32. Eva
CHAPTER 32
EVA
My hands grip the blanket on my lap like it’s the only thing keeping me grounded. Every instinct screams at me to push them away, to shut them out and call for help.
Carter and Ant stand across the room, their presence sucking the air out of the room as Mandy grips my hand into hers.
My eyes flicker between them as they stare back at me.
“Eva, we need to talk,” Carter says.
I shake my head as my breathing quickens, “No. I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say.”
He takes a step closer, but I push myself further back into the bed.
“Eva,” He tries to continue but Ant stops him. He pulls his phone quickly typing something before passing it to Mandy.
“You need to listen, please.”
“Please Ev-” Carter starts but I cut him off before he has the chance to continue, “No, I don't need to do anything.” I snap, “Just leave me alone. I don’t want to hear about him.”
“Too fucking bad.” Carter replies, clearly losing his patience as he steps forward cornering me to the bed. “You might not want to know, but you need to. Axel’s gone after Marco. Alone.”
For a moment, I can’t even begin to process what he’s saying as the air leaves my lungs. I shake my head not wanting to believe what I’m hearing, “No, how did you- No… why would he-” I stop myself, my voice breaking.
“Because of you.” Carter says bluntly, his gaze never leaving mine as he stares me down.
I stare back, unable to speak as I grip Mandy’s hand even tighter. Mandy winces but I don’t let go, needing to hold her for support.
I don’t want to know, I can’t know. Whatever Axel is doing… it’s his choice not mine.
“I don’t care what he’s doing,” I lie, my voice trembling as I speak. “It’s not my problem.”
Carter snorts, his expression hardening. “Don’t kid yourself Eva. He’s doing this for you. Because he loves you.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, making it harder to breathe.
The machines around us start flashing, alerting us to low oxygen as I feel my throat tighten up. Ant’s eyes widen in panic as he looks between the machine and me, as if he can feel what I’m feeling.
Mandy stands, leaning over taking both my hands,“Breath Eva, you need to breathe. Copy me.” I do as I’m told and copy Mandy as she takes a deep breath before holding it in and releasing.
“That’s it… One, two, three, hold. Now release.”
The machine beside my bed slows down as the numbers climb back up.
She glances towards Ant who returns a nod before sitting back down, never letting go of my hands.
Ant uses this moment to step forward, holding his phone out towards me. “He left a note. He’s cutting ties to protect not just you, but all of us. But he’s risking everything to make sure Marco can’t hurt you again.”
I pull one of my hands away from Mandy, pressing it to my mouth as tears spill and a sob rips from my chest.
“Why would he do something so stupid?” I manage to choke out.
Carter’s tone softens, but his words still pierce through me. “Because he’s Axel. And because he’ll do anything if it means keeping you safe.”
I look between the both of them, my entire body trembling. The fear I’ve been holding back crashes over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and broken. I don’t know if I want to cry,scream or disappear.
But one thing is clear, Axel’s gone. And I might not get the chance to tell him what I’m too afraid to admit.
Sniffling, I wipe the tears away from my face, “What do you need me to do?”
We spend the next few hours coming up with a plan. At some point into the planning, Flynn and Gunnar entered the room carrying endless bags and protective gear.
Maps of Chicago are spread across the table, dotted with pins marking Marco’s known locations and possible hideouts. Ant types away on his laptop, trying to find the most likely spot, while Carter, Flynn and Gunnar argue about the plan. I hear my heartbeat thumping in my ear as the noise around us grows. I do my best to listen, catching little bits and pieces as I try and piece them together.
This world is a lot darker and more dangerous than the one I currently live in, but I have a feeling this is what it will look like going forward.
“Alright,” Flynn says, pointing to a map. “These three locations are where Marco operates most. This one-” He points towards a green pin on the south side of Chicago. “-Is his main warehouse. That’s where he runs most of his operations.”
Gunnar shakes his head as he stands to examine the map, “Too obvious, he’d know we’d hit it first. He’ll expect it.”
“Maybe” Carter says shrugging his shoulders, “But Axel isn’t thinking strategically right now. If Marco’s there, Axel will go straight for the throat.”
Ant raises his hand, causing the room to fall silent as we look towards him. He starts typing something on his laptop before spinning it around. On the screen is a grainy surveillance footage of a black SUV pulling into a different location. My blood runs cold as images flash into my mind of the SUV that followed me.
“This is Marco’s safe house. Two guards are outside but there are likely to be more inside.”
Carter moves in front of the laptop, getting a better look at the image, “Then that’s where we start” Carter says. “We’ll divide into two teams. Flynn, Gunnar and I will hit the safe house. Ant, you keep running surveillance and guide us remotely. If Marco’s not there, we regroup and move to the next target quickly.”
“And what about Axel?” Gunnar asks.
Carter’s jaw tightens. “We get to Marco before Axel does. If we don’t…“His voice trails off. He doesn’t need to finish as we all know what he’s thinking.
I sit quietly, gripping the edge of my blanket as I keep it close. My stomach spins at the thought of Axel walking into a trap. I know I should be hating him right now, for keeping secrets. For taking my best friend from me but for some reason… All I feel is fear. Fear of losing him.
Flynn leans forward, studying the map on the table. “If Marco’s playing it smart, he will keep Axel on the move. He knows he’s coming so he will want to control the situation and play on his terms. Ant, can you track ant vehicles leaving these locations?”
Ant nods, typing quickly. “Working on it.”
“Alright, let's gear up.” Carter says taking control. “We hit the safe house first, then the warehouse if they’re not there. We need to move safely to keep minimal risk.” He looks back towards Ant who’s still working away, “Ant, keep an eye on Eva and Mandy. Keep us updated with any movements.”
As they rise to leave, I feel a surge of panic. They’re going to leave without me. Without us.
“I’m coming with you,” I blurt out, standing abruptly.
The room falls silent as all four of the brothers' heads turn towards me. Their faces filled with disbelief and frustration.
Carter steps forward, “Not a chance.”
“You’re staying here,” Flynn adds, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“No.” I say, my voice trembles but I’m determined to take a stand. “I’m not staying here while Axel is out there, risking his life. If this involves me. I’m coming with you.”
Mandy steps forward, crossing her arms. “And if she’s going, so am I.”
Ants head snaps towards her, taken back by her words. He opens his mouth as if he wants to say something but as usual, nothing comes out.
“Mandy, this isn’t-“Gunnar starts, but she cuts him off.
“Save it,” She snaps back. “You know damn well I’m not staying behind either. You all felt comfortable taking me already against my will. If Eva’s in danger, I’m going with.”
Carter sighs, clearly frustrated by the situation as he rubs his temples. “Neither of you are trained for this. You’ll slow us down and get yourselves killed.”
Mandy glares at him, not stepping down from the fight, “Then train us. Give us a gun, a knife… Whatever. We’re not asking. We’re telling you.”
I nod, “I’ll stay out of the way,” I add quickly, earning a glare from Carter. “I just… I can’t sit here wondering if you’re going to bring him back in one piece. I need to do something.”
Mandy looks towards Ant, pleading for him to help. He looks between us before typing away on his phone.
“Marco already knows about Eva. It’s safer to keep her close than leave her behind. I can help better being with you.”
I look at Mandy as she gives me a wink. I’ve got no bloody idea what is happening with them two but fuck, if it means we get to go. I’m all for it.
Carter curses under his breath, throwing his head back to look at the ceiling. After a few moments, his gaze returns as he points a finger between us. “Fine. But you stay out of the fucking way. You don't move unless we tell you to. Understood?”
I nod, swallowing hard. This is getting a bit too real.
Mandy smirks, saluting his way. “Crystal clear.”
Flynn mutters something about stubborn women as they continue gathering all their belongings.
I glance at the map one last time, memorising the locations.
Wherever Axel is, I’m going to find him.