“The campgrounds?” Nick shakes his head. “Goddamn, Sheremetev’s so evil, he’s bold.”
“No shit.” I jut my chin. “Speaking of, where’s Sire?”
“Guarding the queens.” Nick adjusts his leather gloves. “They’re on the way.”
“Where’s our backup?” Grant unsnaps his side holster.
“Remi’s searching the parkway to see if she’s on the road,” I answer. “Wilder’s scoping from the ridge above, while we search the park. When Alena escapes, we’ll be there.”
When, not if, Alena escapes.
I’ll crack a thousand skulls to make it happen. And I won’t live another day if it doesn’t.
“How did this happen?” I’ve never seen Nash this worried. He roars, “How the fuck did Sheremetev take her!”
“Used a distraction,” I bark back. “Alena lives with her head on a swivel, but not during a rescue. She’s laser-focused. He must’ve hidden among the crews. Had a decoy truck. Used propofol to knock her out. Fuck! Don’t make me think about it. Let’s find her!”
We charge toward my door, outside to our trucks, when Jace pulls up in his. He jumps out with Axel beside him.
With the glares exchanged between Nash and Axel, there’s so much goddamn tension, mountains could crumble under its weight. Their silence is toxic, and I don’t have time for it.
“You two.” I point to them. “Get over this shit long enough to find her, or I’ll let Mutt rip your dicks off. Got it?”
“He’s right.” Jace jerks his chin. “Both of you. In my truck. Now.”
Mutt leaps onto my passenger seat with Nick, and Grant jumps in my cab before I lead the way down the mountain.
We start where it began. The campground where I knew Carter was up to some shit. Where he was working with Sheremetev.
Our trucks grind to a halt in the gravel parking lot. The sun is setting as I scan the familiar landscape. There aren’t many visitors here. It’s too cold and windy, but I exhale a lone breath of relief when I see Sue and Juliana.
They’re hardcore campers and anglers, cooking their day’s catch over the fire. Usually, we’d talk trout and lures, but when they see me stalking their way with my five massive, inked brothers looming behind me, they know crime kings when they see them.
We’re just the good kind.
Dressed in camo and missing our crowns.
Sue lifts her stare as Juliana lifts her rifle.
“They’ve got Alena.” It’s all I need to say.
Sue jerks her chin. “The Jayco, tenth spot down. Came in last night, smelling too new and not right.”
“Thanks.”
“Need backup?”
“Yeah,” I tell Sue and her wife. “Blast a fucking hole in the back of any man who runs out of here.”
Juliana racks her rifle. “Done.”
With my brothers’ weapons drawn over my shoulder, covering me, I lead the way to the gleaming, gray camper. Mutt sniffs the ground, searching for her scent. I hand his leash to Nick before I yank the camper’s door handle so damn hard, the door breaks off its hinges.
It falls open as I aim my gun. “Alena!”
No answer. Only a clatter while I crouch low, storming thecamper. I don’t give a fuck if it’s a fatal funnel, I walk right into it, weapon aimed for the back bedroom.
“Alena! Sasha!” I shout.
