Page 76 of Scornful

"Were they..." I can't finish the sentence.

"We don't know. We need to go to the clubhouse. Now."

Fern appears behind her, already grabbing coats. "I'll handle Mrs. Henderson. Tell her we've got a gas leak, need to evacuate immediately."

I nod numbly, gently waking my client. "Mrs. Henderson? I'm so sorry, but we've just been notified of a gas leak in the building. We need to evacuate."

She blinks groggily. "Oh my. Is it serious?"

"Just a precaution," Mom says smoothly, helping her sit up. "But we need everyone out now. We'll comp today's session and reschedule."

Mrs. Henderson’s session was almost up anyway, but it is nice of Mom to offer another one.

It takes ten minutes to get her out safely, and thank goodness she’s the only client in the building.

Mom's hands shake slightly as she locks up, the only sign of how scared she is.

The drive to the clubhouse is tense.

Fern's in the passenger seat, phone pressed to her ear as she fields calls.

Mom's knuckles are white on the steering wheel.

"What exactly happened?" I ask from the backseat.

"Gwen didn't have details. Just that there was an explosion at their house this morning. The men are at the scene now."

My phone buzzes.

Geirolf:

On scene at explosion. Stay with the others.

The knot in my stomach tightens.

If he's there, it's serious.

"This is the Patriot," Fern says grimly, ending another call. "Has to be. First the overdoses, now this."

"But why Kraken?" I ask. "Why target him specifically?"

Mom meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. "Because terror isn't about logic, honey. It's about fear. He couldn’t get Tindra, so he’s trying something else."

I’m pissed as all hell. "But he killed Flora. When will enough be enough?"

Fern glances back at me, "To men like him, enough will never be enough."

When we arrive at the club, it’s pure and utter craziness.

Cars fill the lot, women and children streaming inside.

The prospects on guard duty look focused as all hell, hands hovering near their barely concealed guns.

Inside, the main room is already crowded.

Gwen's organizing something in the kitchen with Starla.

Dasha's bouncing baby Cali, trying to soothe her cries.

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