He noticed missed alerts from thenatatorium.
“Your wife’s a bad ass, man.”
Christopher frowned. “What the fuck that mean, son?”
“Never mind. I’ll show you the video from the secret cameras me, Ry, and Ax use to spy on Rebel so we can be sure she isn’t plotting our murders. Just come on. Rule tried to kill Reb and Mom, so—”
If fear hadn’t bloomed in his face and tears hadn’t continued slipping from Ransom’s eyes, Christopher would’ve thought his son was pranking him. Without waiting to hear more, Christopher took off running, vaguely aware of shoving motherfuckers aside.
Nyx jumped in front of him, blocking his exit. “This isn’t fair!” she cried.
“Move—”
“IknewMeggie would fuck up my party. Miserable cunt.Bitch!”
Christopher’s eyes narrowed. The bitch just didn’t fucking learn, did she? Even if it wasn’t a life and death situation, his patience with Nyx ran the fuck out. Now more than ever, he couldn’t ignore the insult to his woman.
He unholstered his.9mm, put it to Nyx’s head, and pulled the trigger.
“Dad!” Ransom cried, white as a fucking bleached sheet.
He held his boy against him. “Somebody get rid of this cunt,” he ordered, stepping over her body and lifting Ransom so he wouldn’t walk on her. “We gotta get to your ma and your sister,” he said once they were outside.
“O-okay.”
“Go. I’ll meet you there.”
Ransom took off running, probably trying to chase away the sight of a bitch dying.
Not wasting anymore time, Christopher ran after his son, though the darkness swallowed Ransom.
Halfway through the forest, Christopher saw the beams from a motorcycle headlight reflecting against the trees. Mort circled him, then halted alongside him.
“Hop on.”
Christopher didn’t argue. He couldn’t even appreciate the stealth of the Harley as Mort raced through the trees.
As they glided to a stop, the sound of sirens drew closer and closer. Mort didn’t waste time dismounting and Christopher rushed off the bitch seat.
“Hurry, Dad,” Ransom called. “Please!”
Tears in her eyes, Ophelia met him at the already-open gate. “Go to Meggie. I’ll guide the EMTs in.”
Ransom grabbed his hand and tugged him. “Rule might be escape and Mom’s tired. Please, please, hurry.”
Christopher ran behind Ransom, all the way to the back of the house, and crashed to a halt.
Ryder stood with a bow and arrow aimed at Rule’s chest. Axel covered his face against Megan, who had an arm around him, because he was sobbing. Megan’s hair was wet. No,shewas wet with a bruised, bloody face, swollen eyes, bloody lips and nose, and bloodied knuckles. Tears streaked her face and her entire body shook.
And Reb?
His princess?
Megan cradled Rebel on her lap. She was pale gray, severely beaten, andstill.
First Jo.
Then CJ.
