"Jared. Just give me a minute. Please."

I want to warn her not to keep me waiting, but the pleading in her voice has me clenching my jaw.

"I’ll be in the car." I press a kiss to her forehead before leaving. Evelyn is at the bottom of the stairs.

"You’re leaving?" she asks.

I smile. "Yes, I am."

That leaves her unsettled, and she marches up the stairs.

Outside, I get into my car. I have two missed calls from ...