Chapter Twenty-Six
Maddox
I pulled my motorcycle up to Gunner’s apartment the next weekend, kicking down the stand and hopping off to stretch my legs. It was a cloudy, gray day, with drizzle coming on and off all afternoon. Normally, I hated that kind of Seattle weather, but it was perfect for sneaking into my uncle’s office.
When Gunner opened his door, Malcolm was standing a few feet behind him. Dressed in another button-up shirt, a few strands of his dark hair fell over his eyes.
“Good to see you here, too, Malcolm,” I said.
“He’s been sleeping over all week,” Gunner said.
Malcolm looked bashful. “My place is really noisy.”
“Hopefully not for much longer,” I said, taking them both into a quick embrace. “Although we have some details to go over first.”
We took our seats on Gunner’s worn old couches, and I noticed how much tidier the place was than last time. There was also a pile of books on the table and a few other random traces of Malcolm’s presence.
I could tell they had something special, and I was glad to have been a part of the start of their relationship. As they became closer, though, I felt a little sadness, knowing that there wouldn’t be room for an older guy like me forever.
All the more reason to treat them right now.
I rested my elbows on my knees, leaning forward. “We’ll head over soon,” I started, “and it shouldn’t take us much time. You’ll drive the truck, and if everything goes according to plan, you’ll stay behind the driver’s seat the whole time.”
“Got it,” Gunner said, nodding eagerly. I could taste his excitement, a feeling I knew well from running jobs when I was young.
“You’ll see me disappear into the building,” I said. “From there, your job is just to keep an eye down both streets. You’ll want to keep a steady pivot.” I turned my head to demonstrate, clocking my line of sight to the left, straight ahead, and to the right. “And never let your attention wander.”
“What exactly is he looking for?” Malcolm asked.
“Anyone who might approach the building,” I answered. “The second someone does, Gunner, you do two things. First you text mecode red, and then you drive away.”
“I drive away?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yeah, right. Not until you get your ass back in the truck.”
I shook my head sharply. “I can get myself out of the building, no problem. But having a truck hanging around out front just looks suspicious, on top of putting you in danger. You drive away, go a couple of miles, and wait to hear from me.” I caught his eye, holding it. “I’ll be fine. And if you follow my instructions, you’ll be fine, too.”
He nodded, seeming to hear me clearly. “Okay, I can do that.”
I made him say it back to me a few times to be sure, then rose to my feet.
“Already?” Malcolm asked. He looked nervous, and he kept fidgeting his hands together.
“Now is the time,” I said. “And don’t worry, Malcolm. No one is going to get hurt.”
He stood up suddenly, his hands falling to his side. “I know that you know what you’re doing,” he said, “and I appreciate it, but I need one thing.”
I nodded, indicating he should continue.
“I need to come with you.”
I shook my head quickly. “No way. There’s no need for you, and that means there’s no need to put you in harm’s way. Having extra company is just a liability.”
“I’m the whole reason you’re doing this in the first place,” Malcolm said, his voice steady. “It’s not right for you to go and for me to stay behind like I’m scared or something.”
Gunner put his arm on Malcolm’s shoulder. “No one thinks you’re scared, my prince. We just want to take care of this for you.”
Malcolm turned to Gunner. “If it’s safe enough for you, it’s safe enough for me.”
The determination in his eyes was fierce, something I hadn’t seen before from Malcolm. The more he came out of his shell, the more I thought he really could handle those kinds of situations.
