“Adrik’s guy woke. Told us an older lady had come up to him asking for directions when he stepped out of his car for a smoke. Didn’t think to expect anything suspicious about an innocent woman looking for the right building. But also, Tech hacked into West’s parents’ phone records, finally. There was one text we didn’t like so we were on our way to check these fuckers out.”

Nodding, I sucked in another breath and straightened my shoulders. “All right.” Wade moved out of the way, and I strode by, heading right for the basement.

On the stairs, I heard West cry out and then Adrik, “Moya lyubov’, I have you. It’s okay.”

I quickly walked down to see Kylo, Saint, Country, a man I didn’t know but presumed was Dimitri, and State. Saint’s hands were on Kylo’s shoulders.

“Adrik?” West whispered in the quiet room as he leaned his side into the man who held him.

“Da, Moya lyubov’.”

“Are my sins gone?”

Kylo dropped his head and gripped his hair. Country turned away, closing his eyes. It was State who swore, spitting, “Fuckin’ hell.”

“Moya lyubov’, you never had sins. You are perfect the way you are.”

I ground my teeth together and kept breathing deeply in and out of my nose as I placed the supplies on the floor beside us.

“She said I was evil. I’m not evil.”

“Nyet, you are not.”

State shook his head and made his way out of the room. We all heard the monster upstairs scream out in pain.

I moved the water bottle aside; someone must have gotten him a drink. “West, it’s Lucas. I’m going to put some cream on your back and wrap it up. I’ll take a better look when we get you home.”

He hummed under his breath. First, I checked his vitals. He had a steady heartbeat, but I could see he was dehydrated. Gently, I opened his mouth and paused. I let go of his jaw and asked, “West, did they pour something in your mouth?” It was red, so fucking red in there.

“Vinegar.”

Adrik tensed, and our gazes met.

“Purge the sins away,” West whispered.

Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away. Someone groaned. I glanced to see Kylo turned into Saint, with his head buried into Saint’s chest. His body shook, crying silently. Saint’s own eyes were wet. As was everyone’s.

I brushed West’s cheek with the back of my fingers. “My amazing friend, there were no sins to purge. There was nothing wrong with you. They were wrong.” I picked up the pills and dropped three out. “Help him sit a little to take these,” I said. Adrik did. “West, these are pain pills. You’ll need to swallow them, sorry. I know it’ll hurt, but they’ll help a little.”