The night air outside the hospital was biting, but Max didn't feel the cold. His blood was already turning to ice. He stood by the sleek black SUV, his silhouette sharp against the harsh fluorescent lights of the emergency entrance.
"Samuel. Fred." His voice wasn't just low; it was a command from a man who had already declared war. "You stay here. You do not leave that door. If Ruby breathes, I want to know about it. If she cries, you stay out of sight, but you make sure no one, no one gets within ten feet of her."
He looked back at the hospital windows, his jaw tight enough to crack.
"I need to end this," he muttered, more to himself than to his men. "Violet and Ace are still breathing. As long as they have air in their lungs, Ruby is a target."
