“That’s…horrifying,” Ethan said. “But if anyone found out that I let a Lopez family member onto the compound, they’d literally kill me with their bare hands.”

“Declan’s got to be going there,” Maisie said. “He may already be there, for all we know. So, there are going to be a lot of Lopez family members on the compound. And if it helps, I know a lot of people who would be horrified to hear that I followed the son of Jonathan Spencer around Northgate.”

“It helps a little,” Ethan muttered.

“After I drop Lennon at the gate I’ll come back and help you,” she continued. “Try to smooth things over. Assuming Declan and your dad haven’t killed each other.”

“That’s quite an assumption,” Ethan said.

Lennon felt a stab of guilt as he thought about Maisie turning around and going back inside Northgate after he went through the gate. He’d return to his normal life, but she was left with this mess.

“I’m just saying, we can help each other out,” Maisie said. “You let us onto the compound, and I will do my very best to stop Declan from killing your family.”

Ethan hesitated for a moment. “Okay. But we have to go to my hub first. Just for a few minutes. It’s right next to the compound.”

“What is your hub?” Maisie asked.

“It’s where I talk to Hadley. I have a whole setup. I’ve hacked into the cameras across our territory, so I can see everywhere. I even set up a few of my own that my dad doesn’t know about.”

“That’s both creepy and impressive,” Lennon said.

“I may be able to find Declan and his guys. See if they’ve chosen a spot to launch an attack. If I can access the cameras, I can see and warn my dad about it. He won’t even suspect I was helping you if I just report what I saw on a camera.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Maisie said, heading for the van. Lennon followed. “Stay with the truck, okay?” she called over her shoulder to Beto and Anna. “If you run into any big problems, just go. I’ll find my own way back south.”

“I think this is dumb, for the record!” Beto called.

“Noted!” Maisie replied.

Lennon climbed into the back of the van, and Maisie slid into the passenger’s seat, next to Ethan.

She twisted around to look at Lennon. “Hand me the radio, will ya? I need to update Hadley on everything.”

He handed it to her, and she paused, her finger poised over the button. She glanced at Ethan.

“One thing, though,” Maisie said. “On a scale of one to ten, how mad will you be if I punch your dad? Not saying I’m planning on it, it’s just…if the opportunity presents itself.”

Ethan started the van. “Zero.”

“Perfect.”

MAISIE

ETHAN DROVE THEM across Northgate. The front windshield was so damaged that they had to smash it a few more times and remove it completely. Lennon had claimed he could see well enough through it to drive, but Ethan had been firmly opposed to that idea.