Page 33 of King of Ruin

“You’re not bringing the rocket launcher, Madeline.” I toss her a side-eye in the back seat of the cruiser, but she merely laughs.

“I am. As soon as I see her pretty head clear of the path, I’m letting loose.” She twirls a stray red curl around her finger and for the first time in a week, she appears like the old Maddy.

We all are a little more at ease knowing this entire thing will come to an end shortly. Ezekiel’s sister called an hour ago and gave us the address of the warehouse they’re keeping Onyx. We left immediately.

My boys shut down the businesses for the day, leaving a few guards at each post, but the majority of our army has been called out, gathering at the estate to gear up and ride out. Our main plan is extraction. Get Onyx and get out.

Killing Murphy guards is a bonus. Grabbing Ezekiel is a hope. We still don’t know what side he’s on, or if this entire thing is a setup, but I’ve refined my skills at being able to get a good read on people. And for Ezekiel to trust us with sending his sister to see us alone with the information she did? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I’m certain we all do. Even in the few short months with us, he was becoming part of the family. Another member that seems vital to our operation. Not with killing Phineas, but keeping Onyx going after the fallout.

Now, I don’t know what will happen.

“Must you always be so dramatic?” Brushing my hair over an exposed shoulder. I turn to look out the front window as we pull up to the new gate. It underwent construction the day after the incident thanks to the boys and only took two days to finish with all hands on deck.

It’s an incredibly thick sheet of steel, held in place by more steel. It’s about thirteen feet high, and goes four feet into the ground, slotted in place by a metal foundation. It connects seamlessly to the gate that surrounds the entire property, and covers the only forest-free entrance. The rest of the gate disappears on either side and extends deep into the woods that most of our guards are terrified to enter.

Trigger clicks the button and allows the driver-side window to roll down. He reaches out and presses his hand against a screen, covered in a thick bulletproof glass. Like in a movie, a green light comes to life and scans his hand. It dings once and then a digital keypad appears. He types in a code and after a moment a heavy clunk resonates in the air as the lock draws back and the gate opens.

We pull inside and drive up the half-mile path until Embros estate comes into view. The front has a large black plastic sheet covering the hole which used to be the front door. The builders have demolished the wrecked brick, installed the replacement frame as well as applied the outside wrap, but even with this many people working, it will still be another week until it’s finished.

Trigger parks the car toward the back kitchen entrance. “Trick and I will have everyone ready in three minutes. Grab what you need, and meet us back here.”

We all nod in unison and get out, filing into the house and going our respective ways. Maddy hums a song as she skips past Russ and Cat arguing in the kitchen. A welcomed norm in the recent chaotic events.

“He doesn’t have much longer, Russ. Give the man his steak.” Cat pulls on her long cigarette stick and motions to me with her chin. “Tell him to make me a damn rare steak, Shire.”

“That old geezer isn’t dying till he knows his niece is safe. I am not making the man something that’s going to make him feel worse.” Russ ignores the smoke Cat blows directly in his face.

I give Cat a sympathetic smile before leaving them to their never-ending argument and into the foyer. It’s surprising how much they’ve been able to clean in the short amount of time. Besides the gaping hole, the floor has been cleared of rubble and the damaged parts have already been replaced.

I glide up the stairs, my heart squeezing in my chest as I reach the landing. Besides the initial visit home to clean up and grab clothes, I hadn’t allowed myself to really acknowledge the two empty rooms.

My sanity won’t let me look to the right, but the closed door in front of me is another story. Pushing my boot into it, it swings open with ease, displaying a room that is pristine in every way. The bed is made, the floor is clean, and the dresser is clear of any belongings.

From the looks of it, it appears to be nothing but a guest room. Something so untouched no one would think that less than a week ago, Ezekiel was here. I wonder if Cat cleaned it.

Or if perhaps he knew they were coming and he wouldn’t be here anymore.

A terrible burn begins at the back of my throat. I clear it twice but it only expands, moving into my nose and to the edge of my eyes. The warm tears fall before I can stop them.

I failed her.

I told her not to kill him. That maybe he would be the key to setting her free. But I was wrong.

Wiping my face clean, I sniff and straighten my spine, but as I shift to go, a small white rectangle catches my eye. It’s been thrown haphazardly on the pillow and has slid down halfway under the duvet.

After a quick look over my shoulder, I force my feet inside, snatching the envelope and hurrying to my room. I throw it on my dresser and quickly change before meeting everyone back downstairs.

We load up, and pull off with three dozen cars following close behind. All the while I’m gazing out of the window with one image in my mind. The script on the outside of the envelope.

Onyx.

* * *

Somehow Trick convinced Trigger he should drive, and to say he’s getting in the spirit, is an understatement. His fingers grip into my upper thigh as the loud music blasts from the speakers and causes the seats to vibrate beneath us. Maddy sings the lyrics with her entire chest, pounding on the roof above her. And from behind me, Trigger massages my neck with one hand, his eyes interchanging between his phone in the other and the screen embedded in the seat.

The drive will take about thirty minutes and with the number of people with us, it’s only a matter of time before Phineas catches word we are coming and moves her. It’s the very reason we’ve created four different ways to meet up with them. We are taking the street directly toward the warehouse, while other guards are cutting other streets off, forcing Murphy’s path should they leave before we get there.

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