“Fuck!” Soul roars and pulls the phone away from his mouth. “Malice, your brother and Jez are in trouble. Get everyone ready to ride now!”

“I’m gonna kill them!” Malice bellows. “What were they thinking going off on their own?”

“Soul, I have to go,” I state, panic tearing through my insides. “I can’t be distracted, and I need to listen to what’s going on so I can direct you if something changes.”

“Go, but we’ll be talking about this later.” He disconnects the call, and I return to the team.

“The cavalry is on their way,” I whisper to Demon and Jez through their coms. “Hold on, you two.”

“That’s good,” Bela says quietly. “But will they be too late?”

I close my eyes and listen to the screams coming from Demon and Jez.

I fucking hope not!

“Found another one.”

I lift my head off the table in time to see Agent Betts dragging Phantom into the room from the hallway. He must’ve got him at the rear entrance. My arms and legs are secured to the table, so I’m spread-eagled on top of it. I’m helpless and can’t do anything but watch as Betts throws him to the ground like he’s trash. My breaths are ragged as I stare at Phantom, who’s body is unmoving. I will him to open his eyes and look at me, but my prayers go unanswered.

Stewart smacks Betts on the back. “I will say I was disappointed when the infamous Mary ‘Jezebel’ Hodges only showed up with Mark here. Now I have the complete threesome.”

Betts snickers. “I found him lurking around outside. Knocked his ass clean out. He’ll be out for a while. The best partis that he saw my face just before I hit him. He knows exactly who did this.”

“Diabla, they have Phantom, too,” Jinx screeches in my ear, and I’m grateful that Stewart and his goons didn’t find our comms.

“Fuck,” Diabla hisses. “Hold on, guys. Help is coming.”

“Wow,” I say sarcastically, ignoring the voices in my ear. “Why don’t you untie me and see what damage I can do. P.S. motherfucker,myface will be the last you see, so you’ll know exactly who sent you to Hell.”

The sharp crack of Stewart’s open hand against my cheek knocks my head back against the tabletop. I hiss through my teeth but make no other sound.

Stewart leans over my face. “You’re not in charge here.” Stewart’s hot, nasty breath invades my nostrils.

I grimace. “Ever hear of a breath mint, dickface? No wonder you only prey on kids… A real man wouldn’t be able to get past your smell.”

“Jez, stop,” Demon pleads.

I glance over at him and offer a small smile. Two men have Demon’s arms wrenched behind his back as he’s forced to kneel on the ground. Another man stands off to Demon’s side, holding a gun to his head while one of the men I love watches me with anguish in his eyes.

Hell of a time to realize I love them.

Betts marches over to Demon. “Stand him up. It’s not a fair fight if he’s already on the ground.”

The two men holding Demon lift him to his feet. Betts delivers an uppercut to his jaw before gripping his shoulder and slamming his fist into Demon’s gut.

“Fucker,” Demon wheezes.

“Leave him alone, asshole,” I yell. “It’s not a fair fight when you have two people holding him and a gun trained on his head,moron. You wouldn’t be acting so tough if you didn’t have all your buddies here.”

Shut the fuck up, Jez.

My plan works, and Betts spins on his heel and marches back over to me, leaving Demon gasping for air. I’ll sacrifice myself to keep Demon and Phantom safe.

Betts raises his hand to strike me, but Stewart grips his wrist before he can deliver his blow.

“Now, now, Betts. Let’s not be too hasty,” Stewart says menacingly. “I think it’s time for a little reunion with my boy, Mark.”

Betts rubs his hands together. “Whaddya have in mind?”