Kings of Hawkings [bxb]

Chapter 50

The Kings stayed in close contact via their phones, working to neutralize as many of St. Vincent's students as possible to buy Jonas time before he had to confront them. Their strategy was simple: divide and conquer.

But the reports were the same across the board—no one had seen Lukas. The lack of information only heightened Jonas' unease. His eyes darted around the courtyard, straining to catch any sign of Lukas.

Despite it being New Year's, the weather was mild, and his jacket provided adequate warmth. Yet, each passing hour without news from Lukas sent a shiver down his spine. He also kept checking in with the girls, ensuring their safety. They reassured him repeatedly that they had barricaded the door to their room.

Jonas ran a hand through his hair, struggling to calm his anxious heart. This Hunt was unlike anything he had faced before. He was unsettled, sensing that something terrible was looming on the horizon.

As the minutes ticked by, his dread proved justified when he received a message that signaled Lukas' patience had finally run out.

Lukas: Are you really so pathetic that you're hiding?

Lukas: You even sent out your goons to fight us? That wasn't part of the deal.

Jonas: Technically, I never agreed to your terms.

Jonas: Besides, who says I'm hiding? Maybe I'm just waiting.

Lukas: Then where are you?

Jonas: Doesn't that defeat the purpose of 'Hide and Seek'?

Lukas then sent a picture of Lucy and Emilia from earlier that night. Jonas clenched his jaw. If he hadn't snuck in, the two girls would be in even more danger. He immediately called them to confirm their safety, breathing a sigh of relief when he heard their voices. Lukas couldn't use them against him now.

Still, Jonas knew Lukas would likely try to contact Ryan and Troy to set whatever plan he had in motion. With Ryan and Troy out of contact, Lukas would be piecing together the situation. Without his goons, Lukas would see he'd lost his leverage and quickly conclude that Jonas was at the school, waiting for him.

The absence of his men would make Lukas understand that his plan was unraveling. He'd see Jonas set up a trap, turning the situation from manipulation into a direct showdown. Knowing Lukas' desperation would only fuel his next move, Jonas prepared for the imminent confrontation, ready to endure until his friends arrived.

Jonas conference-called the other Kings, but a weak yet furious voice cut through the line before he could speak. "What the fuck, Jo!"

A small smile crept onto Jonas' face as he heard Hugh's voice. "Sounds like you woke up." He let out a relieved chuckle, the weight of anxiety lifting slightly.

Hugh's frustration was palpable. "I told you not to do anything stupid."

Jonas shrugged, though Hugh couldn't see him. "I'm not doing anything stupid."

"Jo—" Hugh tried to argue, but Jonas cut him off as he noticed the unsettling silence on Hugh's end.

"Where are you, Hugh?" Jonas' concern deepened when he realized the sounds from the hospital were missing, replaced by the low hum of a car. "Millan!" He barked, urgency seeping into his voice.

Millan coughed lightly. "You two are unbearably stubborn."

"Hugh, seriously, you just had a blood transfusion!" Jonas snapped, his frustration palpable. "How can you even think about coming here?"