Ani. I knew. Had mourned for nine years.
Not letting go, I kissed his head and wept with him. “I know, little man. I know.”
INSIDE THE TENT, BODIESgently nudged us to separate since we refused to let each other go. Battery-operated lanterns flickered low beams of light to keep everyone from colliding.
Thunder cried to me, “I’m so sorry.”
I sobbed my response, pent up after so long. “Ifailedher. Not you.”
“It was so bad. He was so mean. I was helpless.”
Holding him so tight, I felt the weight of that burden.
“Rya.”
“What?” I only half-listened, giving out instructions. “I don’t want to take any chances. Especially with two extra bodies.” Thunder had his best friends Roam and Chubbs with him. “Let’s go.”
“But . . . she’s in danger.”
The voices around us drowned out his words. “Yeah, their loyalty is thick . . . We have transportation waiting . . . Blacked out windows . . . Need to move soon.”
“Dio, I can’t go with you.”
“I got you, Thunder.” I turned to Grim. “Who knows how long we have until Onus clears his mind of Tequila?”
Thunder pushed against my stomach. “Dio, can you hear me?”
He held my face, a small smile appearing. “Of course, I can hear you, little man.” I kissed his forehead. “Missed you fucking bad, kid.” I yanked him closer, feeling the pressure to get him out before something terrible happened. “Yeah, pronto.”
“Diablo, hear me.”
My body jolted as heat increased, calling to the Reaper.
“I can’t leave her.”
Confused, I pushed him gently to a mattress on the floor. “Sit. Drink some water. You’re not making much sense.”
“Thank you.” Shaking, he sloshed water from the bottle I gave him as he brought it to his lips.
I knelt down. “We don’t have much time, my dude.” I pushed his hair aside, drenched in tears and sweat.
“I know, so please listen.”
Impatient, I nodded.
“Her name is Rya—”
Justice dropped next to us. “Is she one of the girls they’re selling?”
He blinked. “Wh-what?”
“Thunder, this is Justice, Stallions’ road captain.”
“I have intel Titans are trafficking. What do you know?” A little intense, she needed to back off Thunder.
“Can you please give me a minute?”
She shook her head full of black hair. “Jesus. I’m so sorry. Kids in danger—” She shook her head again. “Makes me a little—” She exhaled. “Them hurting is a weak spot for me.” She tapped Thunder’s knee. “And now you’re safe. So, I need to not get ahead of myself.”