Page 52 of Dark Endures

Rogue’s grin is anything but friendly. “Terrified out of their minds. Especially since Havoc has been sharpening his knife for the last half hour.”

I laugh. “Should I have brought a change of clothing for them?”

“Not yet. But maybe when he starts cleaning his gun.”

“Weapon maintenance is vital.” Maybe I should just leave the two of them here. It seems like Havoc has everything under control. That would be one less headache for me.

“What’s with the kid?” Rogue nods over at Everett. “He doesn’t look like he’s related.”

“Can I please?” Everett’s smile should terrify Rogue.

“He helped find Jordan.” I remind Everett.

Everett folds his arms across his chest. “Just a little lesson.”

“You’re not old enough to teach those kinds of lessons.” And the Children of Chaos don’t need to be poaching you from The Street. Teenage boys like bikes and leather way too much. I probably should have left him at home.

Everett’s nose wrinkles like a little kid denied an ice cream cone. But on a good note, he completely ignores the flashy bikes as we walk inside the compound.

Yeah, they didn’t spend their money decorating in here either. But all the liquor behind the bar is top-shelf.

Priorities.

Down through a maze of hallways with unmarked doors, Rogue leads us deeper and deeper into their fortress. A person could get lost in here.

A drunk person would never find their way out.

Tactically, this place makes labyrinths seem easy, which I applaud. Logistically, it’s a nightmare. How do you tell a cleaner what rooms to take care of each night?

Everett leans in and whispers so Rogue can’t hear, “Are you lost yet?”

“No.” I don’t bother to lower my voice. “Are you?”

“Nope.” He grins. “I could do it with my eyes closed.”

“We could arrange that if you want.” Rogue turns to look at him with assessing eyes.

Time to make a choice. Give Everett up or keep him with all his problems. “Don’t.”

“Fine. There’s no need to get grumpy about it.” But Rogue eyes Everett with even more curiosity.

I need to find the proper internship quickly.

We stop in front of a door in the heart of the clubhouse.

“They’re inside that room.” Rogue nods towards the first door with locks on the outside.

“Thank you.” I turn to Everett. “You earned the ability to be in this room. Don’t waste it.”

“That’s all the wisdom you’re going to share with me?”

Since I have no idea how things are going to go once we step in that room… “Yup.”

Everett shakes his head.

I’ll take that as an agreement. We step inside the holding room to find two scared kids and one man who’s having way too much fun. “Thanks, Havoc.”

He stands up and pauses at the door. “If you need me to deal with either of the bodies, let me know.”

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