“And?” Shepherd pressed, recognizing that if they were going to take on Sparrow, they needed a hell of a lot more fighters.
“It is contingent on Mr. Graves speaking with him. They are good friends and have a history together, so he will trust what Mr. Graves has to say. I have scheduled the day we attack, and I do not wish to deviate from that plan. The more time we give Sparrow, the more time he has to prepare. And more will join his army. We have to strike now, while he is weakest.”
Niko gripped his sword handle. “You wish to go tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Da. Wyatt checked the weather, and it is favorable at noon. The sun will be high, any snow on the ground will be blinding. They cannot shadow walk in the daylight.”
Shepherd propped his foot on the tub ledge. “Some of them might hole up in dark, windowless halls. They’ll fight hard to keep us out.”
Viktor swung the door closed. “Keystone is not just a place—it is my family home. Sparrow will not give up his claim without a fight. He will send his men outside, even if they are vulnerable, to keep us from breaching the entrance.”
“And if theyallcome outside to fight?” Niko asked.
Viktor locked eyes with Shepherd. “Then we fight to reclaim what’s ours. That is why I am hoping the packs will stand with us. There is power in numbers. But with or without them, we are going. Even if we fail, we will inspire others to fight.”
Crush noisily bustled in. “We got a problem,” he said, looking at Niko. “Someone cut the phone line.”
Viktor furrowed his brow. “Can he use Wyatt’s computer to contact him?”
Niko relayed the question.
Crush scoffed. “No way in hell does Ren use a computer. It took him ten years just to get a cell phone. They still use a landline. Most packs do. They don’t like all this shit that runs on batteries, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Viktor’s gaze fixed on the tile floor. “Christian can charm someone for their cell phone.”
Niko interpreted.
“I don’t know.” Crush pinched the collar of his T-shirt. “Ren has that caller ID shit. He might not pick up if someone else’s name appears. We can try. But he’s more likely to answer if it shows a place of business—something he can trace. If you can find a phone, I’ll call my buddy at the shop and see if he answers. Maybe I should just drive over there.”
“We can’t risk it,” Niko cautioned him. “Lest we fall into another trap.”
Crush folded his arms. “Then let’s bait these fuckers and pick ’em off. I’m not a fan of sleeping with one eye open.”
Shepherd gestured to Crush’s pants. “You better take that dagger out before you slice an artery.”
When Niko relayed the message, Crush’s face scrunched up. “You do things your way, I’ll do them mine. When you find me a holster, I’ll think about it.”
Niko offered Crush his hand. “May we borrow it? Christian can break away impalement wood from the furniture, but we need a blade to sharpen the points.”
Crush set the dagger in Niko’s palm. “Be my guest.”
Viktor rapped his knuckles on the wall. “Shepherd, devise a plan. I will send Blue to scout the perimeter. I will need her later this evening or tomorrow to go to Keystone, so we may be short a man. Shepherd, please wake her and send her down.”
Crush stroked his goatee while giving Niko a stern look. “Mind if I go down with you? I have a few questions for Poe regarding my baby girl.”
That didn’t sound good, and if Shepherd was a betting man, he’d guess that Crush was going to let Christian have it.
Crush hitched up his pants as they filed out the door. “Find me a working phone, and I’ll get my buddy from the shop to call Ren and tell him to pick up when I dial him. That way I won’t have to worry about him screening calls.”
Once alone, Shepherd strode to the bed and knelt by Hunter’s side. He placed a kiss on the boy’s forehead, feeling through touch the deep slumber that cradled his son. He brushed his thumb across Hunter’s eyebrow, and a light emotion tickled his fingertips from a passing dream. The scar that marked his face now seemed more like it was marking his life.
When he stood and rounded the bed, Harley trotted over and sat beside Hunter like a guard.
“Blue, wake up.” He gave her a firm shake.
Blue sleepily opened her eyes, and when she saw him, she bolted to a sitting position. “What’s wrong?”
“They took Raven,” he said quietly. “We think they’re watching the hotel—maybe planning to pick us off one by one. Viktor wants you downstairs.”
