“I’m just going to this studio today. To do a commercial. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be in Nova Scotia on a location shoot.”

“What do you do about being Crow?” Kera suddenly asked. “What I mean is, how do you do your jobs when you’re on location shoots?”

“I work with the local Crows. Nova Scotia has its own Crows.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“So you’ll come!”

“Actually, I meant, ‘Oh, okay . . . Nova Scotia has its own Crows.’ I really don’t think I’m ready to—”

“Of course you’re ready! Isn’t she ready, Erin?”

“I’m not—”

Yardley cut off Erin’s words by digging her forearm into her throat.

“See? Even Erin thinks you should.”

“Really? Because it sounded like she doesn’t think—”

“Great! We’re all going! My car is waiting outside. Let’s go!”

Kera looked down at herself. She was in a pair of denim shorts, Led Zeppelin T-shirt, and burgundy Converse sneakers.

“Uh . . . I don’t think I’m dressed for—”

“You look great! Come on! I don’t want to be late.”

With one arm still around Erin’s throat and her other hand gripping Kera’s bicep, Yardley led-dragged both women out of the kitchen, through the hall, and to the front door, where the town car waited outside.

Kera really didn’t know what was happening, but she was trying something new today. She was trying to just let things happen. Just trust the Crows. Even when they were acting really strange. Like now.

Because they were acting really strange right now.

Yardley released her grip on Erin, but Erin took that moment to try to walk off, so Yardley grabbed her back and released Kera. All this so she could open the front door.

She grabbed the handle, pulled the door open, and tried to shove Erin through it.

But a beautiful woman standing at the front door, her hand raised as if to knock, squealed dramatically and stumbled back on ridiculously high heels, almost falling on her perfect ass.

Yardley pressed her hand to her chest and took a breath. “Jesus, Brianna! What are you doing here?”

“I’m . . . I’m here to see . . . Chloe. For Betty.”

“Oh. Of course. I’ll get her.” Yardley leaned back so that she could look past the door while yelling, “Chloeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

“Why are you yelling?” Chloe asked from a few inches away, startling Yardley and Brianna all over again.

“Don’t sneak up on me!”

“I didn’t.” Chloe studied Yardley. “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“You’re acting like something’s wrong. Whatare you hiding?”

“Nothing!”

Yardley pushed Kera aside, grabbed Brianna, and dragged her into the house, shoving her at Chloe. “Here! Brianna’s here to see you.”

“Yes. I know.” Chloe looked Yardley over again. “You’re acting so weird,” she muttered before leading Brianna to her office.

“Oh,” Kera said. “I need my backpack.”

“What?”

“My backpack.” And Yardley’s eyes narrowed on Kera as if she thought she was lying. “It has my wallet . . . gum . . . emergency tampons.”

“You’re on your period?”

“No. Hence the title emergency tampons. You know . . . for surprises. Although I’m a little uncomfortable with this discussion.”

Yardley briefly closed her eyes. “Of course,” she said, sounding much calmer. “Of course. I’ll get your bag.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I’ll get your bag,” she growled between clenched teeth.

“Okay.” Kera gestured to Erin. “And I think you’re choking her out.”

“What?” Yardley looked down at Erin and gasped. “Oh! Sorry, gorgeous!”

Yardley let Erin go and the redhead glared up at the superstar, her hand against her throat. “I need my wallet,” she spit out.

“I’ll get that, too. You guys go out to the car. Both of you. And I’ll be right there.” Yardley suddenly wrapped them both in a hug. “I love you guys!”

Yeah. This was definitely weirder than usual.

Jace was petting Lev and thinking about getting him some kind of tracker so she could find him if he ever got lost when Yardley came running back in.

Panting, she rested her hands against the back of a kitchen chair and looked over the Crows still in the kitchen. She pointed at Annalisa. “Do me a favor, get Erin’s wallet and the new girl’s backpack. In their rooms.”

Annalisa rushed off and Yardley looked at the Crows who remained. “Jace!”

Jace turned, surprised to have Yardley call out to her.

“You,” Yardley said, pointing at Jace. “You find that dog.”

“Me?”

“Yes. The others will help. Just find her. Okay?”

“I . . . I can’t—”

“Please.” Yardley stepped in close and said low, “I know you’ll make it happen. I know you’ll bring her back before Kera gets home again. Just find Brodie.”

“Okay. Okay.”

“Great.” Yardley caught the wallet and backpack that Annalisa tossed to her. “And you have my number, right? Call me. Or text. Whatever. Just let me know what’s going on.”