Page 55

“Or he has an airtight alibi,” Luke says like he’s weighing all the options.

“It’s possible he’s got friends in high places that will do anything to keep him out of prison. We know the drug trade goes deep.” Nico blows out a breath. “Those kinds of assholes usually do. There was this guy in New York that could get away with murder if he wanted.”

“He does have a boss,” Eli says, thoughtfully.

Fuck. Let’s hope the DEA can take Zach completely off the board, because if that fucker shows up to school after all this, I won’t be able to hold back. I could kill him for what he’s done or tried to do and sleep like a fucking baby afterwards.

Depending on what we find at that farmhouse, I might not manage to hold back tonight.

Jack

The rest of the ride is bumpy and slow as they continue on the flat tire. These aren’t paved roads. Zach curses. At least, they need to hold on so he stopped touching me. If I had an arm free, I’d tuck it under Harper’s head and hold her against me to protect her.

Zach lets out a frustrated growl and moves away. “We need to get there faster.”

His voice is far enough away that I risk taking a peek, keeping my lids lowered so it looks like I’m still unconscious. Harper is in front of me. The batons are still in her hair. Weapons, good. We’re on some carpet which at least absorbs some of the rough ride.

Her eyes are closed and her breathing is even. Did they knock her out too? My arms twitch with the need to hold her against me. Is she hurt? Or did they do something else to make her unconscious? The van hits another bump and skids to the right.

The others in the van shout at Tanner who must be driving. Harper slides closer to me, and I curl around her the best I can. It feels like a zip tie biting into my wrists, binding them together. Zip ties are a bitch, but they can be broken. My ankles are free. I can’t test the bindings for fear they’ll realize I’m awake and listening.

I need them talking so I can learn as much as possible. There’s a way out of this. There’s always a way out.

“Unless you want to get out and fix the tire, shut the fuck up and let me concentrate!” Tanner’s voice fills the van.

A guy next to me grumbles, “Can’t wait to fuck this prick over.”

Another guy shushes him.

“You think the horsemen will really give up?” the first guy asks in a quiet voice.

“They’ll be too busy looking for their lost fuck bunny to worry about us,” the other says. “And if she’s not enough incentive, they’ll definitely look for Famine.”

“We’re so fucking fucked,” the first guy complains.

“How are they going to know it’s us?”

“Alex didn’t make it to the van. Pretty sure Foster took him out.”

“So? He won’t talk.”

“You don’t think he’ll try to save his own ass?” The first guy’s voice is almost so quiet I can’t hear him. “I’m going to fucking jet as soon as we get to the farmhouse. They can’t prove I was with them.”

“You’re such a fucking wuss. We’re already in too deep. The payday will be twice as much now. Besides, might as well stay for the grand finale. Get a taste of what the horsemen thought was so special they kept it for themselves.”

I’m going to fucking kill that guy. Slowly.

“It’s not worth going to prison over some pussy. I get enough pussy just by being a baller. Even the money isn’t worth the risk. This is Zach’s bullshit.”

“Then why are you even here?”

“Exactly.” The first guy’s voice rises. “Why are we here? You know the others didn’t get bailed out like Zach did last night.”

“But they’re out today, aren’t they?”

“Not because of Zach though. We’re all disposable to him.”

“So? Take off. I’m getting my share for all this bullshit. If I’m going to have bruises from Caden, I might as well take out my frustration on this slut and get my payday.”