The tires were all still intact, but there were bullet holes in all the windows. The front windshield had been hit and had a spiderweb of cracks running across it.

Ivy was sprawled out on the ground, blood seeping onto the road. Anna was on her knees next to her.

“Oh god,” he heard Queso say from behind him. Anna sat back, wiping her arm across her wet cheeks.

Lennon’s eyes flew to Beto, who had a bloody hand pressed to his side.

He didn’t see Maisie.

“Where is she?” he gasped.

Beto winced. “He took her. Declan took her.”

MAISIE

MAISIE STRUGGLED AGAINST the arm gripping her waist. She bit the hand over her mouth.

“Ow! Dammit, Maisie!” Declan yelled.

She bucked against him, but he held firm. They were on the floor of the SUV, just in front of the door.

They started to pick up speed. He released her and moved to sit in one of the seats.

She dove for the door. It was locked from the inside.

She took in a slow breath before turning around. The inside of the SUV was dark, and he reached up and flipped the overhead light on. She wished he’d kept it off, so she didn’t have to see his smug face.

At least he looked terrible. That made her feel a little better. His nose was swollen, and a black eye was forming from Lennon’s headbutt.

“What the hell are you doing?” She tried to keep her voice steady and didn’t move from the floor. Sitting next to him felt like admitting defeat.

“I’m taking you back south. Or, Vic is.” Declan pointed to the driver. “I’ve got business to finish up here.”

She frowned at him. “Beto told us all about your plan to kill Jonathan Spencer.”

Declan sighed, leaning against the side of the van. “I knew I shouldn’t have brought that asshole. He was so insistent, promising that he’d convince all the Lopezes to unite behind me. Told me I was the best man for the job.”

She rolled her eyes. Declan would believe anything if you stroked his ego enough.

“But, yeah, I guess it’s not a secret now. I’m going to kill him and his guys, take the shipment, and head back south.”

She opened her mouth. Shut it. Clearly Declan hadn’t known why they were on that road. Lennon and Queso should have been almost to them with the truck, but she hadn’t seen them as Declan shoved her in the SUV. Clearly, he hadn’t either, and had no idea that they’d already taken the shipment back.

“You’ll start a war,” she said slowly.

“Obviously.”

“Only an idiot starts a war on purpose.”

“I think pretty much every war in the history of mankind has been started on purpose.”

“Exactly my point.”

He laughed, leaning his head back. “I swear to god, Maisie, it’s so hard to stay mad at you.”

“I don’t share that feeling.”

A smile slid across his face that made her want to punch him.