Chapter 60
CHAPTER SIXTY
KNOX
Bones looks at the map Killian drew of the warehouse.
I’ve been having trouble getting Heather's words out of my head. I wanted to pull her into my arms and swear to her that none of us would die—but I couldn’t do that because it’s probably not true.
We are simply pawns in her father's game. He knows what he’s planning, but we aren’t privy to that information.
For us, the best we can do is prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is why we all have trackers embedded under our skin.
“There’s only two entrances which are also exits?” Bones asks, and Kill corrects him.
“This here,” he points to the rooftop, “could also allow someone to get access inside.”
Bones takes his pen and marks x’s on the rooftop.
“I will have twelve men up here. It sounds excessive, but I think there’s a high probability this will be used as an exit strategy.”
Kill drags his hand down his face, the unknown of this fight is getting to him.
“Do you agree that the plan is to take Heather?”
He glances at Benji before turning to Killian with an answer.
“In our world, an enemy would take our women to get to us. This situation is a little different. I think it’s probable that you’re right. It’s her they want. Especially if her father is involved, and I believe he is. Benji will talk more about that shortly, but yes, I think it’s a valid concern.”
Bones holds up the map to show Killian something.
“These rooms—I’d like them bolted shut ahead of time.”
Carter glances at me, but I shrug my shoulders because I don’t know why either.
“I want to close off all unnecessary areas. If we keep them all in one space, it eliminates the element of surprise. These corners near the office and the medical room would be prime hiding spots. The bathrooms will be closed as well. We will put a sign on the door that says closed for maintenance. People will bitch because that’s what people do, but they’ll get over it.
They can piss outside. Any questions before I let Benji talk? ”
Carter sits up straight and clears his throat before he speaks.
“Why don’t we go after them ahead of time? No fight means no risk for Killian. I know that’s what Heather wants.”
Bones nods as if he has already thought of that.
“Benji can explain this more, but there are too many people involved. It would take too long and we would run the risk of people being alerted. The fight is going to be our best chance with minimal fatalities on our side.”
Killian looks at me and I know he also noticed, Bones said, minimal instead of none.
“Benji,” Bones says, and the much smaller man clears his throat as he prepares to speak.
“I’m still waiting for more information, but I’ll go over what I have thus far.”
He holds up a picture, one I figure out quickly from the dumbass tattoo on his face.
“Grave.” I say, and feel a chill run down my spine now that I know what he did to our girl.
“He and his gang are working closely with not only the church but St. Dymphna’s.
My intel suggests this fight is intended to be a bloodbath.
I wish I had better news, but you should prepare for the worst. The only good news is that I don’t think the plan is to kill Heather at the fight.
My guy on the inside with Morte said she has been offered as payment to Grave. He intends to keep her.”
Carter, Killian, and I sit motionless. My chest squeezes painfully as I hear Killian growl, his anguish matching mine.
“She is ours. He can’t fucking have her.”
Bones holds his hand up.
“Raven said you installed the tracker. If he takes her—and we will do our best to prevent that from happening—we will at least know where to look.”
Killian levels him with a glare, one I’ve seen many times throughout the years. It’s dark and threatening.
“Is this what you’d say if we were talking about your wife?”
Bones balls his hands into fists and his eyes darken as he shoots my brother a death glare.
“Not a word about my wife. We are doing this because Raven requested it. I’m not particularly fond of your bloodline, so don’t push me. I’ll do my best to keep Heather safe, but I cannot guarantee anything. We will meet again in a week. Perhaps you’ll be more grateful for our help by then.”
He rises to his feet and walks out of Raven's house as we stare after him, stunned.
“Well, he’s an asshole,” Kill says, and I can’t say I disagree with him.
Heather comes down the stairs with Bianca, and the knot in my stomach grows, knowing she will ask what was said.
We promised we’d tell her everything. Are we really going to tell her what Graves' plans are? That her father has fucking trafficked her to the leader of the most ruthless gang in existence? It’s an impossible conversation.
Heather looks at each of us before her joyous expression turns to dread.
“What’s wrong?”
Killian is physically the closest to her, and he rises to his feet and pulls her into his arms.
“Ready to go, baby?” He asks, trying to sound like nothing is wrong when everything is. She pushes away from him and folds her arms over her chest.
“What aren’t you telling me? You promised, all of you did.”
Carter moves closer to her and kisses the side of her head.
“We will talk at the guest house, Little Heathen. This is not the time or the place.”
She huffs loudly, “Fine, but you better tell me. I hate secrets.”
Heather says goodbye to her friend, and we all walk outside together. My feet are as heavy as lead as we go to the guest house. I know we don’t have a choice in the matter, but I don’t want to do this to her.