Page 127 of Boulder's Weight

As the guard dials, holding the phone to my ear, I realize with sickening clarity what's happening.

I'm not just a prisoner—I'm bait.

Boulder will come for me, walking right into whatever trap Benji’s prepared.

The phone rings once, twice, three times.

Then Boulder's voice, tense and angered, "Yeah?"

"Boulder," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, fighting the urge to scream warnings he can't act on. "Don't?—"

Benji snatches the phone away. "Hello, prospect. I believe I have something of yours."

I can't hear Boulder's response, but the smile that spreads across Benji's face tells me everything I need to know.

"She's alive. For now." Benji paces as he speaks. "Whether she stays that way is entirely up to you."

He continues the conversation, laying out demands, but I tune it out, focusing instead on my surroundings, looking for anything that might help me escape or at least leave a clue for Boulder when—if—he finds this place.

The warehouse looks like it's been used recently for storage—there are marks on the floor where crates have been dragged, dust patterns showing where things have been moved.

On the far wall, I notice what looks like a shipping manifest tacked to a bulletin board.

If I could get closer, maybe I could learn where we are or what Benji is planning.

"I'll text you the coordinates," Benji says into the phone. "Come alone. Any sign of your club brothers, and she dies slowly." He pauses, listening. "One hour. Don't be late."

He ends the call, turning back to me with that empty smile. "Your boyfriend sounds quite desperate. It's touching, really."

"Where's Python?" I demand, remembering Astra's terrified words at the café.

"What have you done with him?" Benji smiles, that empty expression that makes my skin crawl.

"Your friend's old man? He's alive. For now." He gestures to one of his men. "Show her."

The man turns a tablet toward me.

On screen is Python, bound to a chair in what looks like another room of the warehouse.

His face is bruised, dried blood crusting at his temple, but his eyes are alert, defiant.

"Simple insurance policy," Benji explains. "Andrés's men picked him up this morning. The club will be too busy trying to figure out which of their people to save first—him, you, or that prospect girl with the shoulder wound."

My stomach drops, they have Lashes too.

Boulder will be torn in different directions, trying to save everyone at once. "You won't get away with this."

Benji's laugh is cold. "I already have, little sister. I already have."

"If you hurt him or any of them—" I begin, straining against my restraints.

"You'll what?" Benji cuts me off. "You're in no position to make threats, Cady." He checks his watch. "Now, I have preparations to make. My men will keep you company."

As Benji walks away, calling orders to his people, I close my eyes, fighting to stay calm.

Boulder is coming and he'll walk into a trap because of me, because I couldn't stay away from him, couldn't keep my distance the way I should have.

All this time, I thought I was running to protect myself.

---