“Jesus.” Seth itched to kill the motherfucker.
“I’m worried about Hudson.” Beck’s brows furrowed.
Seth felt his stomach drop. “Is he hurt?”
“Not physically. But Gene forced the kid to drag Carl and me to the basement and take our phones. I’m sure Gene took all the others, too. But poor Hudson was freaked out. Kept whispering he was sorry. I told him it wasn’t his fault and to stay calm, not to give Gene any reason to shoot him, too.”
“How many guns does Gene have? What kind?”
“I only saw one. Looked like a Glock.”
Seth’s throat tightened. “How’s Carl?”
“His head hurts like hell. Minor concussion, but he came to about ten minutes ago. Helped me get to the window, but he couldn’t fit through.”
The news filled Seth with relief and rage. He tried to calm himself with the reminder that everyone was alive...for now.
“I’ll be right back.” Seth eased toward the window, then peered inside.
Carl sat on the stool next to the basement workbench, resting his head in his hands. He was pale and shaking, blood caked on the side of his head—completely unlike last night’s vibrant groom.
His stepfather lifted his head. The second their eyes met, he jolted and rushed to the window. The tears of fear and fury in his eyes nearly crushed Seth.
“Thank God you’re here. G-Gene has your mom and?—”
“I know. I’m going to get them out.” Seth pulled the satchel from under his arm and held it out. “I need you to hide this in the safe next to the workbench. If Gene gets his hands on what’s in there, we’re all dead.”
Carl took the leather pouch, then peered back up at Seth. “I don’t know the combination.”
“Sure you do. Or rather, you’d better. It’s Mom’s birthday.”
A flicker of warmth darted over his face. “I’ll lock it right up. Just…go save my girl.”
“On it. Sit tight. We’ll get you out of there as soon as we can,” Seth assured before making his way back to Beck.
“What’s the plan?” Beck croaked.
“I called for backup. They’re on their way.”
“Gene knows you’re here and that you killed Bob. He’s been tracking you on Bob’s phone.”
“I didn’t dump the fucking thing because it’s evidence.” Seth scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I never thought Gene would be stalking his minion like a helicopter parent.”
“Based on Gene’s violent outburst, I’m guessing you found something important at your dad’s storage unit?”
Gene had fucking told them?
Seth grimaced, guilt searing his veins. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I swore I wouldn’t dig again…and I did. But I had no idea until I got to the storage unit that Gene was the one who killed my dad and ordered the hit on Autumn and Tristan. I should have left well enough alone, but…” He sighed. “I couldn’t. And now I’ve brought a world of shit down on all of you because I?—”
“Stop. Gene did this. Not you,” Beck insisted, gripping Seth’s wrist. “We’ll hash out the rest later.”
Seth hesitated, then nodded. Beck was right; now wasn’t the time.
“All that matters now?” Beck muttered, despite the pain etched into every line of his face. “Heavenly and our baby are inside that house. We have to save them.”
Our baby.
Those two words hit Seth like a wrecking ball.
