When I Say Yes (Necklace Trilogy 3)

“I need you to go to the bathroom and call me back and do not tell Dash it’s me. Just pretend I’m a wrong number. Don’t ask questions.” She hangs up.

Unease rattles through me. “I need to go to the bathroom. Be right back.”

My mom catches my arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Dash’s sister wants me to go to the bathroom and call her and not let Dash know. She sounds shaken.”

“Oh dear. Okay.”

“If I come back and lift a finger, I need you to leave. Okay?”

“Yes. Of course. We’ll go now.”

“No. If I don’t stay to say goodbye, Dash will feel something is off. I’ll be right back.”

She nods and I stand, avoiding Dash’s gaze as I walk around the couches and hurry toward the bedroom. I step into the bathroom and into the toilet area and shut the door. I dial Bella. “I’m alone,” I say, the minute she answers. “What is going on?”

“Dash’s stepmom called me. It’s really ridiculous she won’t even call him, but in this case, I think it’s for the best. His dad had a massive heart attack, Allie. He died.”

My hand goes to my neck. “Died?”

“Yes. He’s gone. And I’m not going to be able to get there until tomorrow. I can call and tell him or you can tell him. What do you want to do?”

Turn back time and make this go away, I think. “I’ll tell him.”

“His father’s will says he doesn’t want Dash at his funeral. The bastard had to hurt him one last time. He’s going to want to fight, Allie.”

“I know. I won’t let him.”

“I’m not sure you’ll be able to stop him. I’m going to call Tyler. If he fights, Tyler can try to help shut it down.”

“Do not let Tyler call or come over here.”

“I won’t. He’s smarter than that.”

She keeps talking, but I barely hear what she says. The storm is here and it’s a big one.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Tears burn my eyes, knowing how much this is going to torment Dash, but I wipe them away.

He needs me to be strong.

I text my mother and tell her what’s going on. She returns a message: Oh my God. This is horrible. I’m going to go encourage your stepdad toward the door. Let me know how I can help when you have time to process everything.

Drawing a deep breath, I walk back into the living room to find my mother and stepfather gathering their coats. I hurry forward and give my mother a hug. She whispers in my ear, “Just hold him really hard, honey.”

I nod and as she steps away from me, Dash slides his arm around my shoulders. My mother and stepfather depart and Dash locks up. My stomach is in knots, literally twisting and turning, and I’m so nervous my chest hurts. Dash turns to face me and the minute he looks at me, he says, “What’s wrong?”

“I have some bad news. I don’t know how to tell you this. I don’t want to tell you this.”

He pales. “Bella—”

“She’s fine,” I say quickly. “She’s trying to get on an earlier flight to get here.”

“Allie, what’s going on?” I close the space between us and when I would hug him, he catches my shoulders. “What’s going on?”

“Your father—”

“What did he do now?”

“Died, Dash. He died.” The words quake from my mouth. “He had a massive heart attack and he’s—gone.”

His expression hardens, but his jaw and his hands tremble. “He’s dead,” he repeats.

“And because I think you need to hear all the bad at once, and I hope I’m right about that—”

“You are. Say it.”

“He doesn’t want you at the funeral. It’s in his will.”

He flinches. “How did you find this out?”

“Your stepmom called Bella.”

“Of course she did. She can’t even talk to me.” He releases me and runs a rough hand over his jawline. “I need out of here.” He turns toward the door.

I’m between it and him in a blink. “No.” My hands plant on his chest. “We both know what happens when you go out that door, Dash. Stay with me.”

“I need air, Allie. Walk with me.”

The illusion of having what you do not.

I’m about to find out if those words apply to me and Dash. “If you go out the door, even with me by your side, I won’t be able to control what comes next. I’m begging you to hold onto me the way I want to hold onto you right now. Use me however you want. Use me, Dash.”

His jaw is set hard, his eyes half-veiled, seconds ticking by before he takes a wide step backward. “Undress, Allie.”

The command is unexpected and I can’t help but feel a bit vulnerable myself right now. “While you’re still dressed?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to leave?”

He’s back in front of me, hands on my arms, dragging me to him. “Do you think I’d do that to you, Allie? Tell me you don’t.”