Page 120 of Pretty Vengeance

The Crue bosses bought about seven house lots to build their gated compound. Trick and Anvil share their massive backyard, which has a swimming pool with a rock waterfall, a fairy house, the koi pond, and enough flower beds and landscaping to rival any city park.

I’m on the cobblestone path to the gate that leads to C’s place. Before approaching the gate, I call War.

“Yeah,” he says.

“Hey, mate. I’m at Trick’s and headed to C’s.”

“He asked for a meet?”

“He did, yeah.” Licking my lips, I glance around. I haven’t told War about killing Robert Allendale, but he’ll guess as soon as word that the man’s missing surfaces.

War makes a nonspecific sound of displeasure. “Anvil’s in the Foxgrove house.”

My body goes stiff, and my mind races. “Are you home?”

“Nah, but C and Trick are, right? And Killian and your cousin aren’t there. So that only leaves Anvil as the person who entered the code and went in.”

My head cocks. “I didn’t get an alert.”

“Someone turned off notifications. I’m guessing Trick.”

As I stand in the cold, my blood runs to ice. I’d been feeling pleased that Trick had gone back to normal, joking around with me like we’re the best of friends. “Anvil’s in the house and they don’t want us tipped to that? What do you make of it?” Turning my back to the wind, I stare at Trick’s house where he’s holding court like there’s nothing fucking amiss.

“I assume he’s checking something out. C knows I’m in Boston, and he told me to head to Coynston. I think he’s going to come at us about our trip to the Carolinas.”

“Maybe,” I say slowly, my mind quickly clicking through what Anvil could be looking for in the house. “Right, well, there’s nothing to find in Foxgrove, so he’s wasted a trip.”

“I doubt that.” War’s voice is grim.

“Let’s take this conversation offline, mate.”

War and I know better than to say anything incriminating while talking on our personal phones on Crue property. The feds have been after this Crue for years. While I didn’t spot any surveillance vans on the street outside the house, War and I would never risk talking murder when I’m in Trick and Anvil’s yard.

“No time. You’re heading to C’s now, and I’m telling you, his questions are already ready.”

“Listen, he’s got other reasons for talking to me. That have nothing to do with our last minute vacation to the Carolinas, mate.”

“No?” War’s voice is skeptical. “He called me in from Boston.”

“Maybe to see what you know about other things.” I walk a few more feet toward the gate to C’s. “I need to head there.”

“If you get jammed up about the vacation, don’t cover.”

That brings me up short. He’s telling me if C corners me and I have to admit to killing Brad Allendale, I shouldn’t try to cover up his involvement. “Mate, no way. That’s decided.”

“J,” War says grimly. “If the vacation isn’t what he’s after, good. Don’t mention it. But if it is, and he gets you cornered, donotlie.”

Looking up at the sky, I curse under my breath. If this is a trap, I brought Sawyer right into it. My first instinct is to go back into Trick’s to get her the hell out of Coynston.

But if this really is a trap, that won’t work. Trick will block any move I make. I trust Trick won’t do anything to Sawyer with his family in the house and awake, but later…

“Right, okay.” My frown deepens. “If a confrontation’s coming, I’ll face it. But listen, I need a last favor. A contingency for if I can’t get back to Trick’s. I’m texting Sawyer’s number to you. Lure her out and send her somewhere safe.”

“She’s with you, and you think they wanted it that way?” War’s voice is dead calm. “If that’s true, there’s nowhere safe to send her.”

“I won’t go to C’s unless I know you’ll try to get her out. I’ll go back to Trick’s for her myself.”

“You’re not fast enough. He’ll be waiting for your move, and he’ll drop you.”