I have to chuckle, slapping my hand over my heart. I’m overjoyed to hear that Felix is okay. That he hasn’t been captured or suffered any severe injuries.
“Alright, stand back,” Rook directs, and we both move away from the gate.
He uses an acetylene torch on the lock, heating it until it’s glowing. Then Joy gives it one good whack with the hatchet, breaking it right off.
She and Rook share relieved breaths and grins, pushing the rusty old door open with a creak. Rather than my running out, they grab their stuff and shuffle inside, Joy whistling as they do.
It takes barely fifteen seconds for Felix to come barreling over the small hill.
If I’m dreaming right now, I’m going to be furious.
“Thank fuck you’re okay.” He lunges at me.
“Baby…” Is all I can whimper as I catch him, squeezing onto him for dear life.
I’m holding his body so hard I might break him. But I think he’s proven that he’s unbreakable at this point. He’s a million times stronger than I ever gave him credit for, and for that, I feel like a total asshole.
That I ever thought his emotions could make him weak is absurd. I can see now how wrong I was.
He’s not just a beautiful psycho who lacks impulse control. He’snota fascinating creature that deserves to be trapped under glass and studied. Simply observing him in a cage means you’d never get to watch him in action.
He doesn’t need to be protected.Circumstancehad nothing to do with Felix Darcey’s ability to fuck shit up.
“Shh… it’s okay, baby.” I rock him gently while he sniffles. I can feel him allowing himself to break down, likely for the firsttime in weeks. “I’m here. You came back for me, just like I knew you would.”
Pressure is building inside my face, and I can’t help it. This was the closest I’ve come to giving up since I was fourteen, and I awoke in the dark with rope around my neck and wrists.
In many ways, this was worse. I’m a grown-ass man now, and I couldn’t get myself out of it.
But none of that matters right now. Because I’m back with my Carver, holding his perfectly solid body to mine while he presses soft, trembling kisses on my neck.
“I’m so s-sorry, Lemuel,” he whines, raspy with emotion. “That I didn’t get to you sooner…”
“Baby, enough of that,” I tell him firmly, cupping his jaw and forcing him to look at me. “You did what you had to do. I’m certain of that.”
Swiping tears from his cheeks with my thumbs, I frown at the layer of dirt that comes off with them.
He chuckles, as do Joy and Rook.
“The kid’s been wading through muck with a knife between his teeth, slicing cartel men at the Achilles heel and shit.” Joy shakes her head. “That’s more than I can say for any of us.” She pats Felix on the shoulder, then frowns.
He simply grins up at me. Not a care in the world for how filthy he is, or how much slaughtering he’s been doing. He’s justhappy, because we’re back together.
Fucking fascinating.
“I love you,” I hum, kissing his dirty lips and not giving a single fuck.
“I love you more.”
“Okay, I’m freaking the fuck out.” A large man I’ve never seen before stomps in, worry all over his face.
Our eyes meet, and he nods.Officer Kemper, I presume…
“I mean, what am I supposed to do??” He scrubs his hands over his face. “I can’t just leave him in there…”
“Well, I mean… if he’s with his dad.” Joy offers a shrug that’s not entirely unsympathetic, though Kemper still glares at her. “I’m just saying, you really think his father will let him come to harm?”
Kemper looks like he’s mulling this over, acknowledging that she’s probably right, but he still doesn’t like it.
