Death warrant

Death warrant
Zero POV

Sometimes life can be cruel and fucked up. One moment, we are all celebrating Mason and Hera's engagement. The next, news of their tragic accident spreads like wildfire.

I don't know if I should curse this wicked fate or comfort Chloe who has been crying nonstop since we found out what happened to the couple.

Then there's the club, left under my care weighing heavily on me. Everyone is looking up to me to find Hera and Mason, hoping that I can give them good news.
I have been stuck here for hours, at the place where their car plunged into.

The divers sent to help in the search have not found anything. I have also tried diving, looking for their car.
There's nothing, not even the slightest evidence that those two were here.
The car was probably swept away considering how heavy the river currents are at night.
I feel lost, I feel abandoned. Deep down, I want Viper to appear and slap my shoulder and tell me that he is okay, that Hera is okay.

Heavy footsteps sound from behind me.. I don't need anyone to tell me it's Shadow. I had given him an order to make sure that Lily and Nyx learns nothing about Hera and Mason’s accident.

One is her boss, the woman who pulled her from the jaws of death. The other is her brother whom they recently reunited after being separated for so many years. How devastating will it be if she hears the news?
Then there's Lily. Poor child. She has gone through so much and now?

I turn around when the footsteps halt and see Shadow accompanied by Ghost. Their expressions are grim.

“ It's done.” Shadow informs me and I nod.

“ Luckily she was taking care of Lily last night so she didn't watch the news. “ Shadow continues. “ But we can't keep it from her forever. Sooner or later, she will start asking questions or sense something.”

Shadow concerns are valid. Nyx is no fool. She will figure out something is amiss.

“ That's why I contacted her parents. They should be arriving anytime to take her and Lily back to Florida.” I reply.

That will give us time to find Hera and Mason.

“ They are still alive somewhere, right?” Shadow asks, the tremor in his voice unconcealable.
I force out a small smile, “ Of course they are alive. They must be.”
At this point, I don't know if I am assuring Mason or myself.

Ghost appears lost in thought before he opens his mouth.
“ Do you think this has something to do with the announcement he made yesterday?” He wonders out loud, looking at me with a frown.
His words hit me hard and for a moment, I reconsider everything that happened yesterday after the Church.

“ I don't think so. Everyone who attended is loyal to the club.”
With Finn gone and Helena disposed off, I don't think anyone else is a traitor.

“ The headquarters couldn't know of his exit so fast and even if they did, they would never eliminate him with someone else. We know how this works.” I add. Ghost doesn't look convinced.

“ What if this is the exit plan Mason had in mind all along? He did mention needing Hera’s help.” He insists.

“ Buddy, we all know Viper.. He can be reckless but he would never hurt the people he cares about willingly. Pulling something like this without caring how we would feel? That's not him.” Shadow explains this time.
I nod in agreement. Mason would never do that.

“ Besides, the witnesses say that it was a planned accident. Someone was after them.” I remind him.
It was clearly reported that Ig was not an accident but a planned murder. Surely two cars don't speed towards another, covering both lanes and leaving no room for escape and still be considered an accident.

What's even more suspicious is the cars exploding immediately after pushing Mason's car into the river.

It was a planned hit.
Every piece of evidence screams it, yet no one seems to know who the hell was behind it.

I clench my fists until my knuckles ache. Someone dared come after my family, after my people. No matter how I think about it, no one comes to mind. We haven't offended anyone lately. As for Hera, I'll have to speak to the patron of Killer Angels and try to see if he has something or someone in mind.

“Whoever did this knew their route,” Ghost mutters, breaking my train of thought. “They ambushed them right at the bridge. It's the perfect place to commit murder and hide evidence at the same time.”

“ How exactly did they know Hera and Mason were on the road at that given time?” Shadow suddenly asks.

My jaw tightens. “ You mean someone fed them information?” I ask.

“ I have my suspicions. This screams like an inside job.”

The words hang in the air like poison. None of us want to say it, but we’re all thinking the same thing.

“Find out what everyone did after the meeting, including the prospects.” I instruct.

“ Including Chloe and Nyx?” Ghost asks.

“ Everyone. Even yourself, Ghost.” I say through gritted teeth. Chloe is my woman, I know she would never do anything to jeopardize Hera’s safety but I can't have people whispering that I favoured her for that reason.

“ While doing that, keep an eye on Fiona. She didn't attend the party last night. After what happened to Helena, her loyalty might waver, especially if she knows how her mother was dealt with.

Ghost nods and walks away to make the calls. Shadow stays behind, his eyes searching mine.
“Zero… what if we don’t find them?”

I swallow hard, the question slicing through me like a blade.
I have been struggling to avoid that thought. But, it's still an open possibility, one that feels heavy and suffocating.
“Then we bring home their enemies instead.”

“ Get some rest. I'll come to the club when I have something. In the meantime, keep things in order and make sure outsiders know nothing about this.” I instruct.
He nods once and leaves, leaving me alone by the riverbank. The morning wind is cold and sharp but it does nothing to numb the pain or offer solace to my wounded heart.

Somewhere out there, Hera and Mason are either fighting for their lives… or already gone.

But I won’t rest until I know.

Because if they’re dead,
then someone out there just signed their own death warrant.