Rusty’s head swiveled around to her. “You what?”
“You wanted to film us. I was going to give it to you for your birthday.”
One of his brothers snorted with laughter.
Rusty’s head swung around, and he snapped at the man, “Shut the fuck up.”
“Holy fuck!” Growler snapped, drawing everyone’s attention back to the video. Two hooded men were on the screen. One of them hit Rusty in the head. Then they went for the bag and left. A moment later one returned.
Skylar winced and looked away as he plunged the dagger into Rusty’s chest.
Rusty paused the video as the man turned and looked straight into the camera.
“Spawns,” Growler muttered.
“Who the fuck are the Spawns?” Rat asked.
“Eastside street gang. Play the rest.”
Rusty started the video again. It showed Skylar returning and finding him, rushing to his side, feeling for a pulse, shaking him, crying over him. Then leaving the room, returning with her cell, and making the frantic 911 call.
Rusty closed the laptop and passed it to Growler. Then he turned, his eyes searching out Skylar’s.
She met his look, her eyes filled with tears as she’d been forced to relive the entire event through the images in the video. “I told you the truth.”
He nodded. “Yeah.” Then he lifted his chin to Reno. “Let her go.”
She felt Reno’s hand instantly release her, and she ran to Shades, flinging herself at him. He caught her, wincing, one arm wrapping around her to pull her tight against him, but his eyes lifted to Rusty’s.
Skylar could immediately feel his tension. This wasn’t over yet. They still had to get out of here.
One of the DKs came through the door and rushed over to Growler. He said something low in his ear. There was a heated whispered discussion.
Shades took advantage of the opportunity it gave him to speak to Skylar. Dipping his head low to hers, he whispered in her ear, “I’ll get you out of here, I swear. No matter what gets in my way, I promise you.”
“You came for me,” Skylar whispered back brokenly.
“Of course I did, baby. I’d come for you no matter what.”
“How did you find me?”
“Shh, baby.”
They could over hear some of what the DKs where saying to each other, at least some of the words.
“They’re amassed outside the gates. We don’t send these two out, there’s gonna be a bloodbath.”
Growler murmured a low question she couldn’t hear, to which the DK replied, “Dozens of them. Armed to the teeth. We’re outnumbered and outgunned.”
“Is this going to start a war?” Skylar whispered.
“I gotta start a war just to bring you home, I will.”
“I’m afraid, Shades.”
“Baby, as long as there’s still life in me, no one’s touching you again.”
Rusty broke from the group, stepping over to them.