by Coralee June
Present Day
* * *
"After you," I said while holding my arm out towards the hallway leading to the front door. My coy movements seemed to shock him out of his arousal. Gavriel straightened his spine, pulling away from me before walking outside. With a sheepish grin, I followed after him, but couldn't contain the bright smile on my face. Gavriel might be in control, but he lost some of that power whenever he was with me.
Outside, parked in the drive was a long, sleek black limo. Gavriel held open the door for me before saying, “We need to make a stop on the way.” I nodded in understanding as we descended the drive and made our way out of his neighborhood. Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, Gavriel and I sat in comfortable silence as the driver navigated the hectic LA traffic. As the sun set, neon lights passed us by.
We drove until we arrived at a large hotel. The driver parked near the service entrance and opened the door for us. Gavriel put on sunglasses despite it being dark outside, and I wondered why he was being so secretive. “What are we doing here?” I asked as he placed his hand on my lower back and guided me towards an elevator.
“We’re going to see Callum. He's investigating something for me,” he explained. My heart beat frantically at the thought of seeing Special Agent Mercer again.
“Couldn’t you have called?” I asked.
"No, something is up. I didn't feel it was safe to call. Someone could have been listening." The rigid way he walked made me nervous. Did something happen? There were four guards with us, two leading the way and two following behind. Since joining the Bullets, I'd settled into a false sense of comfort, but seeing Gav worked up, put me on the defense.
"What do you mean something is up?" I asked. It was crazy how easily I slipped back into being aware of my surroundings. My time on the run and on the streets trained my mind to be observant. I took in the exit sign at the end of the hall. We were on the seventeenth floor. If I were to run down the stairs, I'd need to take my shoes off.
"Nothing to concern yourself with," he said. I knew it was meant to placate me, but I became more nervous.
Gavriel had been drinking, which could affect his response time. Eyeing his waist, I noted the bulk of a holster beneath his suit jacket on his right hip. In a crunch, I could reach it. My eyes shifted from side to side, my breath becoming rapid as I tried to take in each detail. The guard in front of me had a distinct limp. There was a security camera at the end of the hall. The maroon carpet. Scuffed doors. The smell of coffee and burnt hair.
“Sunshine?" a distant voice called out. I looked over my shoulder, fingers twitching. "Sunshine, Love," the voice said again, but there was a roaring in my ears from my pulsing blood. Before I could process what was happening, I was pressed against a door. With Gavriel's hips holding me in place, I heaved in a slow breath.
"Love, look at me," he demanded, cupping my face. My eyes shot to his. "Are you okay? Where did you go just now?"
I shut my eyes before responding, "You seemed on edge. I was just taking in everything."
"Did something make you anxious?"
"No. Yes. Maybe?"
"Tell me what you were doing."
I tried to turn away from his inquisitive gaze, but he held me firmly in his palms. "I was noting the exits. The placement of your gun. The floor we were on. The weakest of your guards."
His hold went soft as I continued. "I noted how much you drank in the car, and if it could affect your response time. I thought about how I was wearing a skirt and had little to protect myself," I added in a soft tone, my voice wavering. I fought back my memory of the time I had to sleep in a public park. The night I was almost killed. The night I stopped a man from raping me by stabbing him with the pocket knife I slept with.
Gavriel's eyes hardened, a fiery anger hidden within the depths of his gaze. It was as if he finally realized how my time away had changed me. "I can't help it. I've trained myself to respond like that when I feel threatened. You seemed so on edge..."
"Nothing ever will hurt you, do you understand?" Gav's voice was firm and unyielding. "I will protect you. It's killing me to know that something happened to make you like this. But listen to me right now, Love. I will kill anyone that threatens you."
The door behind me opened, and I fell backward. Gav leaned forward to catch me, but I slipped past his outstretched hands. Two arms caught me by the elbow, and I was picked back up. “Sunshine? You okay?” Callum didn’t let go, and I turned around to greet his blue-eyed stare.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I choked out while wrapping my arms around him for a hug. I reveled in his comfort for a moment before pulling away. Standing tall, Gavriel adjusted his tie as he entered the threshold.
The room was small. Large windows overlooked the smog-coated city. The plush bed was unmade and smelled of bleach. Gavriel shut the door, leaving the four guards accompanying us outside.
“Sit on the bed, Sunshine,” Gavriel ordered. I squeezed Callum's hand before sauntering over towards the bed. I made sure to face the door in case of an intruder, old habits die hard, I guess.
“Did you figure it out?” Gavriel then asked with a hiss. He faced Callum with a wide stance, arms crossed over his chest. He was really worked up, and I just wanted to know why. I watched Callum's face as it slipped into concern. His face donned a five o'clock shadow, and his wrinkled clothes made me wonder if he'd been up all night.
“No, it's like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and every time I think I get a lock on it, the trace disappears. Whoever you pissed off, they’re good.” Gavriel thrust a hand through his hair and exhaled.
“Do you have any major enemies?” Callum asked while walking over to a small table with his laptop set up on top of it. Random papers were scattered around it. “When did this start?”
Gavriel paced the floor. He looked concerned—angry—but concerned.
“It happened the day she arrived,” he finally whispered, drawing out each word as if it hurt him to admit it. Both Gavriel and Callum then stared at me with mixed expressions of concern and anger.
“What—what’s going on?” I stuttered. I thought I'd be safe here. I thought Gavriel could protect me, but I started to doubt that.
“Someone stole half a million dollars from one of my offshore accounts. The security cameras around the perimeter of my house here and at my apartment in New York are acting up. Hits that I’ve put out have been jumbled. Employees got their checks early—with a bonus. Someone is seriously fucking with me. I think it’s time you tell us who you’re running from, Sunshine,” Gavriel said, and my mouth dropped open in shock.
Half a million dollars? Someone had hacked–oh shit.
Phoenix.
“I think I know what’s going on,” I whispered. I had to tread lightly. Both Callum and Gavriel looked at one another before staring at me. “Can I have a cell phone, please?” I asked in shame. Nothing about this call would be easy, but if he didn’t stop messing with Gavriel, Phoenix was going to end up dead. He was the only hacker I knew capable of doing all of that. He mostly took simple jobs. A vigilante, Nix used his skills for good—but he was more than capable of doing all Gavriel listed and more.
“Tell me what’s going on, and I’ll consider it,” Gavriel replied with a frown. I sucked in a deep breath. How could I explain this?
“It’s not what you think. It’s not the person I’m running from, it’s a friend trying to find me,” I explained in a rush. “Phoenix is a hacker, and the only person I know that could do all that. He saved my life, Gavriel. You can’t hurt him. I won’t let you,” I urged.
Callum looked between us then dipped his hand in his coat pocket, pulling out his phone and handing it to me. My fingers snatched it from his grip and frantically dialed. I knew his number by heart. Once the phone was ringing, Gavriel stepped forward and pulled the phone from my hands to put it on speaker.
“Is this Sunshine or one of the assholes that stole her from me?” he answered in a teasing tone, knowing full well what he
was up to and that it would force me to call him.
“Nix,” I sighed, my tone must have amused him because he let out a loud chuckle. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“I’m just trying to imagine your grumpy boyfriend’s face right now,” Phoenix continued. “The mobster one? It took him five years to find you, and I found you in six hours. The only, ONLY reason I didn’t go after you then, was because I hacked into Mr. Bounty Hunter’s phone. When I turned on the camera, I was blessed with the image of that fine specimen pounding your ass. Thank God he propped it up on the dresser. You needed to get laid. You’re lucky I’m such a good friend." A blush heated my cheeks as I looked between Gavriel and Callum. Gav looked bored but Callum winced. Nix’s laughter abruptly faded.
"A note, Summer. You left me a fucking note? After EVERYTHING?” Nix was pissed—and rightfully so. I stretched the phone away from my body, hoping to put some distance between me and his hurt tone.
“I-I’m sorry,” I mumbled, not sure what else I could possibly say. What was I thinking? That my determined, genius best friend would accept my leaving? No. He wouldn’t. Phoenix was the most devoted person I'd ever known. I don't know why I thought I could just waltz out of his life without a care for the consequences. He didn't give up easily. It was one of the qualities I loved most about him
“And, Summer?” he asked. I let out a slow breath while looking up at Callum and Gavriel.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“This Gavriel dude? He loves you. You know he's kept a private investigator on payroll for the past three years? He even set up a privately funded charity in your name. It's called Sunshine's Army. It's similar to the Amber Alert. When a kid goes missing, it immediately sends out a signal to all the volunteers. They caravan to the location where the kid went missing and run search parties.”
I smiled. It warmed me to have confirmation for what I already knew: Gavriel loved me. My eyes flashed to the crime boss with a heart of stone which beat for me. His black eyes were soft and vulnerable and his chin lowered as he listened to Nix speak. Tears swam in the corners of my eyes, and I wiped them away.
Nix didn't seem too angry. He jumped into normal conversation, and I knew that my decision to flee didn't ruin our friendship.
“And tell Gavriel I'll have the half million back in his account within the hour— minus four hundred dollars for my plane ticket to LA.”
“Nix, you really don’t have to—”
“That’s it, I’m spanking your ass when I get there. At least five. Over my knee. With a paddle—no—a belt,” he teased, and I let out a hearty laugh.
“Like hell you will,” Gavriel growled under his breath.
"Look, I get that you're so used to doing this on your own that you've conditioned yourself to not let anyone in. I knew from the beginning that I had a lot of emotional walls to climb over for our friendship. I'm mostly mad that I didn't see the signs. I'm usually so good at reading you, I didn't even consider that you'd leave me behind."
"She's good at that," Callum said. I turned to look at him as he folded his lips between his teeth and bit down, forcing back more words.
"I'm giving you a pass—but just this once. Don't ever do that again. Just ask Gavriel, give me a day and a vendetta, and I can really fuck you up."
I giggled then, imagining Nix burning the world down to get to me.
Gavriel spoke up, interrupting my thoughts. “Phoenix, is it? There's no need to come here. We’ll be back in New York in two days. Meet us at the apartment. I want to talk about you working for me. Consider the money you stole an advance for the work you’ll be doing and payment for keeping Sunshine alive. But you should know, although your little stunt was impressive, I could have you killed with a snap of my finger. Don’t ever fuck with Gavriel Moretti again, you hear me?”
Spit formed at the corner of Gav’s mouth, and I tried not to flinch at his harsh words. For a moment, Callum simply stood there in shock, and the phone line went silent.
“No, you won’t,” Nix finally replied. “You won’t do a damn thing to me, because you love Summer and she’d never forgive you. I’ll see you all in a couple days.” Phoenix hung up, and I handed the phone back.
“Well…” Callum said awkwardly while rubbing the back of his neck. “So this Nix guy…” he trailed off, as if unsure of what he wanted to ask.
“Just a friend,” I explained. What Phoenix and I had was so much deeper than that. I knew he was hurt by my actions, but our friendship wasn't the type to hold grudges. I think it's why we worked. Phoenix always broke through my walls. He tore down my defenses because he saw something within me worth fighting for. He was like the Bullets in that sense.
Callum walked over to me and sat beside me on the bed. Clutching my hand, he pulled me close while eyeing Gavriel. "You doing okay, Baby?" he asked. I rested my cheek on his shoulder and relaxed.
"Yes and no. I'm wondering at what point people will stop forgiving me for leaving them," I whispered. I felt Callum's lips on my head, he inhaled my scent with a moan. I washed my hair with the shampoo he used to love intentionally.
"It helps to know you didn't want to leave," Callum finally said. "I'll want you, as long as you want me back." I nuzzled closer.
"Even if she didn't want me, I'd want her," Gavriel interrupted. My chest felt tight, and with my free hand, I rubbed away the pain. Gavriel kept his eyes firmly fixed upon me, his lips pursed.
“So,” Callum coughed while gesturing towards an accent chair in the corner, offering Gav a seat. “You ready to tell us why you ran?”
A part of me wanted to be angry with Callum for forcing the issue. But it wasn't in his nature to let problems sit idle. He was a fixer. It was in Callum's blood to fight for the greater good. He saw me as a victim, but he was wrong. I was a part of the problem.
I was selfish. I ran because it was easier than facing the consequences.
“Two more days,” I replied. The words burst out of my closed lips like a cannon. I was clinging to my last bit of secrecy.
“What?” Gavriel asked.
“Just give me two days. I want time to know you all again. Can I just pretend like everything's okay for two more days?” Callum's eyes softened, even though he was balling his fists in his lap. I knew that there was sympathy there despite his burning need to solve this. He didn't want to pressure me into revealing my secrets, because at the end of the day—he wanted me to be happy.
“What difference are two days going to make? We waited five years, Sunshine,” Gavriel replied while cracking his knuckles.
“Please, sir,” I whispered. How could I possibly explain to him that I needed time to prepare myself?
“Fine,” Gavriel replied, “but in two days, you’re going to tell us, whether you like it or not.”
Chapter Fifteen
Five years ago
* * *
My parents were arguing again. The didn’t even try to conceal their shouting. Mom’s echoing shrills ricocheted off the walls of our home as I looked out my bedroom window. In the Jamesons’ front lawn, Ryker was doing one-handed pushups in the summer heat. I was lost in his graceful movements when I heard glass shatter.
“You can’t keep doing this, Paul!” my Mom screamed. “You think I don’t know where you disappear to every night? Our family is under a microscope and your little 'stress reliever' is going to ruin us!”
I pressed my forehead against the glass, willing myself to disappear. Dad didn't come home again last night. Mom stayed up till four a.m. until he sauntered through the front door, a lazy grin on his face. “You don’t know a damn thing!” Dad roared back. “Keep your mouth shut. In fact, drink some more wine. At least when you’re passed out, you aren’t bothering me.”
I looked at the white oak outside my window, remembering another rebellious thing I wanted to try. I’d never snuck out of my house before. Not that I necessarily had to. I could walk out the front door. My parents trusted me or were too busy to care. But that would mean I’d
have to stroll past my parents arguing in the den. Seeing Mom’s tear-streaked face and Dad's disapproving scowls didn’t sound appealing. The front door seemed scarier than the tall tree outside.
I threw on some jeans and a shirt and slid open the window. The glass groaned on the tracks, making a loud noise. After testing the closest branch with the tip of my sneaker, I eased my way outside. “Fuck,” I whispered as I edged along the branch towards the trunk of the tree. Many nights, I dreamt about climbing out on a branch, but the actual execution was tricky.
My foot slipped, and I scraped my chin against the rough bark before catching myself.
“Sunshine, what the actual fuck do you think you’re doing?” a rough voice said from below. I didn’t have to look down to know that Ryker was standing at the base of the tree. His arms were probably crossed, a deep-set frown on his face.
“Why are you trying to sneak out in the middle of the day?” he asked. I detected a hint of humor in his voice and froze. Did the Ryker Hill actually laugh at me? I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, more noise filtered through my open bedroom window.
“You’re ruining this family, Paul!!” my Mom screamed, answering Ryker for me.
“Scream a little louder, I don’t think the neighbors heard you!” Dad hollered back just before the front door slammed. For a split second, Ryker and I looked at one another, both simultaneously realizing that my my father was outside and would catch us.
“Jump down!” he hissed, but as my eyes looked at the ground below, my breath caught in my chest. I couldn’t do it. It was too far. “Just jump, I’ll catch you,” Ryker urged.
“I c-can’t,” I finally got out while clinging to the tree.
With a sigh, Ryker leaped upwards, grasping one of the lower branches before pulling his legs up. He wrapped his thighs around the branch with a grunt, then swiftly made his way towards me. "Hurry," I urged as I heard the sounds of my father’s BMW starting. Once he reached my perch, he scooted closer, pressing me against the trunk and concealing us. The leafy branches hid us from view, and bugs flew around us, gnats sticking to my sweaty neck.