“Just tell me,” he breathed against Wilder’s lips.
Wilder dropped his hands, and Emmett slipped out of his lap and onto the couch next to him.
“Steel and Kai are in charge of the shelter. They live there, too. They take in every kid and give them a home. A family. I might not have been adopted, but they’re my parents in every other way.”
He reached for Wilder’s hand, squeezing gently.
“I’m glad you have them.”
Wilder nodded, a soft smile on his lips as he said, “So am I.”
“I would like to?”
Wilder perked up, and it took him a second to recognize the rising rumbling sound from outside as motorcycles. Wilder told him earlier that they didn’t have any news, and Ezra had confirmed that they couldn’t ID the two who’d gone after him at the gym. A shudder rocked through him. They could’ve taken him. Killed him. If Wilder hadn’t gotten there in time. He’d been completely oblivious to everything going on, too. He wouldn’t have even known to alert anyone or fight back.
There was nothing like the silent world he was born into, and he hated that what had often been his safe space had been tainted by the grim actions of horrible men. He wanted it back. He wanted… he wanted Wilder with him in that silence. It was in silence that he noticed the world. That he saw more, felt more. Wilder understood that. He thrived in that world, too.
Wilder made him believe in himself. Made him believe in a lot of things. He liked who he was with Wilder. Who he was becoming.
Wilder got up, then leaned down to press a quick kiss to his lips, only leaving him wanting more. He grumbled under his breath as he watched Wilder walk across the room and disappear into the hall. He stood, rubbing the back of his neck, then shook his head at himself.
He made his way to the hall, the sound of several voices overlapping as the front door opened. He waited in the opening to the living room, gaze stuck on Wilder as he talked to Kaz and Killian while they hung up their helmets and jackets. They did have a whole helmet rack by the door, but some of them left their helmets out on their bikes. The weather wasn’t terrible, but once they hit fall, he was sure they’d all be parking their bikes in the garage and hanging their helmets inside. He wasn’t sure whose spare helmet he’d been using, but he’d like to get?surprise swamped his insides. He wanted his own helmet. He wanted to keep riding with Wilder. He wanted… things he probably shouldn’t want.
“Hey, Em. You alright?”
He blinked, finding Kaz in front of him.
“Oh, uh… Yeah?”
One of Kaz’s brows creased for a second before smoothing out again.
“Good. I’m glad nothing happened to you.”
His throat closed up, and he drew in a painful breath.Oh.Right. He shook his head at himself, trying to muster up the brain cells to hold a conversation.
“Did you figure anything out? Any reason they’d go after me?”
Kaz’s sigh didn’t bode well.
“No. All we know is that those guys who came after you were likely associated with the gang we’re squabbling with. We know as little about them as we do the ones in the car who tried to run you over.”
“What does this gang want with me?”
Kaz’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “I wish I had answers for you. I hate that you’ve been put in danger just by being here. That’s the last thing I want.”
He nodded stoically, a lump I his throat making it harder to speak, and his voice came out rough as he said, “I know.”
Kaz put a hand on Emmett’s shoulder. “I’ll let you know if we find anything.”
“Thanks.”
He watched Kaz walk off, then turned back to search for Wilder when he nearly got checked by a bigger body. Kian grinned down at him, green eyes sparkling mischievously. He refrained from rolling his eyes at him, though only barely.
“Everyone’s bummed about the whole thing,” Kian said, wrapping an arm around Emmett’s shoulders and steering him toward the living room. “So, we’re gonna throw a little party to lift everyone’s spirits.”
“Let me guess: you’re cooking?”
“Of course,” Kian exclaimed with a wide grin.
