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“What the hell are we waiting for?” I run out of the room and immediately head to my room. I grab a bag and stuff anything I can find to wear inside along with things I know I’ll need. In my bathroom, I grab my travel kit and my hairbrush.
When I come out, I find Dekker inside the room with his bag too.
“We will find her.” He throws the duffle on my bed. “Have your ID and shit?”
I pat down my pockets and nod. “You?”
“Yup.” He hits his back pocket to double check.
“Let’s go see if Seven is ready, and let’s get the hell out of here.” I grab my phone and bag and head into Seven’s room, with Dekker hot on my heels.
“Okay, I think I got everything,” Seven says as he looks up from his desk. His bag is packed to the brim with his stuff. “I have my laptop, so I can see if she pops up, and we can go from there.”
“How are we even going to be able to if she ditched the cell?” Dekker asks, brows furrowed.
“Remember the money from her dad’s accident? That’s how. She used it to get the ticket to Vegas and she’s gonna use it when she lands to get a room at a hotel or something.” Seven snatches up his phone and wallet and throws them in his pocket.
“Well, then let’s get—” A sudden high-pitched alarm sounds and stops us all dead in our tracks.
“That’s the fire alarm. What the fuck?” Seven walks into the hall as other brothers are coming out of their rooms.
“Fire! The house is on fire!” someone yells from downstairs.
“Get everyone out now!” I yell at those around me. “Seven, make sure everyone is out of their rooms and do a head count once outside. Dekker, get on the phone and call 9-1-1. And help usher everyone out.”
They both nod, and I run down the stairs and see the whole back of the house engulfed in flames.
What the fucking hell?
“Get out! Let’s go!” I yell to those standing around watching the flames take over the room. I run into the game room next and thankfully find it empty. I check the bathroom and the garage, all empty.
When I come back out, I see the entire kitchen blazing.
“Dekker! Seven!” I yell at the top of the stairs. “Get the fuck out now!” The two of them are running down the stairs with two of our brothers in front of them.
“Fire team is on their way. We’re clear up there.” Dekker pushes me out the door.
All of us run across the street and turn to watch the house burning. I run a hand down my face in complete shock. How the hell could this happen?
Sirens in the distance tell me that the fire department is getting closer. People from the houses next to ours come running over to gawk as well. Whispers and voices surround me, but all I can think iswhat the hell. That completely came out of nowhere.
“Xay!” Monica’s screech is heard over the popping and creaking of the burning house in front of us. “Oh, my God! Sweetie! What happened?” Her arms latch around my neck, and I instantly feel grossed out and pull them off me.
“Well, the house is on fire, Mon. It’s obvious, right?” I don’t even look at her as I answer her, my lips curled in disgust.
“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Seven starts freaking out. “The computers!” He starts to take off toward the house, but I grab him and hold him back.
“Not important. Stop, Sev! You can’t go back in there!” I yank him back into me.
“How will we find her now? Rory is out there, Xay! Fuck!” Seven puts his face in his hands.
“Oh, dear. I do hope your sister isn’t in that fire! Oh no!” Monica feigns concern.
I let go of Seven and immediately turn on her, my blood boiling. “It was you.”
“What? What was me?” She places a hand on her chest, and her mouth drops open.
“You sent her those videos. You are the reason she’s gone.” I take a step toward her, and she instinctively backs away.