living room, pausing when my father uttered his threat. Ever and I both seemed to hold our breath as we waited. Crow seemed to mull it over before resuming his strides. A moment later, all that was left was the sound of the front door opening and softly closing behind him.
I stood there, wondering what to do. Should I take Tyra and River and run as far and fast as I could? Ever seemed to be contemplating the same before he stepped over Fox and laid a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Are you?” I challenged.
Neither of us answered.
A low chuckle drew our gazes to my father. “I’m going to enjoy making you beg, boy.”
I suddenly felt the wind howling outside on my nape. It whistled as it blew through the hole in the window. My gaze then traveled to Fox’s gun that had skidded across the floor, less than a foot from my father’s feet. Feeling the hunch burning in my gut, I crossed the room, enjoying the way my father’s eyes widened in fear as I approached.
To his surprise and mine, I simply untied him.
“Don’t think you can convince me to show you mercy,” he spat once he was free. I didn’t respond as I put some distance between us, steering clear of the window. I kept my expression impassive even when Ever began looking at me like I was crazy. The front door opened and closed, and a moment later, Wren and Jeremy appeared.
Antonov, of course, was pissed. Not only had I gotten the drop on him, but the plan had failed. “Why the hell is he still alive?” he snarled.
No one got the chance to answer.
My father, as I predicted, had lunged for Fox’s gun. I held his gaze as he held me at gunpoint. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure of bargaining or begging. “After I kill you and your friends, I’ll be sure to pay a visit to your son.”
“How about you tell Fox I said hello instead?”
The confusion in my father’s eyes was only momentary.
Glass shattered.
Skull fractured.
Blood and brains spattered.
My bastard father was finally dead. Everyone’s gaze followed mine to the broken window, where there were now two identical holes. The wind outside whistled louder now. The sound of sirens drowned it out a moment later. Even though Fox and Franklin were both dead, I realized just how fucked my plan had gone. Ever, Wren, Antonov, and I were now standing over two dead bodies and no explanation. The sirens were too close to get away in time.
“Shit,” Ever breathed, the first to speak and verbalize just how fucked we were.
My shoulders sagged as I looked at Wren and Antonov. They were both still thinking of a way out of this.
Wren turned to Ever. I knew what he thought before he even spoke. He was willing to take the fall for his younger brother. “I’ll stay behind. Go while you still can.” I wasn’t expecting him to face me next. “You, too.” I was already turning him down when he spoke again. “Think of River.”
My lips slammed shut, but my feet refused to move. This had all been my idea. If anyone took the fall, it would be me.
Wren looked at Antonov. “I don’t give a shit what you do.”
“Likewise,” Jeremy returned.
“Let’s just all go,” Ever suggested. “It’s our word against theirs.” He nodded toward Franklin and Fox. I bit my lip to keep from pointing out that defense only worked when the opposition was still alive. We all had their blood on our hands, clothes, and shoes, and since there was no sign of forced entry or a struggle, it was an open and shut case.
The squad cars had swarmed the neighborhood before we could agree, so as one, we each headed for the front door. By the time we poured out into the night, the police were already out of their cars, guns pointed.
But it wasn’t at us.
Slowly making his way down the driveway across the street, was Crow. His arms were raised, and the sniper rifle used to kill Franklin and Fox was firmly clutched in his hand.
AFTER THREE MONTHS OF BEING hospitalized, River was finally going home.
I tried and failed not to dwell on the fact that I hadn’t seen his father in over a week. Not since I found the photos, and he left without offering much of an explanation. Franklin Rees using those photos of me to torture his son had only sparked more questions than