Page 104 of Pretty Lethal
“Yeah, or get ourselves killed because we rushed in too quickly without an actual plan in place.”
Both of them turn to Kai, Hawk crossing his large biceps over his chest while Wilder arches an eyebrow. “What do you think?” he asks, the two of them having mutually decided to make Kai the tiebreaker.
Kai takes a moment, internally weighing the pros and cons of both options before his eyes slide to Hawk. “I understand you want to keep Hadley out of this, but we need her.” Hawk opens his mouth to protest, but Kai shakes his head and continues. “Who knows what Carrie is capable of if we give her the time to retaliate. We know where she isrightnow. With help from Hadley and the guys, we could surround the Elite’s house and devise a strategic attack.”
Hawk’s lips flatten, and I can tell he’s still reluctant. When his eyes flick to me, I give him a soft smile to ease the blow.
Arching a brow, I ask him, “Do you want to deal with Hadley when she finds out after the fact that we didn’t include her?”
His nose wrinkles, knowing damn well Hadley will have his balls for excluding her.
“Decision made,” Wilder announces with a feral grin. “Let’s get the whole crew together to kick some ass.”
* * *
We hidein the trees near the side of the road that passes through the forest toward the Elite clubhouse and wait for Hadley and the guys to arrive. I’m sandwiched between Hawk and Kai, although none of us talk much, everyone preparing in their own way for what’s to come.
I’m honestly in a bit of a state of shock over everything that has gone down tonight, and I know once the adrenaline wears off, I’m going to crash hard. Regardless, despite my nervousness for what lies ahead, I’m prepared to do whatever is necessary to help. Even with my recent runs with Kai, self-defense sessions with Hawk, and weapons training with Hadley, I’m acutely aware that I am the weakest link in this group. However, I have on my side a ruthless determination to succeed. It has been a long, hard path to get all four of us on the same page, and now that we’re finally in this together, I want the peace and freedom to explore this thing between us. To grow as a family. This can’t happen if Carrie sends the Elites after us over some delusional agenda for power.
I’ve never killed anyone before, and honestly the thought of it makes me a little sick, but for my family, for our chance at happiness, I’ll do whatever I have to tonight to ensure all of us make it out alive.
“Headlights,” Kai whispers as a xenon beam flashes through the trees before the sound of an engine can be heard from a slowly approaching car. Hawk had dropped a pin with our location to Hadley, so as soon as the car pulls off the road in front of us, we know it’s her. And any doubts are eradicated as all four car doors open and five people dressed in black tactical gear step out, Cam’s voice piercing the otherwise still air.
“I feel like a Ninja Turtle ready to go beat some Shredder ass. Quick, someone find me some nunchucks!”
Someone scoffs before Beck retorts, “The only person you’d do any damage to with nunchucks is yourself.”
I can feel Hawk’s shoulders shaking with silent laughter beside me before he pushes to his feet and we follow him over to where Hadley and the guys are gathered around the trunk of their car.
They hear us approaching, turning as one, with weapons already in their hands, which they lower when they realize it’s just us.
“Fancy meeting you out here,” Hadley says with a grin that shows all of her teeth. She looks far too enthusiastic about the ensuing bloodshed.
“Did you bring them?” Wilder asks excitedly as he bounces over to the trunk.
“Yes.” Mason sighs as he reaches inside the trunk and retrieves a small bag, tossing it to Wilder. “Although I don’t understand why you needed us to stop by yours just to get them when you’re supposedly in the middle of a crisis.”
“Wait till you see. It’ll all be worth it,” Wilder promises, confusing the life out of me. He’d stolen the phone from Hawk before he could hang up and wandered out of earshot to talk to Hadley, then refused to tell us what he was up to when he came back.
Reaching inside the bag, he pulls out something black and shoves it into Kai’s chest before doing the same with Hawk.
“Seriously?!” Hawk grumbles as I step closer to Kai, biting down on my lower lip to suppress my laughter when I notice the t-shirt held in his outstretched hand. “You made them stop at ours just so they could grab a stupid t-shirt?” He shakes his head, clearly at his wit’s end with Wilder’s crazy.
“How could I not?!” Wilder argues. “Who knows when the next opportunity will arise!”
“Hopefully never,” Kai mutters, still frowning at the top in his hands.
He turns to look at me, and I simply shrug a shoulder. “It’s very… you,” I offer, still struggling not to burst out laughing.
Hadley has no such concerns, as she cackles like a maniac at Hawk’s grimace of disgust. “You should get ones made that you can all wear when you go out on group dates.”
Wilder gasps as he points his finger at Hadley, his eyes wide, and I swear I can see the multitude of ideas flashing through his mind.
“Don’t fucking encourage him,” Hawk grouses as he reluctantly shrugs out of his top and pulls on the t-shirt, most likely knowing it’s futile to argue with Wilder, and we have better things to do than argue over wardrobe choices.
With a sigh, Kai does the same.
“Oh yeah, you were right… totally worth it,” Mason says, intent on riling Hawk and Kai. “Now you look like some idiotic boy band from the 90s.”
