Ashton: I know you’re still enraged with me, but you need to call me. We got movement happening and I’m not totally sure what it all is.
I got that text and eased out of the living room. Jess and her mother had cooked a meal together. There’d been a good conversation over the dinner table, and now both were on the couches. A movie was on the television. Each had a blanket over her lap and a bowl of popcorn in hand. Plus, sweet tea. Lots of sweet tea being drunk between the two of them.
I knew Jess had questions for me about being the one to push for her mother’s treatment, but all in all, it didn’t matter. I had high hopes for their relationship being mended.
I called him from the burner phone when I went upstairs to Jess’s bedroom.
“Where are you?” he asked, answering.
“What movement are you talking about?”
“One of our warehouses is on fire. And I just got a call saying that someone drove by Katya, shooting inside.” We both heard a beep on his end.
He cursed.
“What?”
But my phone was beeping too. I read the text sent.
Pajn: Shots fired at your uncle’s house.
Pajn: We’re under attack.
Ashton was cursing, but I was on the move. These were synchronized attacks, coordinated to happen at the same time. I grabbed my gun, my coat, and my keys. “I’m on the way.”
“Where are you?”
“Does that really matter?”
“Yes! I know I fucked up with Jess, but I’m still your brother. Where are you? I can’t send guys to protect you if I don’t know where you are.”
I frowned. “You don’t have to know. I’m coming to you. I’ll call when I’m on the way.”
I heard him cursing as I hung up and headed downstairs.
Jess met me at the bottom of the stairs. “What’s going on?”
I forced myself to take a second before I moved in. I touched her shoulders and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Her mother watching us from the couch. Her blanket was half pushed off of her. She was clenching it, pale in the face.
I rested my head against Jess’s, for just one second. I needed this touch. I needed to remember this touch.
“We’re under attack.”
“What?” Jess started to jerk back.
I held her in place, my fingers curling around her shoulder. “Please.”
She let out a swift curse but stayed. Her hand touched my chest. “Trace. Let me help.”
“You can’t. You know you can’t. I have to go and take care of this, but I made a call for Kelly and Justin. I didn’t tell you, figured you could have an evening with your mom, but a 411 representative got back to me. They’ve agreed to hide Kelly and Justin. They’ll be okay.” I angled my head back, taking her in. “The meet is tomorrow. Call Kelly. Tell her to pack one bag, that’s it, and be ready by nine in the morning. When I get more instructions, I’ll let you know, but also know that sometimes the 411 Network will move on their own timeline. Meaning that they might move in and take them before I know, you know, or anyone. That’s the point of hiding them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already on their way here and will make contact before any of us are notified.”
My phone kept buzzing. I had to go.
“I love you.”
She nodded, blinking back tears, and lifted up on her tiptoes to touch her lips to mine. “I love you too. Be safe.”
I headed out but had to stop one last time. One last look because the truth was that I had no idea what would happen tonight. I just knew it was time for war.
Me: I’m on my way.
Ashton calling.
I picked up, getting into the vehicle. “Wha—”
“Tr—” Bang!
I froze. “Ashton?”
Nothing.
Silence.
. . . Bang, bang!
