Page 80 of Vengeful Rotten Casualties

“I don’t care,” I say. “Whatever it costs, I’ll pay it.”

“Oh, shut up,” Dean snaps. “He’s fucking with you.”

“Only a little,” Ace replies as he finishes the message he’s typing and tucks his phone back into his back pocket. “Now, though, we need to iron out the smaller details.”

“I’ll send what I have in an encrypted file,” Teller says, turning back to his computer.

A tightness in my chest that I hadn’t realized was there eases ever so slightly. The room buzzes with conversation as Dean moves past me and joins Viks against the wall.

One of us…Avalon’s words linger.Am I?I wonder.

There’s so much left to contemplate—my situation, my involvement with these men, my sister, my father, Micki. So much to focus on, though, and it’s not the time to stop and relish in these small victories—finding the girl and finally ending the years long rivalry between the Kincaids and the Sick Boys.

Hours later, long after the sun has sunk below the horizon of the Tower, I separate from the others. Viks, Ace, Braxton, and Dean all head up to the penthouse and I say my quick goodbyes as I hit the elevator in the opposite direction.

As I step into the underground garage, the chill of the concrete surroundings pours over me. I tug my phone out of my pocket and check my messages. Several from Micki, updating me on her location like she said she would and a promise to meet me back at the house soon. For a second, I contemplate telling her about the plan to get Marina—to tell her the girl’s name.

In the end, however, I decide to tell her in person. I tuck my phone away and lift my keys, hitting the button that makes the lights of my Porsche flash down the line. I’m so focused on getting to the vehicle that by the time I notice the extra shadow on the ground out of the corner of my eye, it’s too late.

Something slams into the back of my head, sending me to my knees. My keys fly out of my grip, jingling as they hit the ground and slide across the concrete floor of the garage. The Tower has always been safe. Because of Braxton. Because of Dean. It never even occurred to me that there might be someone waiting for me here.

Easy. Fucking too damn easy. I let my guard down.

The second blow directly follows the first, and as I reach back, grabbing onto the weapon slamming into my skull, a thick hand circles around my throat. A needle pierces my flesh right between my neck and shoulder, and the burn of the drug hits my system. The world tilts. I release the weapon and collapse forward onto my face.

The last sensation I feel is my own cheek sliding across the concrete as I’m dragged backwards. I have nothing to blame but my own damn hubris. Thomas Kincaid has made his move and I know when I wake up, I won’t like what he’s done.

I only pray Micki is still alive for me to save when this is all over.

32

MICKI

It’sdark when Avalon drops me off in front of Luc’s house. We spent the day on and off Eastpoint’s campus as she attempted to convince me to take Luc up on his offer to start school. I can’t say it’s unappealing, the idea of staying after all of this is over. All the while, she informed me of the situation with the Undead. An organization I distantly recognize as one Thomas frequently used. It’s a stroke of good luck, or perhaps the universe finally giving me a break, to know that she and her friends aren’t just connected to the underground institution, but that they practically own the damn thing. It’ll make my job that much easier and the sooner I can speak with the head one-on-one, the better—another reason for our meeting today.

As I step out of the car, her phone starts ringing and Rylie’s name pops up on the brand-new dash screen. “Ugh, probs another food run,” Avalon groans without heat. “I swear, she eats even worse pregnant than she did not knocked up—and honestly, that’s saying something.”

I chuckle. “Go,” I say, turning and gripping the top of the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She shakes her head. “Let me or Dean know if you and Luc need help with your little plan. I’ll talk to Ace and get you a meeting. I’m sure Luc’s probably already talked to him about Thomas.”

I shoot her a dark look, my fingers squeezing the metal frame. “You don’t want to get involved in my shit, Ava,” I tell her. “Just getting me those connections is enough.”

Avalon frowns and mutes the phone call without answering before leaning across the seat and arching a brow up at me. “I get a say in what I want to be involved in, Micki,” she says. “You don’t get a choice. Keep me updated.”

I roll my eyes and take a step away from her new Mustang, snapping the door shut behind me. As I turn back towards the mansion, I hear the tell-tale switch of the passenger side window being lowered. Avalon’s voice carries out behind me.

“I’m serious, Micki!” she calls.

“Me too, kiddo!” I reply over my shoulder, lifting a hand and waving her off.

Gravel crunches under her wheels as she spins a circle in the driveway. I pause on the bottom step and turn, as she pulls around and rolls her window down, flipping me the bird with a grin. “Give in!” she hollers. “You’re stuck with me.”

I laugh and watch as she sets her foot to the gas and heads down the driveway, red taillights fading in the distance. I wait until she’s completely gone to finish making my way up the steps, setting the key in the lock of the door, pausing when it turns easily. Too easily.

I freeze as the front door swings inward. All relaxation vanishes in a heartbeat. I step inside, my eyes drawn down to the phone in my hand. I click the side button and the screen switches to the last message received a few hours ago. A notification from Luc saying he’d be on his way home soon.

I hadn’t thought about it moments ago, but his Porsche wasn’t out front. I don’t bother reaching for the light switch as an unfamiliar scent hits my nose. My eyes jerk up, and my hand falls back down to my side.

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