Page 81 of The Devils' Darling

Shit, I need to get out of here and find Mackenzie and my friends. This could be an all-out attack. What if it’s the Bratva, vengeance for what we did in that cabin?

Would Kirill’s father still have enough committed men to want to avenge his death? I’d have thought by now that his territory in Russia would be a mess as the remaining factions fought for superiority and to take over. Surely, they wouldn’t have the resources or focus to not only figure out who was responsible for his death, but also take revenge. It’s too much, too soon.

I pull my shoes on, fastening them hastily.

My phone buzzes, and I pick up immediately. Nataniele is pulling weapons from the safe and tossing them onto the bed. It looks like an arms convention in the room now.

“It’s Paxton,” Kirill growls down the line. “I’m with Tino now, but he’s injured. Paxton has Mackenzie in the converted stables, across from the kitchen. I think he’s heading for the staff parking lot.”

“I’m on my way.” I hang up and turn to face my father. “Dad, it’s Paxton Kassell.”

My father’s face sets into a grim line of rage. “That motherfucker.” He stuffs a handgun into the back of his jeans and pulls an automatic over his shoulder by the holster.

“He’s got Mackenzie,” I inform him.

Worry flickers across his face. “What about Lucia?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know. I’ve got to go.”

“I’m coming.” He takes a knife and sheathes it in the holster he’d strapped to his side moments earlier. He gestures at the weaponry laid out on the bed. “Take your pick, son.”

I do. I select a pistol and a deadly looking knife.

We exit the door together and hit the hallway. I hide the weapons, not wanting Paxton to know I’m armed. I’ve already decided I’m happy to risk my life if it means saving Mackenzie.

I fucking owe her that much after what we put her through. What I put her through. If I’m being honest, Tino and Kirill softened up to her way before I did. Shame coats my mouth in its bitter taste. I swallow it down because now is not the time for self-indulgence.

Now is the time for me to do what is necessary to save her.

It’s crazy to me that we live in a college where my father, the fucking dean, is walking down the corridors openly armed.

The shouts of the security team, telling people to go to meeting point A, fill my ears. We all know where that is. The main gymnasium. We rehearse this shit once or twice a year, and we all have the emergency procedures in our welcome packs.

We reach the first floor, and I pass a window that gives me a view across the central courtyard toward the kitchen.

Or at least where the kitchen used to be.

Despite the urgency pushing at my back, I draw to an abrupt halt, the air punching from my lungs. I’d known it was going to be bad when I felt the walls tremble around me from the force of the explosion, but nothing had prepared me for this.

It’s as though I’m looking out at a warzone.

“Oh, my God.”

Thick dust still hangs in the air. People are helping each other from the rubble. There are bloodied faces, and both women and men crying. I catch sight of a pale arm poking out from beneath the rubble, but I’ve got no idea if there’s even anyone on the end of it.

It’s almost too terrible to comprehend. How can one person’s actions suddenly change the course of all these people’s lives? They were just getting on with their day, expecting things to be normal, and instead it’s ended like this. A split second—a moment in time—and everything has changed.

“Dom!”

My father’s snapped tone brings me back to focus.

“Sorry.”

I tear my gaze away from the horrific scene and force my feet to move. My mind still lingers on what’s happened, though.

Why did that fucker drive the van into the college and only blow up that area? As soon as the question crosses my mind, the answer hits. Distraction. He wants Mack, and now we’re all distracted and scared, running around like headless chickens, it gives him the chance to escape.

I call out to my father. “I know the instinct will be to have all the guards here, where they can defend us, but we need them on the exits and perimeter, too.”

---