“Cool.” Snake plucks the dog leashes off the table next to the staircase. “We’ll take the mutts too.”
We secure the excited Dobermans and leave the house, walking in companionable silence as the blocks slip by, which I’m grateful for. I zip up my jacket against the chill. It’s spring, but the nights haven’t quite warmed up yet.
“You’re good for him,” Snake remarks unexpectedly, pulling me from my turbulent thoughts.
I glance at him. “Really? Doesn’t seem like it.”
“He’s… less psychotic.”
“Yeah, if you say so.”
Out of nowhere, a rusted pickup truck drives up on the curb and comes to a screeching stop in front of us.
“Run!” Snake shouts, reaching for the gun concealed inside his cut.
Before I can process what’s happening, two men jump out of the pickup truck and fire their weapons at Snake. I’m not sure how many times he’s been hit, but he goes down fast.
“Snake!” I watch in horror as crimson spreads across his shirt. Harley attacks one assailant, latching her strong jaws around the man’s forearm.
“Get this fucking dog off me!” he yells at his accomplice, who takes aim and discharges a single shot. Harley whimpers and flops to the ground at Snake’s feet.
I don’t know who these men are, but I sure as hell know those cuts.Disciples.
“Run, Zilphia,” Snake wheezes between gurgling breaths.
I tighten my grip on Mayhem’s leash and take off, but there’s no way I can outrun these men. Still, I pump my legs as hard as I can.
I have to get away. For my girls.
Hard hands grab me from behind. Mayhem lowers his head and lets out a deep growl, his eyes locked on my captor. Fearing for him, I drop the leash and yell for him to run. Despite the bullets flying all around him, Mayhem makes it to the next block in one piece.
“Come on, man,” the guy holding me hisses, his gaze darting around nervously. “Let’s get the fuck outta here.”
They begin dragging me toward their getaway vehicle. I can’t let them take me. Chances are, if I get in that pickup truck, I’ll never be heard from or seen again.
“Help! I’m being kidnapped!” I scream, struggling against the strong hands holding me captive. “Somebody, help me!”
A fist connects with the side of my face, making the world spin around me. I’m tossed into the backseat, and moments later, we’re speeding down the street.
Oh God, what have I done?I’m being taken to God knows where. Snake and Harley are at death’s door. And it’s all because I wanted to go for a stupid walk. If I survive this and they don’t, Sandman’s going to hate me more than ever.
“Where are you taking me?” I yell at the driver as he veers into the woods. It’s pitch black—no signs of life. No one to hear my screams. I cradle my belly with trembling arms.Please, God. Not now. Not like this.
The man beside me digs his gun into my ribs. “I told you to shut the fuck up.”
I glare at him. “You better pray Sandman never finds you.”
“Darling, the Gods are finished,” he says, a grin cutting across his face. “We’ve been recruiting. Soon there won’t be a single God left. Long live the Disciples.”
The truck jerks to a stop. “We’re here.”
I look out the window, my frantic gaze searching, but there’s nothing—just endless trees and darkness.
“Time to meet your maker, darling,” the man taunts, yanking me out of the backseat.
The truck’s headlights cut through the night, revealing two figures in the distance. As my captor hauls me closer, their faces come into focus. I do a double take when I see the man.I know him.
“I’ve seen you before. You were a patient at Sibley back in October. I brought your meals.”
