"But . . . Calvin Antone. You . . ."
"Your father is desperate. Desperate men are easily fooled, particularly by middle-aged women who play the love-struck fool. He thought he was using me. It was the other way around."
I turned on Moreno. "And you. He trusted you."
Moreno shrugged. "I was happy to be his wingman while it seemed to my advantage. Then I got a better offer. It happens."
"If it's an outside deal, how will I get my kids back?" Kit asked. "The Cabals have them."
Chloe's and Derek's heads both whipped Kit's way.
"You're considering this?" Chloe said.
"I can get them," Dr. Inglis said. "We'll take Corey now, as a gesture of good faith from you. Then I will take Daniel for your son and Maya for your daughter."
"Dad?" Derek said.
Kit didn't answer him. He didn't even look over.
Chloe looked from us to Kit, her blue eyes wide. "Y-you c-can't--"
Derek leaped to his feet. "I won't let you do this, Dad. These kids came to you for help."
I gaped at Derek. Even Chloe looked confused. I might have known the guy for less than twenty-four hours, but short of demonic possession, I couldn't imagine him saying that. Derek was a wolf and I knew enough about pack canines to know--as he'd shown already--that his priority was his family. The welfare of strangers came a very distant second.
As he argued, though, Kit looked . . . relieved.
Daniel looked at both of them, then jumped up beside Derek. "You are not going to trade us for your kids. After everything we've been through? I won't let that happen."
Kit stood and faced the two, his back to the intruders. He lifted his hands. "Stay calm, boys. Just stay calm. We need to make a deal, but I promise no one will get hurt."
"No way," Derek said. "I cannot believe you would . . ."
As he ranted, Kit mouthed something to Daniel. Daniel hesitated, but Derek glanced over with a nod.
"Just relax, boys," Kit said. "Look at Maya and Corey. They're being reasonable. I need you two to follow--"
"No!" Daniel shouted--his sonic boom shout was so loud, my ears rang.
The shout sent Kit and the guards flying. Everyone who'd been behind Daniel only wobbled, only those in front of him fell. It took a split second for most of us to realize what had happened, and that the guards were on the floor, stunned by that sonic shout.
Derek hadn't hesitated. As soon as Daniel shouted, he charged. He grabbed the gun from the nearest guard and threw it aside as Daniel tackled the next one. Corey went after the third and I pounced on the fourth. I got the gun easily--my target was still on the floor, stunned. I kicked it over to Chloe, who was gathering them up.
Beside me, Corey was struggling with his guard, who'd snapped out of it and was on his feet again. Daniel raced over to help. The gun fired. Daniel staggered back.
The other guards were up now, fighting back, but I saw none of that. Just Daniel stumbling, Daniel falling. Daniel with blood blossoming on his chest. Daniel shot.
I screamed. I barely heard it in the din around me. Everyone was shouting. Everyone was fighting. No one had noticed Daniel fall. Just me. No one was running to help him. Just me.
I raced over as Corey continued struggling with his guard, oblivious. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Corey get the guy in a headlock. Saw him look over. Saw him notice Daniel. His eyes rounded and the blood drained from his face. As I ran to Daniel's side, Corey began to release his grip on his target, as if he'd forgotten he was still holding him.
"No!" I said.
He snapped out of it, then hauled his guy out of the way as I dropped to the floor. Daniel was blinking to stay conscious, his breathing shallow.
"It's okay," I said as I tugged his shirt off to get a better look. "You're okay."
He wasn't. I could tell that by his breathing and his face, ghostly white, his lips trembling.