Page 85 of Best Laid Plans

“Yeah, she’s his endgame. But if he can’t get to her, then he sure as shit didn’t go through all this for nothing. He’ll want to leave a big impression, one that Lil will struggle with the aftermath of.”

“That would be the women and children, most of whom are safe, though,” Tink says softly.

“I’m not taking any chances, Tink. You and Theo get into the corner, now. It’s dark back there. No one will see you unless they’re actively looking. I want you to stay out of sight. Con, you guard them with your fucking life.”

“You don’t want us to go to the clinic?” Theo questions.

“If they open it, they’ll be vulnerable,” Havoc says.

Theo heads toward the darkest corner, Con following behind him, but Tink grabs Havoc’s arm. “What if you’re wrong? What if Theo and I aren’t the next best thing? What if he aims to bring the MC to its knees? The only way to do that is to take out the current and former presidents.”

I’m not the only one who curses. That never dawned on any of us.

“Maybe you two should hide too, keep Tink and Theo safe while the rest of us keep searching. Why take the fucking risk?” Midas says when Havoc starts to argue.

Before anyone else can comment, the sound of gagging catches our attention.

“Fuck!” Con curses, before wrapping his arm around Theo and turning away.

“What’s wrong?” Havoc barks, practically throwing Tink into my arms to guard as he rushes forward with a snarling Midas on his ass.

“Got a body here, Pres,” Con says as Theo takes a few deep breaths.

“Who?” Blade snarls, and Snoopy and Ferris move closer to him. Smoke and Stitch move closer to Tink and me, guns drawn, ready.

“Dunno, Pres. He’s not wearing a cut, sorry,” Con says, moving Theo farther away.

“Let me check,” Midas orders, shoving his way past Havoc. He crouches, disappearing from view for a few minutes before he stands back up. His eyes move to Havoc, and he shakes his head. “Bullet between the eyes. He’s cool to touch, but no rigor. I don’t recognize him…” His voice trails off as he looks over to Blade, or more specifically, the guys beside him.

Ferris and Snoopy tense, knowing what he’s implying. I let go of Tink, who hurries over to Havoc, and move behind her so I can see what we’re dealing with. Smoke and Mime guard her back while Ferris and Snoopy flank me. I feel them bracing themselves for the inevitable.

I stare at the guy, confused, for a minute before I look at Blade. “I thought you said the prospect—Tilt, or Ash, or whatever the fuck his name is—was in the clinic with the women?”

“I did. He is.”

“Then explain how he’s lying here dead?”

“I don’t understand. I handed Glory to him myself. If that wasn’t Tilt, then…”

The look of horror that crosses his face must mirror mine, but I don’t have a second to study it. I take off toward the clinic, running as hard as I can. While we’ve been out here chasing a ghost, Lil’s been locked in the clinic with a madman.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

LIL

“Rebecca?”

James cocks his head as if unsure that he’s actually seeing her. Delphi, edging in front of her, urges Rebecca to stay back. Even as tears run down her face, she stands strong and defiant. She knows if she dies now, it will destroy Kruger and Theo, and the little girl cowering behind her will be haunted for the rest of her days.

“Come here now, Rebecca!” he snaps, his composure cracking now that a wrench has been thrown into his plans.

“No, Daddy, you’re being scary,” Rebecca yells.

His jaw clenches in response, his angry gaze locking on Delphi’s. I take a deep, steady breath. If I’m going to do something, it needs to be now.

The only two people I’m willing to sacrifice are him and me. Anyone else is unacceptable.

Hero starts wailing, but Legs keeps him on the floor behind her, willing to take a hundred bullets if needed to protect him.