Mac’s rough voice answers on the second ring. “Els?” It takes me a moment to find my voice, to figure out what words to say to explain this pain. “I need you,” I choke out brokenly. His voice is instantly alert. “What happened?” “It doesn’t matter,” I whisper. “Not anymore. But I’m not ready to come home yet.” “What do you need?” he asks quietly, and I hear Stef and Kai in the background, asking him what’s wrong, the sound of their voices rising in agitation when he doesn’t respond. “Let’s start with Berlin.”
