He scoffed, “Ain’t a mind reader, but my ears work just fine. You said that out loud.”
Really? I must have been more tired than I thought.
“Yeah, you and me both. Now get some rest. Tomorrow is a check-in day.”
CHAPTER 21
Dash
I parked Badger’s old Blazer in the lot of the little diner at the base of the mountain. It was a small town with nosy townsfolk. Badger knew most of the people around the area and let them know to not be alarmed when they saw his Blazer being driven around by two different young men (me or Jamie). So far, the people had minded their own business and left me to it when I had driven down to check in with Phoenix. I hated leaving Ember up there, even if she was with Jamie and Pete, but there was no way in hell I was bringing her down here with me.
I pulled out my latest burner phone, waited for the exact time we planned, and dialed Phoenix’s number. The phone continued to ring and a pit started forming in my stomach. He always answered by the third ring. Always. Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity fuck. Fuck!!!
Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself to stick to the plan. I waited the longest five minutes in the history of my life and called Phoenix again. My heart rate increased and more sweat beaded on my forehead with each unanswered ring.
I got out of the car, smashed the phone, destroyed the SIM card, and pulled out a new phone. My shaking hands were making it take a lot longer to get the phone activated than necessary, which only added fuel to my adrenaline fire. I finally got the damn thing activated and placed a call to Badger. No answer. Motherfucking son of a bitch!
Screw the rest of the details. Something had obviously gone down and I had no idea when or what happened. Hell, Octavius could have people on their way to the cabin at that very moment. I needed to get back up there and get Ember to Copper’s clubhouse.
My tires squealed when I peeled out of the parking lot. I dialed Copper and pressed the phone to my ear. Please answer. Please answer. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding when I heard someone pick up on the other end of the line. He didn’t say a word, but I knew he was there.
“Birds in the nest aren’t chirping.”
I heard a low muttered curse and then, “Contain the flame. Crew coming to you.” The line disconnected.
I tossed the phone out the window and hopefully over the side of the mountain. I hauled ass up the narrow, curvy road, praying I kept it between the ditches and got back to my girl in time to get her to safety. Originally, I was to bring Ember to Copper’s clubhouse, but contain the flame was code for put her in the bunker. I wanted to know why the plan changed, but I didn’t have the brainpower to think about it right then. Copper was about 30 minutes out, but given the situation, I had no doubt he would be there in about 15 minutes.
Finally, the cabin came into view. I relaxed a little when nothing looked out of place. I came to a screeching halt in the driveway and ran as fast as I could to the back door. Crashing through the door, I yelled for Ember to grab her things. I went straight to the safe to grab our guns and our go bag. I pulled the safe door open and everything went black.
CHAPTER 22
Ember
The sound of a fast approaching vehicle followed by screeching tires startled me. I jumped up and ran to the window. Relief filled me when I saw that it was Dash, but it quickly vanished when I noticed the look on his face as he ran toward the cabin. Crap. Something was wrong. Really wrong.
I heard him come through the door and yell, “Ember, grab your bag and get down here! We’re going to the bunker!” I grabbed the bag I’d basically kept packed and ready since we arrived, grabbed the gun Dash kept in the nightstand, and headed for the stairs.
I stepped into the hall and froze. From upstairs, I had a clear view of the kitchen and living room downstairs. Jamie was sprawled on the floor of the kitchen, blood oozing from his head. My gaze quickly darted to the living room. To my absolute horror, Pete was standing behind Dash holding a gun. It seemed to happen in slow motion. There was nothing I could do to stop it. Pete lifted his arm and brought the butt of the gun crashing down into Dash’s head. I watched helplessly, and thankfully soundlessly, as my love crumpled to the ground.
Resisting the strong urge to scream, I quickly backed into the bedroom. I dropped my bags on the bed and moved to the corner of the room by the bathroom. From there, I could see the bedroom door, but anyone entering the room wouldn’t have a clear view of me right away. I could also barricade myself in the bathroom and escape through the window if need be.
I checked to make sure the gun was loaded, racked the slide, and aimed at the door. I inhaled slowly through my nose and exhaled through my mouth, over and over, trying to keep the panic at bay.
It wasn’t long before I heard footsteps rapidly approaching. Then I heard his voice. It sent cold chills down my spine. “Ember! We need to go! Are you still in here?” Pete sang out.
One more slow inhale and slow exhale. I kept the gun trained on the door. Seconds later, Pete sauntered through the door, his gun loosely held in his hand. It took seconds, but I will forever remember each and every detail of those few seconds.
Pete’s head turned in my direction. His eyes landed on me. He noticed the gun. Realization flickered in his eyes, then fear. He knew he didn’t have time, but he tried to bring his gun up and aim it at me. Before he lifted his hand an inch, I squeezed the trigger. Once, twice, three times. My aim was true. Abdomen. Chest. Head. He fell backward, eyes wide open, arms limp by his side. He hit the floor with a sickening thump, his arms bouncing and flopping before settling awkwardly at his side. Blood was quickly pooling on the floor, from what I assumed were large exit wounds. I took one tiny step forward, then two more. His chest wasn’t rising. He wasn’t blinking. The silence in the room was deafening. And that’s when I screamed as loud and for as long as I could.
I fell to my knees and screamed again. My screams turned into sobs. Suddenly, my brain came back online. Dash. Jamie. They were downstairs and they were hurt. And something else was wrong. Dash was running when he got here and he went for the safe. Crap. Crap. Crap.
I would have to cry later. I got my butt up and flew down the stairs. I crashed into a body the second I rounded the corner to the living room. “Dash!” I shrieked. “Are you okay? We have to go. Like now. Oh my gosh. Jamie. Where is Jamie?”
“Ember!” Dash roared. I stopped my rambling and blinked up at him. “We’re okay. Where the fuck is Pete?”
I buried my face in his chest and wailed, “He’s upstairs in our bedroom.”
Dash pushed me back, “What happened? Did he hurt you?” Fury was rolling off of him in waves.
