“Everyone!” she calls out. “Please make your way to the Cathedral and shut the doors. I’ll open them when it’s time.”
Surprisingly, everyone listens, and in three minutes, the courtyard is clear of everyone besides our pack, Whitmore, and Kinsley.
Illya and Luka have done their part and need to get the hell out of dodge before the FBI shows up.
“You ready, Fireball?” Hayden asks, flicking his lighter open. I have no doubt he’s responsible for the bonfires lighting up the courtyard.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She nods, putting a serious face on.
“It’s all coming down,” West assures her.
“Even if we have to literally burn it ourselves.” Sam smirks.
“You sound like Hayden.” I chuckle.
Jo smiles, sending a wave of love to all of us through the bond before turning to face the doorway of the dorms.
Two shadowy figures appear between the Cathedral and the dorms. My blood boils when they become illuminated by the light of the fire, revealing Xavier Bowen holding a gun to the head of a sobbing and whimpering Adela as he forces her into the courtyard.
It’s finally time to let it all burn down.
forty
Jo
7:00 p.m.
The sight of Xavier Bowen holding a gun to the head of my best friend as he restrains her with an arm around her neck makes it real hard to keep my cool.
“Josephine Harding,” the sound of Xavier’s voice has me gritting my teeth, “and here I thought you had stood me up.” His eyes dart around the clearing, his face contorting in rage when he spots Whitmore and Kinsley.
Behind their gags, their eyes widen in terror.
“Jo,” Addie whimpers, clawing at the arm wrapped around her neck.
“Didya like my welcome banner?” I force a grin, wiping my cheek where I’m sure there’s still some glitter. When he doesn’t answer, my voice hardens. “I have your scientist. Now, let Addie go.”
Xavier snarls. “I will take him and make him pay for abandoning me, but this was not our deal. IwantBrooks.”
At least it seems that the block Aidan put on Xavier’s phone worked. He doesn’t seem like a man who knows his whole operation was just livestreamed to the state—and the FBI.
“You’ll have him,” I state calmly, raising my hands. “We just needed a little more time—my brother is on his way right now.” If everything goes according to plan, he’ll be here in about ten minutes. “In the meantime, give Addie to me. Your arm must be gettin’ tired, and I’m not goin’ anywhere until I see both Brooks and Whitmore bleed for their crimes.”
“Take off their gags,” Xavier orders, not removing his gun.
I stall. “Why—”
“Do it!” he screeches, pressing the gun harder against her head.
Hayden and West hurry to untie the strips of fabric tied around their mouths.
Gritting my teeth, I glance around the courtyard. My eyes catch on one of the security cameras I worked so hard to avoid during my time here.
An idea strikes.
Hoping Xavier is sufficiently distracted, I reach into my back pocket, holding my phone at my side while I open up a text to Aidan.
I only have time to type one word, and I hope to hell he understands what I’m asking for.
