FORTY TWO
P hillip and Gunnar walked down a barren street, the sun glaring off the windows of abandoned buildings. The only sign of life was a homeless man constructing a makeshift shelter in the alley across the street. The desolate surroundings mirrored Phillip’s inner turmoil, each step heavy with regret.
“I screwed up, man,” he sighed, breaking the oppressive silence. He kept his gaze on the cracked pavement, his thoughts a scrambled mess. “I pushed her too hard. I should have listened when she wanted to stop,” he said, frustration lacing his voice.
“So why didn’t you?” Gunnar asked.
“I don’t know.” Phillip shook his head, exasperated. “I guess I was just afraid she might get hurt, or worse, killed in the fight against Reaper.” The thought of her lying broken and bloodied haunted him, a nightmare he couldn’t shake.
“I get that,” Gunnar said, a rare trace of sympathy in his voice. “I mean; I’d avoid fighting him.”
He glanced at Gunnar, surprised by the admission of weakness. Gunnar, always the unshakable one, admitting fear? It was almost comforting to know he wasn’t alone in this.
“But I guess she’s right about him,” Phillip continued, the realization settling heavily in his mind.
“What do you mean?”
“She said that if Reaper wanted to challenge her, he would have already done it. He wouldn’t wait for her to get her strength back.” Speaking the words aloud made them more real, the truth hitting him harder.
“I hate to admit it, but I have to agree with her,” Gunnar noted.
“What should I do, Gun?” he asked, his voice betraying his sense of helplessness. “She refuses to answer my calls and she didn’t come home last night.” He ran his fingers through his hair, the worry etched on his face deepening.
“Why not talk to one of her crew? I’m sure they can help,” Gunnar offered, trying to lighten his burden.
The suggestion made sense. If anyone could give insight into Poison’s mindset, it would be Cat. Poison mentioned the worked at that bar.
They headed to The Grave Bar without further discussion.
As they approached the bar, he couldn’t shake the image of Poison, her rebellious eyes and the way she pushed herself beyond her limits. He had thought he was protecting her, but maybe he had just been trying to protect himself from the fear of losing her. The realization twisted his insides.
Gunnar pushed open the heavy door to the bar, and they were greeted by the murmur of low conversations and the clink of glasses. The dim light coated everything in shadows, and the smell of stale beer mingled with the faint scent of smoke. Cat was behind the counter, rubbing down glasses.
“What do you want Scorpion?” Cat spat when she saw him, her eyes flicking to Gunnar with a fire in her eyes. “The Japanese isn’t welcome here.”
She said it so loud that the few patrons lingering on the other end of the bar turned their heads with curiosity. He took it that Poison had told her what had happened.
“I actually came to talk to you,” he said, trying not to seem threatening.
Cat leaned on her arms, eyebrows raised. “Entertain me, would you?”
“We need your help to get Scorpion and Poison back together,” Gunnar stated bluntly.
Cat’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with venom directed at Gunnar.
“And who might you be?” She gave Gunnar a dissatisfied once-over.
“The name’s Gunnar. Second-Lieutenant of the Japanese Mafia.” His chest puffed slightly at the mention of his title and was immediately brought back to earth.
“Only second? That’s a shame,” she purred, turning her gaze to Phillip. “I’ve already tried talking to her. Poison doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
His heart sank at the words. He knew Poison was stubborn, but hearing it confirmed stung more than he expected.
“Isn’t there anything you can do?” Gunnar said, irritation creeping into his voice. “I can’t see the man like this. It’s pathetic.”
Phillip gave Gunnar a glare that rivaled Cat’s.
She sighed, glancing around to make sure no one needed her assistance.
“You two clearly love each other, but you’re both too damn stubborn to admit it. What’s your plan?” Cat asked, her gaze shifting between the two of them.
Phillip felt a pang in his chest at her words. Love. It felt so distant now, buried under layers of guilt and regret. He had pushed Poison too hard, driven by his fear of losing her to Reaper. But in doing so, he had pushed her away.
Gunnar stepped forward, his presence commanding. “We need you to get Poison to fishing pier at Mount Loretto tomorrow at four. We’ll handle the rest.”
Cat’s eyes narrowed. “And why should I trust you? Or him?” She pointed at Phillip with a sharp nod of her head.
He took a deep breath, centering himself. “Because I made a mistake. I thought I was protecting her, but I was only protecting myself. I need to make things right.”
Cat’s expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained guarded. “And how do I know you won’t just hurt her again?”
“You don’t,” he admitted, his chin dipping. “But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove that I won’t.”
She studied him for a long moment, the tension thick between them. Finally, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll get her there. But if you mess this up, Scorpion, you’re done. Understand?”
He nodded, relief filling his chest. “I understand. Thank you, Cat.”
Gunnar gave her a nod as well. “We owe you one.”
Cat shrugged, turning back to her glasses. “Just don’t make me regret this.”
As Phillip and Gunnar left the bar, he held on to the little bit of hope of seeing Poison tomorrow. He had one shot to make things right, one chance to show her that he understood, that he was willing to change.
“I hope this works,” he muttered, more to himself than to Gunnar.
“It will,” Gunnar replied, his voice steady. “Just be honest with her. Show her that you care.”
Phillip nodded, the words echoing in his mind. Honesty. Care. They felt like foreign concepts in his world, a world ruled by strength and survival. But for Poison, he would learn. He had to.
The next day felt like an eternity. Phillip spent it going over everything he wanted to say, every apology, every promise. By the time the afternoon sun began to dip toward the horizon, anticipation and dread fought in his chest.
At three-thirty, he arrived at the small cul-de-sac by the pier. The place felt eerie, the browning trees and shrubs looked like it belonged in a Halloween movie. He paced, his mind racing. What if she didn’t come? What if she refused to listen?
By four, he heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching. His heart pounded in his chest as Poison pulled up, her expression guarded, her eyes wary when she removed her helmet and got off her bike.
“Scorpion,” she said, her voice flat. “What is this about?”
He took a deep breath, stepping forward. “I need to apologize, Poison. I pushed you too hard, and I was wrong. I was so afraid of losing you that I didn’t see I was
losing you to my own fear.”
She crossed her arms, her eyes cold. “And now you think one apology will fix everything?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “But it’s a start. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.”
She stared at him, her gaze intense. “Why should I believe you?”
“Because I love you,” he said, the words feeling raw and real. “I have loved you from the moment you shoved that shot glass into my hand and your touch set my skin on fire. I have loved you every day since then as if you’ve been woven into my DNA, my very existence.”
Silence stretched between them, the weight of his confession hanging in the air. Slowly, her expression softened, the walls she had built around herself beginning to crack.
“You hurt me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I trusted you.”
“I know,” he whispered, stepping closer. “And I’m so sorry… I pushed you too hard,” he stammered. “I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I didn’t want to lose you,” he dropped his gaze, he’s shoulders rolling forward in defeat. “I guess I ended up doing exactly just that.”
She shook her head, her disbelief evident. “I know how to take care of myself,” she protested softly.
Seeing the pain in her eyes, he pulled her into his arms, resting his cheek on the crown of her head, stroking her back gently. She melted into his embrace, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline.
“I know you can,” he assured her, his voice full of conviction. The intensity of his feelings sent chills down his spine. “It’s just... you mean the world to me. I’ve never met anyone who threw my world off its axis the way you did the first time I saw you.”
He felt her melting into him at the sound of his words, each one pulling her closer to him. They stood there, wrapped up in their own world, oblivious to everything around them. He leaned back and stared into her eyes, his smoldering gaze piercing through her defenses.
“I love you,” he whispered with every ounce of conviction he could master. “I don’t care about the past. All I want is to be with you.”
“And I love you,” she echoed, her voice matching his conviction.
They held each other tightly, the weight of their emotions finally finding release. In that moment, he realized how much he had needed this, needed her. The fear, the anger, the guilt—all of it seemed to dissipate as they stood together.
A shadow fell over them, and Phillip felt himself being yanked away from Poison’s arms. He was flung backward, landing hard on his back a few feet away. Pain radiated through his spine as he struggled to get his bearings. Through the haze of confusion, he saw Poison being grabbed roughly by the arms, her eyes widening in shock.
Reaper.
The name sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. The man was a looming presence, his grip on Poison tight and unforgiving. He shook her, drawing her out of the tender moment they had just shared.
“You can’t be with him!” Reaper spat fiercely, his face contorted with rage. “Don’t you get it, Minke?” He shook her. “I love you. I am the only man who’s ever loved you for who you truly are. He,” Reaper pointed an accusing finger in his general direction, freezing Phillip to the spot. “He doesn’t love you like I do. I ‘ve always loved you, but your brother wouldn’t allow it!”
The words hit Phillip like a punch to the gut. Love? Reaper’s voice rose, each word dripping with fury and desperation.
“That’s why I had to get him out of our way so that we could be together,” Reaper raged breathlessly. “You weren’t supposed to be at that fight. You shouldn’t have seen me!”
Phillip’s mind raced, piecing together the fragments of Reaper’s confession. The realization sent a fresh wave of rage through him. He scrambled to his feet, every muscle tensed, ready to fight.
Poison’s eyes locked onto his, fear and confusion swirling in their depths. She struggled against Reaper’s grip, her voice shaking. “Let go of me! You’re insane!”
Reaper’s face twisted further, his hold tightening.
“You don’t understand, Minke. I did it for us! For our future!”
Phillip couldn’t take it anymore. He lunged at Reaper, adrenaline fueling his movements. He tackled him to the ground, fists flying as he unleashed the pent-up anger and fear. Reaper fought back, but Phillip’s desperation gave him an edge.
“You’re not taking her from me!” he shouted, landing a solid punch to Reaper’s jaw. The impact sent Reaper reeling, but he quickly recovered, throwing Phillip off with a powerful shove.
Reaper scrambled to his feet, his eyes wild. “You don’t deserve her! She’s mine!” He charged at Phillip, but Poison stepped in, positioning herself between them.
“Stop!” she screamed, her voice cutting through the chaos. “This ends now!”
Both men froze, the intensity of her command slicing through their rage. Poison’s chest heaved, her eyes blazing with determination.
“Rogan, how the fuck did you think this will work? You killed my brother. Killed! Did you think I’d ever be able to look past that? You’ve already taken too much from me. I will never be yours. Do you understand?”
Reaper’s face fell, his expression crumbling into one of despair. “But Minke...”
“No,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the fear still lingering in her eyes. “I don’t belong to anyone. Especially not you. And you will pay for what you’ve done.”
Phillip moved to stand beside her, his presence a silent promise of protection. Reaper looked between them, the realization of his defeat dawning painfully slow in his eyes. He stumbled back, his expression a mix of anger and sorrow.
“You’ll regret this,” Reaper spat, but the threat felt hollow.
“Get out of here,” Phillip growled, stepping forward, ready to defend Poison at any cost.
Reaper hesitated for a moment, then turned and disappeared into the shadows. The tension in the air slowly dissipated, leaving Phillip and Poison standing together, their hearts still racing.
He turned to her, his hand reaching out to cup her face gently. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I am now. Thank you.”