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They were going to make it.

44

Roman’s House

YVESWICH, STATE OF KER

A trap.

Donovan had planned on baiting them back here with a trap in the form of a message sent from Willow’s phone.

But what Don didn’t know was that Roman had made it back to the house before him, so they already knew that Willow was not here. His trick had failed.

The fact that Donovan and his Shadowmasters had Willow’s phone was a very bad sign. While she could very well still be alive, a part of Roman deeply believed there was a very slim chance of that.

He blamed himself. If she had been murdered, it was his fault. Don had likely targeted her during his search for Paxton, had probably tortured information out of her. And Roman hadn’t even had the decency to spare a single thought for her.

Some friend he was.

They were all in the car now, waiting for the front gates to open.

The moment there was a wide enough gap, Roman slammed his boot down on the accelerator and peeled out of the driveway. He hung a left, leaving his house—dark and quiet and empty for the time being, maybe forever—behind.

Donovan was coming from the right. Roman knew because he could hear the engine. It was getting closer—and fast.

As he ripped down the street, he watched in his rear-view for any sign of those familiar headlights cutting through the dark fog. He blew past evacuated houses at maximum speed. Through the neighborhood he may never see again.

The corner up ahead—he had to make it to that corner before Donovan reached his street. Had to stay out of his father’s line of sight and book it to the closest highway exit. Being in Ardesia—a district not far from the I-5—gave them a better chance of making it out during these final minutes, but not by much.

He would need to be fast. Smart.

The tires screeched as he cut the corner?—

Still no sign of Donovan.

Neither Shay nor Pax were breathing. Roman wasn’t certain he was, either. He squeezed the wheel, driving like a fucking maniac, blowing past monsters and cars and fleeing pedestrians. It was a miracle he didn’t hit anything at this speed. His obsession with cars and racing was finally paying off.

He checked the time on his watch?—

They were down to their final hour.

Down tominutes.

He boosted his speed with a button on the steering wheel, the world a blur.

Fuck, this was exhilarating. At least if he died tonight, he’d be leaving this world with his hunger for adrenaline satiated.

For Paxton and Shay, he would try not to.

He had to stay alive.

Keep themallalive.

45

The Sky

YVESWICH, STATE OF KER