Crow a message telling him our plan and thus giving his father the upper hand, and then he’d given Crow a choice. He could come for Franklin and Fox, seek vengeance and vindication or…he could walk away and be a father instead. Seeing Crow here made it clear the choice he’d made. He’d chosen Exiled and Thirteen over his sons once again.
“If fate is kind, your friend just might live.”
I shook my head, realizing there was no such thing as a sure or easy path. Following your heart was the only option. Crow’s wrong choice just might lead him to save his son’s life. Had he chosen right, to be a father, he would have unknowingly left his youngest son to die.
“I can’t just stand here. I need to do something.”
“You can,” Jeremy said as he bent to peer out of his scope. “You can wait and shut the fuck up.”
I let my gaze roam the room as I stood perfectly still until I found what I was looking for. Of course, I’d considered this happening, but it wasn’t possible to get my hands on the drugs I’d need without committing a few felonies and getting caught. Once I was sure Jeremy’s focus was on the house across the street, I tiptoed over to the nightstand. I only had one shot at this, and I couldn’t risk waking the neighbors with an all-out brawl. Curling my fingers around the heavy lamp, I yanked it from the wall. By the time Jeremy caught on, it was too late. I never thought I’d see shock in Jeremy Antonov’s eyes. I made sure I put extra power behind the blow. Clutching his head, Jeremy hit the floor a moment later.
No time to waste, I lifted the rope I stashed from my backpack and got to work mimicking the knot he’d used to tie my father. I wouldn’t make the same mistake he did of not tying me up. Once he was secure and no longer a threat, I rushed from the room, taking his pistol with me. When I stepped outside, I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the wind. I could very well end up fucking dead, but I was determined to finish what I’d started. I didn’t take the front door like Ever or Crow or even the window Fox had crawled through. Fishing the key Wren had loaned me, I entered through the back door. I could hear voices speaking low, each one angry.
“We’re all smart men, so we know what’s at stake,” I heard my father say. A flash of irritation that he wasn’t dead yet filled me. Apparently, I’d overestimated Fox’s bloodthirst. “It seems we’re also at an impasse. Perhaps we can come to some arrangement instead.”
“You shot my son.” Crow. “I’m not interested in negotiating.”
“Fine. Have it your way. I only need to convince one of you to spare my life.” Fear that my father would somehow weasel his way out of this had me tiptoeing forward. I’d make the kill myself if I had to and deal with the fallout later, whether it be my soul or my life. At least River and Tyra would be safe.
I was almost near the living room when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Panicking, I spun around, aiming without hesitation. I realized, with a sigh of audible relief, that I was pointing a gun at my best friend’s head. His golden eyes blinked in surprise.
“What are you doing here?” we both whispered at the same time.
Ever waved his hand impatiently. “I’ll explain later. You?”
I nodded toward the living room. “I was waiting for them when I saw you arrive.”
His gaze flitted from me to the gun to the living room before he spoke, his voice a harsh whisper. “What the hell were you planning to do when they got here, and when were you going to tell me about this?”
“Nothing, and I wasn’t. Not until it was over.” I paused, swallowing hard. “Your father is in there.”
Ever’s golden eyes flared with anger. I’d worry over whether he would ever forgive me for sending his father to slaughter later. “I know. I hid when I heard Fox and Franklin talking, and then I saw Crow come in.”
I shook my head in awe. My best friend definitely had nine fucking lives. “I thought you were in trouble. How the hell did you escape their notice?”
“What makes you think he escaped our notice?”
I spun on my heel, seeing