Page 43 of Twisted Empire

“Okay. Okay, good.” I caught the thrum of a motor in the background on his end of the line. “I’m on my way to pick you up. Something’s gone down—I want you back with me right away. I’m calling in more people to keep watch over the condo building, so everyone there should be safe too. Head down to the lobby now. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

He hung up abruptly, leaving my nerves on edge. I glanced at Summer, who looked back at me wide-eyed.

“I’ve got to go,” I told her. “Sorry to cut the visit short, but it sounds like there’s trouble.”

“You go be with your guys,” she told me, sitting up to grab me in a quick hug. “But call me when you can to fill me in.”

“Of course.”

I hustled out to the kitchen, made hasty apologies to Mom and Holand for missing dinner after all, and squeezed Mom tight before heading out.

The elevator whirred down the building painfully slow. By the time I was crossing the lobby, I spotted Beckett’s usual sedan through the glass doors.

The second I came into view, he pushed open the passenger-side door of the car for me. I hopped in and yanked it shut, and he hit the gas before I’d even put on my seatbelt.

“What’s going on?” I asked, taking in his tense expression. My heart lurched with panic. “Are the guys—?”

“The other guys are fine,” Beckett said quickly. “But only because they haven’t left my house since this morning. I—” He shook his head with a slight slump of his shoulders that my heart ached to see.

“What?” I murmured. “What happened?”

His jaw worked. When we had to stop at a red light, he glanced over at me, his normally cool grey eyes stormy with turmoil.

“Doom’s Seed has sent his people on a total rampage. They’re shooting anyone they can connect to my family’s businesses on sight, no matter where they are at the time. Just picking them off in the middle of the street, in regular stores…”

My throat constricted. “Oh my God.”

He dipped his head as he urged the car forward again. “It’s a bold move, but it’s working for him. I’ve lost over a dozen people in just the last few hours, and if I can’t figure out how to end this soon, I’m going to lose even more.”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Slade

Thin sunlight seeped past the curtains on the guestroom window. I groaned and rolled over to bury my head in the pillow, but I already knew it was no use.

Normally I could have tuned out full daylight—not to mention blaring music, animated voices, and anything else going on around me—if I was tired enough. But the turmoil of the past several days had left my nerves on edge. I could barely relax even in total darkness and quiet.

I grimaced, wondering how much actual sleep I’d managed to get between bouts of tossing and turning. From the muggy feeling in my head, I doubted it’d been more than a few hours.

Oh well. I definitely wasn’t getting any more now. Might as well chug some coffee and try to make the best of the day, whatever new horrors it might bring.

It was still early, only a little past sunrise. The house was still and silent around me as I swapped the boxers I’d slept in for fresh ones and a tee and sweats combo in case I decided to do a stint in the workout room Beckett had showed us, with an offer of full access. A little exercise might jolt me back into proper alertness.

But first, caffeine.

I padded down the hall and slipped into the sitting room, expecting to find it empty and not wanting to disturb any of the others who would still be sleeping. Just inside the room, I jarred to a halt.

Logan was sitting in the exact same armchair where he’d stationed himself last night, in the exact same clothes, with his laptop poised in front of him. Bags were starting to form under his weary eyes, and his mouth was set in a grim but tired line. Even his short hair looked like it was drooping.

He glanced up at me, his reaction time slowed to a zombie’s pace, his gaze hazy as if it took him a few seconds to recognize me.

“Dude, what are you doing awake?” I demanded in a hushed voice, striding over.

“What areyoudoing awake?” he shot back without much vigor.

I eyed him, the wheels in my head turning with suspicion. “Did you even go to bed last night?”

He swiped his hand over his face and appeared to suppress a yawn. “I had to keep following the trail. Beckett’s people farther out have gotten me access to all the hospitals where Dr. Evancho got his base records. I managed to confirm they’re all in the system still.”

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