“Get out,” Beto panted. “Everyone. Now. They’re targeting us.” He darted toward his back door.

Maisie sprang to her feet and ran to the door with Hadley. They sprinted outside and onto the street.

“What in the hell is happening?” Hadley yelled as they ran.

A figure appeared at the end of the street, running toward them. Maisie put her hand on the gun at her waist.

“Is that Lennon?” Hadley asked.

He spotted them, waving both arms in the air, like they hadn’t noticed the dude running straight at them.

He pointed suddenly, frantically, and Maisie stopped. She turned.

A truck was barreling toward them, a gun sticking out the window.

Maisie grabbed her gun, flipping the safety off as she raised it. Beside her, Hadley did the same.

The truck slowed as it drew closer to them.

It took a sharp turn and left them in its dust.

Maisie slowly lowered her gun.

“Maybe those were Beto’s guys,” Hadley said.

“Maybe.” Maisie slid her gun back into its holster. Behind her, she heard Lennon’s footsteps, and turned to see him coming to a stop in front of them.

“What are you doing here?” Maisie snapped. “I told you to stay in my apartment.”

“Yeah, I…didn’t…do that.” Lennon took a deep breath.

“You should not be—”

“Just listen, listen,” he interrupted. “When I was coming back to your place, I saw these three guys outside. Declan was one of them. And I heard them talking about something going down at the family meeting.”

Hadley’s eyebrows drew together. “But it just happened, like, a minute ago.”

“Did someone attack you guys?” Lennon asked. “It sounded like that’s what they were talking about.”

Hadley shot Maisie a concerned look. “A couple guys came in shooting.”

“Yeah.” Lennon nodded. “Exactly. Declan was talking about cross fire and not wanting Maisie to get hurt. One of the guys said that everyone knew not to hurt you.”

Hadley’s eyes widened and she pointed to where the truck had disappeared. “Oh, shit.”

“Wait.” Maisie shook her head. “No. How do you even know it was Declan?”

“Because one of the guys called him Declan.”

“That’s a pretty solid clue,” Hadley said.

“There’s more than one Declan in the Q,” Maisie argued, even though she knew it was stupid.

“Tall guy? At least six foot two?” Lennon held a hand up level with his own head. “Looks like he works out a lot? Early twenties?”

Shit.

“That’s him,” Hadley said.

“Maybe you misunderstood,” Maisie said. “What did he say exactly?”

“He was upset you weren’t home. He didn’t want you anywhere near that meeting. He said, ‘I don’t want her getting caught in the cross fire.’ ”

“That asshole,” Hadley said forcefully.

“He also told them to put me in lockup when they found me. He doesn’t want me running around.”

“And yet, here you are, running around,” Hadley said.

“I’m notoriously difficult.” A smile twitched at his lips.

“Guys.” Maisie put a hand to her head.