“I’ll take him,” Harlow, from Ford’s team, spoke up. “If I go alone with him to the hospital, I can explain the circumstances and keep the local police at bay for a bit. I can flash my badge.” He sent Ford a cheeky smile, and I had to bite the inside of my lip to stop from smirking.
“I don’t always do that,” Ford grumbled like a pouty child. It was adorable.
“I’ll get him seen by a professional and buy us some time. If they come for me, I’ll just explain that I got a tip where Violet was and I went after him on my own.”
“I’m going with you.” Dune had an edge to his tone that dared anyone to argue with him. “That way, I’ll be there if something happens on the way to the hospital.”
Harlow gave Dune a curt nod.
“I’ll follow you,” Sawyer spoke up. “I’ll keep lookout outside and be ready if we need to go quick.”
My eyes were glued to Ford. His jaw ticked and his eyes were full of rage. He balled his fist as Dune and Harlow lifted Violet and carefully carried him out of the room.
I slipped my hand into Ford’s and gave him what I hoped was a comforting squeeze. He squeezed me back, but his jaw didn’t unclench.
This was killing him to be their leader and not be able to be there when one of them was down. That he couldn’t save his agent from what he’d been through, and not be able to be there for him now.
“We’ll get him,” I promised. I’d said it. I couldn’t take it back.
So there was only one thing left for me to do.
Get that fucker Lipton and take him down.
33
Ford
It felt like they had to smuggle me into Atlanta.
It was not a good feeling for someone like me.
Milo cut the feed to the building where Reed owned a penthouse condo that he barely used anymore.
The elevator took us right to the top, and only once I stepped out of the metal box with Austin at my side, did I breathe.
“I’ve have a guest bedroom,” Reed said as he led the way. “I also have an office with a really nice couch, if you need…”
“We’ll be staying in the same bed,” Austin assured him without an ounce of hesitation or shyness.
Reed cocked a smile at me over his shoulder, and my cheeks flamed hot.
I wasn’t embarrassed, I didn’t think. I wasn’t sure why I was being weird. Maybe it just felt good to have someone who didn’t give a fuck and put it out there for everyone without question.
I guess it was just shocking. This was like Austin coming out to his family. He was, in a sense, claiming whatever this was between us in front of his… dad? Older brother?
Okay, I wasn’t sure how he saw Reed. I supposed it didn’t matter. It was the feeling that was the real star of this moment.
And what I felt was… big. Huge. It was said so nonchalantly, but it was a giant blinking sign to everyone. Well,currently only Reed, but I was sure that word would get around very quickly. They often did with tight-knit groups like this one.
Which only left me wondering…
What exactly was this?
How did Austin see…us? Did he see anusafter this was all over?
“I’m happy for you,” Reed said, and his face was open with pure delight radiating brightly.
“I’m gonna take a shower then hit the hay, if that’s alright?” Austin said with an exaggerated yawn. His tone had me waiting for him to dip his hat at me with the way he’d turned so Southern.
