Page 41 of Sadistic Retribution (Rise of Phoenyxx #2)

Purge

I'm in a particularly dangerous part of the Dark Web. I'm tracking a potential lead on the identity of the seventh family.

There is some chatter in a Reddit-type message board about mafias in general.

There’s a subject of “Names of Families” I’m scrolling through, checking for any names I’m unfamiliar with.

I’m looking through Bratva first. I don’t see any names I haven’t heard of in some way.

I move to a subcategory of Secret Mafia names.

I skim the list and contents, stopping when I see “Legend of Six Families?” The fuck is this? Our little group is supposed to be a secret.

I click in, reading every post. The first one says, “So anyone know who the six families are?” Posted by an anonymous name, of course.

Underneath, I see people wanting to know the same thing. Then a post pops up, and my jaw unhinges. “Franco, Volkov, Aslanov, Barbieri, Petrov, Marino”. The comment attached to that one reads, “Three & three, huh? Interesting”.

It's the one after that has me pushing up from my chair. I start screenshotting like crazy. “I have on good authority there’s a seventh”.

I read the name, and frown. It's the same name Harris and I came across—though I've never heard of that family before. Wait. Actually, I’ve heard a whisper or two at some point.

I back to my Dark Web search engine. I pop the name in and wait for the list to come up. I click on everything I find, reading all that's there.

It's an hour later when I stumble on something utterly shocking. That family has... well, had...

Wait... no. It has to be a coincidence.

I scan the dates, and they add up.

Oh my God.

I think I might’ve found who my girl actually is. My blood feels like it’s on fire—it’s difficult not to shout this out for her to hear.

“Harris!” I scream. “Get over here!”

“What? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I point at the screen with a shaking hand.

He reads it, and falls into the table, catching himself from face-planting.

“I can’t believe it. If this is true... I have to wait for Jax to call me, but I'll ask him to hand this over to his hackers once I do hear back.

We need definitive proof. Don't say a word to the girls, hear me?”

“I wasn’t going to. It makes sense, in a twisted way.”

“I’m getting plans being made for us as we speak. We should be planning to get the fuck out of here by tonight, at the soonest.”

“Damn! I guess I’ll go pack some shit. Want me to inform the others?”

“Yes, please. I’m still connecting dots in the files.”

I double-check that I’m closed out of everything before shutting the computer down, not wanting prying emerald eyes to find anything right now.

I get up, stretching my sore back. It’s almost go-time. I don’t know if I’m more scared or elated.

Hunter

It's time.

I’m nervous as hell, though I won’t admit that to the others. Jax has a plan in place. Now, to clue everyone in.

I go into the living room, cupping my hands around my mouth. “Everyone—living room, now!”

They all file in. Their faces look nervous, yet determined. I pull out my phone. “We are video conferencing with Jax,” I explain, before I hit dial. He picks up immediately. He's in the computer lab, with Thor and Bill.

“Alright, listen up. This is what we’ve come up with. First thing first, you all need to get out of that dorm. I hope you’re all packed and ready.” Jax tells us.

A chorus of yeses answer him. “Good. Now, using the attached courtyard, make your way into the admin building. Make sure you’re not noticed.

Go to the art hallway, then out the door at the end.

The reason for this is because where I'll be waiting is closer to that exit.” He pauses, looking at all of us, then nods to himself.

“After this, you’ll need to split up. I want four of you to meet me at the car I'll have waiting. The rest will head to The Morgue to get the prisoners there out. Please make your choices of who goes where now.”

I take over on this. “I’ve thought this through.

Trikk, Valley, Frost, and me will go to the car.

Trikk isn’t used to as much violence as the rest. Valley needs to stay safe, and Frost is the calm one who will make sure you get there efficiently, and safely.

So, Phoenyxx, Synn, Purge, Razor, and Ghost will go to The Morgue.

Frost nods. “It makes sense. I've got their backs.”

“Good.” I address Jax. “We’re ready for the next steps.”

Jax pulls out a drawn map, spreading it out on the desk in front of Thor and Bill.

“Alright, this is where I’ll be waiting.

” He points to a spot on the map, close to where I met him when Pretty Girl followed me.

“This is the route to The Morgue, and back to the car. Thor and Bill here will be looping all the camera feeds and turning off the power to the fence. You will have fifteen minutes to get in, get who you want out, and away.”

He points to a representation of the building The Morgue is in.

“We don’t have any idea on the layout in there, unfortunately.

Phoenyxx, you’ll have to lead the best you can.

Now, the door here is the entrance and the exit both.

Once you’re all out, you’ll skirt the tree line here, then it’ll be a straight shot to the car. Any questions?”

Synn speaks up. “Weapons?”

“Harris has guns for everyone, and Phoenyxx, you still have your knives?”

“Hell yeah, I do. I will cut every bitch that gets in our way!”

Valley giggles.

“Good to hear,” Jax responds. “From my intel, you have enough to distribute them between those of you going to The Morgue?”

“Yes, I have at least six,” she says, brows down in a frown as she thinks. “The switchblade, the hunting knives, the dagger, and three other various size blades.”

“Excellent. Harris—you grabbed a screenshot of the map?”

“Of course. I'll text it to everyone.” I quickly shoot off the map to everyone. “You all get it?”

They all answer affirmatively.

“Grab your bags, guys. One bag each. We can’t be trying to carry too much.”

“That’s all,” Jax tells them. “Remember: Purge's father is on the property. Avoid him at all costs. Good luck.”

He disconnects, and I turn to everyone. It's up to me to be the group leader. I can’t—and won’t—let Pretty Girl down.

“Okay, say goodbye to this dorm, and this fucking place.

Jax will be in place in about fifteen minutes.

He'll be texting when the feeds are looped, and the fence disconnected. It'll be fully dark by then, so we’ll go undetected easier.”

I take a breath, as murmurs volley between everyone, hugs and words of encouragement going around.