Page 83 of Wilder
Good to know. I grunt as Wilder probes my skin with his fingers. “Wilder, where’s yours?”
“Right there.” He juts his chin toward the table.
Echo snatches it up, reads, then shows it to each of us in turn.
You’ll be hearing from us soon.
A shiver runs down my spine—one of anticipation. I’ll be most interested in what they have to say, because there is zero doubt in my mind that these messages came from the Sin Keepers.
A few minutes later, colorful lights illuminate the night, a strobe effect coming in through the front windows of the cabin. Beckham walks over to take a look. “Two cop cars and a couple ambulances.”
Wilder nods. “Good. Now you don’t get to argue,” he mutters. “Beck, why don’t you go fill them in. Make sure they know Kara and River are already in the truck, but they should be examined to make sure they’re both okay.”
By the time the cops come inside, it’s clear Beckham has done just that, because they introduce themselves as Officers Minnick and Dubois and already seem to have a good grasp on what’s going on.
After that, it’s all a blur. Emergency responders take care of us while the cops ask a shit ton of questions. It’s exhausting.
Chase has the right idea. He fell asleep while I was being checked out, so when they helped me onto a gurney, they allowed him to lie cradled against my chest.
As we speed away in the ambulance, I could say I cared what was happening to the criminals that they’re hauling away, but I don’t. The Sin Keepers said justice will be served… and I’m going to choose to have faith in them. Turns out they’ve been watching over us all this time.
The craziest irony of this fucked-up situation we’ve survived is that the bullet hit me in the same exact location as my scar from the car accident. It tore right through it. It’s as if this night has brought everything full circle, closing the loop. Ending this torment. It’s over. I’ll feel one hundred percent better once weget to the hospital, and we’re all together again. And then… everything will be nice and normal from here on out.
THIRTY-NINE
ECHO
This iswhat we’ve been waiting days for—the promised summons from the Sin Keepers. We’ve passed the week since the kidnapping quietly, only leaving the house on Tuesday for a quick trip to pick up takeout for Beckham’s birthday. Hopefully, now that news has broken of what we’ve endured, our professors will take pity on us and offer extensions on the coursework we’ve missed.
“Anyone else nervous?” I take Royal’s hand while Wilder puts an arm around me, resting his hand on my hip. Beckham grabs Wilder’s hand on the other side, and we move toward Broadmore Hall, united as one.
Wilder shrugs. “Nervous? No. Let’s say I’m highly interested in what this is all about.”
Squeezing my hand, Royal mutters, “They already know all our shit. It’s about time we knew theirs. I want some answers.”
“Yeah. I’d like to know what the deal is.” Beckham runs his hand through his hair as he catches my eye to shoot me a funny face and a wink. “The idea of multiple Sin Keepers is still blowing my goddamn mind.” With the same hand, he makes a gesture like his head is exploding.
Earlier, we’d all gotten the same set of text messages. I glance down at my phone, reading over the instructions again.
Meet in Broadmore Hall.
Ten o’clock tonight.
Ride the elevator to the basement.
Nothing freaky about that at all. I swallow. “Well, I’m not afraid to say I’m a little nervous.” My time at Kingston University has been nothing but a constant flux of relationships and emotions in addition to the threats and danger. Thankfully, in the five days since we rescued Chase, Kara, and River from the cabin in the woods, I’ve had a chance for my mind and heart to settle. For my soul to feel free.
The charges against the people who set out to hurt us are mounting, and for that I’m grateful. And there’s been one key I hadn’t expected, but maybe I should have. Smith flipped on Brent, Brian, and Megan. He told the cops everything he was privy to—and his story lined up perfectly with ours. Because it’s all the wild, crazy truth.
But still. We have questions. And it’s entirely possible that the only people who have the answers are the Sin Keepers. I let out a whole-body exhale.
“You alright, Echo?” Wilder lifts a brow, studying me.
“Yeah.” I glance ahead to the building we’re about to enter. I have things I need to say to these men, but I think it’s going to have to wait.
The door is unlocked, and we let ourselves in. The elevators are near the entrance to the lecture hall I have my English class in. The place where Brent watched me. My stomach flips, and my strides slow.
Royal squeezes my hand. “I know. That asshole was right here in plain sight watching you.”
