Page 59 of Wicked Trials (Boys of Briar Hall 2)

“What is he talking about? The train tracks? What does that mean?” Corvus roared down the line.

I had an idea, but it was Ghost’s story to tell. Her choice who she told it to.

“Andthe dark one,” Grey added. “That was sent on fight night. Whoever this is, they’re talking about Rook.”

“This ends now. Can we trace this guy?” Corvus asked.

I cared little about the threat to my life, but I knew my brothers wouldn’t be taking it lightly.

What I was more concerned with was the threat to Ghost.

I’ll have to punish you,this piece of shit said.

For being with us. For letting us touch her. Like shebelongedto this...this coward who hid behind a set of electronic keys and the mask of beingunknown.

“He sent most of them from different numbers. All burners. I can’t get a trace on anything. That’s why it took so long to get them decrypted in the first place.”

“We need to talk to Ava Jade,” I grunted down the line, that dark urge still souring in the pit of my stomach. Scratching at the back of my skull.

I twisted off the cap of my flask and drank deeply until the burn of the alcohol seared away some of the darkness, numbing the places where it used to be.

“We need to lure this bastard out,” I added as I set the flask down.

A pause before either of my brothers replied. A muscle beneath my eye twitched.

“He’s right,” Grey said. “She should’ve told us. Especially after whoever this is threatened Rook.”

I could almost hear Corvus nodding on his end of the phone as he came up with a plan. “Tomorrow,” he said. “Take her to the chapel instead of homeroom. We’ll meet you there.”

I wasn’t able to hold back a growl. I wanted this handlednow.I wanted bloodnow.

“Be cool.” Grey spoke calmly, letting out a shaky sigh. “This guy, whoever he is, is clearly a coward. He’s just talking. Threatening her. Trying to scare her. He hasn’t actuallydoneanything.”

“You think he’s all talk?” Corvus asked.

“Maybe.”

What did it fucking matter? My vision darkened.

I heaved, my breaths coming heavier, making my voice come out a husky rasp. “I don’t give a fuck! No one threatens our girl.”

“No one threatens our girl,” Grey agreed.

Corvus grunted his assent. “Grey, how soon can you finish up with that shit Diesel sent you to handle?”

“A few hours maybe. What about you? Didn’t he need you to settle a dispute upstairs at Sanctum?”

“That’s where I am now.”

“And?”

“It’s going to be a minute. Some fucker stiffed one of our girls and made off with an iPad. I’m tracking it down now, and then Tiny and I have to go handle it.”

“Rook, can you make it until morning without saying anything? If you confront her about it, she’s going to lose her shit.”

“What’s the difference if she loses it here or in the chapel tomorrow?”

“Grey,” Corvus supplied. “Grey is the difference.”

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