Chapter 27
twenty-seven
GAGE
We end up needing another shower after I take Ava back to my room, and I might end up being a little late to the station, but it’s worth it for this extra time with her.
There hasn’t been a single time with Ava that wasn’t amazing, but the sex this morning was more intimate than anything I’ve ever experienced before. And the fact that I got her to agree to give this a real shot has me practically bouncing with excitement.
I know she wants to keep it between us for a bit longer, but I understand her reasoning, and I support it. Her life has changed so much over the last month and a half, and starting a relationship with someone is another big thing to add to the list. I’m not surprised that it’s a little overwhelming for her.
I’m just glad she’s willing to give us a real shot, no matter how that looks right now.
“Let me give you a ride home,” I offer as we make our way downstairs.
“I can walk, it’s not far.”
“I know, but it’s cold, and you have wet hair. I’ll feel better if you let me give you a ride.” I grab her by the belt loops, pulling her into me and pressing a kiss to her neck, sucking gently.
“That’s playing dirty,” she moans, rocking against me.
I smirk and shrug. “I’ll use whatever charms I need to get you to agree with me.”
She laughs and shakes her head but agrees to let me take her home.
I pull up in front of Scott’s and stop in front of the driveway. “You sure I can’t take you to the front door?”
“Yes, you’ll draw too much attention if you pull into the driveway. Besides, it’s a myth about being outside in the winter with wet hair and that leading to a cold.” She smirks at me.
Ava turns to get out of the Jeep, but I grab her wrist, pulling her back to me. “Thank you for giving this thing a real shot between us,” I whisper as I lean over the center console, bringing her in for a kiss. She fights it for only a second before she leans into me, reciprocating the kiss.
“You know, you kind of suck at this whole secret relationship thing?” Ava laughs as we pull away from each other.
“Call it a relationship again.” I feel the spark in my eye and the grin across my face.
“Shut up. You know what I mean.” She pushes me slightly, but I pull her back, placing another kiss to her lips.
“No one’s around, and I can’t help myself. I need a proper goodbye.” I can’t stop myself from kissing her one more time before finally putting a little space between us.
“Gage—” A car honks before she can say anything else.
We both pull away and look behind us to find a black Mercedes-Benz pulling up. Right behind that is Declan’s truck.
I glance at Ava but find her already climbing out of the Jeep and rush to unbuckle myself to meet her around back.
Declan makes it out of his truck first and moves toward Ava so quickly that I’m instantly on edge. The driver-side door of the Mercedes-Benz opens first; a tall man looking to be in his early sixties, dressed in a suit and wool coat, steps out of the car, turning to open the passenger door behind him.
From the rear of the car, a tall, slender woman, not much younger than the man, steps out in formal business attire of her own. The look on both their faces would make a lesser man run. I find myself taking a step closer to Ava. I don’t touch her, but I want her to know I’m here.
“Ava.” The woman’s voice is harsh, and somehow, I just know this is her mother and father.
“Wh-what are you doing here?” Ava stumbles over her words.
Declan takes a few steps toward her, moving to her other side but angled so he can see everyone.
“We gave you some time to cool down after Christmas, but you’ve ignored our calls, so here we are.”
“I ignored your calls because there’s nothing for us to discuss. I said everything I needed to at Christmas.”
“Ava.” The man’s tone is sharp, so sharp that Ava flinches.
I step even closer to her, my hand going to the small of her back, just under the sweater she’s wearing. It’s too cold for us to be out here like this.
“Maybe this conversation should wait.” Declan steps in. “I told you to let me talk to Ava when you showed up at my place. There’s a reason she hasn’t been answering your calls. You need to respect that.”
“Absolutely not. Your sister has been throwing this temper tantrum long enough. You may not care about this family, but your sister does. She always does what’s right in the end.” I can see how the look she shoots Ava might have made her fall in line in the past. But I know they’ve gone too far this time. Ava won’t succumb to their manipulations anymore.
Ava glances at me over her shoulder, and I glide my thumb along her spine, trying to silently communicate I support her. She swallows and glances at Declan before reaching for my hand, pulling me into her side.
“Mom, Dad, this is Gage,” Ava says, and I squeeze her hand in return, offering her whatever strength she needs. “My boyfriend.”
I’m stunned for only a moment. I know we talked about giving this a real shot this morning, but I also thought she didn’t want to label it. Of course, that was before her parents showed up with the man now climbing out of the front passenger seat with a look of pure disgust on his face.
“Excuse me?” the man asks. I have no doubt this is Brian, and I feel the rage coursing through me. The need I feel to drive my fist into his smug face is something else I’ve never felt before.
He’s tall, maybe six feet, and well-built—he clearly works out—but I have no doubt I could take him. He’s too refined to know how to throw a punch—or take one, for that matter.
I squeeze Ava’s hand once before stepping forward, putting my hand out toward the man I assume is her father. “Gage Flynn.” I know the appropriate thing to say is that it’s nice to meet them, but I’ve never been a liar, and I won’t start now.
I don’t know anything about these people personally, but after everything Ava’s told me, I think it’s safe to say I don’t like them. Anyone who treats this woman the way they have doesn’t deserve pleasantries from me.
“Gregory Day, Ava’s father.” He doesn’t shake my hand. Instead, he places his hand on his wife’s back. “Eleanor, Ava’s mother, and Brian Wellsley…” He pauses. “Her fiancé.”
I hear a choked sound behind me and know it came from Declan. When I turn, fury crosses Ava’s face as she steps forward.
“That’s not true! I am not engaged to that man, nor have I ever been engaged to him.” She stops in front of me, her eyes imploring. “I swear that’s not true.”
I reach to her, cupping her cheek in the palm of my hand, and lean forward to press a kiss to her forehead. “I know.” As I pull back from her, I see her eyes slowly open, a sheen of tears in them.
“You need to leave.” Ava turns back to her parents. “I don’t want you here—and as we’ve already established—there’s no engagement. I’m with Gage.”
“You didn’t tell us about him at Christmas, so it must be new and therefore can’t be serious. Come. Let’s go back to your brother’s and get your things. The plane is waiting for us at the airport.” Her mother reaches for her, but Declan steps in before anyone can do or say anything.
“I don’t know what’s going on here.” Declan’s voice is stern, firmer than I’ve ever heard him. “But I don’t care. I know what you tried to do to my life, and I can only imagine what you’re trying to do to Ava's. She’s not going with you. So you need to leave.”
“Declan—”
“No. Ava, do you want them here?” He looks over his shoulder at his sister.
“No.” There’s so much conviction in her voice I can’t help but feel pride in my chest. I lean forward and place a quick kiss to the back of her head, my hands coming to rest on her shoulders.
“You heard her. You need to leave.”
Brian steps forward, and in that moment I’m so glad I have my badge and gun hooked to my hip. I step in front of Ava, hand resting on my badge, drawing everyone’s attention there.
“You’ve been asked to leave. If you don’t, I’m more than happy to arrest you for harassment.”
“You can’t do that. That would be a lie.” Her mother glares at me.
My eyes move to Brian and slowly back to Ava’s mother. I see the moment she registers I know exactly what Brian has done. And I see she knows Ava hasn’t been lying about any of it. It seems her parents just don’t care how much of a monster Brian is. Whatever their reasons for wanting this marriage, it’s more important than their daughter’s safety and happiness.
“Are you sure about that?” I ask, my voice low and harsh.
“Eleanor. Let’s go. We’ll talk to Ava later.” Gregory grasps her arm and pulls her toward the car.
Brian stands there glaring at me, but I don’t back down. This man doesn’t scare me in the slightest. “This isn’t over,” he growls before following her parents.
I don’t move until their car has disappeared down the street. Once it has, I turn to Ava. There are tears in her eyes, and she fidgets with the cuffs of her sweater.
I step toward her, taking one of her hands in mine. “Boyfriend?” I ask, lifting a brow, trying to lighten the moment.
Ava shrugs. “I thought it would make them give up.”
“Give up on what exactly. What’s going on?” Declan asks.
“I’m not—I don’t—” She swallows, eyes bouncing between me and Declan.
“Ava.” Declan releases her name on a sigh, his eyes closing briefly. When he opens them, it’s clear he’s in pain. “Please.” It’s a desperate plea. One I know Ava can’t ignore.
“They’ve planned for me to marry Brian. Like an arranged marriage. Apparently, it’s been planned since I was a baby.” Her voice is so quiet that I almost miss it.
“What?” It’s more of a breath than an actual word from Declan.
I squeeze Ava’s hand still clasped in mine. “Let’s go inside and talk. You’re not dressed for this weather.” Without waiting for a response, I wrap my arm around Ava’s shoulder and walk down the driveway. I don’t check to make sure Declan is following us, but I hear his steps signaling he is.
“You have to get to work,” Ava says, trying to pull away from my side.
“I can be late. This is more important.” I press a kiss to her temple, lingering there for a second as we walk.
She doesn’t argue more. She simply wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes, proving she wants my support while she tells Declan about everything that’s been going on.
Ava unlocks the door and holds it for Declan and me to enter. It’s not a large space—just a kitchen, living room, and a short hallway with three doors—likely the bedroom, bathroom, and laundry area—but it's plenty big enough for Ava. I haven’t been here before, but a quick look shows it’s well-decorated and cozy.
Ava toes off her shoes and moves to the couch in the living space to the right of the door, Declan follows close behind and sits in the chair to her right.
I take a second to text Lyle to let him know I’ll be late before moving to sit next to her. I don’t touch her, but I’m close enough that I can if she needs me.
Declan moves to the edge of his seat and takes hold of Ava’s hand. His voice is gentle when he speaks, but I see the pain and anger lacing his features. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
Ava stares at him silently for a minute before she falls forward, her forehead resting against their clasped hands, her shoulders shaking.
I place my hand on her back, rubbing soothing circles. When I look up, Declan stares at me with concern written clear across his features. I shake my head, trying to silently communicate that she’s okay.
We sit here quietly, letting Ava feel whatever emotions are coursing through her. When she stills, I lean forward, circling my arms around her, and bring my mouth to her ear. “Rebel, what do you need?” I whisper.
She shakes her head and slowly sits up, wiping her face dry before looking at Declan again. And she starts her story. She tells Declan about that night in Brian’s office, about running to her parents only for them to call her a whore and a liar. She tells him about getting fired from the firm and being happy about it. She tells him about her trip home at Christmas and what Brian did outside their parents' house. She tells him all of it.
And through it all, Declan holds steady. It’s only because I’m good at reading people that I see the rage burning in his eyes and the tension in his shoulder. To anyone else, they would see a man silently supporting his sister through some of her worst moments. I see a man itching to hurt his parents the way they’ve hurt her. I see a man ready to break.
When Ava stops talking Declan takes a minute, his eyes moving to me before looking back at Ava. “What do you need from me?”
Ava’s eyes fall shut, and her entire body slumps like she’d been holding the weight of the world on her shoulders and it’s finally been lifted. When she opens them, she offers Declan a watery smile. “Nothing. You’ve already done it.”
“I wish you had told me when you first got here,” he whispers, almost hesitant.
“I know, but there was so much going on with Scott and Quinn, and I honestly needed to process all of it before talking about it.” Ava squeezes Declan’s hand. “I wasn’t alone.”
“I can see that.” Declan tries to smile, his eyes bouncing to me quickly. “Boyfriend? It seems like you have another story to tell me.”
Ava glances at me over her shoulder, reaching for my hand with her free one. I squeeze it and give a gentle smile in return.
“The boyfriend thing is new,” she finally says, turning back to Declan. “But he’s been a good friend.”
“I have no doubt.” I get a little uncomfortable at the sincerity in his voice. I’m not one for being the center of attention in serious moments.
“All right.” I stand from my seat, needing to move. “Do you think your parents will leave that easily?” I ask, moving around the coffee table to stand facing the two of them.
“Definitely not,” Declan says without hesitation, standing from his seat as well.
Ava sighs, pushing up from the couch and moving toward me. “It’s not likely, but you two need to get to work, so now isn’t the time to talk about this.”
“You sure you’re good?” Declan asks, begrudgingly moving toward the door.
“I’m all right.” Ava offers him a smile.
“There’s still a lot to talk about. Like why they’re pushing this so hard and how to stop them.”
“I know.”
“Let’s do dinner tonight. We can talk more and come up with a game plan.” Declan glances at me over Ava’s shoulder. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Oh, uh, yeah, of course,” I stumble slightly. “Whatever Ava wants.”
“It’s probably a good idea,” Ava agrees.
“Okay, I’ll let Quinn know. Seven o’clock okay?” he asks, looking at me.
“Yeah, that should be fine.”
“My place?” he asks Ava.
“Sure,” she agrees, giving him a small smile.
Declan looks at her for another moment before he pulls her into a tight hug. “I love you so much, squirt.”
“I love you, too, big brother,” Ava says as they pull away.
Declan reaches to shake my hand before he heads out the door.
“You sure you’re okay?” I ask as Ava turns to look at me.
“Not really, but I will be.” She gives me a warm smile before stepping into me, her arms moving around my waist. “Thank you for being here.”
I hug her tight, my head buried in the crook of her neck. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” And I mean that more than anything.
Being by Ava’s side has been a privilege. And while I wish there hadn’t been a need for it, I’m so incredibly grateful I was able to bring her the comfort and support she needed.
“I’ll see you after work, okay?” I ask softly as we pull away.
“You don’t have to go tonight if you don’t want to.”
“Where else would I want to be?” I ask as I cup her face in my hands. “This is out in the open now. I’m taking full advantage.” I give her a charming smile as I bend to kiss her lips. “I’ll see you later,” I whisper against them, pressing one more quick kiss before heading out the door for work.