Ever’s eyes went wide, and, for a split second, Arsen thought he might cry. Then Felix was behind him on the couch, running sharp nails through his hair. “You don’t have to listen to him, gumdrop. He’s not the boss of you.”
Ever’s eyelids flickered as he arched into the touch, practically purring like a cat. He really was touch-starved. Good thing because his friends clearly had no fucking boundaries. Besides, none of that was the point. “I’m not saying I’m your…boss. I’m saying I can’t think straight if I have to worry about where you are the whole time? Please, just…sit this one out.”
Felix’s petting wasn’t enough to keep Ever from glaring at him, chin thrust forward, arms crossing. “No. I’m going.” His voice wobbled slightly. “I-I need to see for myself.”
“Wasn’t Cherry enough?” Arsen begged, feeling sick.
How was he supposed to concentrate knowing Ever was in danger? This wasn’t fair. It would be like trying to do this with one of his arms tied behind his back.
“Okay, enough,” Jericho said. “Ever, you can come, but you wait where we put you. Atticus will keep you company. Once they’re all dead”—he looked at Asa and Avi in turn—“butbeforewe start carving up bodies, you can bring Ever in so he can see for himself.”
Ever frowned then shook his head. “I don’t care about them. I never want to see them again. I care about the people locked in that shipping container. Do you know how bad it probably is in there? No bathroom. No ventilation. No blankets or heat. They might not even have food or water. They don’t know what happened, or why they’re there, or if anyone is coming to save them. I just…I just need to see for myself that they’re all okay. That they’re all…alive.”
All eyes went to Arsen. How was he supposed to argue with that? He wasn’t a fucking monster. “Fine. But you have to stay with Atticus. Promise?”
Ever nodded.
Jericho looked at Ever. “I can’t have Arsen distracted or he’ll be a liability. Got it?”
Ever nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
“Good,” Atticus said. “We leave soon. Everyone start getting ready.”
There was a pause, then—
“Why are there so many blankets here?” Seven muttered, looking around at the assortment stuffed in baskets and thrown over the sofa and chairs.
“Yeah, do you guys get cold a lot or something?” Nico asked.
Atticus turned red, looking to his husband like he was asking for help. When Jericho just smirked at him, he said, “I hired a decorator. She was…clearly a fan of the look. Neither of us cared enough to change it.”
“Maybe she just noticed you’re pale enough to burn indoors and wanted you to be able to cover up at the first touch of the sun’s rays,” Avi said.
Atticus glowered at his brothers. “Nobody fucking likes you.”
Nico elbowed Asa. “I like you, man. I think you’re hilarious.”
“Aw, thanks, I think you’re neat, too.”
“Traitor,” Atticus muttered. “You’re all traitors.”
Jericho chuckled. “Enough chit-chat. Let’s do this.”
Everyone grumbled but nodded. “Yeah, yeah.”
* * *
The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon when they parked their cars about a mile down the road from their destination at a place that rented tiny fishing cabins. The air was slightly chilled, a low layer of fog making their job harder. Arsen kept Ever in front of him the whole way, holding onto his arm with his free hand, keeping him upright as he stumbled over roots and knotted vines.
When they found the cabin, they stayed hidden, hunkered down behind the trees while Jericho scanned the place with binoculars. “It’s quiet. Not even a guard on duty. Morons.”
He put the binoculars back and pulled out a strange contraption, pointing it at the side of the house.
“What is that?” Arsen asked quietly.
“Think of it like x-ray vision,” Atticus said. “It can tell us where they are in the house by their heat signature.”
“Man, you guys have the best toys,” Levi muttered, then yawned loud enough for his jaw to snap.
