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Phoenix

D ead. Carved up. Battered and bruised.

Those were some of the words I heard as one of the guys described what he saw when he scoped out the lot where Misty’s body was found. Mason tried to shield me from it and told the guys to keep their voices down, but didn’t matter. Lace and I still heard enough to know how gruesome it was. She was targeted for her affiliation with the club, and any one of us could be next. Me, Lace, Raven, any of the guys.

The thought makes me nauseous. It strikes something deep inside me, scaring me like nothing ever has before. I wasn't even this afraid when we got Mom's diagnosis. We had time to process it then; time to cope. Now, there is no time. The war has started, and any one of us could be the next target.

Mason's warm hand trails up and down my arm. He means for it to be soothing, but nothing can give me comfort now, not even him. I let myself melt into his side, hoping to find some relief from my racing thoughts. The front door bursts open, and my dad storms in, followed by Bear and Miguel. He searches the room, eyes blazing until he sets his gaze on me and Raven. His posture relaxes when he sees we're both here safe.

His eyes meet mine and I see relief there plain as day. What happened to Misty could have happened to me or Raven and I know that scares him. I can see it on his face.

With a quick flick of his head, he calls a meeting. "Phoenix, Raven, Lace, you three stay out here with the prospects."

My sister's irritated sigh betrays her emotions at the command. Whatever he's about to say, he doesn't want us to hear, and that bothers her. It bothers me too, but maybe after today, we don't need to know what's said behind those doors.

The guys follow Dad into the kitchen as Mason hangs back. He's the last one to go, staying as long as he can by my side, giving me what comfort he can before the meeting starts and the next set of orders is given.

Before closing the door behind him, he gives me one last glance, making sure I'm still where he left me and nothing has happened in the few seconds he's been away. With a sigh, he closes the door, and I feel a heavy pang in my heart.

Doom.

Dread.

That's all I can feel as the door latches shut behind him. Whatever comes next, I don't think any of us are ready to face it.

Lace and Raven take up the seats beside me as Archie and Bones stand watch. Whatever is being said behind those doors will affect all of us. I hope it's not the same way it affected Misty. The thought of losing any of them kills me. I can't stand it. The longer we're here, the more attached I get to everyone, Mason especially, but the others too, even Bear and Reaper. I'm sure they feel the same in their own ways.

We've created a life here, a family, and the thought of anyone hurting my family makes my blood curdle. I look at Raven, noticing her eyes are glued to the kitchen door, staring like she can bore a hole through it to find out what's going on. She's the strongest person I know, but even she's rattled by recent events. It must be killing her not to be in control, not having the reassurance she typically has about what comes next.

Her eyes snap to mine, and I can see her walls building up again, steeling her against her fears so she can be strong for me. She pulls me into a tight hug, resting her head on top of mine as she says, "It will all be okay, Nix. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise."

My throat tightens at her vow. I know she means it. She'd do anything to make sure I stay safe, including sacrificing herself if it came to that. She's always been that way. I doubt she knows how noble that is, how much I admire her for it.

She's my best friend, my idol. Her strength, courage, and confidence amaze me, and her fierce ability to love those close to her—that's my favorite thing about her. I don't think she knows she's capable of loving without bounds, but it's there. I've seen it firsthand, experienced it.

That's why I make a vow of my own to do the same for her if something unspeakable happens. If this war gets closer to us and Dom and the Bastards come within striking distance, I'll sacrifice everything I can to protect her too.

It's much later when a callused hand strokes my cheek, waking me from a fitful slumber. I startle awake, blinking the sleep from my eyes as I sit up from the couch. Mason is kneeling beside me, eyes heavy and full of weariness. Whatever was said in that meeting, it's weighing heavy on him.

"Hate to wake you, babe," he says, "but you don't look comfortable. Let's get you to bed."

I nod, letting him help me. The movement jostles Raven, snapping her awake. She looks at my empty seat and the already vacant space Lace was taking up earlier.

"Bear, Stitch, and Tweak are with her. They just left," Mason tells us.

Raven relaxes when she sees Mason's arm around me. "We're going to bed," I tell her. "Night, Rae."

"Night, Nix," she says, stirring from her spot.

She's not far behind Mason and me as we make our way upstairs with Jesse and Reaper on her tail. The two of them post up outside her door across from mine as Mason latches us in. The air around him is heavy with worry and fatigue. The last twenty-four hours have been rough on everyone, and all I want is to hold him tight and know he's safe with me for a few hours.

As if reading my mind, Mason nods to the bed, pulling off his shirt as I shed my shoes and jeans. We lay down, leaving no space between us as we finally settle in. He sighs heavily as his arms circle my waist, sealing me against him.

My eyes are so tired, and we both need sleep, but my mind is racing. I can't shut it off. "Mason?"

"Hmm?"

"What happened in the meeting? What did my dad tell you guys?" It's a long shot that he'll tell me, but I need to try. My mind won't rest otherwise.

He tenses behind me. Whatever it is, he doesn't want to tell me. Whatever the club has planned must be bad. Someone is dead because of the Bastards, and they won't let that go unpunished.

With a heavy sigh, he pulls me closer. "It's gonna get real ugly before this whole thing is over, Phoenix. People will get hurt. Ours and theirs. But no one is gonna touch you, babe. None of us will let that happen. I promise you that."

The strain in his voice keeps me from pressing further even as my heart sinks. How bad are things about to get around here? Who else is going to get hurt or worse? Tears prick my eyes as I think of everyone who already has. Tweak. Martin. Misty.

Tweak has since recovered, and Martin is doing better. He's now staying somewhere safe with friends, but Misty is dead. We never got along, but I'd never wish her murdered like that. Left all alone and cut up in a lot, waiting for someone to stumble by and find the body. It's awful.

The images my mind conjures of her laying there dead and mutilated are the last I remember before falling into a fitful sleep. It was just the beginning of my nightmare.