“The same way we always do,” I reply, already moving toward the door. “Together. And probably with way too many explosives and torture. There’s going to beso much fucking torturewhen I am through with this cunt.”
“Haven,” Nighthawk calls after me as I storm for the door in my rage. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. About not telling you sooner, about my part in building this nightmare.”
I pause at the doorway, looking back at her. “You’re here now. That’s what matters. But, Nighthawk? No more secrets. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it witheverythingon the table.”
“Cassandra,” she corrects with a small smile. “And agreed. No more secrets.”
“Good. Now let’s go ruin Alpha’s day with this shitpile of information.”
The three of us head toward the main area to find Alpha, and I can’t help but think about how much has changed. A few days ago, Nighthawk was the enemy, the woman who killed Livvy, and who worked for our greatest threat. Now, she’s, well, she’s becoming something else. Maybe not family yet, but definitely an ally. And given what we’re up against, we’re going to need all the allies we can get.
The clubhouse feels different as we walk through it. Maybe it’s the knowledge of what’s really happening out there, or maybeit’s the way the brothers look up when they see us coming. Either way, I know that whatever plans we make next, whatever risks we take, this place, these people, are worth fighting for, even if it means going to war against a shadow government built on the bones of our past.
Especially if it means that.
I find Alpha near the bar, talking quietly with Montana and Maverick, and the conversation stops abruptly when they see our faces.
“Judging by your expressions,” Alpha says slowly. “I’m guessing this isn’t about Loki needing help with his gaming setup.”
“Not unless his games involve underground military facilities and government conspiracy,” I mock.
Alpha’s jaw tightens. “Right… Chapel?”
Loki and I both nod, causing a low grunt from Alpha as he stands, sending a whistle through the room. “Chapel.Now,” he demands, gaining everyone’s attention.
As the call goes out for church, I catch Nighthawk, akaCassandra’seye. She nods once, a silent understanding passing between us.
Time to see if our sisterhood in chaos is strong enough to survive what’s coming next.
Chapter Seven
HAVEN
The chapel fills with the familiar sounds of brotherhood, boots on stairs, chairs scraping against floors, and the low murmur of voices asking what the hell is going on this time. I take my usual spot on the stool beside Alpha’s president’s chair, while Nighthawk settles into the spare seat Ink silently pulls up for her.
It’s a small gesture, but I notice the way some of the tension leaves her shoulders. Acceptance, even grudging acceptance, means something when you’ve spent your whole life as a weapon instead of a person.
Alpha bangs his gavel once, and the room falls silent. His presence commands attention even when he’s not trying, but right now there’s an edge to him that makes everyone sit up straighter. “All right, brothers,” he begins, his voice carrying the weight of leadership. “Haven and Nighthawk have information that’s going to make our situation a hell of a lot more complicated, I’m assuming.”
“More complicated than it already is?” Dutch grumbles from his seat. “Jesus Christ, what’s next? Aliens?”
“Don’t give the universe any ideas,” Loki mutters, which earns a few chuckles through the room.
Alpha doesn’t smile. “Haven, tell them what you found.”
I stand, meeting the eyes of each brother in turn. These men have become my family, and I’m about to tell them that everything we thought we knew about our enemy was only the tip of the iceberg.
“The prison isn’t just compromised. It’s been weaponized. Loki’s been monitoring security feeds, and what we’re seeing isnot random violence or gang activity. It’s methodical.”
Montana leans forward, his knuckles white where they’re gripping the table. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, they’re using bird symbols to mark prisoners. Not just any symbols,our symbols.Specific markings that correspond to training levels and psychological profiles. There are also marks on the walls, ones that correlate to existing birds. Whether it’s to mark territory or targets, we can’t tell.” I pause, letting that sink in.
Alpha furrows his brows at me. “Existing birds? You wanna be a little clearer on which birds are being displayed there, Haven?”
Slumping my shoulders, I glance at Nighthawk, then at Loki, and he nods once at me, telling me Ineedto tell him. “Inside the prison, on the walls, there were markings of Blue Jays, Nighthawks…” I pause as he sits taller, waiting for me to finish, “… and Hummingbirds.”
Alpha clenches his eyes shut tight, his nostrils flaring as he scrubs at his face in frustration. My hand slides out, caressing his back as Loki takes over the conversation. “We can’t be sure that the markings mean that the three of them are targets. It could simply be a territory, or a location beacon—”
