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“Yes, and she can have visitors now. Her parents were here earlier. They didn’t seem to know about you.”

“It’s … They don’t … Okay, thanks.” I hang up before I incriminate myself. My relief at knowing Julia’s awake is overshadowed by the shock of Blackstone’s announcement. Mixed emotions tangle into a mess. I can’t think straight. I can’t think at all.

“Was that the hospital?” Talon asks.

“Yeah.”

“Is she okay?” Matrix asks.

“Yeah.”

“Well? What the fuck are you waiting for? Go!” Reaper scowls.

“But Blackstone,” I murmur. “We can’t let him become governor. It will be impossible to take him out if he’s got even more people guarding him. We need to get that bastard right now. Right now!” I grab my jacket and head for the door.

“Stop!” Reaper moves like lightning to block my path.

“Get the fuck out of my way. If you guys aren’t willing to get this fucker, I will.” I try to push past him, but he shoves my shoulders so hard I fall back a step.

“Blackstone can wait,” Matrix says. “You need to go see your woman. She’s waiting for you.”

“If Blackstone isn’t stopped—” My jaw clenches so hard the muscle starts spasming. “I have to end this.”

“Youhave to end it?” Reaper arches a brow and gives me his best death glare. “You’re not the only one he fucked up. We’ll all in this together,brother.”

“He’s right, pres,” Matrix says. “You make it sound like you’re the only one who can bring Blackstone to justice, but that’s bullshit. We were all locked up in that basement. We all nearly died. We all want vengeance. This isn’t just on you. It’s onus. That’s why we’re all together. That’s why we rescue other kids, so they don’t have to suffer as we did.”

“We all want revenge,” Reaper growls.

Talon’s been silent, but he’s watching us intently. “You can’t let her go.”

“I can. It’s safer for her …” But even I don’t sound convinced.

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. The club has two missions. One, help other kids. Two, take Blackstone down. The club. Not you. Not me. Not Reaper. Not Talon. Not—”

The front door opens, and Nitro walks in. He’s wearing the same clothes he wore at the police station. Leaves stick out of his dirty blond hair. His eyes are wild, like an animal’s. They dart from Reaper to Talon to Matrix before landing on me. He drops his head for a second before meeting my gaze directly.

“I shouldn’t have left you guys.” His voice is so defeated I’m tempted to forgive him.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I shove my palms into his chest, but he doesn’t fight back. He nearly falls over before catching himself.

“Nothing’s wrong with me. What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

“Me?” He gets right in my face, so I square off with him.

“You were a total asshole about the cop thing. I couldn’t deal with your bullshit, so I left.” Nitro bounces on his heels but doesn’t back down.

“Are you high right now?” I ask.

“What are we doing about Blackstone?” He takes a step back while pretending to ignore me. Something’s up with him, but I don’t have time to fight it out. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.

“Scar’s not doing anything right now but going to the hospital,” Talon says.

“Why? What’s wrong with you?” Nitro gives me an appraising look. “You don’t look hurt.”

“It’s Julia. The sheriff shot her after he beat the shit out of her,” Matrix says.

“Hewhat? Why the fuck are we standing around? Let’s get him, too,” Nitro says.