Chapter 18
18
TATUM
A nthony roughly pushes me down onto his lap, hovering over me as the impact of the second bullet hits the window. Of course the car is armored and the bullet just leaves a spiderweb on the glass, but still, the shock of it has my heart rate increasing. All the blood pools in my ears and I feel dizzy from it.
“Shit, who the fuck is that?” Anthony bites out, but of course Teddy doesn’t answer. “Can you see?”
Another bullet hits the glass and then another.
Thud. Thud.
I’m shaking in Anthony’s lap when I see him pull his gun out, holding it in his free hand.
“Get me closer,” he barks, and Teddy swerves just as another round of bullets flies into the side of the car. Oh my god. How much more can this car take? I don’t know. I don’t fucking know.
This is all my fault , I think, but when I hear Anthony grunt that it’s not and to calm down, I realize that I’m screaming it.
I really shouldn’t have had those drinks.
My stomach roils and I clutch Anthony’s thighs as he rolls his window down slightly and unloads an entire clip. I can hear the rev of motorcycles outside just as Teddy does the same, somehow managing to continue to steer the vehicle and stay on the road while I just shut my eyes and lie there, useless.
“I fucking knew it,” Anthony grunts. “It’s them.”
I don’t look, but I know it’s the Fallen Aces.
This is all my fault. All my fault.
Tears slip from my eyes, and I find myself clutching to Anthony tighter, holding him close. I should have never left the property, should have never listened to Luca. Fuck. I’m never leaving the house again.
Anthony’s phone rings and he stabs at it, putting it on speaker as tires squeal and another barrage of shots rings out. This time from the other side. How many bullets do these people have? Oh god, they’re going to kill us. There are only three of us and far more of them from the sounds of it.
“Boss?” I hear a voice from the phone. It’s Viktor and he sounds distressed. “There’s a fire. At the club. Fuck!”
“How?” Anthony asks.
“I don’t know. It was in the back. I’m…shit. Luca !”
The line goes dead and more shots ring out. I can’t cope. I can’t handle it. My hands move up to my ears and I press down on them roughly. My entire body sways with the movement of the car, the smell of smoke. More gunshots, the shattering of metal and glass.
A grunt and a swerve of the car before automatic gunshots ring out. Anthony, leaning out the car window, unloading into the car next to him. I’m unbuckled and lying on the ground now, the seatbelt forgotten, curled up in a ball, trying to make myself so small.
My fault.
My fault.
Everyone is going to die because of me.
Because I was stupid enough to go to that little bar on the outskirts of town and get my ass kicked for flirting.
Stupid. So stupid.
The nightmare doesn’t end until the car finally stops and I’m pulled out and rushed inside.
“Get the doc!” Anthony shouts and people come bustling out, Agatha first, gasping when she sees Teddy. Her hair is a mess and she’s wearing a nightgown, but still, she rallies. She hustles to the kitchen and grabs a hand towel.
It’s then that I see it. A wound on Teddy’s shoulder, blood gushing from it and down his shirt.
So much. There’s so much.
I nearly pass out, not because of the blood but because it’s him. My friend is hurt because of me.
“How did that happen?” I gasp, my lungs hyperventilating. “How did it—there was armor!”
I let out a sob as Anthony hands me over to someone I don’t recognize. He needs to get me out of the way. I’m just a distraction. Unfamiliar hands go around me as Anthony orders them to take me to his room. I don’t want to go. I want to stay, but I’m nearly carried up the porch stairs, my body wracked with sobs, my vision whiting out.
If he dies, I will never forgive myself. I’ll never be the same.
I blink my eyes open and see Anthony watching me go, his hands streaked with blood.
And all I see there is hate.
He despises me.
I lay on the bed, my eyes open, seeing nothing. I can hear the movement downstairs as tears slip down my cheeks to the sheets below me. If only Angel were here to reassure me in the way only he can, but he’s not. He’s gone. So far away.
I sniffle loudly and stare at the door. I want someone to tell me that Teddy’s okay. I want to go and see him, to give him a hug and whisper my apology in his ear.
But no one comes.
And I’m left here waiting.
Anthony appears sometime in the night, his hands red from blood, his shirt soaked in it. He looks worn, tired.
“He’s in surgery now” he says, and I sit up quickly, nearly passing out from relief.
“Can I see him?”
He shakes his head. “When he’s out of surgery we can. Let’s shower first.”
I shake my head, my eyes leaking anew. I thought I was done crying, but apparently I’m not.
“You hate me.”
Anthony freezes and then runs a hand down his face. “Hate is the opposite of what I feel for you.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It means I want you in the shower.”
I nod and push myself up on wobbly legs, my mouth dry, my cheeks wet. I swipe at them and follow Anthony into the bathroom. He turns the shower on and starts to strip. And for the first time, my cock only hardens halfway. It could be the drinks, but I think it’s the guilt. The sorrow etched into my bones.
I don’t know how Anthony will ever forgive me.
“Come on,” he says as he helps me undress, his hands gentle as he peels me from my clothes and helps me step under the water. I don’t close my eyes, just look at him as the water drips down my face. My hands run up his forearms and onto his shoulders, touching him.
He’s alive. He’s here with me.
He reaches over and grabs the shampoo, working it into my hair, his eyes intent on mine.
“It’s not your fault. Not entirely,” he finally says, and I let out a choked sob.
“It is.”
“It’s Luca’s…”
“Is he okay? Are they okay?”
“Yes, Luca has some minor burns and a black eye but he’ll live.”
I let out a sigh of relief. Oh my god. I’d never survive if they hadn’t made it out of there.
“Was the fire because of me?”
“No. None of this is your fault. It’s the Aces. I’ve been using my contacts against them, dismantling their organization over the past few weeks. They’re angry and are acting out. The club is just a casualty. But it can be rebuilt.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
“It would have happened regardless. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
The soap slides from my hair as I pull Anthony into me, tucking my face into his chest and clutching onto his skin. The blood from his arms is washing down the drain, and I close my eyes.
I don’t want to see it.
“Let’s wash and then we’ll wait for Doc to come get us when Teddy’s out of surgery.”
I shake my head. “I want to sleep down there with him. I want to see him.”
Anthony tilts his chin. “We can, but only when Doc says so. For now, let’s clean up and let me hold you.”
I do as he says, letting his hands scrub the night away from both of us, and then he bundles me up, settling me back on the bed.
I reach out for him and crawl onto his lap, burying my body against his.
“Fuck me, please, Anthony,” I say. “I just…I want to feel something good.”
Anthony hesitates a moment and then grabs the lube. I lie on my back and watch as he settles between my legs. He slowly works me open before pushing inside of me. My dick is half hard, settled against my thigh, but this isn’t about getting off. This is about feeling him inside of me.
“Do you hate me?” I ask, and Anthony shakes his head, his cock bottoming out in me.
“Never,” he rasps and then leans down and kisses me gently.
Our tongues tangle lazily as he pushes in and out of me slowly, almost as if he’s savoring it. I know I am. I love the stretch of it, the sting. I want him to keep me full until it’s time to go see Teddy. I want him to own me until then, to take my mind off the horrific evening we’ve had.
He seems to read my mind and leans down on top of me, our bodies joined as he just kisses me. He doesn’t fuck me anymore. Just keeps me stuffed full.
My hands tangle in his hair, my legs wrapped around his lower back as I just savor him.
He’s safe. He’s alive. He’s mine.
He eventually shifts off of me and enters me from the side, my back pressed to his chest as he cradles me tightly.
“Thank you,” I say, and he presses his face into my neck and inhales me.
“I would die for you,” he whispers, and my eyes grow wet again.
“Please don’t. I wouldn’t survive it.”
“I plan on living a long time, my little light. Don’t worry.”
I nuzzle back, feeling the tug of him inside of me and for the first time all night, I let myself drift off.
Doc wakes me, his voice tired and brash.
“He’s awake and in good spirits.”
I gasp and sit up, Anthony’s dick still inside of me.
“Thank you. Can we see him?” I ask, and Doc nods before leaving the room.
I scramble off Anthony, groaning when his dick slides from me. But now’s not the time. Anthony seems to think the same thing because he’s up and pulling on some pajama bottoms. I do the same, nearly running out of the room before realizing I have no idea where Teddy is.
“Here,” Anthony says, moving us both down the hallway. “He’s in here.”
I follow him and as soon as the door opens and I see my wounded bodyguard in a makeshift bed, I let out a cry of relief.
“Teddy,” I choke out as I stumble toward him, grabbing on to his big hand and linking my fingers with his. “You’re okay.”
He nods and wets his lips.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He shakes his head and then his free hand reaches out and cups my cheek gently.
That just makes me cry again. I’m a blubbering mess. I lean against his good arm and have to stop myself from crawling into bed with him.
“Here,” Anthony says, and I see him pull up a chair for me to sit in. “That way you’re more comfortable.”
I nod and take a seat, Anthony putting a blanket over my shoulders. “Stay as long as you want. Kick him out when you need space, Teddy.”
Teddy just nods and then his lips lift in a small smile.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper wetly.
He just squeezes my hand and then nods to the space beside him.
“Yeah? You sure?” I ask and he nods, so I clamber in beside him and rest my head on his good shoulder.
Anthony huffs beside me, but leaves me alone.
It’s fine. I just need to hear him breathe.
When Teddy finally falls asleep, I linger for a little while longer before sneaking off to check on Luca and Viktor.
I find them all in Anthony’s office, pulling Viktor into a long hug as soon as I can. He smells like smoke despite his shower, but he still pats my back and mutters that he’s fine. I move toward Luca next. He’s puffing on a cigarette on the couch, his palms bandaged, a singe on his cheek.
My legs carry me over to him, and I crawl onto his lap.
He chuckles, blowing smoke from the corner of his mouth. He has a bruise on his right eye, and I touch it lightly.
“Glad you’re okay,” he says, and I nod, clinging to him.
“I’m so glad you’re okay too. I guess it must have been pretty bad for Anthony to let you smoke in here.”
“It was something,” he says as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Alright, enough,” Anthony says and then calls me to him.
I just look up from where I’m nestled against Luca’s chest and sigh. “Just a moment.”
Luca laughs softly and then shifts me on his lap, his hand stroking up and down my back.
“I don’t share Tatum,” Anthony says, and Luca nods.
“I know, Boss. Don’t worry. I’m not interested in your boy. Now tell me what the plan is?”
Anthony eyes us both and then nods. “They’re desperate now. I’ve managed to get most of their businesses shut down with the help of the senator and his connections with the FBI. But we need to finish them.”
I peer over at him and his eyes are on me before they slide to Luca. “They tried to take him from me. Tried to take you and Viktor from me. And you’re sure that it was Henry you saw speaking to the Aces?”
“Yep, that little shit stick,” Luca replies, taking another drag of his cigarette.
My groggy mind pulls up a vision of a man with a purple tie and an earring. I remember Viktor telling me that he was no good. To stay away.
Was he responsible for this? He didn’t look like he could be, but then again, Viktor did seem wary.
“And how did he know where we were and when?” Anthony asks.
“Dunno. I was in the back doing club business. I don’t know where he’s getting any of his information.”
“Shit.”
“Someone’s saying something,” Viktor says, his eyes on Luca, and I can feel the man tense beneath me.
“It’s not me, Vik. No matter how fucking poorly you think of me.”
Anthony is silent and then he leans back. “It’s not Luca.”
Luca inhales again before snubbing his cigarette out and lighting another one with some kind of electric lighter.
“At least someone has my back.”
“It’s someone else. Someone who knows the ins and outs of my business and saw you sneaking out.”
They sit in silence, occasionally rattling off a name or two, but all are easily dismissed.
They have no idea who it could be.
“That’s bad, right?” I ask. “Like not knowing who it is?”
“Yeah. I may have to postpone your parents’ trip out here. I’m sorry, Tatum, but it’s not safe until we get this whole thing situated.”
“It’s okay. As long as they’re safe.”
And it is. I don’t want to be selfish and have something bad happen to my parents. I’ve learned my lesson. I should have been safe with Luca and Viktor and I wasn’t. Not at all. If I lost my parents, I wouldn’t survive it.
“We’ll figure out something when this is all sorted. For now, keep the extra guards and set up more cameras around the place. I want to know who’s leaking information. Get Bane on it as well.”
Viktor nods and then disappears, obviously going to make sure everything falls into place.
“Alright, enough with Luca,” Anthony finally says. “Come here, Tatum.”
Luca huffs a small laugh. “You better go before I lose my fingers.”
I roll off his lap and press a kiss to his cheek before sliding into Anthony’s and snuggling against him. His arms go around me and he shifts me even closer. His tense body seems to loosen slightly at my presence, and I preen internally that I’m the one who can do this for him. That even though I’ve caused so much trouble, I do something for him, give him something back.
Even if it’s small. It’s something.
My gaze turns to Luca, and I see him staring off into the distance, smoke trailing from his lips in wisps. He looks haunted.
“Have any casualties been reported?” Anthony finally asks, and Luca shakes his head.
“Not yet. Waiting to hear from them. I think everyone got out though.”
Anthony lowers his voice and whispers to me. “Luca hates fire.”
My eyebrows meet, and he shakes his head. He won’t tell me why, maybe it’s something I’ll never know the reason behind, but it’s something to keep in mind.
“Why don’t you go get some rest. You can use one of the guest rooms,” Anthony says.
Luca nods and pushes himself up. “Yeah. I’ll just take a walk first.”
He nods to me and then leaves without another word.
I peer up at Anthony. “Will he be okay?”
“He will. We all have ways of compartmentalizing things. He just needs a minute.”
“Yeah. I think we all do,” I say on a yawn.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
“I don’t want to go. I want to stay awake. What if Teddy needs me?”
Anthony shifts me off his lap and then hefts me into his arms. “He’ll be fine. You need sleep. Agatha will need help tomorrow and you’re no good to anyone dead on your feet.”
That motivates me—being useful. I nod and let him carry me to his room and tuck me under the covers. He slides in behind me and pulls me to his chest, pressing a kiss to my skin as I let my eyelids finally drift closed.
The next day, I don’t stop moving despite my body aching. I think Agatha is overwhelmed by me lurking, but I need to be put to work before I go crazy.
So I do everything she asks. Even when she tells me to take a long walk in the garden, I do it. But then I come right back and make my way to Teddy’s room. He’s still recovering, in and out of consciousness. The meds have made him slightly loopy, and I wonder if today is the day he’ll finally speak, whisper a word to me, but he never does. He just smiles at me when I show up. I spend some time reading him filthy smut scenes from a romance novel I found in Anthony’s library.
Monster sex.
I think he likes it by the way he blushes.
After he falls back asleep, I run around, trailing after Luca and Viktor, bothering them both endlessly until finally Luca locks himself away and Viktor scurries off underground.
I harrumph and settle down in the garden once more.
I’ve exhausted myself. I have nothing left to do.
So I pull out my phone and I call Angel, checking up on him.
He doesn’t answer, but a few minutes later he sends me several short videos, showing off his room and the gardens. I don’t see his face, but I can hear his sweet, tinkling voice.
Fuck, I miss him.
Before I can send him one back, the door to one of the sheds opens and I see Bane appear. It’s sunset, almost dusk, and he blinks wildly in the light.
“Should have brought my sunglasses,” he grumbles and then his eyes land on me. His mouth turns up and he grins.
“Hello, little snack. What are you doing out here?”
“I was trying to call Angel.”
“Oh, did he answer? I’ve been calling too. I sent him a gift and wanted to make sure he got it.”
“What did you send him?”
He grins and then settles down next to me. “I made him a bracelet out of teeth.”
I let out a snort and Bane nudges me, before pulling me into him and rubbing his nose across the top of my head.
“You always smell good. I could gobble you right up.”
“Please don’t. Only Anthony is allowed to do any gobbling.”
He giggles gleefully and then pulls away. “Can I ask a question?”
“Sure thing.”
“What do you think someone would like as a gift? Someone that’s a casual hookup…but a really good fuck.”
My eyebrows rise. “Are you seeing someone, Bane?”
His cheeks blush and he shrugs. “Maybe. I want to give them a gift but not sure what would be appropriate. Do you think another eyeball? Maybe a nose? I do have a great collection of kidneys.”
I let out a laugh so loud some birds nestled in the trees squawk at me.
“How about some flowers or like, a nice dinner?”
He rolls his lips between his teeth. “That’s boring. Maybe a vial of blood from one of their enemies.”
I sigh and then elbow him gently. “You know what? You do you. I’m sure they’ll love it. Can I ask who it is?”
Bane winks at me. “You can, but it’s a secret. No one can know.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s forbidden.”
My eyes widen at that, and then Bane stands, leaning down and smacking a kiss on my lips.
“Bye, my little snack. See you around.”
And then he disappears around the corner of a shed and is gone. I have no idea where he’s going, but honestly, I don’t know if I want to know.
I sit outside a little while longer, my eyes lingering on the house in the distance before moving to the flowers, the white lilies lit up by the pinks and purples of the sunset. Teddy should be out here with me , I think, frowning. Angel should be here too, watching the sun set while he tends to his garden.
I pull out my phone and hit the camera, wanting to take a video of myself in his favorite place in the world. So he can see it, if he’s perhaps a little homesick.
“Hey,” I say as my face appears on the screen. “I miss you, friend. I wanted to show you this beautiful sunset and how good your garden looks. I know it’s only been a few days, but I’ve been taking care of it when I can. And I think your dad is going to hire someone to make sure it’s beautiful for when you come to visit…”
I pivot the phone as I walk around, showing him the space where he used to spend hours, leaning down to show him how some of his bulbs have started to sprout.
I hear a rustling behind me, but I just shut the video off and send it to Angel, turning to greet whoever is coming to meet me. It must be Anthony. He’s probably annoyed I’ve stayed busy all day and haven’t had time to see him.
“I know, I know…” I say, turning around, my eyes flitting up the dark figure before me.
The phone falls from my hand, my heart leaping into my throat.
“You’re not Anthony,” I whisper and the man chuckles, pulling something long and sharp from his pocket.
“I sure as fuck am not.”
And then he lunges. I feel a sting in my neck and everything goes black.