Chapter 8 #2
Dash’s hands fisted in the front of his shirt, his lips parting. Emerson swept his tongue in, sampling, before doing it again.
Randall returned too soon. They pulled apart before the kiss went farther.
“They’re gone. I don’t think there’s anyone else too close.” Randall sighed. “Follow me to the end of the alley and let me take a glimpse before you walk into the wrong person.”
Emerson took Dash’s hand and led him down, trailing behind Randall. They came to the end and stopped, with Randall straddling the line between alley and street. He peeked up and down the road, avoiding looking at them.
“Did either of you drive here?”
“I walked,” Emerson whispered.
“I drove,” Dash said.
“It’s not safe to go back to your vehicle right now,” Randall said before he eyed Emerson.
“Public transit’s not a safe bet, either.
Trolleys are about to shut down soon anyway.
” He paused for a second, eyeing Emerson.
“My apartment’s closer than home. You can go there.
There’s a key hidden under a light-colored rock under the rose bush. ”
Emerson winced, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. The fact his brother was not only helping them get away but also offering safe harbor hit him hard.
“I appreciate it, but I’ve got somewhere safer that’s closer,” Emerson said.
“Where?” Randall asked, frowning.
“Don’t worry, it’s safe,” Emerson said, not willing to give up his hideout to another brother just yet.
Randall turned his attention to Dash. “I wouldn’t come back for your car until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. Maybe even wait until the following day.”
“It’s parked blocks and blocks away,” Dash replied. “I doubt it’ll catch notice.”
“They’ve spread the net wide on this one. Don’t risk it. Get out of here. Walk—don’t run. Stick to the shadows as much as you can.” Randall sighed, glancing down. “Don’t hold hands. Don’t even look at one another if you can help it. Don’t give them any reason to think you’re together like that.”
Like that. Emerson clenched his jaw at the hint of derision in Randall’s tone. His brother was helping, and that had to be enough.
“We’re not together like that,” Dash whispered hotly. “I was working.”
“Sure,” Randall said.
“I’m searching for a missing man,” Dash added, sounding almost desperate for Randall to believe him.
“It doesn’t matter why,” Randall admonished, his voice a bit louder than it should’ve been. “You were there.”
Dash stiffened at his side, that familiar irritation seeping around them both.
Randall paused and glanced around them before continuing. “Be careful and lay low once you’re safe.”
“Thank you,” Emerson said. “We’ll make it out fine.”
“Text me when you get wherever you’re going,” Randall said. “Call Dad or Harry if you get picked up. Don’t ask for me.”
Emerson sighed inwardly. Of course Randall wouldn’t want it noticed that his own brother was caught up in the raid. He was trying to make detective and didn’t need an alpha-attracted sibling potentially leaving a black mark on his record.
“Go,” Randall whispered.
Lightning flashed again, and he saw anger and disappointment mixed on Randall’s face, but then again, disappointment in him was normal. Why did it hurt this time, though?
There was no time to contemplate that. Emerson urged Dash ahead of him, leading him to the shadows as the thunder rumbled around them again. He tried to forget that look on Randall’s face and focus on getting them out safely. He could stress about what his brother assumed he knew later.
“Walk three blocks and then we’re hooking a left towards the marina,” he whispered from his spot behind Dash.
“The marina?” Dash whispered back.
“Trust me,” Emerson said, keeping his voice low.
Dash glared at him over one shoulder.
Yells sounded nearby. They both pushed up against the closest building facade, hiding under the cover an awning provided.
Emerson lifted his gaze to the stars just below the edge of it, listening for more yells and directional noises.
After a few seconds, the chaos seemed to move away from them, the noise fading to almost nothing.
Two flashes of lightning struck before rain poured down from the heavens. Just what they needed. Luckily the awning protected them, but they couldn’t stay there all night. It was going to be a wet walk to the boat.
The good thing about the rain was it would be harder for them to be seen.
It would also make it harder for the Guardsmen to be seen, too—but if he knew anything, he knew they could be lazy fuckers who hated to be out in the elements.
The storm’s arrival might signal the end of their search for the night.
A couple of flashlight arcs materialized farther down the street before disappearing. He heard nothing but the torrential rain falling around them. He glanced at Dash but saw little of his expression.
“What now?” Dash asked.
“We can stay here for a minute. See if the rain slows. But it raises our chances of being caught. We should move. Wet or not.”
“Wet it is,” Dash replied.
“Come on,” Emerson whispered, urging Dash out beside him.
Within seconds, his clothes were clinging to his body and so were Dash’s.
The rain was icy cold and slid down his back, but all they could do was keep moving.
After a series of twists and turns through a few more alleys, the familiar scent of salt and seaweed filled the air, mixing with the clean aroma of the rain.
Emerson took the lead once they reached the docks and drew them to his boat.
Once inside with the door locked behind them, Emerson finally felt safe.
They stood, dripping wet and panting, staring at one another in the faint light the stove hood let off.
Adrenaline continued to pump with nowhere to go.
He wondered if Dash felt as charged up as he did or had his Black Guard training helped him recover from moments like those with more ease?
Dash appeared mostly unruffled, his barely labored breathing the only sign he’d been running for his life.
“For fuck’s sake,” Emerson said, taking in a deep breath and scrubbing his face to wipe away some of the wetness. “That was a close one.”
“Too close,” Dash said, searching the salon.
“I’ve got some fresh towels,” Emerson said. “Follow me.”
Emerson walked deeper into the boat. When he looked over his shoulder, Dash wasn’t there. He strode back out and found the alpha right where he’d left him.
“Dash?”
“I shouldn’t be here,” Dash whispered.