Axel
HOW’S IT GOING TO BE - THIRD EYE BLIND
Awkwardly seated at the marble breakfast bar, my sloppy chopping skills are being eyed by an ever-vigilant Hyland. I’m surprised he let me out of bed long enough to help cook. Though I would escape any attempt he makes to hold me hostage, I’d still like to see him try.
“Can you at least try to make the basil finer?” He grimaces at my half-assed work.
“Dude, you’re asking for too much. I’m injured, remember?”
“I didn’t ask for your help, remember?”
“Ungrateful ass. I’m bored!”
“So you’re annoying me instead?”
“Exactly,” I drawl around a smile.
Eyes rolling, he returns to stirring the bolognese sauce bubbling on the stovetop. The entire apartment is filled with rich, fragrant aromas. I don’t know who taught the big oaf their secret recipe, but I’m sure as fuck going to devour it.
Tackling the next pile of herbs waiting to be diced, I focus on breaking down the green stalks rather than spiralling into thoughts of what my insane mirror image is possibly doing right now. Probably pacing his cell while spinning another wild scheme to buy his freedom.
In my aggravation, the kitchen knife slips, and I almost take my index finger off. Hyland pauses to watch when I loudly curse, slamming the blade down and shoving the board aside.
“I give up. You don’t want my help? Fine. Chop it yourself.”
“Woah, pup. Take a breath.”
“I can’t fucking do it!”
Brows furrowed, he swipes the board to resume chopping in between giving me worried looks. “What’s going on with you?”
I let my head drop into my palms, ignoring how every little movement makes my abdomen twinge. These stitches are driving me up the wall.
“Gunnar tried to kill me. Then the crazy bastard saves my life… after being the one to endanger it. And now he wants to cut some kinda deal to do what? Help us? My head is spinning.”
Utensils clatter as he continues prepping. “It’s certainly an interesting play.”
“Interesting? He’s trying to save his skin. How am I supposed to feel about that?”
“I don’t think there’s a right answer to that question.”
Gaze lifting, I stare at him. “I lied to protect him, Hy. To you. To my team. To Sabre. The whole world, really. And look what it got me in return.”
“Trust me, I don’t need the reminder.”
“For the record, I’m so fucking sorry. I never meant to deceive you.”
Hyland casts me a thoughtful look. “I know, Ax. I don’t have to like what you did to understand it. If Gunnar has a decent bone in his body, he chose to save your life for that reason.”
“Or he knew any chance at leveraging clemency would vanish if I died.”
“Or that,” he acknowledges.
“So I can never trust him. Or his intentions.”
We fall into a hush as Ember trails into the penthouse’s open plan living space, roughly braiding wet auburn locks over her shoulder. The bruises on her face have almost faded now, leaving only vivid black circles from lack of sleep in their wake.
“Hey.” She sniffs the air. “You making dinner?”
“Hyland is.” I jut my chin in his direction. “I’ve given up.”
“Probably for the best. Should you be up?”
“Ugh, not you too. I can’t sit around like I’m on house arrest forever, dimples. I feel great.”
“You sure look it too.” Her sarcasm couldn’t be stronger.
Stirring the sauce, Hyland chuffs. “Ouch.”
“Fuck off, man. I’m still hotter than you.”
“That’s debatable.”
She pads over to the fridge to fish out cold beers, handing one over to Hyland. I pout at her for not offering me one. I’m mostly weaned off the pain medication now, but I’ve had to pop a couple of pills to get through the day.
“Warner should be out of the shower soon.” She takes the bar stool next to me. “I think Blaine’s still on the phone outside.”
I reach over to tug the end of her damp braid. “Nice shower?”
“It relieved some of the day’s stress.” She winks salaciously. “Get those stitches out in a few weeks, and maybe I’ll show you my shower routine.”
“Damn, if that isn’t motivation to get back on my feet, then I don’t know what is.”
“Enough flirting in front of me, please.” Hyland shudders in distaste. “Who wants to be in charge of salad?”
“Hand it over.” Ember laughs.
I sit back in my chair and watch them both cook, content to steal bites of chopped salad every now and again. When Ember threatens me with the knife, I make sure to steal a quick kiss too.
The meal is coming together by the time Warner emerges, leaning heavily on his walking stick to make it over to the L-shaped sofa on one leg. Ember bustles over to offer him a beer so he doesn’t have to get up again without his prosthetic in place.
“Rayna just texted.” He accepts the beer. “Trace came back on the licence plate from the blue truck that pursued us. It’s a fake. Local police report finding the vehicle abandoned on the side of the road not far from where we blew the tyres out.”
“Dammit.” Hyland grumbles into the steaming pot of food. “Another dead end.”
“It was a long shot,” I offer dejectedly.
“One we needed to pay off.” Warner takes a deep sip. “As much as I hate to think about there being a leak in Sabre, it can’t have been a coincidence that we were attacked.”
“Do you think they knew we were coming from Briar Valley?” Ember retakes her seat.
“I’ve contacted Willow to warn them, but I think it’s unlikely they’d be targeted at this stage. We were far from town when the truck caught up to us and left no trail back into the mountains.”
From the thunderous look on Hyland’s face as he silently stirs, I’m not sure he agrees. Out of the whole team, he has the closest relationship with Willow. I bet Ethan’s in for an earful about maintaining her safety. Luckily, he’s well-qualified to do so.
“Enough work talk.” Hyland lifts the pot off the stove. “It’s chow time.”
“Thank God,” I moan dramatically. “I’m starved.”
“You’ve done nothing but lay on your backside all day.”
“Under your instructions, big guy. Don’t be jealous. It’s an unattractive quality.”
“Jackass,” he chunters.
“Right back atcha.”
While he dishes up platefuls for everyone, Blaine makes a stealthy reappearance. The pair exchange a nod when Hyland nudges a serving towards him. Apparently, not even Blaine is immune to the big grump’s need to be a caretaker to us all.
We gather on the sofa to eat off our laps, giving Warner some company. Honestly, as a group, we look a sorry state. I can’t help but laugh around a forkful of salad.
“What?” Hyland snaps at me.
“If our enemies could see us now. We’re a fucking disaster.”
“Speak for yourself.” Blaine points the tip of his knife at me.
“Planning to take your father out with silverware?”
“If I get my hands on him, I won’t need a weapon at all.”
“Up close and personal, huh? Nice. I like your style.”
“I’ve had a long time to think about it.”
“Do we have to discuss execution techniques over dinner?” Warner groans.
“These two are incapable of discussing little else,” Ember replies, biting a chunk of cucumber.
“I’d use my bare hands.” Hyland pauses to chew thoughtfully. “Watch the light go out in the bastard’s eyes while I strangle the life out of him.”
Lips pursed, Blaine nods in approval. “That works too.”
“Bit too fast,” I comment.
“But intimate. Personal.”
“True.” Blaine dabs his mouth with a napkin. “After all these years, I’m aiming for a little more satisfaction than quick and easy. I think I’ve earned that much. We all have.”
Pushing his plate away, Warner tips his head back on the sofa to stare up at the ceiling. “I give up. We are incapable of having a normal conversation over dinner.”
“Don’t act like you wouldn’t jump at the chance to strangle that motherfucker.” I nudge him with my foot. “Or any of the evil bastards we’ve faced over the years, for that matter.”
“I believe in justice, Ax,” Warner lectures, wearing his best stern leadership mask. “The rule of law. What you’re talking about doing is the opposite of that.”
“For some, the law isn’t enough,” Ember chimes in, a dark look crossing her face. “Not for the victims, at least. These monsters don’t deserve the relief of a prison cell.”
My mouthful of food turns to ash in my mouth, forming a heavy brick that refuses to be swallowed. I don’t know how much relief my mother has found in a prison cell. No less one she doesn’t deserve to be in, no matter the tall tale she spun to spare Gunnar’s life.
Where is her justice?
Staring at the food congealing on my plate, I can sense Ember watching me from her spot on the sofa. Hearing her recant Gunnar’s demands wasn’t an easy listen. Part of me wants to hear it from him myself. Another part can’t stand the thought of breathing the same air as him any time soon.
We all startle at the chime of the doorbell echoing through the apartment, causing Warner’s fancy security system to buzz in protest. He quickly fishes out his phone to pull up the CCTV feeds.
“Should’ve known he’d rock up soon enough,” he mutters. “Em, your brother’s here.”
“Now?” she squeaks.
“Yep. He looks pissed too.”
“I haven’t returned his last couple of calls. Crap, I’m in so much trouble.”
“Want me to go say hello?” Blaine offers a little too innocently.
“Definitely not. I like my brother intact, thanks. Just wait here.”
When Hyland rises to follow her out to the front door, Ember doesn’t even bother to protest. There’s little point in arguing with him. Not long after we hear the door open, we all tense at the sound of raised voices from the other side of the penthouse.
“Do I have to put a damn GPS tracker on you just to know what you’re doing now?” Tom’s voice carries, high-pitched and furious.
“I’m sorry, it’s been a crazy couple of days. I was going to come visit tomorrow…”
“Not good enough, Em! You promised to keep in touch!”
“Well, shit.” Warner winces to himself. “I suppose I’m next in line for a telling off.”
“Most likely,” I agree with him.
“We haven’t exactly had a spare moment for tea and a catch up.”
“Does it sound like he cares?” Blaine chuckles.