“What if it’s wrong, or we’re too late?” Brendan whimpers.
Liv tries to calm him. “No, they need Rory alive. They could never stand up to us in an all-out war, so they’re using him to get us to leave.”
“What if they already hurt him?”
“They will beg for death,” I growl.
My phone rings, and we all hold our breath.
It’s an unknown number.
“Don’t mention that we know where they are,” Mal says.
“No shit.” I answer the phone. “Hart.”
“Well, hello. Are you ready to talk or do I need to start cutting off pieces?—”
“You hurt him and it will be war.”
“So feisty. I wonder what it is about this kid that has everyone wanting him. Maybe I should…” My phone cracks in my hand, and Mal grabs it. “Sample the goods, too.”
“You listen—” Brendan starts and then stops when I raise a hand. I take a few deep breaths and hold out my hand for the phone.
“What do you want?”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” He sounds so smug.
“What do you want?” I repeat.
“I want you to close up shop and leave town.” There’s some noise on the other end. “Oh, and your word that you won’t hurt Chad because he’s a whiny bitch.”
“Really, you want to have your ribs and arm broken?” Chad shouts.
“I’ve heard you and your friends say it’s enjoyable,” Travis taunts, and we’re getting off track.
“If I agree to your demands, when do I get Rory back?”
“Once you’re fully gone.”
“Fully gone? That could take months!” Liv shouts.
“How will I know that he’s safe?” I ask.
“You’ll just have to trust me.”
“Like hell we will,” Brendan snaps.
“I want to talk to him every day.”
“Once a week.”
“Every day,” I demand.
“Once a week,” he says casually. “Maybe I should cut off a finger for every week you don’t leave. That will get you moving pretty fast.”
“Three minutes,” Liv mouths, and I nod.
“If I get him back in anything less than perfect condition, the deal’s off.”
