As he started to turn forward again, Kit swung the rock with all her might and hit him in the side of the head. The impact jolted her fingers so badly the rock dropped.

No seatbelt held him in, and the unconscious man tipped sideways.

She grabbed his shoulders. Sweet heavens, he was bleeding so bad.

Focus.

“Out you go,” she whispered. Gritting her teeth, she yanked him out onto the gravel. Climbing into the driver’s seat, she slammed the door.

Move, move, move.

She rammed the gearshift into drive, pushed the pedal for a trickle of gas, and rolled forward. Quietly.

The van was partway across the parking lot when a man came out of the roadhouse. “Luka, what the fuck!”

Kit stomped on the gas. The van rocketed forward, tires spitting gravel. The vehicle fishtailed at her hard turn onto Sweetgale, and screams came from the women in back.

Almost panting, Kit tried to think. The PZs would chase her. Where could she go?

No one would be at the police station if JJ wasn’t back—and it was only her, anyway. One person couldn’t defend against so many fanatics.

The town closed down at this hour. No one was around.

In despair, Kit tightened her hands on the steering wheel.

What about the Hermitage? They had guns.

Yes.

But she had to warn them. “Audrey, Frankie, Lillian—someone!”

“Kit?” It was Audrey’s voice. “Oh, God, Kit. Wait—you’re driving?”

Kit needed a second to get her voice to work again. “Yes, but they’ll chase us. I’m taking us to the Hermitage.” She gave a terrified glance at the side mirrors. Headlights appeared, coming out of the parking lot. “We need to warn the guys, and I don’t have a phone.”

“Who has a phone?” Sarah yelled.

“Me.” Audrey answered.

Kit found a breath and used it. Took a bigger one.

“Ma’am, your hands are tied in front,” Audrey was telling someone in back. “Can you get my phone from my back pocket?”

“I guess there’s a benefit of being so big my wrists won’t meet in back.” The woman’s voice was old and gruff. “Turn around.” A second later, she said, “Got it.”

“Hurry, hurry,” Kit whispered under her breath.

“Punch in 3-2-8-3 to unlock it,” Audrey instructed quickly. “Then hit the badge icon.”

A second later, Gabe’s voice sounded. “Goldilocks, how’s the party? Hawk should—”

Audrey’s voice rose. “Gabe, Nabera attacked the roadhouse. Kit’s driving a van to the Hermitage, and the PZs are—” Audrey’s hasty speech broke off at the sound of cars approaching from the rear. “Oh, God.”

“Nabera. Fuck.” Gabe low voice rose to a shout. “Men. Our women are coming in hot with PZ bastards chasing them. Bull, batten us down. Caz, get weapons out. Prepare for incoming.”