54. Crew
Ileave Camilla resting on the couch and move into the bedroom at the end of the hall. It’s been a while since we’ve been here, but we have a cleaning service that comes in once a week to make sure when we do need it, it’s ready for us. The bed is neatly made, and the sparse space is clean, but I’d much rather be at the compound. We’re too exposed here.
This safe house doesn’t have the same security that the one outside the city does, but under the circumstances, this was the best choice, especially when we were cornered and had to leave the car in the middle of the road.
I drop down onto the corner of the bed and run a hand through my hair as I dial Bishop’s number. We need a plan, because while we’re here, we’re as good as sitting ducks.
“How is she?” he answers, and I can’t help but bark out a laugh. Oh, how things have changed.
“I’m good, thanks, son. How are you?”
“Dad,” he warns.
I huff out a laugh. “Camilla is okay. Elias came to stitch up her arm, and she’s resting right now.”
He breathes out a sigh of relief, and I hear shuffling on the other end of the line as he moves through the compound. “Hold on, I’m just heading into the gym. Kovu and Kaos have been beating the shit out of the punching bags since I told them what happened.”
Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. The fact Kovu hasn’t already stormed through the front door is a fucking miracle. His obsession with Camilla knows no bounds, and I’m beginning to wonder if he doesn’t know everything that happened this morning.
The sound of fists on the bag fills the line a moment before Bishop says, “Crew’s on the phone.” And it stops immediately.
“Has Wyatt got anything?” I ask.
“Some photos for Cami to go through to identify anyone she recognizes, but apart from that, not a whole lot.”
I groan and massage my temple. Life was simpler when I only had the three of them to worry about.
“I spoke to Knox Davenport a little while ago. As far as he knows, it wasn’t Charles who ordered the hit.”
“So it has to be Scott and Michael?” I ask.
“Looks that way. But they weren’t in any of the traffic cam footage. If it’s them, they stayed out of it to avoid the blame if they failed.”
“Fuck.” I sigh. Fatigue is beginning to weigh heavily on me. It’s been more than twenty-four hours since I’ve slept, and now that the adrenaline has worn off, I’m ready for bed. But that’s not going to happen anytime soon, not until I’m sure Camilla is safe.
Footsteps down the hall pull my attention to a sleepy Camilla wandering toward me, and just the sight of her is enough to settle some of the rage pumping through my body. Even when I’m sure my life would be simpler without a woman, I’m fucking grateful she walked into our lives when she did.
She stifles a yawn. “Crew?—”
But she never gets the chance to say whatever she was about to say before an explosion rocks the apartment. I’m thrown backward onto the bed as I watch in horror as Camilla is flung into the wall, her head cracking against the drywall in a sickening blow.
“Camilla, fuck!” I throw myself off the bed, only stopping for a second to grab one of the guns wedged beneath the mattress, before dropping to my knees beside her.
Blood pools around her head, and my stomach churns at the sight, but I can’t stop. If I stop, they might take her from me, and I refuse to hold the woman I love as she slips away for the second time in my life. Because I wouldn’t survive losing Camilla.
None of us would.
My eyes dart around the room for my phone, and I find it a few feet away on the floor. I reach for it and bring it to my ear.
“We need backup, right fucking now. Camilla’s hurt.”
I throw the phone before I hear their response. I don’t have time to soothe their worries right now, not when I’m positive we’re outnumbered and she’s unconscious.
I carefully drag her further into the room so she’s protected from sight, but the trail of blood that follows us has a rare panic flaring to life in my chest.
Once we’re inside the walk-in closet, I check her pulse, more so for my own peace of mind than anything else, before using the doorframe of the closet as a cover.
I wait for the first asshole to enter the room, and then pop off my first shot.
They’re going to learn what happens when you fuck with what belongs to the men of the Legion.