She's visibly surprised, but after a moment snatches the phone.

"Now open it and read the last text he sent."

She opens the phone and finds the text area.

(Love the new Avi!)

It was a text sent to a rival mafia, saying, Theyre here. Ill hold them till you arrive.

(Thanks!)


She shows it to Alex.

"You want to explain that, Cull?" said Alex quietly.

Cully gave a slight shake of his head. "Now, Alex, Ive known you for a lot of years. Hell, youre like a brother to me. So youve got to believe me when I say this is for the best."

Alex motioned for Kayla to start toward the door. He snapped up Cullys car keys from the table and shoved them in his jeans pocket. "What are you talking about?"

She slowly reaches for something in her pocket.

(The rival gang has Angels in their name so that's what they call them(

"You," said Cully. He jerked his head at the girl. "You and that--creature youve picked up. Alex, listen to me, you dont know what youre doing. The Angels say that girls gotta go, and so shes gotta go."

"The Angels, right." Trepidation slithered down Alexs spine. He moved a few steps backward, still holding the gun on Cully as he grabbed up the rifle from where it stood against the wall. He handed it to Willow. "Cully, we
kill Angels, remember?"

"Not anymore." Cully started to take a step forward.

"Stop right there," said Alex. "Dont make me shoot, Cully."

She just stays quiet.

Cully stopped. His hands moved in supplication. "Alex, truly, I thought I was doing the best thing all those years, but I was wrong--we all were."

Alex felt sick. "What are you really doing out here?" he interrupted.

"I live here, like I told you. Im doing the Angels work, Alex."

"What does that mean?"

Cully shrugged, his hands still up. "There might be a couple of AKs still left outstanding; if they turn up here, I can hold them till the Angels come, to show them how theyve gone astray. And as for right now--boy, every member in the countrys been keeping a lookout for yall. Ive been thinking you might turn up here for days. I wouldnt have budged an inch if I hadnt been flat out of food and water."

Alex stared at him, his thoughts reeling. A couple of AKs still outstanding? Christ, what had happened to all the rest of them? But he had a terrible feeling that he knew.

"Whos left?" he said in a low voice.

Cully snorted. "No one, probably; Ive been here for months. Now, Im begging you, bud: youve gotta shoot that thing like they want, before she hurts 'em. Just do it now, and thisll all be over with. Ill even do it for you; just give me the gun."