Page 232 of Vile Boys

I sigh out loud, but a loud slam of the doors pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn my head toward the noise.

Caleb barges out onto the balcony. “Crystal’s been taken.”

My eyes twitch, and I turn around to listen, praying I misheard.

“The Skull & Serpents and Phantoms forced me to come with them to save one of their own, Lana—”

“You went into a Bones Brotherhood compound alone?” I grit.

“Are you even listening to me?” Caleb says. “Crystal was there.”

My eyes widen, and my lips part in shock.

Bones Brotherhood? But how?

“Lana and Crystal were snatched off the streets together, and we managed to save Lana, but we couldn’t fucking find Crystal until it was too late.” His voice fluctuates in tone, emotions taking hold. “I couldn’t get to her. But Isawher.” His eyes tear up. “Right when they drove her off in a van.”

The glass in my hand cracks.

My little rose … taken by those wretched monsters?

“None of them even knew she was taken too. I had to pretend I didn’t know her. I had to leave and couldn’t save her …” He nearly collapses, so I chuck the glass away and catch him in my arms, holding him tight.

This isn’t just going to kill him.

It’s going to kill me too.

“She’ll be sold,” he murmurs, the desperation in his voice making me want to scream.

My teeth grind together tightly. “No. I won’t fucking allow it.”

“But they’ll know it was you, and your father will never—”

“To hell with him,” I whisper into his ear. “I didn’t let her go so she could get taken and sold. She belongs to us, and wewilltrack her down and take her from their fucking claws.”

A smile slowly spreads on his cheeks. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“What’s this?” Blaine’s standing in the door opening, clutching the banister as he sways his hips sideways. “Concocting evil plans to rescue a certain damsel in distress?” He holds up his hand and looks at his nails. “And to think I just got my nails done. Such a pity I’m going to have to stain them with the blood of our enemies.” A filthy grin spreads on his cheeks. “I’m so ready. When are we going?”

I grip Caleb’s shoulder and look at them both, licking my teeth. “Grab your guns and knives. Let’s show them the demons of Tartarus. Tonight, we feast on their fucking bones.”

ARES

It was easy to find the location they took her to. My father has a whole host of contacts at his disposal, contacts I could easily swipe from his laptop at the casino. Just a quick five minutes in and out of his office while he was too busy chatting up new clients at the blackjack table, and I know exactly where they’re keeping her.

These Bones Brotherhood have so many different locations all over the country, but only a couple of them actively sell humans, and two near Crescent Vale City. One of which just got raided by the Skull & Serpents and Phantoms to find Lana Rivera.

And of course, my father has a contact at the nearest location, so I’ve already called them and asked if they sell petite blond-haired girls, posing as one of his clients. No names. Just the description is enough for them to offer me and my two friends a seat at the auction.

I shift in my seat and look around the room to try to gauge just how many I need to kill in order to succeed. Fifteen guards at the very least, just for this room. There must be far more beyond the doors where they keep the prisoners, as well as in the multitude ofoffices, and multiple standing guard near each exit.

Caleb leans sideways to whisper. “How much longer do we have to wait?”

“I want her to be safe first,” I whisper. “After, you’re free to kill whoever you want.”

He licks his lips, antsy at the prospect of unleashing his violence on these poor souls.

I smile. They won’t even know what’s coming for them until it’s too late.

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