Page 15 of Nemesis

“Missing-missing, or…”

“Presumed dead.” Wolfe shifts. “Don’t mention it to Kora. Or Antonio. Or, fuck it, anyone. This guy…” He pulls the paper out and holds it between us.

It’s jarring to see it again.

Himagain.

I hadn’t realized he took it.

“Is he trouble, Tem?”

I take the paper from him. I could get my own, but this seems so much more convenient. I fold it up so I don’t have to see it anymore and shove it in my back pocket. And it sucks that Wolfeis so fucking perceptive, because he seems to know exactly what I’m doing.

The answer to his question isprobably, but I can’t make myself say that out loud. So I land on, “I have no fucking clue.”

I can’t condemn Reese without having a conversation. But that means digging in and actually finding him.

Luckily for me, I know just the person to locate him.

4ARTEMIS

Sterling Falls,to the locals, is divided into four main quadrants. North Falls for the tourists, the beaches, and mansions. South Falls for the industrial district, the harbor, and marina. West Falls is mostly residential, with the reservoir supplying water to homes up in the hills just outside city limits. The Titans covered those neighborhoods, although most have gone underground since the gang was… beheaded.

East Falls used to be ruled by the Hell Hounds. There’s a compound on the southeast side of the city, abutting the industrial district, where the Hell Hounds ruled their roost. They were primarily a motorcycle club, although over the years they evolved into something else.

Much to the sheriff’s dismay, the gang didn’t dissolve with their leader’s death last year.

Instead, a new leader stepped into Cerberus’s shoes. He’s been shifting the club toward the right side of the law, although I think they still get up to their mischief. Wolfe, Cerberus’s son, makes sure the new leader doesn’t drift the club back to where it once was.

For the record, I avoid them when I can…

But now, as I bump down the gravel driveway toward the Hell Hounds’ compound, I can’t help but imagine it the way it used to be. The Hell Hounds were feared. Cerberus caused his fair share of damage while he was alive.

And yet, he managed to shape three teenage boys into something normal.

Wolfe, as Cerberus’s only son, should’ve taken over. But he wanted nothing to do with it. Jace King was brought into the club as a young teen, and Apollo…

My brother was sold into it.

So that’s where the trio was formed, and they’ve been together ever since.

Finally, I round the corner and come up on the clubhouse. It’s a massive, sprawling building that’s been remodeled in recent years. There’s a long row of bikes out front, and one of the Hell Hounds sits on the porch, smoking a cigarette.

I park on the end and climb out of my car.

“Club meeting,” the Hell Hound informs me. “You can’t go in until they’re finished.”

I blow out a breath. The kid looks young. I’d be surprised if he had tipped over into his twenties yet. The scruff above his lip strikes me as the first hair he’s been able to grow on his face. And because of it, he’s unwilling to fucking shave.

He stares at me.

I stare back.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s waiting.

“Tell Malik to find me when he’s done.” I hop off the porch, ignoring his protest, and go around the far side of the building.

There’s a gravel pathway that leads to the residencies. At one point, they all used to be in the same building. And the only way in was through that front door they have the puppy guarding.

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