Page 140 of The Echo of Violence

“Jinx’s phone is in the bedroom. She had a missed call from Nico. I called him back to see if he’s seen her, but he hasn’t. I don’t want to panic him yet. Not until we know what the fuck is going on,” Eightball states, running his hand through his hair.

“What did he call for?” My voice sounds almost robotic.

“To let her know that Scooter was killed by another inmate earlier today. One of his contacts says the hit came from the Chaos Demons. He’s pissed.”

“Shit.”

“Anything?” Scope asks, looking at us.

Eightball fills him in on what Nico said.

“The order didn’t come from me. You think it’s related?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”

“Hey, Scope. I got a trace on Mercy’s cell before it cut out again. It’s near Evergreen Ridge,” Wizz calls out.

“Evergreen Ridge?” Viper asks, walking over. I look up and see Megan tucked under Grimm’s arm, just behind Viper.

“You should go home to your boy.”

She shakes her head adamantly. “He’s staying with his uncles. We’re not leaving until we find them,” she states, reminding me why she’s an old lady.

“Wait, Evergreen Ridge is where they were nearly run off the road,” Eightball says. “Think they’re heading to the center?”

“One way to find out,” Scope answers just as his cell rings.

He pulls it out and snarls into the phone. “Where the fuck are you, Boomer?”

Scope listens, and his face goes pale. Fuck, whatever Boomer just said, it isn’t good.

“What’s going on?”

“He’s at the women’s shelter. We need to get there now! Jinx is trapped inside. Go, go, go!” Scope orders everyone.

“We’re on our way. Is Mercy okay?”

“I don’t know. She’s breathing, but I can’t wake her up. I called an ambulance. I didn’t want to take any chances. Sorry, I didn’t know what else to do.” Scope has him on speaker now, so I can hear his voice shaking. Whatever’s happened, it’s bad enough to send Boomer into shock.

“We are on our way. I’m hanging up now so I can call in help. Don’t you dare let her die on me, Boomer. That’s a fucking order.”

“Yes, Pres,” Boomer answers before Scope hangs up.

He bends over and roars before Kaz moves to him and pulls him in for a hug. “Come on. We’ll take the truck.” He helps Scope into the passenger seat as I jump into the back with Eightball. Knight runs past us and jumps on his bike, not giving us a second look before he takes off. Viper, Grimm and Wizz jump on theirs and follow him.

Kaz drives like a maniac to get us there as I pull out my cell phone and stare at the screen.

“Call them. You have to,” Eightball tells me, gripping my wrist.

I dial the number woodenly.

“You find her?”

“She’s at the women’s center. She’s trapped inside, Nico. I—” my voice breaks.

“We’re on our way.” He hangs up as I stare at the phone, wondering how fucking cruel fate must be to let this happen again.

It feels like it takes forever to get there, and when we do, it’s chaos.

---