We burst into the room and my heart stops.
Empty.
The room's fucking empty except for a curtain billowing in from an open window I know was closed when I left. The night air carries the scent of exhaust fumes and something else that makes my instincts scream.
My brother's cologne. That specific blend he's worn for as long as I can remember, the one that still makes me want to vomit.
"Felix."
Carlisle's voice is uncharacteristically gentle, and I follow his gaze to the table where a piece of paper sits, weighted down with Juniper's bracelet. The garotte wire's been removed, wrapped around the note like a bow on a present.
My hands shake as I pick it up, recognizing the handwriting before I even read the words.
Little brother,
Did you really think you could escape me? That you could steal what was mine and I wouldn't find you? I have to admit, watching you play house with these alphas has been entertaining. You always did like to pretend you were something you're not.
The girl is back where she belongs. If you want her, and I know you do, you know where to find us.
Don't keep me waiting. We have so much to catch up on, and you know how impatient I get.
—E
The paper crumples in my fist as rage floods through me like poison. That motherfucker. That sick, twisted piece of shit has her. Has Juniper. Took her right out from under me while I was playing hero, pretending I could have a normal life even temporarily, pretending I could be anything other than the weapon he forged.
"Felix." Carlisle's hand lands on my shoulder, and I almost put a knife through his wrist before I remember where I am. "We'll get her back."
"He has her." The words come out raw, broken. "My brother has her."
"You know where he's taken her." It's not a question. His voice is calm, but I see the chaos in his eyes. The same that's tearing through my veins like a forest fire.
"Yes," I say, my voice raw. "The Serpents' Den."
"Where is it?"
"Nevada. Outside Vegas." I'm already moving, heading for the door.
"Felix, wait." Carlisle catches my arm, and I actually bare my teeth at him, omega or not. "We need the others. We need a plan."
"Fuck the plan." I wrench away from him. "Every second we waste is another second he has her. You don't understand what he's capable of, what he'll do to her?—"
"I understand perfectly." Carlisle's voice drops to that dangerous register that reminds me he's killed more people than he bothers to count. "But charging in alone is exactly what he expects. What he wants. You're not thinking clearly."
"I don't need to think clearly. I need to kill him."
"And we will." Carlisle pulls out his phone, already texting rapidly. "But we do this smart. I already lost contact with the others, right after Bane said Archer was MIA. For all we know, he grabbed them, too. We need to make contact with whoever's left first and go as a unit, or we're of no use to Juniper."
I want to argue. Want to tell him to fuck off, that this is my fight, my failure, my responsibility. But he's right. Evan's expecting me to come alone, emotional, sloppy. He's counting on me being the same scared omega he terrorized for years.
But I'm not that person anymore. I'm something worse. Something he helped create with every beating, every humiliation, every night I had to listen to the screams while I planned our escape.
"Let's find them," I say through my teeth, knowing he's right even if I want to peel off my own skin.
But soon, I'll settle for my brother's.
Chapter
Forty-Two
