Chapter 8 #3
“Is the danger gone?” Skeeter asked, the sound of the McLaren starting.
“They’re all gone.”
“Do you have a weapon?”
“Yeah. I stole their gun,” I replied, and there was a pause before Slash’s voice came over.
“We’re on the way. Tell Diesel to do as he’s told until we get there. Donovan? Eyes up, head on a swivel. Keep the gun close and don’t let your guard down. They could come back.”
They wouldn’t, but I agreed and let them hang up, keeping everything on the ground in front of me as I checked Diesel’s wound again.
“Jesus, I’m fucking fine,” he snapped, managing to roll onto his back, but I kept an arm across his chest. “Aurora—”
“Slash said do as you’re told. I can keep watch, okay? The Devils are gone and the guys are on their way. I’ve got your back,” I said firmly. “Just close your eyes and chill out until they get here.”
He stared up at me for a second before sighing, his face softening. “Okay. Thanks.”
I nodded, letting him hold the hoodie on his wound so I had a free hand for the gun, and I was relieved when I heard the McLaren not long after.
I kept my eyes ahead since the truck was blocking my view from behind, the gun in my hand and my other arm over Diesel, not moving until Skeeter and Slash appeared beside us.
“You’re not hurt?” Skeeter asked me again, squatting to get a better look at Diesel’s head. “What happened?”
“Devils,” Diesel grunted, Skeeter’s shoulders tensing. “They thought they were ambushing you and me. They somehow knew what we were doing this morning. We’ve been compromised, I think. That was a last minute plan, so they have cameras, or we have a mole.”
Slash was staring at me, and I gave him a dirty look. If he thought I’d told Hunter, I was going to punch him.
Since Diesel was knocked out for a lot of it, I explained what had happened.
“He’s got a hard-on for her,” Diesel muttered, shame coating his face. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t keep her safe.”
Skeeter looked ready to beat him up over it, but he clenched his jaw and kept his voice calm.
“I like to think I'm invincible, but I couldn’t have kept her safe from that many either.” His eyes lifted to mine, his voice a little warmer. “You did good, baby girl. Quick thinking will save your ass, and it saved Diesel’s too. He honestly thought you’d fuck him or something?”
“What can I say? Men are stupid when they’re thinking with their dicks,” I said dryly, finally removing my arm so Diesel could sit up. “Now what?”
He frowned, helping Diesel to his feet. “Now you go home and we’ll deal with it.”
“I shot at Marco. You heard that bit, right? Why can’t I—”
“This is why!” Skeeter snapped, motioning to Diesel and the truck. “The more you get involved, the more shit like this happens.”
“Are you blaming me right now?” I demanded as I stood, and he groaned and rubbed his temples.
“No. I’m just saying—”
“You just admitted you couldn’t have done shit against them. What if it was you two in that truck? You could be dead right now, Skeet. He won’t hurt me, so let me help.”
“You need to go home,” Diesel said bluntly, wincing as he leaned against the truck.
“I just saved us!” I spat, getting pissed off.
“That’s not your job, Donovan,” he snarled, getting in my face. “My job was to keep you fucking safe, and I couldn’t even do that. I couldn’t save Sasha, but I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to you too. Why can’t you just go home and behave? You’re going to end up fucking dead!”
“Sasha wasn’t your fault!”
“Yes, it was!” he shouted, his voice cracking.
“She’s dead because I couldn’t let her go.
I was too scared to face shit by myself, but I lost her anyway.
You’re going to die because Skeet’s too damn selfish to let you fucking go!
Slash drags you into our bullshit, and I like having you around because for a second it feels like she’s still here! ”
“D, stop,” I said softly, stepping into him and clinging on when he tried to push me away.
“Get the fuck off me!”
“No,” I answered sharply, holding on tighter until his body went slack and I felt his arms circle me. “She’s not dead because of you.”
Skeeter was eyeing us silently, his eyes narrowing when I reached up to run my fingers through the back of Diesel’s hair. He could get as jealous as he wanted, but Diesel was a good friend to me, and he was hurting.
He almost collapsed against me from the soft touch, his voice so quiet I barely heard it.
“If I could go back, I’d walk right past her.”
“No, you wouldn’t. Soulmates will always find each other, no matter how badly you fight it,” I insisted, pulling back to meet his gaze. “I’m really sorry you didn’t get more time with her.”
He pulled away and nodded, not saying anything as he walked over to his truck door and opened it, obviously wanting to be alone for a second.
“Hey,” Slash murmured, approaching me and patting my shoulder. “Thanks for keeping him safe. You and Skeet go. The others should almost be here for the truck and to grab us.”
I looked over at Skeeter and he nodded, so I headed towards the McLaren without argument, Skeeter holding his hand out as we reached the car.
“Gun,” he said firmly, and I hesitated before handing it over. “I’ll destroy it.”
“I don’t want you guys going to war,” I whispered, and he opened the car door for me.
“Then he shouldn’t have attacked you.”
I slid in and buckled up as he shut the door for me and headed around to the driver’s side, and I waited until he started the car before speaking.
“I asked him why he shot you. He’s adamant that you know why, and told me to ask you about the businesses Savage was involved with. Does that make any sense to you?”
He scoffed, shaking his head slightly. “Savage ran drugs and guns just like we always have. He’s trying to turn you against me out of spite, that’s all.”
“I wouldn’t side with him over you anyway, I just thought telling you might give you an answer. I know you claim you don’t care, but finding the reason might give you a sense of peace,” I replied, looking out the window as he started driving, finding Diesel and Slash eyeing us as we left.
I really hoped Diesel found peace one day too.