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The sound of a car door slams, followed by the revving of an engine. Eli goes to help Luke while I round the corner to see a van barreling down on Nico. I’m too far away to do anything.

I find a burst of speed, knowing I can’t lose any of them.

Mike Cook grabs Nico at the last minute and pulls him to the ground out of range as the van drives off.

“What the fuck!” I stop and drag in a breath next to Nico and Mike.

Mike sits up and shakes his head. Nico groans and rolls onto his back. My stomach sinks as I take in everyone that’s here. Jack and Harper aren’t here.

Mike meets my eyes. “They took Harper and Jack.”

CHAPTER 19

The Prisoners of War

Luke

Eli lifts the fucker I tackled to his feet after I roll off him. When Eli pulls the mask off the guy, I sit up and glare at Alex Mitchell. He tries to jerk away from Eli, but Eli twists his arm behind his back, and Alex stills with a gasp.

“Fuck, man, don’t break my arm.” Alex’s voice trembles with fear.

Caden and Coach Turner went around the corner after the others. Alex was lagging behind the rest because I kicked his shin when we were fighting before he took off. My side aches from the punches I took, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

This doesn’t bode well. If they were fleeing, they got what they wanted.

Eli offers me a hand to help me up, and my heart freezes.

I can’t be too late.

I had her. Her hand in mine. Her trust that I could keep her safe. That we could keep her safe.

I can’t lose her.

Once I’m on my feet, I hurry around the corner to the sound of a van peeling off. I squint, trying to make out the license even as I reach into my pocket for my car keys.

“He has her.” Nico’s voice draws my attention.

My heart clenches.

Nico’s on the ground. His hand massages his leg. His eyes meet mine, and I see the resignation and determination in his. “I threw my knife into their tire, but they have her and Jack. We saw them loading them into the van.”

He doesn’t have to say who they are. Zach fucking Gray and his buddy Tanner Lewis. Tanner has been obvious all night. His gaze never left Harper.

Coach Turner kneels next to Nico and looks over his knee. “Did you twist it?”

“I’m fine.” Nico shakes his head as he struggles to stand up. “She and Jack weren’t conscious. A bum tire might slow them down. We need to go after them now.”

“Help me,” Darius says to Caden. They lift Nico to his feet, and Mike hands him his crutches. Nico’s face twists in pain. Fuck.

Caden grabs the front of Darius’s shirt. “You need to help us.”

“I did. I’ll probably get fired for hitting students.” Darius runs a hand over his hair.

“They took Jack and Harper. Call in fucking backup,” Caden grits out. “You owe him that.”

Darius narrows his eyes on Caden. “He told⁠—”

“Me. Yeah, Jack tells me everything.” Caden glances my way. What the fuck is happening? “You know this town. The only way this works is if we get help from the outside.”