CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Christian had a bad feeling when he entered school that morning and saw Barrett and Chase lingering in the hallway. He hadn’t spoken to them since the last encounter he had with them. Throughout the day, he managed to avoid running into them between classes because he took a different way to his classes.
Now, as he walked toward his last class of the day, he tensed seeing the pair standing near an exit. Their eyes were searching the crowd of rowdy teenagers as if they were looking for someone. His pulse quickened, but he kept his gaze forward, pretending he hadn’t seen them. He should’ve known they wouldn’t let him slip by.
“Christian,” Barrett called, voice low but sharp. He gripped Christian’s shoulder. Chase smirked beside him, both guys closing in as they nudged him toward the door. Christian swallowed hard, his hands instinctively clenching. He wouldn’t fight, not here and not now, but every instinct was screaming at him to run.
“Let’s have a little talk outside,” Chase said, shoving Christian’s shoulder to steer him through the door and out into the narrow, secluded area between the school building and the gym. The sun was already dipping behind the roofline, casting a shadow over the cracked pavement.
They stopped and spun him, pressing his back hard against the rough brick wall. He could feel the tension coiling in his muscles, every instinct telling him to fight back, to push them off, to swing a fist and defend himself. But he knew better. He was outnumbered, and Barrett and Chase, well, it was a safe bet they were armed.
Barrett leaned in close, sneering. “So, you had enough time to think about our offer?”
Christian lifted his chin, trying to keep his voice steady. “Yeah, I have. And it’s the same as before. Gang life isn’t for me.”
Chase let out a sharp laugh, clearly unimpressed. “Not the answer we wanted, Christian.”
A sudden punch to his stomach doubled him over. The air left his lungs in a rush. Before he could recover, Chase drove another fist into his side. His ribs screamed in pain, but he forced himself not to cry out.
“Just be glad we’re at school,” Barrett hissed, his face close enough that Christian could smell the stale scent of cigarettes on his breath. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t let you leave here until you agreed to come work with us.”
Christian’s whole body was tense, but he refused to show weakness. He forced himself to breathe through the pain, not letting them see that he was in pain. He glared at both of them. “You guys done yet?”
Barrett sneered, tilting his head in mock disappointment. “No, not quite. See, since you still don’t want to cooperate with us, we’re going to have to go about this another way.”
Christian felt a cold weight settle in his gut, but he didn’t look away. “What? You’re gonna kill me?”
“Oh, no,” Chase replied, the cruel twist of his smile sending a chill down Christian’s spine. “But we know all about that pretty lady that’s taking care of you.”
Christian’s blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”
Barrett smirked, “What’s her name? Oh, yeah. Ava Morgan. Our boss even has his eye on her. He’s got plans for her. She’ll be begging for mercy by the time he’s done with her.”
Christian’s fists clenched tight as they laughed. He could barely breathe. He felt as if his heart was being crushed inside his chest. Ava had done everything to save him from the life he’d come from. She was innocent. She was his rock, his safe place. And now, these monsters wanted to tear that apart. Every part of him wanted to lash out, to defend her, to do something. But he forced himself to stay still, trapped in their twisted web.
Chase pulled his arm back, fist aimed to strike again when the door behind them swung open. A teacher stepped outside, catching all three boys in the act. Christian straightened, wincing, his ribs still aching.
“What’s going on here?” the teacher asked, frowning as his gaze landed on Barrett and Chase’s hostile postures.
Chase was quick to flash a fake smile. “Nothing, sir. Just a little chat with our friend here.”
The teacher’s gaze lingered, doubtful. “Get back inside, all of you. Now.”
Barrett and Chase threw Christian one last threatening glare before slipping past the teacher and heading inside. Christian tried to school his face, hiding the pain as the teacher turned to him.
“Is everything alright, Christian?”
He hesitated, throat tight. “Yeah. Everything’s fine.”
But as he watched the teacher’s concerned expression fade, Christian knew he was lying. He couldn’t keep this to himself. He had to tell Ava. But then what? How could he drag her into this danger? He didn’t want to scare her, and the last thing he wanted was to make her a target.
Then he thought of Aussie. He might be the hope needed to keep both him and Ava safe. However, Ava and Aussie weren’t speaking. Even though Christian had to believe that he’d step up if he knew how serious this was.
He looked down at the ground and saw that his phone was shattered, thanks to Chase. The problem now was getting a hold of Aussie.
He then remembered Bayside, the restaurant where he and Ava had grabbed lunch the other day, when they ran into Jocelyn, Clover, and Gabby. He remembered Clover saying that the team hung out there. Maybe he could find someone there who’d help him get a message to Aussie.
Pulling his backpack over his shoulder, Christian gritted his teeth, gripping his side. He walked out of the school and headed toward the bus stop. He fumbled through his pocket for the few bucks he’d need for the fare.
About twenty minutes later, Christian stepped off the bus a block from Bayside. He glanced over his shoulder as he walked. His nerves were already on edge, but the uneasy feeling that Barrett and Chase might’ve followed him kept him hyper-aware of every shadow and sound. He told himself they wouldn’t be this bold. They wouldn’t try anything in broad daylight. But the threat of what they’d promised haunted him. And Ava was still at work, probably going about her day without any idea of the danger she was in. This had to be the right thing, going to Aussie, but Christian couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe he was only dragging more people into this mess.
When he reached Bayside, he stepped inside and looked around. It was a lull between lunch and dinner, with only a few customers scattered around the tables. Music played from the jukebox, and clinking dishes settled some of his nerves. He looked around, recognizing the familiar layout but somehow feeling out of place.
A woman with dark, shoulder-length hair glanced up from behind the bar. She gave him a welcoming smile and walked over, her friendly expression easing his tension a bit.
“Hey there, can I help you with something?” she asked, her tone warm and welcoming.
Christian shifted his backpack, the ache in his ribs flaring up again. He winced involuntarily, and her gaze sharpened as she took in his discomfort.
“You okay?” she asked, concerned.
He swallowed, nodding slowly. “I was hoping to find someone I know. Or maybe someone who knows how to reach him.”
Her brow lifted with mild curiosity. “Well, I’m one of the owners here. Maybe I can help. Who are you looking for?”
Christian hesitated, glancing around and lowering his voice as he leaned in slightly. “I’m looking for a guy named Aussie. He’s a SEAL.”
She blinked, her expression shifting to something between surprise and recognition. He could tell instantly that she knew exactly who he was talking about, though she tried to keep her face neutral.
“How do you know Aussie?” she asked a hint of caution in her voice.
Christian’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and he offered a small, uneasy smile. “My foster mom, Ava. She knows Aussie, and I met him and his team at a college fair last month. I actually had his number, but my phone got broken earlier today at school. And it’s really important that I talk to him.”
The woman studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright,” she said, her voice softer. “Follow me.”
She led him to a small two-seater table near the bar and gestured for him to sit. Her kindness helped settle some of his nerves as she smiled and offered, “Can I get you a soda or maybe something to eat?”
Christian’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I, uh, I don’t really have any money on me.”
She waved it off with an easy smile. “A friend of Aussie’s is a friend of mine. Don’t worry about it.”
Surprised, he couldn’t help but ask, “So, Aussie’s really your friend?”
Her smile widened. “Yes, he is.” There was a flicker of something cautious in her gaze, but she continued with the same kindness. Handing him a menu, she added, “Take a look, and I’ll go see if I can get in touch with him. Oh, and I’m Arianna, by the way.”
Christian glanced down at the menu but wasn’t sure he could actually eat. His stomach felt tight with worry. Still, he nodded as she left, returning a moment later with a glass of Coke.
She set it down in front of him, giving him an encouraging smile. “I couldn’t get a hold of Aussie directly, but I was able to reach someone who can.”
He looked up, relieved. “Should I wait here? Or should I go?”
“Stay put,” she said with a reassuring smile. “What would you like to eat?”
Even though hunger was the last thing on his mind, he could use some food in his stomach. “Um, maybe just a munchie basket? The one with fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and chicken tenders?”
“Coming right up,” she said, her friendly smile easing some of his worry.
Christian watched her walk away and then took a sip of the Coke, the cold fizz numbing some of the tension in his throat. He waited, tapping his fingers on the edge of the table.
A few minutes later, Arianna returned with his food, setting the basket in front of him with a gentle smile. She gave him a small nod and then moved back to the bar, keeping herself occupied while he picked at the food. It was the first thing he’d eaten since breakfast.
A little while later, the front door opened, and a man stepped in. He was dressed in a Navy working uniform. Christian’s breath caught as he watched the man scan the room, his gaze finally landing on Arianna. She shot him a knowing smile and pointed toward Christian’s table.
The man walked over, his face calm but focused. Christian felt a surge of both relief and nervousness as the man stopped at his table, offering a firm but kind smile.
“You must be Christian,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I’m Commander Derek Connors. I heard you were looking for Aussie.”
Christian nodded, his heart pounding. Here was his chance. This was someone who could help him, someone who might be able to protect Ava, too. And as he looked into Commander Connors’ steady gaze, he felt, for the first time since his encounter with Barrett and Chase, that maybe he wasn’t alone in this after all.
◆◆◆
Derek parked his truck outside Bayside, turning off the engine as he mulled over Arianna’s unexpected call. It wasn’t often she reached out, and even less often to discuss anything urgent. But her voice had held a tone of quiet concern, and he hadn’t missed her hesitation as she explained that a young boy named Christian had come in looking for Aussie. The skittish part had thrown him a bit, though he supposed it wasn’t surprising given the rumors about what that kid had gone through.
Of course, Derek knew who Christian was. He also knew plenty about Ava, the woman Aussie had been seeing. Thinking back, Derek felt a familiar pang of sympathy for Aussie and everything that had unraveled during the Snowball. He knew that it had affected Aussie significantly, and he’d been patient, waiting for the right time to talk to her and explain why he was there.
As he stepped through Bayside’s door, his eyes immediately caught Arianna’s across the room. She gave him a subtle nod toward a table near the bar, where a young boy sat alone, sipping a soda. Derek followed her gaze, noting the boy’s tense posture and the way his eyes darted up to meet his. Christian looked wary, a little on edge. Derek knew he could sometimes come across as intimidating, and he made a mental note to soften his approach.
When he neared the table, he offered a warm smile and extended his hand.
“You must be Christian. I’m Commander Derek Connors. I heard you were looking for Aussie.”
Christian’s eyes widened a little as he processed that Derek wasn’t just any friend of Aussie’s but his CO. Derek fought a smile as Christian quickly stood, introducing himself with a firm handshake. The kid had some good manners, that was for sure.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sir,” Christian said as he sat back down.
Derek eased into the seat across from him, making small talk to settle Christian’s nerves. “Aussie’s caught up with a few things right now, so I came in his place. Arianna made it sound like it was urgent.”
Christian shifted uncomfortably, looking a little guilty. “I’m sorry for bothering you, sir. I wouldn’t have tried to find him if it wasn’t really important.”
Derek nodded, sensing the boy’s anxiety radiating off him in waves. “I get it, Christian. That’s what we’re here for. Do you want to tell me what happened? Maybe I can help.”
Christian glanced away, his hands gripping his soda. For a moment, Derek thought he might clam up, but then Christian blurted out, “It’s Ava. I think she’s in trouble.”
Derek’s brows drew together, his attention sharpening. “Ava? What kind of trouble?”
Christian took a shaky breath and launched into an explanation, telling Derek about two boys from his school. Their names were Barrett and Chase. He spoke quickly, explaining how they’d approached him a few weeks back, asking him to join their “club.” He didn’t need to say much more so that Derek could know what kind of “club” they were running.
“And today,” Christian continued, his voice shaking. “Today, they cornered me again. Pushed me out one of the side doors where no one could see us. They told me I needed to make a decision, said I’ve had enough time to think it over.”
Derek clenched his jaw as Christian recounted the threats, the warnings, and how they hit him. And then, with a shaky breath, Christian dropped the bombshell. “They threatened Ava, sir. They said if I don’t join, they’ll go after her. They told me their boss had his sights on her.” He paused for a minute and took a breath. “They said that she would be begging for mercy by the time he was done with her.”
Christian’s voice wavered, his whole body tense, and Derek could see the struggle the boy was going through just to keep himself together.
“Christian.” Derek’s voice was firm but calm, reaching out a steady hand to him. “Listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to Ava or you. I promise you that.”
Christian exhaled, looking at Derek with a blend of relief and uncertainty.
Derek leaned back, his mind running through the situation with laser focus. His thoughts went to the current investigation the FBI was conducting on the gang activity. It was possible, Derek realized with a surge of urgency, that Barrett and Chase weren’t just idle troublemakers. They could be linked to the very gang the FBI and police were looking into.
He shot off a quick text to Aussie.
Derek: Got a situation with Christian. Meet me at Bayside ASAP.
He got a reply back immediately.
Aussie: On my way. Be there in 15.
Derek tucked his phone back into his pocket, giving Christian a reassuring smile. “Aussie’s on his way,” he told him. “And, Christian, don’t worry. We’ll make sure everything’s okay.”
Christian nodded, the tension in his face easing just slightly as he clung to the hope that help was finally on the way.
◆◆◆
Aussie climbed back into his truck, shutting the door with a sense of relief. After days of silence and miscommunication, he’d finally set things right with Ava. She had let him explain what really happened at the Snowball. That the woman he’d been with was an FBI agent. Ava had listened, asked her questions, and most importantly, she believed him. They’d shared a quiet moment, and she’d even kissed him, a gesture that said they were back on track.
Snow looked over from the passenger seat as they buckled in. “So, that kiss looked like a good sign,” he said with a smirk. “I’m guessing you’re back in the clear?”
Aussie grinned, feeling a weight lift. “Yeah, man. Finally. She knows the truth now, and I think we’re good.”
Snow gave him a nod, chuckling as they pulled out of the parking lot. “About time. I thought you were gonna combust.”
They were barely a few blocks from the parking lot when Aussie’s phone vibrated on the console. He glanced down and saw a text from Derek that made his brow furrow. All it said was that there was a situation with Christian and to go to Bayside.
Aussie’s gut tightened. He’d just seen Ava, but she hadn’t mentioned anything. Confusion clouded his thoughts. As they came to a red light, he quickly typed back, telling Derek that he was on his way.
Snow caught the tension on his face. “Everything alright?”
“I don’t know. Derek’s asking me to come to Bayside. Says it’s urgent, something to do with Christian.”
Snow’s brow lifted in surprise. “But we just saw Ava. She seemed fine.”
“I know.”
On the way, questions flooded Aussie’s mind. Of all people, why was Derek calling him? Why Bayside?
When they finally pulled into the parking lot outside Bayside, Aussie didn’t waste a second. Snow followed as they entered, and Aussie immediately caught sight of Derek and Christian sitting near the bar. He saw Arianna behind the counter, who gave him a quick nod. He gave her a wave, then turned his attention back to Derek and Christian.
As he approached, Aussie’s eyes locked with Christian’s. The boy looked tense and troubled, but there was also a glimmer of relief there as if Aussie’s presence meant something to him.
Derek motioned for him and Snow to take a seat. Aussie slid into the booth, his eyes shifting between Derek and Christian as he waited for the explanation.
Derek leaned forward, his tone low but urgent. “Christian came here looking for you, Aussie. There’s been a situation, one that involves some local kids. They’ve been harassing Christian, trying to recruit him into a gang. Today, they pushed him around, threatened him, and” Derek’s face tightened. “They threatened Ava too. Said they’d go after her if he didn’t join them.”
Aussie felt a surge of anger, his hands instinctively clenching. Christian and Ava, both caught in some gang’s crosshairs? But then something else clicked. Could this be the same gang that had been stirring up trouble in the area?
He exchanged a look with Derek, and he didn’t need his CO to spell it out. He could see it in his posture, in the slight nod of his head, that Derek was thinking the same thing.
Turning to Christian, Aussie’s voice softened, but there was an intensity behind it. “Christian, first off, you did the right thing coming here. That took guts. Second, nothing is going to happen to you or Ava. I won’t let that happen.”
Christian swallowed hard, visibly relieved, though the fear in his eyes hadn’t entirely dissipated.
Derek leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Aussie, we need to talk to Ava. If these guys are targeting her, she needs to know. I’ll also give Agent Jefferson a call and fill him in on this situation.”
Aussie nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll give Ava a call right now and let her know that I have Christian and that we’re heading to the house.” He glanced at Christian, giving him a reassuring look. “You’ve got me on your side, alright? We’ll handle this. Nothing’s going to happen to you or Ava.”
Christian nodded, a hint of resolve replacing his earlier fear.
With a final nod to Derek, Aussie rose from his seat, gently patting Christian on the shoulder. “Let’s get you home,” he said, motioning for the boy to follow him.
“I’ll follow you,” Derek said as they all headed for the door.
Christian’s tension seemed to lessen slightly, knowing that Aussie was by his side. As they walked out of Bayside and headed to the truck, Aussie’s thoughts remained on Ava and Christian and the threat hanging over them both. But he knew one thing for certain. He wasn’t going to let this gang come anywhere near them.
◆◆◆
Ava sat in her office, the quiet hum of the building filling the air as she scanned the files of three new kids who had come into the system. Each page tugged at her heart in different ways, and she was carefully considering which foster families might be the right fit. But despite her focus, her mind kept drifting back to Aussie. She couldn’t help it. The past few weeks of confusion and hurt had been rough, and now, knowing the truth about his presence at the Snowball, she felt lighter. Happier.
A smile tugged at her lips as she thought about how she couldn’t wait to tell Christian. He’d been so worried, seeing her so down. Now she had good news to share.
As if on cue, her friend and coworker Sarah appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smirk. “Well, look at you, all sunshine and rainbows. Who knew files could make you so happy?”
Ava laughed, shaking her head. “It’s not the files.” She looked down, feeling a slight blush rising. “I ran into Jarod at the deli, and then, well, Aussie showed up.”
Sarah’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, her smile widening. “The Aussie?”
“Yeah,” Ava said, chuckling. “He showed up at the right time, too. Jarod was being an ass, as usual.”
Sarah moved into the office, perching on the edge of the desk. “And? What happened?”
Ava leaned back in her chair, recalling the moment with a warm feeling. “We finally talked about what happened at the Snowball. It turns out he was there on a classified assignment. The woman with him was part of the cover.”
Sarah sighed, a look of pure satisfaction on her face. “I knew it. I told you something wasn’t adding up. I’m glad you guys found a way to make things right.”
Ava’s smile softened. “Me too. It’s like this huge weight has been lifted. I can’t wait to tell Christian. This has affected him just as much as it has me.”
Just then, Ava’s phone vibrated on the desk, interrupting their conversation. She glanced down to see a text from Aussie.
Aussie: Christian is with me, and we need to talk to you as soon as possible. Can we meet you at your house?
Her stomach clenched. Christian? With Aussie? He was supposed to be in school. Why would Aussie have him?
Sarah noticed the shift in Ava’s expression immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Aussie just texted me. He’s with Christian, and they need to talk to me right away. But Christian should be at school right now.” Concern seeped into Ava’s voice.
Sarah’s expression grew serious. “That sounds strange. Go. Go meet them. I’ll cover here for now.”
Ava nodded, quickly gathering her things. “I’ll let you know what’s going on as soon as I can.”
“Okay!” Sarah called after her as Ava headed out the door.
Ava hurried to her car, tossing her bag into the passenger seat and buckling herself in. She pulled out of the parking lot, her fingers gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual as worry began to settle in her stomach. She trusted Aussie, but the uneasy feeling gnawed at her as she drove, hoping everything was okay.