CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Akio
HE LEFT Lucas in the kitchen and the second he stepped into the living room, he had Maggie’s arms around him. He felt a sigh rock through his body as a tightness in his chest loosened.
“Consider this your temporary birthday gift,” Maggie said and squeezed tighter. “The real one is back in my room.”
He chuckled and squeezed her back.
“That’s okay. This is more than enough.”
He didn’t have to see her face to know she was rolling her eyes at him. He wasn’t being modest, though. Her presence soothed his anxious heart and her unwavering support for his and Lucas’ relationship meant the world to him.
He pulled back to cup her face and stared into her eyes.
“I love you.”
She blinked rapidly and he knew she was holding back tears.
“I love you, too. Even if you do get me into trouble,” she snarked.
He let out a huff and said, “You’re usually the one who gets me into trouble.”
She only laughed at that, her eyes twinkling.
“Though, speaking of trouble,” he said and placed his hands on her shoulders, “You’re definitely not staying here.”
Maggie pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, staring at him for a few seconds before she sighed.
“I figured as much. I don’t like leaving you here alone.”
“I’m not exactly alone,” he said and raised a brow.
She pinched his arm, making him jump and slap her hand away.
“You know what I mean,” she said.
Yeah. He knew. He felt the same about her. He didn’t like her being away from the people who could protect her the best, but he also knew that she was likely safer away from them. She’d certainly be safer on college grounds than wherever the guys decided they needed to go to end this thing with Kuroki.
He tugged Maggie back into a hug and dropped his head against her shoulder, eyes falling shut as he soaked in the moment. Maggie didn’t seem much inclined to end the hug, either, and though he didn’t know how long they actually stood there, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was a couple of minutes.
“If I’m going back to campus, I’m gonna need a shower first,” Maggie said and pulled back. She met Akio’s gaze with a twinkle in her eyes. “Ryder’s shower definitely beats out my dorm’s.”
“Does his bed beat your dorm’s?” he quipped, unsurprised when he received a light slap to the arm for it.
“No. The bed does not,” she said and winked.
He shook his head as he watched her run up the stairs. He smiled to himself as he made his way to the couch and sat down with a sigh, the memory of what Lucas had done to him there earlier making his cheeks heat.
He took a deep breath and rubbed his hands down his face. Thinking about that was only going to get him into trouble. More trouble.
He looked up when he heard footsteps behind him, expecting Maggie to have returned but it was Chris who appeared, his hair looking a mess and that was definitely a different shirt from the one he’d worn in the kitchen.
“You’re alive,” he said, brows raised as Chris took a seat next to him.
Chris leaned back on the couch, his expression relaxed and he damned near radiated happiness. He grinned at Akio and said, “I’ve got bitemarks everywhere but, yeah, I’m alive.”
Akio groaned and shook his head.
“You’re overcompensating.”
Chris chuckled, then tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowing.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“The joking around? With Lucas. About… you know . I know you’re trying to compensate for my brother’s less-than-stellar reaction.”
The smile on Chris’ lips was warm and he couldn’t help returning it.
“You got me there,” Chris said with a shrug, a wistful look finding his face. “I used to think Lucas was the one that got away.”
Akio raised his brows at Chris, his pulse picking up instantly.
“Then I met D,” Chris said, a wicked smile spreading on his lips. “I was so fucking gone for him before I even realized it. I didn’t think we’d ever get to be together, though.”
Akio nodded. He knew that part of their story. Chris’ brother had been a member of Diesel’s motorcycle club, and he’d ended up dead right around the time half of the club disappeared and what was left changed their club’s name. Chris had thought someone in the club was responsible and when his captain had refused to let him go undercover, he’d quit to do it anyway.
Chris had prospected at the club under an alias, trying to solve his brother’s murder while fighting his attraction to Diesel. They both fought it until they couldn’t any longer. A lot of things happened after that and, of course, it all came to a head when Diesel’s father showed up and took Diesel and Chris. At that time, Diesel had discovered Chris’ identity and had told him to leave the club before he told the others.
“He was worth fighting for,” Chris said, smiling softly. “If you and Lucas are willing to fight for each other, then I don’t see why it should be a problem for you two to be together.”
Chris shrugged, eyes gleaming wickedly. “He already knows he’s a dead man if he hurts you.”
A burst of laughter escaped Akio, and he shook his head at a grinning Chris.
It was pretty clear to him that they were both willing to fight for each other and for their relationship. There was nothing he wanted more than to be with Lucas.
Chris’ expression sobered.
“He told me he would choose you over the FBI.”
Akio sucked in a surprised breath, mouth hanging open as he stared at Chris.
Chris’ lips twitched as he threw a mischievous glance around the room. “I think he’s already proved that.”
He dropped his head into his hands again, wishing the ground would just swallow him up so he didn’t have to be reminded that everyone knew what they’d done that morning.
“Here,” Chris said and handed Akio a small purple box.
“What’s this?”
Chris grumbled something under his breath then shook his head. “Diesel had it made for Addie but with everything going on, I figured why not?”
Akio frowned but pulled the lid off the box, then frowned harder when he saw the thin silver bracelet inside.
“What is…?”
Chris exhaled. Loudly.
“It has a GPS tracker.”
A snort escaped Akio, and he gave Chris an incredulous look.
“Don’t look at me like that. Diesel is the one who got it and, besides, it’s for emergencies.”
“Whose emergencies? Addie’s or yours?”
“Addie’s. Trust me, it took a long fucking time to talk him out of a live tracker,” Chris said. “You just press the gemstone and hold it in for five seconds. It goes straight to both our phones.”
“Thanks?”
He put the box down with a soft smile. How could he not love that Chris cared enough to be worried about him? That was part of loving someone.
“Akio.”
He turned his head slowly, unsure what he was in for when he heard Diesel’s voice behind him. His brother held his hands behind his back, a conflicted look crossing his face as he took a step closer.
“I wanted to apologize for my… reaction.”
Akio nodded, a lump clogging up his throat.
“Happy birthday?”
Diesel opened his arms, a vulnerable look on his face as if he thought Akio might not hug him. He was off the couch and in his brother’s arms the next second. He understood Diesel’s overprotectiveness. He understood the worry and fear coursing through his brother. He was sure they were all going to be much worse when it came to Addie, himself included.
He pulled back, a line forming between his brows.
“Wait. Where is Addie?”
“She’s staying with Ares and Jace. We didn’t want to pull her out of school for the trip. I’ve never been more thankful for that decision,” Diesel said with a heavy exhale.
“I gave him the bracelet,” Chris said to Diesel, pointing at the box on the coffee table.
Diesel winced, then said, “Yeah. Sorry. We left your present in your dorm room.”
“We’ll go grab it later,” Chris said, a smile widening his lips. “Along with cake.”
Akio’s groan had them both laughing.