Page 72 of Where Angels Hide

“I do. Please, give me one less thing to worry about.” She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else getting caught in the crossfire of her life. Abby needed to know that when this had ended—when her mother was gone, and Scott… her heart clenched—that Demi would still be there, alive and well. She might be all she had left.

Eventually, Demi nodded. “Okay.”

“You’ll go tonight? As soon as you get home?”

“I have to pick Flynn up from Emma and Brett’s… I’ll tell them my mum is sick and I need to go.”

Abby nodded, relief easing the tension in her chest. "Thank you, Dee.”

"You don't have to thank me. You're my best friend, and I'll do whatever you need me to do. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," Abby whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. She knew the danger was far from over. But having Demi and Flynn out of harm's way gave her a sliver of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume her.

Chapter 25

It was obvious Abby had been crying when she returned to the room, and Zep didn’t have to be a shrink to see Scott looked like a man torn in two. His guess was Abby’s various omissions were the cause of the tension between the couple, and the way she’d pushed him aside when he’d tried to comfort her earlier... well, it was none of his business, but he hoped they’d sort their shit out. At least enough so they didn’t upset Rachel.

Zep stood, his legs protesting the length of time he remained sitting in one place. Catching Scott’s eye, he let him know he and Dodge would be stepping out for a bit. There were cops on the door, but he felt better knowing Scott would be close by, and armed.

Dodge was already in the café, a selection of sandwiches and a couple of Cokes on the table. They’d each been receiving regular updates from Broulee. Sonny and the brothers had managed to hold Isobel’s army off and his four reinforcements had arrived an hour ago, taking them by surprise and managing to pick a few off from behind. Brodie and Mick were still a couple of hours out, despite breaking every speed limit on the road.

Dodge ended a call when Zep sat down opposite him.

“Connor?” he asked, taking a chicken salad sandwich.

“Yep.” Dodge bit into his own sandwich, his eyes downcast and his tone bitter.

Zep unwrapped his sandwich, giving Dodge time to gather himself. At last count, they’d lost Sledge and Gaz, and a couple more were nursing gunshot wounds. His blood boiled at the loss of his brothers. He wanted to hunt down every last one of Isobel’s men and gutter stomp their skulls until their blood flowed like a fucking river of death.

He put his sandwich aside and took a swig of the soft drink.

“Davo didn’t make it,” Dodge said.

The prospect. Dodge had a soft spot for all the recruits. He gave them shit, but he made sure they knew the life they were getting into. Made sure they were prepared.

“Fuck,” he growled. “How are the others?”

“Adam took a bullet to the shoulder, but it went straight through. Connor said he poured whiskey on it, bandaged it up, then went and shot the cunt that got him.”

Zep smoothed his moustache down. It grated that he wasn’t there. “Nicko and Dan?”

“Nicko’s leg’s messed up but the doc is having a look at it now. Danny-boy’s got a scratch on his head, missing half an ear. He’ll be fine.”

“Doc’s there?”

“Yeah, the rest of Isobel’s crew pissed off when JT and the boys showed up.”

JT, Hammer, Poison and Billy had been headed to Lennox Head when Isobel attacked.

Zep’s phone rang.

“Sonny.”

“We’re going after Isobel.”

Zep nodded, he would do the same thing. “Any idea where they’ve gone?”

“Yeah, Hammer and JT followed and Jacko’s tracking them. They're coming up to Cobargo, still heading for the border.”