I tipped my head, trying to relay something to him, but he shook his head. Once. Briskly and firmly. I saw the flash of hurt before he masked it. Creighton betrayed him. That was going to take time to undo, if it ever would, but—I was done thinking.
I glanced in Levi’s direction. He was still lying on his side, his head resting on the ground, but he was watching us with his one eye open. Seeing we were okay, relief flared, mixed with pain, and I saw it happen, where he gave himself permission to succumb. He passed out.
Walden grated out, “Lane.”
Creighton tensed before lifting his head.
I didn’t look. I didn’t care anymore.
Walden’s voice was strained. “I already made a call. Our people are collected.”
A fleet of vehicles were heard then, brakes squealing, as it seemed they surrounded the warehouse. Car door after car door opened and slammed shut. I tensed, except when the doors opened and they flooded inside, I knew we’d be fine. Finally. Creighton’s army had arrived.
Walden cursed, but Creighton was speaking, “Let them go.”
I lifted my head enough to say, “Marshall was shot. Walden’s men took him outside. He might be ...” I couldn’t finish that thought.
Creighton gave a nod, and motioned for his men, telling them to go and look for Marshall.
He was found, and sped off to the nearest hospital.
Levi was helped next.
Palma and Heath were taken out after him.
We stayed in place as the other cell was opened.
I buried my head back into Creighton’s chest, but heard scuffling. Walden’s voice spoke up, coming to my right. Passing my right. “We have our people. You have yours. We can keep going, or we can meet at the table. I’ll let you and your woman make that decision.”
“Wait.” I looked up. He and his guard were carrying Tristian West, who was alive but unconscious. Walden paused.
I asked, “Who did he take?”
Walden’s eyebrows pinched together, confused for a moment.
I clarified, “Of your people, who did Creighton take? Who were they to your woman?”
His face cleared, and his eyes grew haunted. “To my woman? Two of her best friends. Molly considers them family. They were there for her when no one was.” His eyes fell to his best friend. “And his woman? Her literal family. Her mom and brother.” He looked as if he were going to say something more, but thought better of it. His mouth flattened into a line, and he met Creighton’s eyes briefly before his own face turned into stone.
They carried his best friend out.
Chapter Forty-Five
Blake
Levi was asleep in his hospital bed. They wanted to keep him overnight, but Marshall would be kept for a few days. I’d just come from Marshall’s room, so Palma switched with me. She was in there with Heath, and I sank into her vacated seat with an extra sigh. Neither had tried speaking to me. I couldn’t be mad about that because I understood. Of course they would blame me. They should.
I was tired. Not just physically exhausted, but my soul was tired. My emotions were fried. My thoughts were numb, except the only thing I could think and feel were the same emotion.
Betrayal.
He took four innocents.
Creighton broke my rule.
“Hey.”
Lassiter was in the doorway. He paused, took me in, and closed the door behind him quietly. His eyes trailed to Levi before his shoulders seemed to deflate. “I’m leaving.”
