Page 90 of Reign By Wrath

“Put a tracker in your phone obviously.”

“You— I—” Shock closed my mouth. Not only did he see through my desperate attempt to chase him off, but he made sure to keep an eye on me while I tangled with an opponent I continued to underestimate. “I guess I can’t be mad at you, huh?”

“You can,” he said, amused, “but I feel no remorse.”

I laughed—a short, faint sound that ended as soon as it started. “I’m just happy you’re here. Everleigh’s plan was to lead you to Wolf’s place, kill you both, frame him for it, and then take the laptop. You’re right about that hatred. It washed away any trace of humanity in her a long time ago.”

“Not a bad plan, but— Shit.” He snatched his hand from the ropes. “What the hell is this stuff made of?”

I twisted. Alistair nursed a wicked gash on his index finger. “Do you have a penknife or something?”

“Hold on.” He popped open the trunk and pulled out a knife much bigger than a pen. Carefully, he sliced me free. I didn’t waste a second throwing myself in the car.

“We have to go. Everleigh sent you the address. Victor’s waiting for us. We have to save him.”

“On our way.”

He hopped in and I breathed for the first time that night. Everything would be all right. Everleigh lay in the piss-soaked dirt next to the burning remnants of her father. And Wolf didn’t know he was driving straight to his punishment. We’d save Victor, then I was coming for the rest of my guys.

Why did I think I could save Alistair by sending him away? Why did I think he needed me to save him? He refused to kill or be killed by his former friend’s daughter, but he wasn’t helpless. We were stronger together.

That’s what family is.

Alistair took off, speeding out of the forest. “I’ve kept an eye on Wolfgang.” He covered his mouth, coughing. “A close eye on him and the entire O’Rourke clan. There’s no one more paranoid than”—cough—“a spy. Whether we beat him there or not, we’re not waltzing into the place easy.”Cough, cough, cough.“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got cameras all over the block that a-alert him when—”

Alistair gripped the wheel, exploding into a coughing fit.

“Are you okay? Do you need water?”

“Yea— Yeah,” he wheezed. “Under the passenger seat.”

I squeezed through the seat, reaching to grab the water bottle. I was thrown to the side when the car jerked—swerving off the road and coming to a sudden stop. “Alistair!”

“I’m sor-ry,” he hacked, bursting into another coughing fit. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I righted myself and grasped his shoulders, trying to straighten him up. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I—I don’t know—” Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Black spots... in my vision... Couldn’t see.”

Gasping, he clapped his hand over his throat.

“Dad! Your finger!”

Within minutes, the weeping appendage turned a putrid, mottled purple. Alistair reached for me—eyes red and bugging as he tried to speak.

“I’ve got backup plans for my backup plans too. When this night is over, I’ll achieve everything my father died for.”

“The ropes,” I whispered. “She booby-trapped the ropes.”

I launched forward—pulling at his collar, tilting his head back, trying to think of something.Anything! “Please, Dad, breathe. Breathe!”

Sirens broke the peace, blaring through the night.

“Listen, it’s the firefighters. They’re coming. They’ll help you!” I threw open the door. A firm hand pulled me back in. “What are you doing? I have to stop them. I have to—”

Looking into my eyes, Alistair cupped my cheek—soft and gentle as his blood mixed with my tears. “I—I...” He slumped over, head falling onto my lap.

My scream ripped through the night.

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