Between them, Hudson sat statue-still and angry, his gaze locked on the crooked cop, tracking every shift, every breath, his phone forgotten in terror on the couch cushion beside him.
Gene glanced down at his own device again. He snarled at whatever he saw on the screen. His nostrils flared. His rage spiked. His grip tightened on the gun.
Heavenly’s stomach twisted, tangling with her unrelenting fear.
She didn’t know what had happened, but it was something Gene hadn’t expected. Something that filled him with fury.
Something to do with Seth?
It had to be. Heavenly couldn’t think of any other logical reason Seth wasn’t back yet. Unless he was already…
She blocked that horrible thought from her mind.
Seth had to be out there fighting back to thwart Gene and his twisted plans. If Seth was dead, Gene wouldn’t have sneered minutes ago that “Saint Seth” would be coming to save them. Instead, Gene would be celebrating. He would have everything under control.
His expression very much said he didn’t.
Yes, she was guessing, piecing together scraps of logic while terror screamed louder than her thoughts. But she clung to hope. She had nothing else.
Seth must be alive. He’d do whatever it took to keep history from repeating itself. He would risk everything—go scorched earth, burn down the world—to ensure he didn’t lose his woman and child again.
Gene’s voice cut through her thoughts suddenly, sharp and edged with fury.
“Your precious Seth thinks he’s so fucking clever. But I’m smarter. I know he killed Bob.” Something cruel flickered in Gene’s eyes as he turned the barrel of the gun on Grace. “Did you hear me? Your fucking son offed Bob Ellis!”
Grace flinched.
Heavenly’s breath caught.
“Then ‘Bob’ texted me to say Seth was dead. Does your cocksucker of a kid think I’m a moron?” Gene railed in frustration. “Jesus, how is twenty years of hard work going down the drain in a single goddamn day? I knew your precious Michael had collected evidence against me. Since the day after his funeral, I’ve looked and looked for it. And nothing. But your motherfucking kid found it less than an hour ago at a nearby storage unit.”
Heavenly’s gaze flicked to Beck, wide and startled.
How had Seth found out about that? Why didn’t he tell us?
Beck’s answering expression said he hadn’t known, either. Then his expression shifted, as if something clicked into place. Like he finally knew the answer to some question he’d been asking.
“Bob had one job,” Gene ranted on. “All he had to do was end Seth and take Michael’s shit to our safe house. And he fucking failed! He’s too loyal to disobey orders, so the fact that his phone is heading straight here means that Seth clocked him and offed him. Motherfucker!”
When he pounded a fist against the wall, Heavenly flinched, watching as he paced, his movements choppy and agitated.
Unfortunately, the gun never wavered.
At least Seth was alive…for the time being. But he was coming here. To rescue them. And Gene knew that. That explained why he was holding them hostage. She, Grace, Hudson, and the others were leverage to bring Seth down.
Oh, god. How could she warn him, stop that from happening?
“Bob’s sloppy work made Seth think I’m running amateur hour, but if he’s stupid enough to underestimate me?” Gene’s smile turned cold. “School is in session, and I’m the teacher.”
Heavenly’s heart lurched with fear. Gene was both desperate and unhinged. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Seth.
But Seth was smart. Trained and careful. He wouldn’t walk in blind.
Right?
Heavenly twisted her hands in her lap, nails digging into her palms. Next to her, Grace’s prayers grew louder—barely audible but frantic. Her fingers moved as if she rolled them over invisible rosary beads. And Hudson still tracked Gene with his stare, like a predator watching his prey.
Heavenly did her best to shove down her worries and hold onto hope.
