CHAPTER 15
PERRY
I lookat Buckle and we scurry down from the window ledge. We’d just wanted to make sure Abel got inside okay, but when we peeked, there was someone in his apartment. Someone that said very mean things to him.
We run to Buckle’s truck and shift.
“What the fuck do we do?” Buckle huffs as we catch our breaths.
“I haveno idea. If we go in there, he’s going to know we invaded his privacy. If we don’t go in there, he won’t know he has our support.”
“Shit. Shit. What the hell do we do?” Buckle drops his head on the back of the headrest. “He makes my heart hurt, Perry.”
“I know.” I take Buckle’s hand and just hold it, needing the comfort of his touch. “I get why he’s so scared ofus,though.” The poor guy really doesn’t think he’s worth anything, so he throws himself into work and his projects.
“Do you work today?” Buckle asks.
“I was planning on going in this afternoon. I have excellent employees, but I still like having my hands everywhere.” I givehim a small smile. “But I’m wondering if we need to play hooky and take care of our guy.”
“If he’ll let us.”
Our phones buzz at the same time.
Abel: You had no right to message Riley for me. I had it handled.
I nibble my bottom lip.
Perry: We’re coming up. Don’t leave yet.
Abel: I have to finish getting ready. I don’t want Riley to get mad at me.
Buckle sighs. “Riley doesn’t care when Abel gets in. He responded to take his time, no worries. Why does Abel think Riley’s gonna be mad at him?”
“I know.” I squeeze Buckle’s hand. “I know.”
Buckle: Babe, we’re coming up. We did something you probably won’t like.
I nod and he hits send. We get dressed again and walk hand-in-hand to the front door to the building.
When Buckle curses, I just pull out my keyring where I have a set of lock picks.
“You are a man of many secrets,” he chuckles.
“You have no idea.” I wink back and we’re in.
Abel answers the door with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair a mess. His eyes go wide and he tries to shut it, but Buckle shoves his boot in the way.
“We saw everything,” Buckle says.
“Everything?” Abel’s voice croaks.
“Everything,” I repeat.
Abel opens the door wider, his eyes full of unshed tears. “You hate me too now, right? You’re going to tell me Fate got it wrong.”
“Not even close,” I say.
“How can we help?” Buckle asks.
