Page 53 of Dead Devil's Playground
Kai releases Camden's body, letting it crumple to the concrete floor like the worthless thing it is. I stare down at the corpse, at the blood pooling beneath it, at the vacant eyes still wide with shock. It doesn't feel like enough. Nothing would be enough for what he's done.
"Ry." Rev's voice cuts through my rage-filled haze. "Hudson needs help. Now."
I turn back to where Hudson lies, his breathing shallow, face ashen beneath his tan. Rev has fashioned a pressure bandagefrom his shirt, but blood is already soaking through it. Too much blood.
"The medical team is five minutes out," Kai says, checking his phone. "It's Dead Devil's Night—no emergency services running, but our people are close."
I kneel beside Hudson, taking his hand in my bloody one. His skin feels cold, clammy. His eyes flutter open at my touch, focusing on me with effort.
"You need to go," Rev says, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Head back to the apartment. It's not safe here."
"I'm not leaving him," I protest, gripping Hudson's hand tighter. "I'm not leaving any of you."
"Ry," Hudson whispers, his voice barely audible. "Go. Please."
"He's right," Rev insists, his hand on my shoulder. "We don't know who else Camden was working with, who else might be coming. Kai and I will stay with Hudson. The medical team knows what to do."
I shake my head, something primal and desperate clawing at my chest. "No. I can't—"
"You have to," Kai interrupts, his expression more serious than I've ever seen it. He shrugs out of his leather jacket and drapes it over my shoulders, the familiar weight and scent of him momentarily grounding me. His hands move to the pockets, and I feel the solid weight of metal as he slips a gun inside. "Take this. Anyone gets in your way, you shoot first, ask questions never."
"Take Hudson’s car," Rev adds, pressing the keys into my palm. "Go straight to the apartment. No stops, no detours. Don't go through the Lair. Use the parking garage entrance."
"They'll be watching the main entrances," Kai explains, his voice tight with urgency. "The garage is secure, and you can take the private elevator straight up."
I look between them, then down at Hudson. His eyes have closed again, his breathing growing more labored. The rational part of me knows they're right—splitting up is tactically sound, and someone needs to secure our home base. But leaving them feels like tearing off a limb.
"Five minutes," I say finally, my voice hard with determination. "If the medical team isn't here in five minutes, I'm coming back with reinforcements."
Rev nods, relief flickering across his battered face. "They'll be here. Now go."
I lean down, pressing my lips to Hudson's forehead. "Don't you dare die," I murmur against his skin. "I haven't finished making you pay for choking me out."
Then I kiss Rev, hard and desperate, before turning to Kai and doing the same. "Keep him alive," I order. "Keep each other alive."
"Always do," Kai says with a ghost of his usual smirk.
Then I stand, forcing myself to turn away from the three men who have become my whole world. My family. My everything.
"I love you," I say, not looking back as I walk away, knowing if I see their faces I won't be able to leave. "All of you."
I hear Kai's voice behind me, soft but carrying in the cavernous space: "Go, Ry. We'll be right behind you."
The drive back to the Lair is a blur of neon lights and deserted streets. Dead Devil's Night has driven most sensible people indoors, leaving the city to predators and prey. Usually, I'd be reveling in the controlled chaos of our creation. Tonight, I just feel hollow.
Camden's words echo in my head as I navigate the empty streets. Silas is the true devil. You have no idea what's coming.
It's impossible. There's no way he could have survived.
And yet...
My hands tighten on the steering wheel, Hudson's blood still drying under my fingernails. What if we were wrong? What if somehow, Silas survived? The thought sends ice through my veins.
I force the thoughts away, focusing on the road ahead. It doesn't matter. Either way, they've made a fatal mistake. They've hurt what's mine. They've threatened my family.
Hudson is fighting for his life because of me. Because I didn't see the danger in time, didn't protect what's mine. The thought of losing him sends a spike of pain through my chest so intense I nearly swerve off the road.
When did he become so essential? When did this gruff, infuriating man work his way past my defenses to stand alongside the twins in my heart?
