“That was Ares,” he says, repocketing his cell. “They got a tip-off. Amos was spotted with Cadance and Arlo at a gas station two hundred miles south of Lowell. It looks like they’re avoiding the coast road and taking the lesser traveled route. The Lums have alerts out at all airfields and ports in Cali, and they are deploying men to go after them now.”
“We need to get in the air,” Athena says as I pull my cell out of my pocket and begin typing a message to my pilot. I’d rather not use the Manning Motors jet as it broadcasts our arrival, but time is of the essence, and I’m guessing Amos knows we’re gunning for him anyway.
“Already on it,” I confirm as my fingers fly across the keypad.
“Oh, and he also said they dealt with your little Bulgarian problem.” Xavier smirks as he turns on the TV and flips to CNN. “His words, not mine.”
The news headlines state an unidentified private plane has exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. Search and rescue is heading to the site of the crash, but survivors are not expected.
“Shit.” Zayn smirks as he leans back in his chair with his hands behind his head. “They don’t do things by half.”
“What about Petrov’s son?” Athena asks.
“On his way home to his grandparents,” Xavier adds.
I’m glad he’s safe, but he’s not the teenager I’m worried about. I’m itching to get in the air and get to my son. “If anyone needs extra weapons, come with me. My pilot is heading to the airfield now, so we’ll leave shortly.”
Everyone trails after me into the lower basement, and I’m grateful they have all agreed to come. We don’t know what we’re facing, and the more backup we have, the better.
“Jesus, D,” Abby says when our feet hit the ground. “This place gives me the creeps.”
“I think that’s the intention.” Kai grins.
“And it reeks.” She wrinkles her nose as I punch in the code on the wall-mounted keypad.
“Death usually does.” Charlie winks at Abby.
“Gross. I’m sorry I said anything.”
The thick iron door creaks as it clicks open. I push inside and switch the light on. “Take what you want.”
“Fucking hell, Beast.” Athena’s eyes pop wide as she surveys the tables and cubbyholes crammed full of weapons and supplies. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” She smiles for the first time in days, and my useless heart crashes wildly against my rib cage.
“Beast?” Charlie arches a brow. Trust him to pick up on that.
Before it gets all kinds of awkward, Athena’s cell vibrates with an incoming call. She frowns as she looks at her screen. “I don’t recognize the number.”
We all share a look.
“Put it on speaker,” I say, and she nods as she swipes her finger to accept the call.
“Thena?” a male says in a low tone. “Can you hear me?”
She grips my arm tight. “Arlo, are you all right? Where are you?”
ChapterForty
Drew
“I’m okay, but I can’t talk for long,” he says.
That’smy son.
My flesh and blood.
The boy who was stolen from me already sounds like a man, and I’m choked with emotion.
My heart is pounding frantically as I listen to Arlo speak for the first time. “Dad took my cell and my tablet away for my fucking protection.” Derision is clear in his tone, and my lips twitch.
