“A bit further than that in the other direction.” We pushed the Hearts back as much as possible before we got rid of them, so that there would be the least danger to the others.
But it also means that there’s quite a lot of distance between us, distance where more of the Hearts could be hanging out.
Xavier rubs over his side, where he got smashed into some trash cans, as he pulls a face. That’s probably going to be a pretty bad bruise. “Our cars are at the end of the next street. Once we get to them, we can meet up with the others and make a better plan.”
I look around. There are enough people here to keep Xavier and his pack safe until they reach the cars, but I don’t want to get further away from my mates. I need to get back to my mates.
“Miles, you take Xav and his pack to the cars, take most of the team with you. We need to be able to move quickly and quietly.”
“Vera...” Caleb wraps his arm around me, letting out a low rumbling in his chest, trying to soothe me. “I don’t think this is the best idea.”
“I don’t care.” I glare up at him. I don’t want to be calmed down right now. I need to do something. “I need to get to Luca and Jorge. They’re out there. You’re not going to stop me.”
I know that the pained look in his eyes is for my safety, for my well-being. Not because he disagrees with me, but because he doesn’t want me to get hurt.
But I can’t let my other mates get hurt either. I can’t let my other mates get into even more trouble than they are, or for any longer. Especially not Luca and Jorge.
They’re not...
They’re not like us. They’re way more easily hurt, damaged, maybe not physically, but definitely mentally.
They weren’t supposed to be in any danger tonight, they were supposed to be safe. Their jobs were supposed to be the safest of all of us. They weren’t supposed to even see any of the fighting or any of that.
Miles sighs deep. “You know that Derrick is going to be upset with me again, right? I’m supposed to be your guard. Yours. For the pack. Not other people.”
I turn to him, trying to put on as sweet a smile as I can. Though, I’m not sure how effective it is, exhausted and covered in blood and other gunk. “It’s because I trust you to keep them safe that I ask it of you. It’s because Derrick and the others trust you. You’re the best person for the job.”
Miles looks at Caleb and I don’t know what he sees on Caleb’s face, since Caleb is turned away from me, but he nods. “Okay. I’ll get them out of here.” He points at two people from team D that followed us into the alley. “You make sure that Vera and Caleb can’t be jumped from the back. I’ll take the rest of the team with me.”
“Thanks.” I look back to where we came from. The alleys are pretty dark and I know that there will be bodies in multiple places. Then I slide my hand into Caleb’s, tugging softly, until he leans over. “What will be the best way out once we reach Jorge and Luca?”
He thinks for a few moments, rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand. “Keep going in the direction they were going. No doubling back. Going through the same area multiple times increases the risk that they’ll try to put a trap there.”
That makes sense. Same calculations as we always had to make when we were on the run. But this time we can stay in touch through the earpiece if we get separated, and we aren’t cut off from each other completely, which feels much better.
“Vera?” Xavier comes over with one of his Alphas, Henry. The Alpha holds out a couple of full magazines, which Caleb accepts. “Just so you won’t run out. Make sure you come back alive.” Xavier opens his arms for a hug and I step close, hugging him back.
“I’ll do my best.” I flash him a smile. “I’ve been successful so far.”
He grins back. “Let’s keep the streak going. We’ll see you later.”
“Yes, later.” I put one of the magazines in a pocket, while Caleb puts away the rest.
I don’t want to wait any longer. I can’t wait any longer.
“Let’s go.”
Getting back to the crossing where we split up wasn’t too hard. We only encountered a few people from the Hearts and they were quickly disposed of.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this is going to be reported on in the media and with the police and such. But then, if the fucking bastards had done their job correctly to begin with, and had taken the brothel and the Hearts down like they’re supposed to, then we wouldn’t have had to do this.
So, I don’t have any pity for them.
Fuck those bastards.
They care more about protecting the rich —and the property of the rich— than the people of the cities they’re supposedly serving.
Fuck the bastards.
