Atticus had been trying to reach Ishtar ever since Carl informed him that she and Ajani had been discharged from the hospital but hadn't returned home. Carl had told him that Adonis' Beta and some men had come for them, and their car had already left by the time he arrived. Atticus found it strange and was worried that his sister and nephew might be in trouble since she hadn't mentioned anything about this when they last spoke. He had tried calling her countless times, but each attempt was met with the call being abruptly cut off as soon as it started ringing.
"Daddy, daddy!" his daughter, Janice, burst into the room, her face flushed with anger, while her younger brother, Jayden, trailed behind her, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Atticus cut the call he had just started and turned to
