by R. D. Brady
Danny yanked Max into a nearby alley, his heart pounding. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Danny’s hand was clasped tightly around Max’s. And for the first time in his life, he couldn’t seem to think.
Next to him, Max stumbled. Danny grabbed the collar of Max’s shirt, all but carrying him down the alley.
His breaths coming out in panicked gasps, Danny pictured the city grid. He knew the alley led to another street that ran parallel to this one. “Come on, Max,” he said as he broke into a run.
Max’s little legs churned next to him. But a short way down the alley, a chain link fence blocked further progress. No. This wasn’t in the schematic. Panicked, he looked around, spotted a door. He pulled Max over to it, yanked on the handle—locked. He glanced back at the street. Gunfire still blazed.
Max’s terrified face stared up at him.
It was either back the way they came, or over the fence. The fence was at least twenty feet high. But there was a dumpster pushed up against it.
He pulled Max over to it. “Come on, Max. We’re going over.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Danny whirled around. Two men had slipped into the alley behind them. They weren’t the same gunmen from the van.
The taller of the two barked at his companion. “Grab the abomination.”
Abomination? Danny’s heart galloped in his chest.
The other man pulled out a gun. He was shorter but beefier than the first one, and his face had a ruddy glow. Danny flashed back on another violent man who could have been his brother.
“No guns,” the tall one yelled, his eyes focused back toward the street.
The short man grunted and replaced the gun with a knife as he stalked toward Danny and Max.
Danny pulled Max behind him. “Max, you stay behind me, okay?”
“Danny?” Max’s voice trembled.
“It’ll be okay.”
Danny moved his right leg forward, establishing his stance like Laney had taught him. He tried to ignore the shaking in his hands. Laney’s words drifted through his mind as if she were right next to him. Remember, if you’re ever in a fight, you’ll be scared. Ignore it. You can be scared after you do what needs to be done.
The man laughed when he saw Danny adopt a fighting stance. “What are you going to do, kid? You think you can fight me?” He lunged, aimed right for Danny’s chest.
Danny didn’t think. He just reacted.
He stepped aside, latching his left hand on to the man’s knife hand. With his right he slammed the heel of his hand into the man’s nose. Then he switched his right hand to the man’s wrist, bringing the side of his left hand down at the crook of the man’s elbow.
The man’s arm automatically bent. Danny pushed it farther with his right. The knife plunged into the man’s chest. Danny wasn’t sure whose face was more shocked—his or the attacker’s. But he didn’t let up. He kicked the man at the knee, then, wrapping his hand around the man’s throat, shoved him to the ground.
Danny stumbled back, his eyes locked on the man on the ground and the blood pooling around him. He couldn’t believe what he had just done. He hadn’t even thought; he just did it. Just like Laney told him.
His head jerked up as a shot took out the second man. Maddox ran down the alley toward them. He stopped by each of the men and gathered their weapons. Then he walked toward Danny slowly. “Danny, you okay?”
Danny felt like he was moving in slow motion. He glanced up at Maddox, whose clothes were ripped and singed. A cut above his eye was already healing.
Max ran around Danny and threw himself at Maddox. Without breaking his stride, Maddox swooped Max up. “It’s okay, Max. I’ve got you.”
Danny watched it all, but he felt distant, disconnected.
Maddox knelt down in front of him. “Danny, look at me. Look at me.”
Danny tore his gaze away from the men on the ground and forced himself to look into Maddox’s eyes. He struggled to think through the thick syrup in his thoughts. “Those men… they wanted to kill us. Or take us.”
Maddox nodded. “And you didn’t let that happen.”
Danny stared up at Maddox. “The security team?”
“Both of them were shot, but they’ll be okay.”
Danny nodded. His eyes went back to the man he’d stabbed. I did that. He felt sick. Oh my God, I did that.
Again Maddox’s voice cut through the fog in Danny’s brain. “Danny, listen to me: You did what needed to be done. You saved yourself. You saved Max.”
Danny started to shake, but he nodded, turning to look at Max. “Max, are you okay?”
Max flung himself at Danny, his body trembling as he wrapped his arms around Danny’s shoulders. “I want my mom.”
Danny pulled the boy close, tears choking his throat. And I want Henry.
CHAPTER 26
Henry slammed the car to a stop at the edge of the police barricade. Kati was already out the door and running toward Maddox. He stood a head taller than everyone else and was easy to find.
Henry scanned the area, looking for Danny. A white van had crashed into the side of a bank on the left. Cars parked on the street were riddled with bullet holes, their windows smashed. Blood stained the bank wall as well as the sidewalk.
Maddox had called and told them what had happened. He’d said that Danny and Max were unhurt. But Henry couldn’t get himself to calm down. He needed to see that Danny was all right. He needed to know he was safe.
When Kati reached Maddox, she nearly collapsed in his arms. He helped her toward a waiting ambulance. And sitting at the back of the ambulance were two small figures huddled together under a blanket.
Henry grabbed onto the doorframe for support. He’s okay. He’s fine, he told himself, but his trembling limbs didn’t seem to hear him.
It took him a few seconds to get his emotions under control. He let out a breath and started walking over to them, his legs still feeling a little unsteady. Yesterday’s disagreement with Danny crowded into his mind. What if Danny didn’t want to see him? He couldn’t still be mad—not after this. Could he?
As he made his way through the crowd, a police officer tried to intercept him, but another whispered in his ear, and the officer waved him on. Henry kept his eyes on Danny. Kati had pulled Max into her arms and was sitting in the back of the ambulance, rocking him back and forth.
Danny’s eyes caught Henry’s. For a moment, Danny went still, and Henry’s heart broke. He’s still mad. Then Danny jumped off the back of the ambulance and ran toward him.
Henry caught him and wrapped his arms around him.
“I’m sorry, Henry,” Danny said.
It took Henry a moment to speak past the tears in his throat. “It’s okay. All that matters is that you’re okay. You are okay, aren’t you?”
Danny just nodded into Henry’s chest.
As Henry held him, he looked around. Six men had attacked them. The security force had killed three; another two had escaped. And then there was the one on the way to the hospital. The one Danny had somehow fought off. Henry’s arms tightened as he imagined how easily he could have lost Danny.
Above Kati’s head, Henry caught Maddox’s gaze. Maddox looked like he wanted to kill someone. And Henry felt the same way. But that anger had been pushed to the back by the fear and terror that had taken root. Why did someone come after the boys?
He glanced at the destruction around them and pulled Danny a little closer.
And had they been scared away? Or were they just beginning?
CHAPTER 27
Laney ran up the steps to Henry and Danny’s home. Henry had called her and Jake on their flight back and told them about the attempted abduction. He’d assured them that the boys were fine, but Laney was still shaken. Who would go after the boys? Why? Was it related to the other missing kids, or was this a whole new danger?
When they landed, she had headed straight here, while Jake had headed to the hospital to see if he could talk to the remaining assa
ilant.
The one Danny stabbed. Laney shivered at the thought.
When she’d started teaching Danny self-defense, she’d mainly thought of it as a way for him to build his confidence. She never thought he’d have to actually use it—especially this soon.
At the front door, Laney didn’t even knock. She just let herself in, calling out. “Henry? Danny?”
Henry appeared in the hallway ahead. Laney rushed over and gave him a hug. “You okay?”
He nodded, but Laney could see the fear in his eyes. This attack had really shaken him.
“Where’s Danny?” Laney asked.
Henry nodded toward the kitchen. “In there.”
Laney headed down the hall quickly. She stopped in the doorway, soaking up the picture of Danny. He sat at the kitchen table, pushing macaroni and cheese around on his plate, looking like he always did. Jen sat across from him. She caught Laney’s eye and gave her a quick nod.
Laney sagged against the doorway in relief. He’s fine. “Danny.”
Danny looked up and then stood.
Laney made her way quickly toward him, wrapping him in a hug. “Thank God you’re okay.”
He just hugged her tighter. Laney rested her head on his, her heart rate calming. He’s not hurt, she reassured herself.
Finally, Danny released her.
She took his face in her hands. “Are you okay?”
Danny nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Laney sat on the chair next to him as Danny reclaimed his seat. She took his hand. “I am so proud of the way you defended Max. The way you defended yourself.”
Danny ducked his head down, his voice small. “I nearly killed that man.”
“You didn’t have a choice,” Jen said softly.
Laney nodded, feeling his pain. “Jen’s right. You didn’t start that fight. And the only other option was to let him grab you or Max. Or worse. You did the right thing.”
“Then why do I feel so bad?” he asked.
Jen and Laney exchanged a look. They both knew what he meant. They’d both taken lives. And even though they’d saved others or themselves by doing so, it never sat easy with either of them.
“Because violence isn’t easy,” Jen said.
“And it shouldn’t be,” Laney said.
Henry entered the kitchen and took a spot across from Danny, his hands resting on the back of a chair. “Patrick is down at Dom’s with Kati, Max, and Maddox. They’re going to stay there tonight.”
Laney nodded, knowing Kati would find the bomb shelter much safer than the cottage. God, what must this be doing to her? She was already scared. This attack might just have pushed her over the edge.
Laney looked between Henry and Jen. “Have either of you talked to Kati? I couldn’t reach her.”
“She’s dealing,” Henry said.
Jen shook her head. “No. She’s terrified.”
Laney nodded, not having a clue how to fix that. “I’m going to head to the shelter. Stay there for the night. Unless you guys want me to stay here?”
“Actually, I think I’ll stay at Dom’s too,” Danny said.
Henry looked over at him. “What? Why?”
Danny looked back at Henry, his face serious. “You want to find the guys that did this. You should be able to focus on that without worrying about me.”
“Danny, it’s not like that,” Henry said. “I—”
Danny shook his head. “I’m not mad. I’m not hurt. I want you to find these guys. And I think you’ll be able to focus better without me, that’s all.” He paused. “But when you’re done, can you come to Dom’s too?”
Henry nodded. “Absolutely.”
Jen tapped Danny on the shoulder. “Why don’t we go grab some of your stuff?”
Danny nodded. “Okay.” He stood and then paused, looking at Henry. “You will come to Dom’s later, right?”
“Yes. As soon as I can,” Henry assured him.
Laney watched Danny leave with Jen, Moxy trailing behind them. She ran her hand through her hair as soon as they were out of view. “I can’t believe somebody went after the boys. Do we have any idea who?”
Henry pulled out the chair across from her and sank into it. He glanced back the way Danny had disappeared before turning back to Laney. “Not yet.”
“Do you think this was some sort of retaliation for the Fallen in Chicago?”
“I don’t see how. We didn’t kill that guy.”
“So then what? The missing kids?”
“I don’t see that either. I mean, there’s no indication that either Danny or Max are anything other than normal boys. There’s no angelic background there. And I haven’t gotten a sense off of either of them. Have you?”
Laney shook her head. “No. Nothing.”
“What about Kati’s husband, David?” Henry asked. “Is there anything there?”
Laney pictured David Simmons as he was the one and only time she’d ever seen him. “The car crash that killed him was really bad. But if he were a Fallen or a nephilim, he would have survived it.”
“I thought he was impaled?”
Laney nodded. “Yeah, but not through the heart. David was just a normal man.”
“And Danny’s family has no indications of abilities?”
“No. So is this even connected?”
“Maddox said none of the attackers had abilities. But they were organized,” Henry replied.
“Humans,” Laney said, disgust rolling through her. “The Council.”
Henry shrugged. “Maybe. I just don’t know.”
“Did Northgram ever get back to you?”
“He did. He gave me some names, but I’ve already had operatives go through their lives. They seem clean so far, at least with regard to the missing kids.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s any of them.”
“Do you think Northgram’s holding out?”
“I think he knows something. I’m just not sure if we’re even on the right track. I think… I think maybe we’re asking the wrong questions.”
Images of the missing kids swirled through Laney’s mind, along with images of Max and Danny. Were these different events connected? Or was this threat something altogether new?
“Well, Jake’s at the hospital,” Laney said. “He’ll see what he can find out.”
Henry nodded. “And Jen’s going to head to the police department and see what she can learn.”
“In that case, I’ll take Danny down to Dom’s and let Jen get going.”
Laney studied Henry. His shoulders were taut and he was gripping a napkin like he wanted to strangle the life out of it. She spoke slowly. “Henry, are you going to be okay?”
Henry’s eyes cut to her, and the anger in them startled her. “Someone came after Danny. And they’re going to pay for that.”
CHAPTER 28
Laney walked through the shelter. She’d just read Max a book and tucked him in, and Dom was sitting with him now, waiting until he fell asleep.
She wasn’t sure where Kati and Maddox had gone, but she knew Danny had gone upstairs for some fresh air. She glanced over at the entrance. She should probably go check on him.
“I’ll go,” Patrick said, standing up from the couch.
“No, it’s okay. I can—”
Patrick put up his hand. “Laney, I need to do something.”
And Laney saw the fear and anger in his eyes. Patrick loved both Max and Danny. And this attack was hitting him as hard as everyone else. Maybe that’s the point, a voice whispered at the back of Laney’s mind. To put all of you off your game.
Well, if that was the plan, it was working. She hadn’t been able to focus on the missing kids since she’d heard. “Okay. You go. I’ll see if there’s anything new on the missing kids.”
Patrick kissed her on the cheek and headed out.
Laney watched him go and kept watching long after he had disappeared from view. Then, giving herself a mental shake, she headed for Dom’s office. Why go after the boys? she won
dered for the thousandth time. And why were the attackers humans? Was it the Council?
“He saw you get impaled, Maddox! Do you really think he’s just going to bounce back from that?”
Laney’s head jerked up and she stopped just outside Dom’s office. It was Kati’s voice she heard, and she was obviously crying.
“He’s okay. He’s fine.”
“He’s not fine,” Kati said, her voice breaking. “He sees ghosts. And now someone tried to kill him.”
Ghosts? Laney inched forward, aware she was eavesdropping but unable to stop herself. She remembered what Max had told her about Drew and Rocky, but that was just his imagination—wasn’t it?
“Kati, you’re working yourself up.”
“Shouldn’t I be?”
“Kati…”
“Could you just leave me alone?”
The room went silent for a moment. “Okay. I’ll be with Max.”
Maddox walked out of the room. He paused for a moment when he saw Laney. Then he nodded and kept going.
Laney leaned against the wall. She hated that Kati was going through all of this. But she didn’t know how to make it better.
Pushing off the wall, she walked up to the door of Dom’s office and knocked softly on the frame. “Kati?”
Kati looked up. Tears were running down her cheeks. Laney immediately crossed the room and pulled her friend into a hug.
Kati sobbed against her. “They came after my little boy.”
Laney led Kati over to the couch. “I know, honey. I know.”
Laney stayed with Kati, letting her cry, and doing a little crying herself, for the better part of an hour. Finally they were cried out. Laney got up to grab some tissues from the box on Dom’s desk, then brought them back to the couch, handing some of them to Kati.
Kati wiped at her red-rimmed eyes. “What am I going to do?”
“We’ll keep him here. Keep him protected.”
“Until when?”
“Until we catch the guys responsible,” Laney said with a confidence she didn’t feel.
Kati just nodded numbly.
