I moved to the gate, unlocked it, pushed it open just enough to get the van through, then stopped to close it behind me.
I drove up to the house and killed the engine. My chest tightened when I saw Taryn’s old bike leaning against the side of the house.
“Hold on, little girl,” I whispered. “I’m coming.”
I glanced at Lucas. His head lolled against the window, eyes barely open. Adrian hadn’t moved since I loaded him into the vehicle. I hoped he was still alive.
I got out and went around to the passenger side first, yanking the door open. Lucas blinked at me like he was trying to remember where he was.
“Taryn?” he rasped.
I narrowed my eyes. Why was he calling my daughter's name?
“Get out.”
He tried but didn’t get far.
I grabbed him under the arm and hauled him out, throwing his weight over my shoulder. I got him to the front door and leaned him against the wall just long enough to unlock it.
Three locks.
Deadbolt.
Knob.
Keypad.
All still secure.
I pushed the door open with my shoulder and dragged him inside. I dropped him onto the couch and went back for Adrian.
He was worse. Still completely out and dead weight from the second I got my hands on him.
“I’mreallyway too old for this shit.” I took a deep breath.
My arms burned, and my shoulders tightened.
I got him through the door and dropped him onto the floor just inside, kicking the door shut behind us. Then I locked everything, more out of habit than anything else.
I stood there for a second, trying to catch my breath. Lucas was barely conscious, and Adrian was completely gone. Both boys were burning up.
If they turned—I wasn’t dealing with that in the open.
“Up,” I grabbed Lucas again.
He groaned and tried to push me off. Luckily, he wasn’t strong enough to swat flies off a pile of shit at the moment.
“Not a suggestion, boy.” I dragged him down the hallway. Past the kitchen to the back room, which was mostly used for storage.
A double bed and shelves loaded with dusty, long-unused holiday decorations occupied the room. The door to the room was solid, and that was the most important thing.
I shoved it open with my shoulder and hauled him inside, dropping him on the bed. He slid sideways, barely catching himself.
“Stay there,” I barked out.
Like he had a choice. The boy was hanging on by a thread.
I went back for Adrian.
