My breath is uneven.Haggard. We’re on pins and needles as Davis directs us. We decided we’d have less chance of him fucking us over if we started a video chat. True to his word, Davis continues to hold his phone so we can view the screen and let us see for ourselves where we need to go. And so far, it’s working well… but we’re really fucking confused.
“Yeah, I thought maybe we were headed to Brian and River’s house, but that doesn’t seem right for the direction they’re going.” Wilder runs a hand over his jaw, glancing at the phone that’s attached to the dash.
Worry fills every cell of my body. I can’t bring myself to say who I think the other person—or people—involved in this may be. If I’m right, it makes perfect sense that I was one of the ones struck down by this craziness. Because that’s what this is. Pure fucking insanity. A revenge plot created by unhinged people…
“Look, they’ve stopped.” The vehicle on the screen appears to be pulled over partway into a wooded area. The map isn’t that great, but at least we can see where we’ll have to go.
“How far are we from there?” Echo questions.
I glance back. “Thirty minutes.”
Her face falls, and a small whimper falls from her lips.
Royal pulls her tightly to him. “We’re going to get through this. We’re going to find him.” His voice is husky and low. Determined.
“What if we don’t?” The pain in her voice is like a punch to the gut.
“You can’t think like that.” I turn, shaking my head. “Calamity Jane, do you know how many people love that kid? Kara and River—they’re with him. And they’re going to do their damnedest to make sure he’s okay until we can get to them.”
“He’s right. And we’re prepared to go to hell and back to bring him home safely.”
Wilder looks up, eyes steady on the rearview mirror, catching her attention. “You understand, Echo? They asked for a fight. We’re going to bring one.”
It’sdark as fuck out here in the middle of nowhere, but thirty-two long minutes later, Royal points insistently between us. “Pull off. There.” It looks like a vehicle of some sort has rolled through the grass. And sure as fuck, once we follow it, the headlights catch on tracks, nothing more than a gravel trail, that leads into the woods.
It’s another five agonizing minutes of us moving at a snail’s pace before Davis finally speaks up. “I think you’re getting close. The map makes it look like the car is parked in the middle of the woods.”
Royal nods. “That looks about right, unfortunately.”
“We’re going to let you go, Davis,” Echo murmurs. “I’ll text if we need anything.”
“But what if you need help?” He winces. “I know you don’t fucking trust me, but I feel like we should have a backup plan.”
“We can’t fucking trust the cops. Do not call them,” Wilder rasps. “Understand?”
“Davis, flip the camera for me.” Royal waits, and I get the idea he wants to make fucking sure Davis is paying attention. When he pops onto the screen, Royal continues, “Like Wilder said, no fucking cops. If you have any reason to think we need help, I want you to contact Theo. I’m sending his number right now. Got it?”
“Yeah. Okay. You’re sure?” He lifts a brow.
The second he says that, I know it’s a mistake. Echo’s hands slam down on the front seat, and she lunges at the phone, her eyes blazing at her brother. “Davis, I swear tofuck,if you don’t listen to them and it costs us Chase, you are going to realize that you’ve only seen a fucking fraction of the my wrath today. You mess this up, and I will personally fucking deliver you to Mom and Dad.”
Oh,fuck, her righteous fury is something to behold. She’s fucking beautiful when she’s angry. And, hopefully, her idiot brother takes heed.
Davis holds up his free hand, eyeing his sister with what I think might be a newfound respect. Frowning, he nods. “Okay. I fucking hear you. Jesus. Just be careful.”
Wilder wisely ends the video chat before she jumps through the phone screen to commit murder.
“He’ll listen or he’ll answer to all of us.” Royal tugs Echo back from where she’s still breathing hard between Wilder and me, staring with fierce eyes at the blank screen.
“He’s such a dick.” Echo huffs as she drops into the seat again, crossing her arms over her chest. “I swear I will personally fucking pack his bags and drop his ass off at the gates of hell.”
I exchange a look with Wilder.Noted. Don’t fucking cross mama bear.
The entire time we were hashing out the backup plan with Davis, Wilder’s been inching the truck forward along the practically nonexistent trail. His jaw clenches as he brings it to a stop. “Shit, we’re getting close. I don’t want to alert anyone that we’re coming.” He switches the headlights to the parking lights before he allows the truck to creep forward.
“Good call,” I murmur.
In a rush, Echo whispers, “Look.” She sits forward, tapping my shoulder. “Do you see that in the distance over there?”
