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I ignored the ringing of my phone.
I ignored the acrid smell of smoke that lingered despite the rain.
I ignored the aggravated driver when I blindly crossed the street, pumping my legs harder and faster, taking me to the far side of the neighborhood.
I ignored every outside distraction while searching for any evidence that the path I was on was the correct one. When none appeared, I reminded myself that they were trying to goad me into tracking something, and the only clue they’d left was a gas explosion.
I was right.
I had to be.
By the time I approached the last row of houses, I’d silenced my phone and grabbed my bandana. By the time I stumbled into the field on the other side of them, I had my gun ready and every sense on high alert.
But even though I slowed, I kept my steps quick and careful as I headed toward the large, above-ground gas main for the neighborhood.
They’d waited for today.
R and S.
They’d wanted us distracted and made sure I wouldn’t be able to easily find them.
Sofia and Lily.
And they weren’t done.
My fault.
I missed my next step when I saw a faded black bandana tied around the gas main. Rage and worry beat a volatile combination through my veins as my gaze swept the tall, grassy area for the boss’s wife...and came up empty.
But I forced myself to keep my steps purposeful as I moved closer. Breathing past the smoke that clung to my skin and in my nose. Breathing around the smell of damp earth. Listening for anything other than the commotion a few streets over and the rain falling on the field.
I’d been right...and so wrong.
Their words—their clues—they’d wanted me here. But Lily was nowhere in sight.
And even as my panic grew knowing she’d been taken and was in a van somewhere, relief barreled through my veins because I hadn’t stumbled upon her body once I’d made it to the field. I hadn’t let her die too.
Taking a second to look over the old bandana to ensure there weren’t any extra clues attached or dripping from it, I readjusted my grip on my gun and twisted as if I were still looking for where the threat might be waiting.
As if I hadn’t marked where they were before I’d ever stopped beside the gas main.
“Well, God damn. If I’d known you were throwing a party for little ol’ me, I would’ve gotten here earlier,” I said, pretending to sound honored. “But here I am. Bandana and all. Ready to play your game.
“Now, I’m not Einstein,” I went on and turned at the new scent on the breeze, my eyebrows lifting in acknowledgment when I caught the source, “but you’re suddenly into sending me messages, and I like presents, so let’s see if I can figure out the reason behind today’s Twelve-Days-of-Fucked-Upness.”
Pretending to readjust my gun, I gently tapped it twice against my palm, indicating that two people were lying in wait, even as I mocked, “Well, the bandana’s super fucking ominous and symbol enough, but you and I are still alive, so we’re not R and S. But Lily?”
I nodded, buying myself time as I continued moving through the small clearing where the gas main sat, making the same path I’d already made twice before. “I mean, she was our biggest enemy, and Dare chose her over Johnny. He murdered Johnny for her. I’m with you. Kill her. And Sofia was widowed for how long and still dismissing you?” I dramatically pressed my free hand to my chest and feigned indifference even as all that pain burned stronger than before. “Again, I’m with you. Kill her.”
As soon as I saw the muted glint of light reflecting off one of Kieran’s blades, I altered my path to end up directly beside where Vinny Guerra, Johnny’s dad, lay in the grass.
He shifted to meet my glare, his own gun peeking out just beneath his arm, aimed off to the side.
“See, I’ve already worked out your fucked up reasoning for taking the people I love,” I seethed and watched his wrath-filled eyes flare when I aimed at his head. “But I can’t figure out why you wanted me dragged into this.”
A cruel smile crept across Vinny’s face. “Never could tell you boys apart,” he said as if we were having a conversation at a table rather than with him face down in a field. “Know you’re the tracker if you’re here first. Just dunno if you’re also the one fucking my ex-daughter-in-law.”
“Was she ever actually your daughter-in-law?” I challenged darkly.
