Good. Maybe we’ll get some answers now.
All three of them climb off their bikes, expressions grim. “They got away from us, and we couldn’t pick up their trail again,” Viper says before any of us can ask. “They were heading in the same direction as Vlad’s torture house, but then they suddenly veered off, and a couple of big trucks got between us. We never saw where they went, and the trucks were semis and honking their horns at them, so we couldn’t hear their direction either.”
“Fuckers knew what they were doing,” Bowie bites out. “By the time we got up to where we lost them, there was a fork. We split up, but nothing. Never even found any tracks down the dirt roads either. If they’re hiding until we turn back, they found the perfect spot.”
“Tell Cryos to look for locations from the journal that might match that area,” Bullet orders. “Could be one of the ones we haven’t had time to look at yet, and they’re using that to their advantage because we don’t know where it’s located.”
“They’ll hide out there until they know they can get to Vlad without us following them,” Torque agrees. “Which means we don’t have a lot of time if they’re not already there. Vlad won’t waste time coming here.”
“We need to get the kids out,” I say firmly. “We can’t risk them being in the middle of this. I’ll go talk to them and Avery.”
Bullet nods. “Good. Do that. The rest of us, get everything together and prepare for the fight of your lives.”
I rush upstairs, straight to Avery’s room, and when I get there, I find the room full, and Isla and Sawyer looking somber. Avery looks tense, but she’s helping Sawyer grab the last couple of things that he had stuck in the closet. “How’s it going?” I ask. Theo, Crypt, and Thea all nod at me and walk outside, shutting the door behind them. Uh oh. I look back at the kids and then at Avery. “What’s the problem?”
“Avery shouldn’t be staying here,” Isla blurts out angrily, her panicked eyes glaring at me. Sawyer nods, his expression tense and mouth pulled down into an angry scowl.
“Isla, I already told you that it’s my choice to stay,” Avery snaps, clearly exasperated. She throws up her hands. “What, you just want me to walk away when I know they might need me?”
“You don’t owe them anything,” Isla yells furiously.
“Isla.” Avery sighs, her expression softening.
“No, don’t try to placate me,” Isla snaps. “Why do you have to stay and risk your life? What happens if you die? What then? What happens? You think we’re just going to be able to pick up the pieces? You’re the only family we have left!”
Avery jerks at that, and I can see the pain on her face. My stomach clenches at the sight. Shit. “Isla,” I tell her calmly, softly, trying to draw some of her ire. “Your sister will be safe. I’m going to make sure of it.”
Isla and Sawyer glare at me. “You can’t promise that,” Sawyer states sharply. “Shit happens, and you’re not going to be with her every second. We’re teenagers, not stupid. People can slip past, get to her, and then we’ll be left alone. Again.”
They really are two scared kids who are afraid to lose their only family. It makes me want to pull them in close, reassure them. I move forward, and though I tower over them, neither of them backs away from me. Or look like they fear me, so that’s a good start. “Nothing will happen to your sister,” I state firmly, “but if something did, then I’ve already promised your sister that I’ll look after you. The club will look after you.”
“You think we’ll want to stay with the people who let her die?” Isla scoffs.
“Isla!” Avery admonishes her.
“What? It’s true! If you die or get seriously hurt,they’rethe ones who let it happen,” Isla protests stubbornly. “He’s sayingnow that he’ll protect you, but if he can’t, then we have to stay with them? You expect us to be okay with that?”
Avery looks at me helplessly. I mean, I get it, so it’s time to be frank. “Isla, if something happens to your sister, you can hate me for the rest of your life,” I promise her. “Both of you can,” I correct, looking at Sawyer. “I’ll hate myself, and no, that doesn’t mean you have to live here with us. With me. We know people who can help us get you set up in a good place, and I know a family that will probably take you in without a thought, but I definitely will be the one to step in to be there for you no matter what. But none of that is going to happen. I won’t allow it. None of us will allow it. You think I don’t want to tell your sister to get the hell out of here? Where I know she’s safe?” Avery makes a low sound in her throat that I pointedly ignore. “I also relish my balls exactly where they are, so I’m not going to force her.”
“Nice save,” Sawyer mutters under his breath. Isla glares at him and then back at me.
“If anything happens to her, it’s going to be me kicking you in the balls,” Isla threatens. “And I’m younger than her, and I have more power and stamina. So I’ll make sure they’ll never be found. Got it?”
“Jesus Christ,” Sawyer mutters, wincing and inching away from his sister. Avery rolls her eyes.
I nod sagely. “I got it. And if anything happens to her, I’ll let you. Now, are you guys ready to go? We need to get you out of here ASAP.”
“We’re ready,” Sawyer replies. “Avery already has us pack most of our shit earlier just in case. This was just a few odds and ends.”
“Good.”
Isla huffs and narrows her eyes at me. “And don’t you die either,” she adds with what I can only take as reluctance. “It’s nofun kicking a dead guy when he’s already down. I want you to feel the pain.”
“Isla, seriously, he gets it,” Avery snaps. “And you probably can’t get your leg that high.”
“No, but I can get a knee up there if I jump,” Isla points out triumphantly. “And I’ve been practicing my kicks and jumps. I’m thinking of trying out for the cheer team. The snobby bitches on it now can’t cheer for shit. They just want to be up there and close to the football players. It’s pathetic.”
Avery blinks at her. “Okay, we’ll get into that later. Now, let’s go.”
