Page 98 of Revenge Saints
This is exactly what we need to raid Roman. Get our fucking home back!
Josh and Kaily hug. “I’m fine.” He whispers into her neck.
“You can’t stay here,” Max says, looking straight at Josh and Kaily. “You need to move further into town.”
They nod. No argument. They start packing what little they have left.
We move fast, sticking to the shadows. Knox leads, scanning every alley. Then he stops, raises his rifle toward the ground.
The sewer.
Kaily gives him a look like she might slap him. “Are you serious?”
“No one’s looking down here,” Knox says, already crouching to lift the rusted lid. “And nothing’s used these tunnels in a decade.”
“He’s right,” I add, when she still looks ready to throw hands.
Eventually, she nods. We help them down, one by one, the stink of rot and mildew wrapping around us like a second skin.
Knox hands them a loaded weapon. Full charge.
“Leave when you need food. Let Pauly get fresh air. But stay close. We need to know where you are.”
I can feel it, Kaily’s hesitation, Josh’s guilt. They want to ask us to take them, but they know the answer. If Roman catches us with them, Josh is dead. Kaily and the kid? We don’t say it out loud. No one wants to paint that picture.
“Four days,” Knox says, pressing the last of our food into Josh’s hands. “If we’re not back by then, move.”
Josh nods. “Thank you.”
Kaily steps forward, soft, tears in her eyes. She kisses each of us on the cheek.
“Stay safe,” she whispers.
We don’t answer. Just move.
Night’s falling by the time we hit the edge of town again. Max glances at the sky. “Hope Ryker gives us a little more time.”
“He won’t leave Aspen,” Knox says, eyes forward, feet steady. “He’ll wait.”
But I hear the shift in his voice. Not just worry. Something darker.
“You’re pissed at her,” I say, knowing damn well I’m right.
He shakes his head, but Max shoots me a look. We both know what that means.
“What happened?”
We’ve got miles ahead of us; we might as well get ready for whatever the hell I’m walking into.
“She lied,” Knox mutters.
My pulse picks up. Aspen lied, and it got under his skin. That’s not easy to do. He’s been locked up tight for years. Barely let anyone in.
But he let her in.
“To save Dante,” Max mutters. Then he glances at me. “She was afraid to lose you. She did it with goodint—”
“Fuck that.” Knox’s voice cuts through the air like a blade. “She looked me in the eyes. She grabbed my fucking hand and swore she’d wait for my plan.”
