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Ethan pressed on the video, and it began to play. All the guys swarmed around him and watched it; their expressions were grim. Tears burned my eyes, but I squeezed them shut, hoping to keep the waterworks at bay. I had to be strong. The whole situation made me sick to my stomach.
Brooks turned away from the video. “I’ve never seen Carter like that.”
Ripp agreed with a nod. “Neither have I. And the new tattoo? I’m assuming that’s the new mark instead of the skull?”
He looked to me for the answer and I nodded. “It is. Carter’s going to be pissed I told you about this, but he’s not going to ask for help. He wanted to do this on his own, but I don’t see how it’s possible.”
Ethan turned to the guys and then back to me. “What can we do?”
“Scar gave Carter two options,” I began, “either he recruits other fighters or fights on his own and quadruples the work. I’m sure you can see which option he chose.”
“And you three were on Scar’s list,” Reagan but in, pointing at Ethan, Ripp and Braden, “as well as Kase Rushing and Hunter Andrews, too.”
Ethan’s mouth gaped, his glare on me. “Are you fucking serious? Don’t you think that’s something we should’ve been told?”
“No shit,” Braden growled. “Carter’s my family. I’m going to kick his ass myself.”
Brooks stepped past all of them and grabbed my hands. He could tell I was barely holding it together. “How do we get in?”
Shaking my head, I squeezed his hands then gently let them go. “You can’t, Brooks. Scar knows you’re involved with the FBI. He doesn’t want you.”
Clenching his jaw, he looked away, eyes blazing. “Fine. I’ll figure out a way to shut Scar down.”
The lines of my throat tightened. “Be careful with that. Scar’s made it clear our parents will pay the price if we mess with him.”
Ethan huffed, and I turned my attention to him. It was uncanny how much he looked like our father. “Get us in, Emma. I’m going to call Kase and Hunter. Hopefully, they can get out here tomorrow.” He pulled out his phone and disappeared down the hall.
Stomach heavy with dread, I focused on Braden and Ripp. “Are you sure?”
Braden ducked his chin in agreement and Ripp did the same. Then, with bated breath, I turned away from them and scrolled to Nikolai’s number on my phone. I stared at his number as my finger hovered above it, wondering if I was about to make a huge mistake. I didn’t want all the pressure on Carter, but they'd be in too deep once the guys sealed the deal.
Reagan placed a hand on my wrist. “Call him, Emma. It has to be done.”
Lifting my eyes to hers, I sighed. “I know.”
Before I could press the call button, Ethan came back into the room. “Kase and Hunter are in. They’re flying out here first thing in the morning.”
Pocketing his phone, he stood between Ripp and Braden, their expressions dark and serious. There was worry and regret in Brooks’ eyes, and I knew he desperately wanted to help, but he couldn’t. However, I hoped he’d be able to figure out a way to take Scar down for good. Our parents thought they had, but Scar came back with a vengeance.
I stared down at Nikolai’s number for a few more seconds and then pressed the dial button, dreading the sound of his voice.
“I had a feeling I’d be talking to you again tonight,” he goaded.
The snarky quips were all out of me tonight. Glancing over my shoulder, I let out a ragged breath as I stared at the guys. “They want in.”
“Who?”
“My brother, Ripp, Braden Emerson, Kase Rushing, and Hunter Andrews. Kase and Hunter will be here tomorrow morning,” I promised.
Nikolai belted out a satisfied laugh. “All right. I guess you showed them the video?”
I clenched my fist so tight it started to numb. “Carter can’t do it all himself.”
He snorted. “That’s for damn sure. He’s losing his fucking mind.”
That was what I’d been afraid of from the beginning. Fighting in a UFC competition was one thing but having to fight to survive every night was something else entirely.
“How do you want to handle this?” I snapped.
“I’ll get everything set up. Let the guys know I’ll be contacting them tomorrow. I already have their numbers.” Not that it was hard to find out contact information, but it made me wonder what kind of connections Nikolai had. I didn’t like the unsettled feeling taking over me. “Oh, and Emma,” Nikolai added.
“Yeah?” I scrunched my eyes shut.
“Tell them to be ready. You know what they’re in for.”
“I will.”
He hung up and Ethan stepped in front of me, pulling me in for a hug. “It’ll be okay, Emma.”
Squeezing my lids harder, I held him tightly. “Will it?”
