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“I went there this morning. I was trying to mend fences, but I guess this is his way of shoving it back in my face.”

“That’s not enough to go on,” Asa said.

“Listen, Thea and I have been preparing for them to try something. I know about all the places they could take her, but my first guess is the garage.”

They wouldn’t take Thea to Tommy’s place, not with her mom living there. Sharon would try to put a stop to what they were doing if she knew about it.

Bruce and Cain. Of all the Howards Brett didn’t want anywhere near Thea, they were at the top of the list. They were two sides of the same coin, and they only had eyes for blood and revenge.

“I’ll send officers that way. Don’t engage until we arrive. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you, but I also politely disregard that order.”

“Brett, I’m serious–”

He disconnected the call before hearing more of Asa’s warnings.

Linc rummaged in the center console and pulled out a knife. He pressed the button on the side, and the five-inch blade shot out. “I’ll take this one.”

“Listen, the Howards are dangerous and don’t give a rip about hurting or killing someone, but I do, so–”

“Don’t drop a bunch of bodies. Got it,” Linc said. He kept looking in the console until he pulled out another knife. “Oh, look. There’s one for you too.”

Brett took a deep breath. “We’re here to save Thea. Do whatever you have to do if push comes to shove.”

“Are you telling me to use force or not?” Linc asked.

“I’m telling you to use judgment!” Brett said.

Linc looked around. “What’s judgment?”

Brett let out a short laugh. “I knew you were funny.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Brett picked up his phone and made another call. Calling Gage was a risk, but if he was really on Brett and Thea’s side, he could be the difference between life and death.

“What?” Gage answered.

“Where is she?” Brett asked.

There was silence on the other end of the call.

“Gage?”

A few more seconds of silence, and Gage whispered, “They’re bringing her to the garage. It’s on Finley Road.”

“I know where it is,” Brett said.

Gage hadn’t been there earlier when Brett had stopped by to have the big chat with Bruce. Did Gage even know about it?

“They’ll be here any minute. Tommy is here with me. Bruce and Cain are with her. They’ll probably post Tommy outside when they get here.”

“Anyone else we need to know about?” Brett asked.

“Not yet. I’ll try my best to keep you posted, but they’ll know what’s up if I’m on my phone.”

“The police are on their way too.”