Page 73 of Boys Who Hunt

I eye the bag in the back, and his wicked smile makes me grin too. “Let’s go fuck some shit up.”

Max

Ten minuteslater

From my motorcycle,I look through her window, checking for any movement, anything out of the ordinary. I’m antsy, desperate to know if Silas and Heath planned on doing something to her tonight, but it appears they chose another target instead.

I have to admit, when Heath said he and Silas had planned something wicked, I was worried it would involve her. Not because I don’t like watching what they do, but because every time I talk to her afterward, there’s more hatred in her voice than before.

Hate is Silas’s business, and every time he touches her, he injects it straight into her veins.

I blow out a sigh, but the second the light comes on, I switch into hypervigilant mode.

She’s never awake at this time of the day.

I know because I’ve watched her do her routine with that little girl every goddamn night since I set my eyes on her.

What is going on?

I bring out my binoculars and watch her through the window. She’s putting on a hoodie and slings a bag over her shoulder that appears quite heavy.

The lights go off, and I tuck my binoculars away, then wait, and wait, and wait … And there she is, exiting the building to hop on her bike and race off.

Something’s not right.

She’d never leave that kid alone unless it was important enough. Unless it could put them in even more danger if she didn’t go.

I swiftly put on my helmet and race after her.

CHAPTER 19

Ivy

I checkthe kiddie monitor and make sure it works before I head out the door and hop on my bike. As long as she’s asleep, she’ll be safe. I won’t stay away for more than fifteen minutes, tops. I’ll just bike to the industrial side of the city and pop in and out of warehouse five hundred eighteen.

I count down the time it takes me to get to the location by checking my watch every now and then, and I push the pedals as fast as I can. No time to waste. The only one watching over Cora right now is Bagel, and if an intruder steps in, Bagel will flop down on their toes and ask for pets instead. Traitor.

Sweat rolls down my back as I come to a stop beside the warehouse.

I fish my phone from my pocket and look at my messages to remind myself why I’m here in this secluded area of the city.

Anonymous: Come to Warehouse five hundred eighteen. Eleven p.m. Bring cash. Come alone.

I swallowback the nerves and check the kiddie monitor next. She’s still fast asleep. Good.

I put my hoodie over my head and tighten the straps. With surging adrenaline, I enter the warehouse’s open door, clutching both bands of my backpack strapped around my shoulders tightly. The only light comes from the small streetlight behind me, and it casts an eerie shadow deep inside the warehouse. I wouldn’t normally come here unless my life depended on it, but unfortunately, that’s exactly the case.

Get in, get out. That’s it.

My senses are on high alert as I look around in the dark. My breathing comes out in short puffs, the chilly night air making me shiver as I dig my hands into my pockets and feel the safety of the metal handle of my knife, my only form of protection.

At the end of the hallway, a man stands, lurched over a makeshift fire he put together from pieces of logwood stored in this warehouse.

“You brought the money?” His voice brings chills to my bones.

I approach him, but he holds up a hand. “That’s far enough.”

With a racing heart, I pull my bag off my shoulders and take out the wads of cash I stole from the boys. When I told them I spent it all, I lied, but it was a necessary lie.