Page 139 of The Echo of Violence

The building shakes, and the sound of metal groaning makes my teeth grind. The ceiling cracks, and the smell of smoke fills the air, but I’m spent. I have nothing left in me. My adrenaline is crashing. I can feel the pain from the bullet in my side, and my clothes are covered in blood. I try to crawl back to Mercy, but my body won’t respond.

Light filters into the room suddenly, making me wince, just as another boom fills the air and part of the ceiling caves in, making me scream.

I hear a voice yelling my name. “Jinx!”

“Over here. Please help us!”

When Boomer comes crashing into view, I burst into tears. I’ve never been so glad to see the asshole in my life.

“Oh, Jesus.” He looks down at Rusty and swallows.

“He killed my family. I think he’s killed one of the prospects, too.” I babble.

“What?”

“His name is Rusty. He’s a former member of The Savage Hearts MC.”

He leans down and cups my cheek, his eyes filled with tears.

“His name is Knuckles, and he’s a Chaos Demon now. He’s also my father.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry,” I gasp, horrified, tears streaming down my face.

“It’s okay,” he chokes out. “Let’s just get you out of here.”

“Mercy first. She’s tied to the pipe. I can’t get her loose.”

“Hold on.” He pulls a knife from his pocket and cuts the restraints at her ankles before moving to her wrists. Once free, she topples forward, but he catches her, swinging her up into his arms. He looks at me with anguish on his face. “I can’t carry you both.”

“Save her. She’s pregnant. Go. You can come back for me.”

More of the ceiling falls, making me scream.

“Please, just go!”

“I’ll be back. I swear.” His face is filled with determination.

I nod as he runs toward the door that leads out to the garden. I’m crying hard now, my tears blurring my vision just as Boomer dives through the door. More of the ceiling gives way, blocking it from view.

There’s no way for him to get back in.

No way for me to get out.

“Please, God, not again,” I pray as I look around for something, anything, to help me.

I spot a couple of crates next to the freezer. I pull myself onto one and grip the edge of the freezer, shoving the lid up as I use all my strength to pull myself up. I can’t hold my weight for long, but with the building coming down around me, I have to try.

I shove the lid higher and lean my body over the edge of the freezer. The pressure on my stomach so close to the bullet wound makes the room spin for a minute, but I push through it and reach down, grabbing the bags of ice before tossing them out onto the floor.

When a loud crack sounds above me, I give up and let myself topple into the freezer, smacking my shoulder on the way. The lid drops on top of me as I try to right myself, but the panic from being in such a small space makes everything harder.

As chaos descends around me, I feel something hit the freezer, making the whole thing jolt. The noise is so deafening I have to cover my ears with my hand. I know any minute I’m going to pass out from the pain, blood loss, or lack of oxygen, so I start singing, giving myself something to focus on. I can’t think about my guys without falling apart. Same with Rex and Nico. I picture Boomer trying to break down the door when he realizes he can’t get back in, and it all becomes too much. My mind fractures, and I drift away.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Splinter

Nobody can find Mercy or Jinx, and nobody can reach them either.

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