Run From Me (Barbed Wire Hearts #2)

13. Xander

THIRTEEN

xander

“I fucking knew it.”

I slammed down a copy of the pathology report on the coffee table. Zeid looked up at me like he was bored.

“What, some rare poison?”

I flopped down on the couch.

“Yes, sweet cheeks. But like one of those designer ones that cost a shit load. Calliope had to send the labs to some crazy rare pathology place or something. I dunno. Don’t care. We know it’s the rich getting rid of the rich.”

The zap, zap, zap of the welder stopped, and Cas stood up from his corner.

“That knife? What do you think?”

I walked over to the newest piece.

“You’re a fucking genius. The brass knuckles I found on that asshole, you think we can do something like,” I held up the cleaned and polished metal that I’d spent half the morning melting and reshaping. “Right there? Can you weld it there?”

Cas nodded and flipped his welding helmet down as I walked away.

“You really giving that to the coroner? We already have what we need from her,” Zeid said.

It had been forty-eight hours, and I’d tried damn hard to stay busy. I didn’t like the lighthearted whatever it was that came when she had texted me to grab the report.

The fix? I’d sent several senior recruits to hang out at the morgue, ensuring no trouble. Ripple hadn’t tried to come back—yet. It was only a matter of time though, I was certain.

So here I was, doing whatever it was that I did. Making a gift as I tried to keep myself from going straight to her. I’d even had one of my guys grab the report for us, but who was I kidding? I’d kept busy to try and prove to myself that she was just another fling. Just some woman that felt great to bounce on my cock.

I sat back on the couch listening to Zeid drone on about something.

“Ouch, what the fuck?”

I turned to Zeid who had a shit-eating grin, and then saw the pint sized woman behind me.

“Fucking hell, short stack. What was that?”

“Do not swear at my wife, X.”

At least I could multitask and flip off Cas as I glared at Rylee.

“That’s for ghosting Cali. What the hell?”

Ghosting?

“What in the hell are you talking about woman?”

She tapped her foot impatiently. Ah, shit.

“Give me your phone.”

I shook my head but handed it over.

“The dick pics are in the favorites. Gotta have them easy access and all—ouch. What the fuck?”

Cas came up behind Rylee, sweat drenched and all.

“Do not fucking say dick pics in front of her.”

I was starting to grin when Rylee shut me the hell down.

“Let me know if you need a professional to make it look bigger, Xander.”

And my jaw dropped.

“Feisty, little short stack. I like it. But spare me more dick jokes. Why are you mad at me?”

She held up the phone to show me two texts.

“She asked you how your leg was. You could at least tell her you’re alive. She called me asking if you died of an infection. She also texted about the lab reports, and then you sent one of the guys?”

“When you say it like that, it sounds bad. But, to be fair, I’ve been busy. Look, Cas helped make her a gift out of the knife I was stabbed with,” I said and gestured toward the small, delicate metal flower.

Rylee smiled at Cas.

“You helped him make that? You are the sweetest, aren’t you?” she said to him.

And then she turned to me.

“How about just telling her you’re alive. Stupid gifts don’t fix emotional neglect, you moron.”

“Ouch, short stuff. That kind of hurt. How about I go give it to her now?”

Rylee smiled. “Wonderful. I’m going with.”

I looked to Cas, thinking he’d stop her.

“I’m taking the bike. Sorry, Rylee. Maybe next time.”

Instead of stopping her, she did what Rylee did best and walked over to where we hung our riding gear. I glanced at Cas and back at her as she started to pull on the new leathers Cas had gotten her with a few added bonuses like Kevlar plates.

“What the hell are you doing, Rylee? Be on a honeymoon and go fuck Cas’s brains out. I will go apologize, or whatever it is you want me to do.”

She was halfway finished putting on the pants over her leggings when she glared at me.

“Cas, smack him.”

I glared at her and turned right as Cas’s hand connected with my cheek.

“What the fuck, Caspian? You literally slapped me,” I said.

I looked over to Zeid and shit.

“Zeid, just you wait to be on Rylee’s bad side, you asshole. Wipe that smirk off your stupid-ass face. And you. Caspian, bros before—” And I didn’t get the rest out because this time I was in a headlock. “Fuck,” I coughed.

“You fucking say my wife is a hoe, and I will figure out how to taxidermy your fucking ass so I can punch you even after you’re fucking dead,” Cas said. Zeid’s laughter was fucking riotous and echoing off the shop walls. Too much metal in this place, but I guess that was best to keep the place from lighting up at the sparks of Cas’s welder.

“Fine. Truce. She can go.”

Rylee squealed and Cas dropped me. At least I hit the couch and not the floor.

I ran my hand over my face.

“Why does it feel like I didn’t gain just a sister but more like a new boss?”

I went over to the same shelves Rylee stood at and grabbed my own gear. I could love the thrill of the ride, but we had gained enough targets on our backs that we no longer took all the risks that once seemed rebellious.

“Cause you did, Xander. I own Cas’s balls, and therefore, I get to boss you all around.”

I knew that my look was deadpanned, but hell if that wasn’t just too funny.

“That shit’s too cute that you think you own Cas.”

I winked at her. We all knew she owned him.

“Shut the fuck up, X.”

Cas slapped the back of my head.

“If you hit me one more time, we are heading to the gym, and your wife won’t get to embarrass me in front of her friend, now will she?”

Rylee’s lips turned into a pout, and seeing how fast Cas was over there kissing his new bride said it all. The feeling in the pit of my stomach? Well shit. Was it the fear of having his most prized possession on my bike and her life in my hands? Or was it the fact I really wanted what they had and also knew it wasn’t a good idea.

Cas’s life would end if she was ever hurt.

“Alright, love birds. Rylee, you can back out now if you want. Otherwise? Well, I’ll be driving like a little old lady with such a precious little backpack as my cargo, and I’d really like to get going before the day is over.”

I ignored the way they said goodbye or whatever. I put my helmet on and headed for the garage on the other side of the shop through another door. At least an old factory gave us plenty of space to do everything we needed. I couldn’t deny just how far we’d come. If anyone had told me even ten years ago that I’d be running the Spectors with Cas and Zeid, I’d have committed them. If you would have told me we would have money, and not just enough to buy a damn meal at the diner, but enough to do whatever the fuck we wanted? I’d have laughed and committed myself for dreaming about that shit.

The door slammed closed behind me and the locks clicked back into place before Rylee pushed through, disengaging the lock from the other side.

“Bring her back in one piece,” Cas called. He strode over to my bike as I kicked my leg over the seat. I checked the monitors in the corner of the garage, making sure there wasn’t anyone out there that shouldn’t be before I hit the button and the massive rolling door opened.

“You know I love her like an annoying little sister.” I smiled at Cas before I flipped down my visor and waited for Rylee to get on behind me. I paused and lifted my visor.

“Cas, the gift?”

He pointed, and I tried to twist my head to see what he was looking at.

“Rylee’s got the bag on her back.” He nodded toward me and a silent ‘bring her back alive’ was said without him ever saying it. He knew I would protect her with my life. And wasn’t that the rub? We would all give our lives for each other, and that meant for each other’s happiness. There just wasn’t enough of us to go around, was there? Not for all of us to have someone.

“You ready, short stuff?”

She gave me a thumbs up before I felt her wrap her hands into my jacket. At her confirmation, I turned the key and my bike roared to life.

Fuck, I needed this. A ride to calm all the shit running through my head, and if I wasn’t such a pussy, maybe I wouldn’t be trying to chase away the strange ache running through my chest.