generation of characters, don’t you think?

  If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review wherever you purchased it. Not only will your review help me to better understand what you like—so I can give you more of it!—but it will also help other readers find my work. Reviews can be short—just share your honest thoughts. That’s it. And they really help—it’s like sending chocolate to an author. Seriously!

  Want to know when I have a new release? Sign up for new release updates:

  http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/

  I’ve spent many hours writing, re-writing, and editing this work. I even put together a team who helped with the editing process. As it is impossible to find every single error, if you find any, please contact me through my website and let me know. Then I can fix them for future editions.

  Thank you for your support!

  ~Stacy

  About the Author

  Stacy Claflin is a two-time USA Today bestselling author who writes about flawed characters that overcome unsurmountable odds. No matter how dark situations seem, there is always a sliver of hope—even if you have to search far and wide to find it. That message is weaved throughout all of her stories.

  Decades after she wrote her first tales on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time bestselling author.

  When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys time in nature, reading, and watching a wide variety of shows in many genres. Her favorite pastime activity is spending time with her family.

  For more information:

  stacyclaflin.com/about

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  Did you love Careless Whisper? Then you should read No Return by Stacy Claflin!

  Family comes first. Until it kills you…

  Rusty Caldwell is a lonely victim of tragedy. After losing his wife and kids to a drunk driver, he spends most nights towing drunks to keep them off the streets. His one-track existence takes a turn when he finds out his estranged sister Mandy has committed suicide.

  After flying out to offer his support, Rusty learns there's much more to the story. It turns out his sister had been cheating on her husband Chris with Travis Calloway, the rich CEO of the biggest company in town. Before Mandy died, she claimed that Travis fathered one of her children and demanded that he pay up…

  While Rusty is trying to figure out the truth, Mandy's friend Laura offers to help look into Travis. Sparks start to fly between her and Rusty, and soon neither can deny the attraction. Before they can catch a break, they receive death threats.

  With Travis and Chris both looking guilty, Rusty better find out the truth before he or Laura are the next one to fall.

  No Return is a compelling suspense dealing with themes of love, loss, and forgiveness. If you like gripping page-turners, twisted villains, and surprising twists and turns, then you'll love Stacy Claflin's latest chilling creation.

  *This is a standalone spinoff from the USA Today bestselling Gone Trilogy. It can be read by itself.*

  Read more at Stacy Claflin’s site.

  Also by Stacy Claflin

  An Alex Mercer Thriller

  Girl in Trouble

  Turn Back Time

  Little Lies

  Against All Odds

  Don't Forget me

  Tainted Love

  Take On Me

  Danger Zone

  Lady in Red

  White Wedding

  Careless Whisper

  Bayside Hunters

  Bayside Opposites

  Curse of the Moon

  Lost Wolf

  Chosen Wolf

  Hunted Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Cursed Wolf

  Secret Jaguar

  Curse of the Moon Box Set

  Dark Sea Academy

  Mermaid's Song

  Mermaid's Heart

  Mermaid's Wish

  The Dark Sea Academy: The Complete Trilogy

  Fall Into Romance

  Lost in Romance

  Gone

  Gone

  Held

  Over

  The Gone Trilogy

  Dean's List

  Indigo Bay Second Chance Romances

  Sweet Complications

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  Sweet Dreams

  Sweet Reunion

  The Hunters

  Seaside Surprises

  Seaside Heartbeats

  Seaside Dances

  Seaside Kisses

  Seaside Christmas

  Bayside Wishes

  Bayside Evenings

  Bayside Promises

  Bayside Destinies

  Bayside Mistletoe

  Bayside Dreams

  The Hunters: A Collection

  The Transformed

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forgotten

  Ascension

  Duplicity

  Sacrifice

  Destroyed

  Transcend

  Entangled

  Dauntless

  Obscured

  Partition

  Fallen (The Transformed Prequel)

  Silent Bite: A Transformed Christmas

  Hidden Intentions

  Saved by a Vampire

  Sweet Desire

  Valhalla's Curse

  Renegade Valkyrie

  Pursued Valkyrie

  Silenced Valkyrie

  Vengeful Valkyrie

  Unleashed Valkyrie

  Wildflower Romance

  When Tomorrow Starts Without me

  The Only Things You Can Take

  When You Start to Miss Me

  Standalone

  The Transformed Series - Four Books

  The Transformed Box Set

  No Return

  Tiny Bites

  Haunted

  Dex

  Lies Never Sleep

  Alex Mercer Thrillers Box Set 1-3

  Gone Saga Standalones

  Watch for more at Stacy Claflin’s site.

 

 

 
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