verge of exploding. There’s no need for words. Lucca, Ronan, and I grab as many weapons as we can carry and head for the door.
“Should I come too?” Vaughn asks.
“No. You’re not ready,” Ronan replies. “Take Rikkon back to our apartment and stay put.”
Lucca has his cell phone glued to his ear. After a moment, he lets out a string of curses. “She’s not picking up.”
“I’ll try Derek. She was going to Havoc,” I say.
I call the club’s owner, hoping he will answer the phone. I can’t say we are buddies, but I’d like to believe I hold a special place in his cold heart considering I’m one of his best patrons. After an eternity, his baritone voice comes through.
“Saxon, what do you want?”
“Have you seen Manu tonight?”
“Yeah, she came in about an hour ago. Why?”
“Is she still there?”
“Fuck. How am I supposed to know? The house is packed. What is this all about? You’ve never called looking for her before.”
We walk out of the institute building through a side exit, getting blasted immediately with the chilly autumn air. I’m only wearing a muscle shirt and the cold seeps into my bones. Running as fast as we can helps a little.
“I have reason to believe Jacques is going to try something tonight,” I say in a low tone, not wanting to chance being overheard.
“I haven’t seen any of Tatiana’s sympathizers here tonight, but I’ll try to find Manu.”
“Okay. We’re on our way.”
Ronan is already behind the steering wheel of his black SUV and Lucca is riding shotgun. I slide into the backseat, ending the call.
“Is she at the club?” Lucca asks.
“Derek doesn’t know. But she was there earlier.”
That’s a good enough answer for Ronan. He presses the pedal to the metal, burning rubber as he speeds off down the lane.
“Easy there, Speedy. There’s a fucking gate ahead.” I brace against the supple leather seat.
Ronan presses on the brakes, sending me flying forward. I hit my face against the back of his seat, which sends white-hot pain up my nose. “Motherfucker!”
“Buckle up, idiot,” Lucca growls.
“Did he give me the chance?”
As soon as the gate opens, Ronan takes off, pushing the engine to the limit. Going at this insane speed should bring us to Havoc in less than five minutes. We ride in silence, but it’s impossible to miss the tension in the car. I can only guess my friends’ brains are whirling as fast as mine. My thoughts are scattered everywhere, but mainly, I’m worried about Manu. Despite her being a badass fighter, she can’t survive an ambush. Fuck. We shouldn’t have let her go alone anywhere.
Maybe she isn’t alone. I text Karl, hoping the familiar is with her. Instead of texting me back, he calls.
“What do you know?” he asks without preamble.
Fuck. It’s true, then. Manu is in danger. Karl would be able to sense it. “Not much. I was hoping you would have more intel.”
“I don’t even know where she is. I’ve been dealing with other issues all week.”
“We’re headed to Havoc. It’s the last place she was seen.”
“I’m on my way.” He ends the call before I can get another word in.
Lucca turns on his seat. “Was that Karl?”
“Yeah. He sensed something was wrong with Manu.”
Ronan curses under his breath. “Why wasn’t he with her?”
“Have you met my sister?” Lucca grumbles. “Damn it, Manu. Why do you have to be so fucking difficult?”
“Uh, maybe because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” I snort.
“Are you still looking for an ass-whooping, Saxon?” Lucca snarls.
“For fuck’s sake!” Ronan hits the steering wheel hard. “Shut your piehole. Both of you.”
I swallow my angry retort. Ronan is justified in getting pissed off. It seems I can’t help but say stupid shit. Lucca remains quiet too, looking out the window. In another minute, Ronan parks right in front of Havoc, and I say a silent prayer. I’m jonesing for action.
Derek is waiting for us in front of the club. One close look at the male and I know he has bad news.
Lucca reaches him first. “She’s not in there, is she?”
“No. I looked at the security camera footage. She left about half an hour ago accompanied by a human.”
“Do you know the human’s name?” Ronan asks.
“He didn’t buy anything with a credit card, so no.”
“Maybe we should have brought Rikkon with us. Another vision would be helpful.”
I’m blasted immediately by Lucca’s and Ronan’s glares, which alerts me to my error. Derek is watching me with interest now. Fuck me and my big