“Unfortunately not,” Vic says, shrugging his shoulders. “I mean, it's a brilliant idea. The little rat deserves all of that and more, but it was the Langford girls who put one over on her. Stacy really doesn't like narks.” He turns away again, studying his people like a warlord plotting strategy.

“Sara Young used her as bait,” I say, because I'm not sure how much of what I told Oscar has made its way around the group. “She purposely let what Kali told her slip. I'd thought she was the lawful good type, but it appears she's willing to play dirty to get what she wants.”

“She's been sniffing around the cemetery, too,” Aaron adds, and I glance back at him, passing the cigarette over. “Our boys trailed her up there this afternoon. She walked around and took a ton of pictures, including one of Penelope's shattered angel statue.” My blood chills as I see four metaphorical walls closing in on us. “She didn't notice Neil's grave site though; there've been a half-dozen new bodies buried there since we paid the place a visit.”

“We're going to have to kill her,” Oscar says, accepting a fresh cigarette when Vic offers one and lighting up. I just stare at him because I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him smoke, drink, or light up a bowl. Jesus.

“No, we're not,” I say as Hael comes swaggering up the drive to stand beside us. He looks at me because everyone else is and lifts a questioning brow. “We're not going to kill Sara Young. That'd be pretty hard to get away with, don't you think?”

“There are ways to make it happen,” Oscar explains, still smoking. I notice that his knuckles are bloody and raw from his fight earlier. My first instinct is to bring his hands to my lips and kiss away the crimson. I scowl instead.

“Well, I have a better idea.” I take a deep breath, formulating an idea in my mind. “But clearly, there are other things brewing in the city tonight. What's up?”

“Mitch is trashing all our favorite hangouts, trying to bait us out of the woodwork,” Victor explains casually, still watching the crowd. “He wants to take us on tonight which, normally, I'd be more than happy to do. But with the police already watching the school, we can't take any chances. Killing several dozen Prescott High students is not an option.”

“So what do we do?” I ask, glad beyond all rational belief that I am not the leader tonight.

“We play a very careful game,” Victor says, nodding his chin at Hael and Aaron. “Make sure everyone stays in pairs tonight, and put guys on all our houses. We're going to be proactive, not reactive. Mitch will not bait me into making a move I don't want to make.”

“Are we sending any guys to the drive-in?” Hael asks, sipping on a Dr. Pepper. Sounds like Mitch and his clowns are at Wesley's. They better not mess that place up; it's the only decent burger place in town. Victor shakes his head once, rubbing at his chin in thought.

“No, but I want you and Cal to head over there and see what's going on. Mitch knows we didn't touch Kali; everyone knows it was Stacy and her girls. This is just an excuse to get us riled up, and I don't like it.” He turns around to look at me, and exhales sharply. “And you, trailing Oscar and leaving campus by yourself? I'm pissed.” I open my mouth to protest, but Vic puts up a palm to shush me. Frankly, I'd like to bite the tips of his fingers off, but our entire crew is here, and he is the boss. “Listen to me, Bernie.” Vic walks over and crouches down in front of me. “If my mother is working with the Charter Crew, then she'll have a plan in mind. Her best bet is to catch me in a crime … or make me a widower.”

The blood drains from my face as Vic reaches out to touch the side of my throat, fingers playing across the bruises there. The look he shoots Oscar's way is toxic, but when he turns back to me, he's all leader, all matter-of-fact and shit.

“You will go home with Aaron and Oscar; the rest of us will monitor the Charter situation from afar.”

My blood chills and I frown, but I can't argue against Vic's logic.

“Fine, but I want a full report in the morning.”

Victor grins at me and presses a scalding kiss to my cheek.

“Yes, my queen,” he says, rising to his feet and turning back to the gathered Havoc crew. “Alright, friends, it's time to divvy up responsibilities.” Victor goes about directing people while Oscar finishes his cigarette and then heads straight for Aaron's Bronco.

“Stay safe,” I tell Callum and Hael, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek. “If either of you dies, I'll be furious.”

“Duly noted,” Hael replies with a grin. Callum just winks at me, which I don't like. I give him a look before peeling off to follow Aaron to the Bronco. Thank god Sara Young hasn't found this place yet, but I'm worried it's only a matter of time until she stumbles upon it.

“I bet that hurt,” I remark absently as I catch up to Aaron. “Getting her lips sewn shut like that.” He smiles wickedly at me and shrugs.

“Can't say I have any sympathy for her whatsoever.” He opens his door and pushes his seat forward. Oscar is already sitting in the front, elbow on the window, gazing out into the night. The front seat is supposed to be my spot, but I decide to let it go for now and climb in without a word.

We'll have it out later, me and him.

“What happened to Kyler and Timmy?” I ask as Aaron starts the engine and we pull away from the curb.

Oscar turns back to look at me, his face scratched and bloodied from the fight. It makes him look like the very thing he just proclaimed that he was most definitely not. That is, he looks human.

“They're just lucky that law enforcement is involved in their brother's case,” Oscar says, and that's that. Guess I'll have to wait until school tomorrow to see what he's talking about. That is, if either of the boys even show up.

“Let's get the girls from Jennifer's,” Aaron says, cringing when he sees the time. “It's a little late, but oh well. They can sleep in the car on the way back.”

We do just that, taking them back to Aaron's and tucking them into their beds.

As soon as they're asleep, I burst into Oscar's room, intending on giving him verbal whiplash, but he's asleep, too, lying on the queen-sized bed in the corner with his sweats and hoodie still on. He looks so damn tired that I end up just sitting on the edge of the bed and studying his sleeping face.

After a minute, I decide to curl up in bed beside him, tucking my body against his. Even though it's clear from his breathing that he's still out cold, Oscar throws an arm around my body and holds me close.

In the middle of the night, I wake up and find him standing over me.

“They're back,” is all he says, turning and leaving the room as I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. The bed still feels nice and warm behind me, like maybe Oscar didn't get up all that long ago. I climb out of the covers and head down the stairs, finding the boys outside smoking joints.

I'm beyond relieved to see them all safe.

“Here,” Cal offers me up a joint, but as soon as I get close to him, he yanks me down into his lap and envelops me in his oversized hoodie. “Sorry to wake you up so late,” he says, grinning as he presses his face to the side of my neck. “But we have news.”