Chapter 7
Seven
MADDOX
Darcie snored softly next to me, and I ignored the outside world for a moment. For just a moment, I wanted to pretend this was real. That she and I had been able to make it in domesticated bliss, living a normal life.
I knew life would be hard away from the club, but I hadn’t anticipated this. Without any backup or support, we were easy prey for the picking. I didn’t like feeling this way, used to being the alpha dog in my world.
Sighing, I sat up, bracing my head in my hands. I had to do something. We couldn’t keep running for the rest of our lives. It wasn’t any way to live or helpful to Darcie. But what were my options? I couldn’t leave her, even if it was better for her.
My life didn’t make sense without my princess. But I couldn’t forget my purpose, my whole reasoning for joining the Mavericks in the first place. Avoiding reality and pretending I didn’t have responsibilities wasn’t doing either of us any favors.
And it wasn’t just Darcie I was letting down, but the other piece of my heart.
Standing in resignation, I lumbered over to the dresser and pulled on my jeans, stepping into my boots. Snagging my wallet and phone, I stepped outside, closing the door silently. I walked over to the railing, peering out to the parking lot below. We were in some small town a few hours away. We’d need to leave soon, but I couldn’t wake her just yet.
I unlocked my phone and stared at my contacts, my finger hovering over the number. I didn’t want to make this call. Everything in my being was screaming at me not to. Resigned, I hit the button and placed it to my ear. It rang once before it was answered. Even in the early hours of the morning, he answered.
“I’m surprised to hear from you this soon.”
“I know.”
“What’s happened?”
“There was an incident,” I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “We’re on the run.” I hated to admit this to him because it meant I wasn’t man enough to do it on my own.
“How bad?” he grunted, some papers moving around in the background.
“Possible assault and theft.”
“What do you need?”
“I don’t know. I’m grappling with what to do. She’s struggling. I can’t keep running from town to town. I don’t think she’ll survive it. But leaving her… it makes me want to rage out. I can’t possibly do that.”
“Hmm,” the voice said, offering nothing else.
“What do you think I should do?” I instantly regretted the temporary show of weakness. Being away for so long had made me forget.
“Are you calling me for help or advice?” I heard what constituted as a chuckle from him. It was dark and low, rumbling through his entire body. But it wasn’t out of delight for you, but for him. He was enjoying this.
“Both. I don’t know where to go from here. I don’t know if I can complete my mission. Things have been… compromised,” I gritted out. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t talking about the same mission to him, but it was the truth. Everything had gone off the rails, and I wasn’t sure how to get them back, or if I even wanted to anymore. Problem was, he wasn’t going to forget his mission.
“Do you love her?” he asked, surprising me.
I rolled my eyes, not sure where he was going with this. I wouldn’t sacrifice Darcie to him. “You know I do. That’s not even up for debate.”
“Then you need to do what’s best for her, no matter what cost it is for you.”
I stood there, silence engulfing me. It was surprisingly thoughtful coming from him. Destroyer wasn’t known for his thoughtfulness. With a shaky breath, I continued, trying to figure out where he was going with this. “Even if that means she’s alone?”
“Yes.” I could hear the smile in his voice and knew this was what he wanted. Darcie made me useless to him. I hung my head. I’d known this would be the answer, but I’d hoped for something else. I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering who I’d called. The Mavericks had made me believe in people again, but I wasn’t dealing with the Mavericks any more.
“What do I do next, then?” I sighed, accepting my fate. I’d failed my mission, and it was time for a revamp.
“Get her settled, and then come home.”
I sucked in a breath. Hearing him say the words made it more real. I hadn’t been home in years, not since I’d passed the MCD program—it had been meant to be my ticket out. “I… But I haven’t completed my mission,” I stalled, hoping for a different response.
“It’s time, Son. We’ll figure something else out. You obviously weren’t cut out for the job.” I swallowed down the curse I wanted to make. Now wasn’t the time. Perhaps this was for the best. I could take care of our problem, keep Darcie safe, and finish what I’d come here to do in the first place.
“What about the guy?” I asked, knowing if he didn’t help here, we’d be screwed.
“Text me his name, and I’ll take care of it.”
“If you can do that, then why can’t I stay with her?” I asked, not wanting to give in too quickly.
“You know the answer to that, Son.”
Gritting my teeth, my hand tightened against the rail below me. Sometimes I really hated being the son of the leader of the notorious Chaos Gargoyles.
“Two days, Son. I expect you here in two days.”
Opening the door, I was surprised to find Darcie sitting up in bed, the covers wrapped around her.
“Hey, Princess. I got breakfast.” Sitting the bag down, I pulled out a bottle of chocolate milk and handed it to her. She smiled, but it wasn’t her usual bright one. “What kind of donut do you want?” I opened the box, showing her what lay inside. I’d gotten all of her favorites, her eyes lighting up when she noticed. She selected a chocolate long john, taking a big bite before looking at me.
“Thanks, Maddox.” She smiled at me around the bite, making my heart flutter.
“No problem. I have something to tell you, though,” I sighed, rubbing my hands on my jeans.
She swallowed, taking a drink of her milk. I handed her a napkin, and she wiped her mouth, peering up at me. I hated how she looked like I was about to ruin her world.
“I have to return home.”
“Okay. When do we leave?” I wanted to kiss her for saying that.
“No, Princess. Just me.”
“But?” She frowned, dropping her head.
Sighing, I leaned forward, taking her hand. “My father is going to take care of Bill. I don’t want your life to be running from one city to the next, always looking over your shoulder. You deserve better. The cost, though, is me returning.”
“Why can’t I go with you, then?”
“You know why, Princess.” I rubbed my thumb over her hand. She shook her head.
“I don’t accept that. I’d rather be on the run with you than without.” Her eyes started to fill to the brim with tears, breaking my heart. Leaning forward more, I cupped her jaw in my hand, wiping the tears.
“I love hearing you say that. It means everything to me. But I can’t forget why I came to the Mavericks, and you need to heal. Having to look over your shoulder every second isn’t a way to do that. Coming home with me will only make you a bigger target, or even a new one.”
“So, that’s it then? You make this decision, and I have to go off and live on my own? What about what I want? What about what I can handle?” Her lip quivered, breaking my heart.
“Princess, this isn’t easy for me! My father’s club is a far cry from the Mavericks. You know how much I hate it there. You don’t remember what he’s like. Going there, I’ll have to change, and I don’t want you to see that.”
“You’re not trusting in us. You’re not giving us the chance we need. If you can see past the darkness that coats me now after the vile things that have been done to me, then I can do the same. This isn’t the answer, Maddox,” she begged, her hands gripping mine.
“It has to be, for now, Darcie. It has to be. I have to make sure.”
“If you do this, then I’ll never forgive you.”
I dropped my head, breathing deeply. When I looked up, tears fell from my own eyes. “That breaks my heart, Princess, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take to make sure you can become the best version of yourself. You don’t need me hanging around, reminding you of what you’ve lost. I trust that we’ll find our way back to each other.”
“I hate you. Please, leave and take your pity donuts with you. I’ll find my own way to wherever I want. I don’t need you.”
She turned, sobbing, and everything in me splintered. I didn’t know if I could do this. Almost as if my father could feel me wavering, my pocket buzzed. Wiping my eyes, I stood and pulled out the phone.
Dad: Your problem has been taken care of. Don’t forget your window. Two days, or I will send the squad after you. Don’t run from me. You don’t want to risk that pretty girl of yours.
Hardening my heart, I pulled the last of the items I’d gotten for her out of the bag and placed them on the dresser. Walking over, I kissed her hair, holding her to me for a second.
“This isn’t over, Princess. I refuse to say goodbye. I just have to make sure. I can’t neglect my responsibilities and I think this is for the best. You’ll see. Don’t ever forget I love you.”
She cried harder, and it took every ounce of strength I had to step away. Walking out the door, the click of it closing was like a bullet to the chest. Something in me had just been irrevocably damaged, and I prayed it could be repaired someday.
Climbing on my bike, I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. If I did, I’d surely turn around, committing us to a life of crime on the run, never safe. She deserved better, and maybe this way, we’d find it.
Pulling up to the battered compound a day later, dust mingled in the air, coating everything in a layer of grime. The Chaos Gargoyle logo was painted on the door, a sign to all to turn back unless you were prepared to enter the chaos.
The door swung open, the light cascading over the dark and dirty floor, hiding all that hid there beyond. It shut behind me, and a hand clamped down on me as I tried to blink, adjusting my eyes to the darkness.
“Welcome home, Son.”