“You know normal boyfriends don’t run off to fight the mob right after professing their love to another, right?” A tear rolls down Axel’s cheek, his attention completely focused on the man in front of him. Dropping their shields for a moment, I’m stunned at the level of love shining through their eyes. Garrett cups Axel’s cheek, pulling him for a kiss with enough passion to make my heart squeeze. If those two stubborn asses can find love in each other, surely there’s hope for me yet.
Garrett breaks their kiss, pressing his forehead on Axel’s and exhaling deeply. “I’ve never been one to follow the rules, but I’m learning to follow my heart. I won’t be able to rest as long as there is a threat this close to you. Someone entered your home Axel, without anyone even noticing. This world isn’t good enough for you, the least I can do is shelter you from one small part of it.”
“Fuck you Gare. Fuck you so hard.”
“I’ll give you the honours when I get back,” Garrett grins, flashing Axel his dimples before releasing him and hopping into the car. Axel holds his hand until I gently pull away, the sound of his sobbing sounding as we leave the driveway. I see Huxley pull him into his embrace in the rear-view mirror just before I turn and leave them behind. Garrett’s jaw matches the tension in his shoulders and I’m sure his eyes are glistening slightly as we sit in an awkward silence.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” I offer after a while, needing to break the friction amounting between us.
“Just drive.”
∞∞∞
The start of a new day is due to break any moment as we enter the state of Chicago, after Garrett and I took turns driving through the night. Not that we could have stopped even if we felt the need, not when Avery is driving herself directly into the danger, I’ve been trying to keep her away from. I’ve never felt anything close to love before, after my parent’s prime example of why two people who aren’t right for one another shouldn’t be together. I was content to wait as long as it took until the right girl came along to stir those feelings I’ve never felt. And holy shit, she did not disappoint.
Avery landed in my life like an atomic bomb, destroying my existence as I knew it and leaving a fresh slate in its place. Now all I need is to save her life once again so I can start to rebuild a world she can be free in. All her fears will vanish when she realizes I won’t to cage her, I will encourage her to fly. I’d give her every opportunity to flourish and find a reason to live, even if that meant I could only watch from the side lines.
I slow to stare through the passenger window as we pass The Harbour Bridge Casino, a neon sign displaying a logo to match its name. The lavish interior is visible through a set of gold-handled, glass doors with a set of security already in position outside. Continuing past, I take the next turning to round the tall stretch of glass to find a car park at the rear. My eyes immediately land on a burnt-orange Nissan and my heart double flips in my chest. I’m torn between being thankful Avery has arrived safely and terrified of the danger awaiting her inside. Swinging the Mercedes round to park beside Huxley’s beloved car, Garrett’s growl grabs my attention.
His hazel eyes are pinned on a black sedan across the lot, his shoulders bunching with the heavy rise and fall of his chest. In contrast to how Axel wears his gentle nature like a coat of armour, Garrett uses sarcasm and anger to shield his true emotions, but I know him better than most. As much as he will rightfully want to make Wyatt pay for the hurt he’s caused, he also feels the loss of one of our own like I do. Our group with never be the same without Wyatt’s comforting presence and easy-going smirk at the ready. The one that seemed to have the best handle over his demons turned out to be our downfall.
Reaching over to clasp Garrett’s shoulder, we share a determined nod and exit the vehicle. I stretch my arms above my head, my back cracking into place. If I never have to drive again this year, it will be too soon. My dad has a private jet I could use whenever I like, but that would involve speaking to him and I’d rather walk the length of the country than do that. We’ve come to a mutual agreement to pretend the other doesn’t exist, so long as he keeps transferring the generous allowance into my account each month as hush money. The stories I could tell would ruin his career and reputation overnight, and he’s knows I’d do it too.
Rounding the Mercedes, I find Garrett has dropped to the floor between the cars to do some push ups, most likely to either rev up his adrenaline or to appear as butch as possible. Rolling my eyes, a flapping piece of paper tucked into the Nissan’s windscreen wiper catches my attention. I frown, looking all around as a prickle running down my spine tells me we’re being watched. A red Mini on the road beyond the car park bursts into action, speeding out of sight before I can get a look of the driver. Removing the paper, I unfold it to find a handwritten message inside.
Convince him to let you play for your life, he can’t resist a game with high stakes.
“Garrett, get up,” I command, flashing the note for him to read. We share a concerned look and turn as one to race into the casino. Worry claws at my heart as we burst through the doors, the knowledge that so much is at stake almost more than I can
