“Last night.”Grey takes a sip of his drink, finally.“Security’s decent, but not great.Single entrance, no doorman, cameras only in the lobby.Fire escape on the east side that any halfway competent climber could access.”
I study the plans, mentally cataloging vulnerabilities.“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking your doctor needs better security.”Grey’s voice is matter-of-fact.“New locks at minimum.Maybe a system.Definitely cameras.”
I consider the security upgrades, nodding slowly.“That’s not a bad idea.”
“It’s not just about the locks,” Grey says, his voice dropping lower.“Demon’s been monitoring police channels and our street contacts all morning.The Reapers aren’t leaving town.”
My head snaps up.“What?”
“They’ve been spotted at three different locations since dawn.Gas station on Route 16, that motel on the outskirts, and two of them were seen watching the hospital from across the street.”Grey’s jaw tightens.“They’re pissed, Slaughter.Three of their brothers are dead, others wounded.They’re not just licking their wounds, they’re planning something.”
Cold fury washes through me.“Let them try.”
“That’s exactly what they want,” Grey warns.“They’ve upped the ante.This isn’t just about passing through our territory anymore.They want the town.They’re making a statement.”
“Fuck their statement,” I growl, standing so abruptly my stool scrapes against the floor.“They come near Xavier again?—”
“That’s my point,” Grey cuts me off.“They know they hit a nerve yesterday.Targeting civilians, especially ones connected to us?That’s their new play.”
The clubhouse door swings open, and Demon strides in, his face grim.“We’ve got more,” he announces, not bothering with pleasantries.“Just intercepted police chatter.Two Reapers just rode past the high school.Slow drive-by, making sure they were seen.”
“The school?”I ask, my stomach dropping.“Where Xavier’s sister works?”
Grey curses under his breath.“Fucking cowards.Going after families now.”
I pull out my phone, already dialing Xavier’s number.My heart hammers against my ribs as I wait for him to answer.
“Zach?”His voice comes through, steady and clear.“Everything okay?”
“Where are you?”I demand, not bothering to hide the urgency in my tone.
“At the hospital,” he answers, concern evident in his tone.“Checking on Marissa.What’s wrong?”
“Stay there,” I order.“Don’t leave the building.I’m sending someone to pick you up.”
“Zach, what’s happening?”His voice sharpens with alarm.
“The Reapers are still in town,” I explain, already moving toward the door with Grey and Demon falling in behind me.“They’ve been spotted watching the hospital.And they just drove by the high school.”
There’s a beat of silence, then, “Samantha.My sister…”
“I know.We’re handling it.Your dad’s been notified too.”I push through the door and into the sunlight, signaling to my father who’s smoking by his bike.“Just stay put.I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay,” he agrees, and I hear the doctor in him taking over.Calm under pressure.“Be careful.”
“Always am,” I promise, ending the call.
Grey is already barking orders, splitting brothers into teams.“Torch, take four men to the school.Coordinate with the police but keep your distance, we don’t need a territorial pissing match right now.Demon, I want eyes on every Reaper in town.Butcher, you and three others go to the hospital.Bring the doctor here.”
“Here?”I question, surprised.
Grey meets my gaze steadily.“Clubhouse is the safest place right now.We’ve got numbers, firepower, and they’d be idiots to attack us directly.”He pauses.“Unless you have a better suggestion?”
I consider it briefly.The clubhouse means bringing Xavier deeper into my world, but it also means I can guarantee his safety.“No, you’re right.But I’ll get him myself.”
Grey nods, unsurprised.“Take Butcher and Liam.Three bikes, different routes back.Make it hard for anyone to follow.”
