Page 81 of F*ck Steal Kill

If I kept repeating it, maybe it would make it true.

The guard opened a panel in the wall and motioned us through. “Go down the stairs, take two lefts, and enter 63284 into the keypad. Hurry. There’s not much time.”

He hugged Ava, kissing her cheek. “Your mother would be proud. Get Lukas and live a happy life, Princess.”

Ava nodded, tears tracking down her face as I pulled her after me; Quentin had already descended the stairs. The panel sealed behind us just as other feet rounded the corner, voices infiltrating the space we’d just left as we hurried down.

“Why am I not surprised it’s you?” a man spoke, full of pure venom. “You were always too soft with her. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were in love with her. But no, that was my wife who you fancied.”

“You’re not worth the explanation,” the guard responded, his voice the last thing we heard as we rounded the last corner. Quentin already held the door open where he’d entered the code. Just as we passed through, the pop of gunshots overhead rang out, making me flinch.

Theo had sacrificed himself for Ava, making him a hero in my book. I’d ensure we had Lukas if it was the last thing we did. His sacrifice wouldn’t be for nothing.

Ava’s tears fell faster, but she kept pace with us through the tunnel. It wasn’t the same as the drain pipes, so I had no idea where we’d come out, but it wasn’t like we had a lot of options at the moment, so I’d trust the man who was willing to put himself between a gun and our escape.

Thankfully, it didn’t sound as if they’d followed us. So either they didn’t know about this exit, or they’d be waiting for us at the other end.

Sweat dripped down my back and into my eyes as I panted, trying to get enough oxygen. That was now twice I’d run within an hour. Fuck my life.

“You’ll need to do more cardio if you join the Shadows,” Q teased, earning himself my middle finger.

A door loomed in front of us, the three of us quieting as we neared it, unsure what lay on the other side.

Testing the knob, I was shocked when it turned. I pressed my ear against the door but couldn’t hear anything on the other side. Not that a waiting mob would be loud, per se, but it gave me hope. Lifting my gun, I eased the door open. When nothing immediately made a sound or popped out at me, I stepped through into the space.

It appeared to be an empty storage room, with only a few boxes along one wall, the rest coated in dust.

“Clear,” I whispered, motioning for them to join me.

“What now?” Ava asked, her eyes scanning the area.

I glanced around the room, spotting a door off to the side in the large, empty space. I went through the same routine, shocked even more when it opened into an empty hallway. The three of us crept along the side, listening for any noises. But it appeared to be a vacant house or building for all intents and purposes.

Light filtered through a window up ahead, so I slowed as we came into view. I could make out a desk and some old dental decorations, making me think we were in an abandoned dentist’s office. I guess gangs didn’t care about their dental hygiene.

The street we exited was just as empty as the building, since most businesses were closed for the night. Quentin pulled out his phone, lifting it to his ear as he called in our location. I withdrew my new one as well, hoping the maps app would give me some indication of where we’d ended up and how to get back to our crew.

The text that flashed on the screen chilled me to the bone, and I blinked, confident I’d read it wrong.

Lacey: They got Joy. I’m sorry, Hols.

The device fell from my fingers, smashing into the ground as I tried to remember how to breathe. Quentin was there in a flash, his hands bracing my face.

“Breathe, baby.” His eyes swam into focus, and I mimicked what he was doing.

I nodded, not hearing his words but following anyway. Eventually, my heart rate returned to normal, and the edges came back into focus.

“Joy,” I whimpered, but he only nodded, wiping my tears, the worry evident in his eyes.

“Come on. We need to get out of sight and devise a new plan.” Quentin took my hand and Ava the other, her face soft with worry. I reminded myself I needed to hold it together for her. Joy was a badass and would be okay. She would.

Somehow, Quentin got us closer to town, and we managed to hail a taxi, covering Ava’s face to keep her hidden from any cameras. Arriving at the motel, I’d never been so happy to see the shitty place. Quentin led us into his room, the space dark and stale, like no one had been there for a while. I showed Ava the bathroom, allowing her to change and take a moment.

The door in the middle of the room burst open, light spilling through as Grady took us in. He relaxed for a microsecond as he checked us over for injuries. “Did you get her?” he asked when he didn’t spot Ava.

“Bathroom,” I whispered, all emotion gone at this point.

“We have a situation. Where’s Max?” he asked, looking behind us like he might be hiding there.

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