Page 384 of Master of My Life

men throwing bricks through a window of a French coffee shop, then flashed to another group fighting

in the middle of a narrow city street.

“Isn’t that Moscow?” Lance asked, squinting at the television.

“Looks like it,” Ethan said.

The screen flashed for several minutes of scenes from across the world of violent riots, groups of

people destroying property, and fighting one another.

The anchor appeared on the screen once more. “In other news, an expert panel is meeting with

Congress to discuss whether sex traffickers are taking advantage of the chaos to steal more women

and girls from across the globe.”

“What are they fighting about?” Chase asked.

“Dumb stuff,” Corey said. “I don’t think even they know.”

“These countries aren’t exactly corruption-free, but this is a new level of revolt,” Matt said.

“When did it start?” Chase asked, dreading that he might know the answer.

“About a week ago,” Corey answered. “No one paid any attention to it until it started happening

here.”

“Here? In Boston?”

“No. Started in Philadelphia and spread across the country. Well, the major cities. San Francisco,

Chicago, Houston. Even LA.”

“LA?” Chase stared at the horrible images on the screen. Why would the Elders be allowing this

to happen? How had they lost control?

Richard walked in at that moment, staring at the television. “Have you been following this?”

Matt and Corey nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“When did the Philadelphia riots begin?”

“There had been disturbances for about a week, but they began in earnest today, sir.”

Richard nodded, looking thoughtful. “This isn’t good.”

Chase glanced back at the television. No, it wasn’t.

67

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY’ RE ALIVE?”

Damian’s rage oozed through his veins like molten rock as he listened to Brandon explain that

Richard, Chase, and his men were still alive.

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