by Nora Flite
I was a man afraid to lose everything.
The walls of bodies surged, a new energy crossing the room. To my surprise, the crowd rushed forward, swarming onto the two men. Whether it was to stop Reese, to hurt him, or to help Nehro... I didn't know.
My skull was too small, it couldn't hold my thoughts and the growing darkness. Moaning, I saw myself falling—saw the ceiling, saw her worried eyes.
Stay awake, I commanded myself. You have to save her.
I was the only one who could.
In the end, my body and mind didn't obey. With screams in my ears, I lost myself to the heaviness of unconsciousness. I had nothing more to give.
- Chapter Seventeen -
Huxton
I dreamed of stars and comets. A woman who flew through the sky with fire trailing behind. Once, I'd teased her by saying I'd waited an eternity for her.
It was no longer a joke to me.
Black water rushed around, drowning me—I woke with a gasp. Something cool was on my forehead, my body swaddled in warmth and cotton.
“You're awake, thank goodness.”
Blinking, I turned my head. Zoe was sitting next to me, holding a damp cloth to my face. There was concern swimming in her eyes, but I just wanted to stare at her—into her—and enjoy that this wasn't part of my dream.
Her smile weakened. “What is it, what's wrong?” she asked.
Reaching across, I brushed my fingers over her cheek. “Nothing. I've just never woken up next to someone so beautiful before.”
Blushing furiously, she pulled the cloth away. “You sound like yourself. How do you feel?”
Grunting, I sat up in the bed. “I'm sore as shit.” Looking around, I saw my familiar walls. “Is this my bedroom? How did we get here? Last I remember, we were at the Dog House.”
Digging into her pocket, Zoe handed me something small and smooth; my apartment key. “You don't remember the ride?”
Holding the key up, I shook my head.
Zoe's face smoothed, voice going soft. “I got you on your bike. You were awake enough to hold on. I drove us here, used your key to let us in. I would have taken you to my place, but...”
“Eliza doesn't need to know,” I said, understanding her worries. “If you ever want to tell her about the ring, showing up with my busted-ass isn't the best method.”
Chuckling, her eyes warmed with her new smile. “I'm seriously glad you're awake. When you slept all day yesterday, I was worried something was wrong. Jean said you had no serious injuries, but I wasn't positive.”
“Jean?” I'd missed so much.
She nodded and said, “Jean helped at the ring. He handled the guys when they got hurt. He's not a doctor, but he's good enough.” She heard what she'd said, turned red as a beet. “I mean, uh, not that you don't deserve the best, but...”
I laughed, then stopped as the pain seared my chest. “I'm alive, that's 'good enough' for sure.” I was reminded of everything I'd endured—of Reese. My mood was muddled by the news I had for her. “Listen. When I was fighting Reese, he let something slip.” I linked my fingers with hers. “Zoe, the night your grandmother was hurt, Reese was the one driving. He crashed that car, not her.”
Blood drained from her face. “What? Reese was—he was driving?” Her eyelids fluttered, I worried she might faint. “I thought she'd been the one to cause the crash, and he'd pulled her out. All this time, I blamed myself for her injuries. But he... he never told me he'd been driving. He must have hoped she'd never recover enough to say what happened.”
Firming my grip, I reminded her I was there. Zoe blinked down at me, the ghost of a smile starting to show. “Are you okay?” I asked.
“Not totally, but I will be. This changes so much. My heart feels lighter, is that weird?”
“Not at all.” Ruffling my hair absently, I hissed. There were many bumps and bruises.
Zoe saw what I was doing. She moved to sit beside me on the bed, her hands gentle on my scalp. “Does this hurt badly?”
Curling my arm around her middle, I pulled her on top of me. “Not anymore. I think you're better than medicine.”
She chewed her bottom lip, resting her nails in my hair. The feeling was glorious. “I have a confession. I slammed your head on your stripper pole when I was getting you in here. That thing is a hazard.”
That time, I laughed even though it hurt. God, that felt great.
Snuggling into the blanket, I rolled my hands down to her waist, holding her—just lavishing in the ability to do so. “I'm in bad shape, so I can't imagine Reese and Nehro are any better off. Has he called yet, threatened us anymore?”
Zoe locked up, her blue eyes going a shade darker; duller. “Huck... Nehro is dead.”
I stopped blinking.
Dead?
The idea was... remarkable. I hadn't even considered it. I wrestled with my memory, trying to dig up every detail of the fight from last night. No, not last night. She said I slept a whole day.
Everything was blurry, my head was mush. Finally, I said softly, “How do you know that?”
“The news. The cops were called, the whole place was cleaned out. Reese is being charged with murder.” Hugging herself, Zoe looked torn between joy and sickness. “He really killed him. Just like that, in front of everyone.”
Don't blame me too harshly, but this news sent thrills of relief into my aching body. I couldn't believe it. If Nehro was dead, then...
“You're free.” I said the words, tasted them. Looking up at the wonderful angel who sat in my lap, I repeated myself. “You're free, Zoe.”
Full strength, forgetting about my wounds, she collapsed on me and held me close. The embrace had the aura of being held at bay, and I pictured her sitting at my side, simply waiting for me to open my eyes so she could share the news.
New wetness tickled my cheek. Clasping her chin, I lifted her up. “You know,” I whispered, wiping the corners of her eyes. “For a girl that doesn't cry, you sure do water up a lot.”
Sniffling, she scrubbed her face and smiled. “I don't know how to tell you how happy I am right now. Can you even understand?”
“Of course I understand.” Pressing my lips to her cheek, I tasted her salt. Yes, her flavor did change with her moods, just like I'd always wondered.
Her eyes flashed, lightning in a spring sky. “I need to apologize, and to thank you. You—god, everything you did for me... Huck, you almost died. Reese wanted to kill you, and he was capable of it.”
“But he didn't.”
Suddenly, she couldn't look at me. Her shoulders rolled forward, chin to her chest. “Listen. I was thinking. Now that Nehro is gone... and Reese is going to jail... you're free, just like I am. You don't have to fight for me anymore.” She was speaking faster, rushing through her practiced speech. “I'll pay you what I owe you, and then you can go back to everything you were doing before. Safe stuff, stuff you actually enjoyed. I bet your clients miss you.”
A tiny seed of emotion grew, curling up through my guts and into my chest. I wasn't angry, that wasn't right. It was deeper, richer in nature.
Zoe... she was freeing me? She thought she could just wave her hand and I could return to my life before her?
My fingers slid up to her shoulder, curling behind the base of her neck. I wanted to kiss her, but I didn't. Not yet. “What are you doing?” I asked, steam and shadows coating my voice. “Do you honestly think I enjoyed my life more before you appeared?”
Fury took over, a fervor that was torn between tasting her and shouting. She thought I didn't understand her?
I needed her to understand me.
“Zoe,” I growled, thumb digging in; not to hurt, but to keep her aware. “Even with your debt gone, no one to collect on it... I can't walk away.” Narrowing my eyes, I searched hers for the proof I was after. “I'll never stop fighting for you. No matter how tired or hurt, I could be in a fucking grave and I would still rise up to protect you.”
Trembling, she wriggled on top of me. The heav
y heat of something more welcoming than her doubts crept in. “Tell me why.”
Bringing her down to me, I brushed my lips on hers. She flexed, trying to reach me for a full on kiss. I squeezed, held her hair firm so she couldn't. “For the same reason you're trying to push me away. This misplaced desire to free me. As if leaving you would free me in any capacity.”
Whimpering, she looked down her nose and waited expectantly. Zoe needed me to tell her the truth. I'd never said the words before, they'd never come to my lips...
But now, they felt as natural as breathing.
“I love you, Zoe. Isn't it obvious?” I couldn't wait any longer. My mouth captured hers, fighting to reach every inch of her and still seeking more. I didn't need her to respond, I already knew how she felt.
Gripping me by the roots, she tugged my head back, pushed it against the pillow. Her breathing was rapid, lips glowing from my force. “You're insane,” she finally gasped. Zoe's words were raw. “There's nothing for you to protect me from anymore.”
“There's always something. When it shows up, I'll tear it down.”
Shaking her head, strands of crimson danced over her cheeks. She was even more gorgeous when she was flustered. “I don't want you to die for me. Ever.”
Lifting her shirt at the hem, I grazed her soft skin. She shivered instantly. “Then I guess I can't die. Guys like me, we're made from stronger stuff than you'd ever guess.”
Zoe kissed my temple, brushed my ear. “All humans can break.”
Hissing at the way she made my lower belly tighten, I wrapped my arms around her spine. “It's a good thing I'm a fucking bad boy, then,” I chuckled. “It's different than being just human. It's much better.”
In a burst of ferocity, she dissolved the distance. Our tongues melded, heat and heartbeats synchronizing. When she finally spoke, she did it against my lips, making them buzz with the vibration of her emotion. “I love you so much, Huxton. Do you realize that? I didn't think I'd ever fall for someone like you, not again. Not after everything. Falling in love with someone who reminded me of my past... it was terrifying.”
Smiling against her teeth, I whispered, “Then I have good news for you, sugar.” I bit the corner of her mouth gently. Her moan was rejuvenating. “I'm the last guy you'll ever be terrified of falling in love with.”
There was no exaggeration in my claim.
No matter what I had to do, I would ensure that this wonderful woman who had come tumbling into my life would remain mine.
My life had been so different before her. But it hadn't been better.
Not even when compared to falling over, bleeding on the cement to save her...
It hadn't been better.
Once, I'd only been good at two things; fighting, and fucking. I'd always done them for myself. It was all I had, and it kept me going. It gave me a purpose in this wicked world.
But no longer.
I didn't have to fight to prove myself... and I didn't need to seek out multiple women to feel whole. To feel wanted.
With Zoe in my arms, my lips on her skin and my brain fogging with her existence...
Life held infinite possibilities.
Together, we would experience all of them.
- Epilogue -
Zoe
Dragging the heavy piece of furniture into place, I huffed with exertion. The desk looked almost silly in the corner of the nearly empty apartment, but it still made me smile.
“Did you move that alone?”
Turning, I nodded at Huck as he carried a box into the room. In dark jeans and a long sleeved, fitted green shirt, he did a disservice by hiding most of his tattoos. Gram hadn't called him Reese in some time, but he was still wary about it. Hiding his ink was a safety net of his own choosing, so I let it be.
Later, I'd make sure to tear that damn thing off and expose his art and muscles to my private eyes.
Adjusting the chair into place, I reached for him when he came to my side. “I think she'll like it,” he said.
“I hope so. I really do.” Sighing, I cracked my back. “Now that she's writing again, I think her mind is getting clearer. It's amazing.”
Sitting in the chair, he pulled me into his lap, kissing my elbow. “Telling her about Reese must have knocked something loose.”
Yes. Reese. Thinking about him still twisted my stomach. I'd forgotten Nehro much easier. It was Reese that had managed to cause a snowball of wreckage.
That day, as I sat and held Gram's hand, revealing the truth of the accident, recognition had glowed in her wide eyes. It would take lots more work, but that had been the missing piece. With it, we had a hope of solving the puzzle.
Just days after telling her the news, the facility decided she was well enough to come stay with me, if I was willing. I was beyond willing; I was ecstatic.
Luckily, since I'd predicted I'd need to keep her in that expensive building for years... I had some leftovers from my loan. The money that had hung so heavy over me, it remained useful.
The new apartment was perfect, big enough for us both.
Huck caressed my cheek, breathing in so loudly is startled me. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “You just smell amazing.”
“I smell like sweat.”
“Amazing,” he repeated, turning me so he could tease my tongue with his. Sparks traveled down to my thighs.
With great regret, I untangled and stood up. “Sorry. I want to play, but I need to go pick up Gram. I'm excited to bring her here.” My eyes crinkled. “To bring her home.”
Running a hand over his skull, Huck nodded. “Alright. Are you coming to Eliza's Christmas party later?”
“Yeah, she'd kill me if I didn't.”
“I'll kill you if you don't,” he teased, tucking my hair behind my ear.
Scoffing, I gave him a light shove. “Please. I'd take you down any day of the week.”
Coiling a palm onto my lower back, Huck nudged me against his chest. Pearly teeth glinted in his hard smile. “Oh yes,” he purred. “In all honesty, I think you might be the toughest fighter I've ever met, babe.”
He was kidding... but I suspected, part of him meant it.
I'd fought so long to make my life better. Escape looked futile. Then, Huxton had come along, dancing into my life—literally—and restarting the hope in my heart.
He'd done more for me than anyone had dared to before.
I could never thank him enough.
It was dark out when I finally arrived at Eliza's place.
Being able to afford a car and drive again was freeing, but I'd still ended up late. Showing Gram our new home had been emotionally draining for the both of us. I hadn't thought she would cry when she saw the desk, and when she'd begun, I'd lost it as well.
Huck had taught me what it meant to fight for someone. What it meant to really care and love. I'd use that lesson to guarantee that Gram would be proud of me. I'd do whatever I could to give her the life she deserved.
Having her back again?
I wouldn't take it for granted.
Parking my car, I climbed out and adjusted my dress. The streets were lit up, every house sparkling with strings of red and blue and yellow. So recently, I'd looked over such displays and wallowed in depression. I hadn't been able to enjoy the season.
Walking up to Eliza's home—my home, until recently—I smiled at the glittery Santa. “Ho ho ho,” I said, shaking my head.
Knocking on the door, I realized something strange. Considering the party was supposed to have started over an hour ago, why was everything so quiet? Squinting, I knocked again—then tried the knob.
The door wasn't locked.
With growing trepidation, I cracked it and leaned inward. “Hello?” I called, creeping over the floor. “Uh, anyone here? Eliza?” The lights were low, but not out. There was a persistent noise somewhere inside. It came through the walls and straight for my ears, raising goosebumps.
In the hall, I saw a golden glow coming from my old room. I didn't know what was going on,
but this wasn't a party. Where was everyone?
Snatching a large candle that Eliza had decorated the counter with, I clutched it tight. Maybe things were fine, or maybe something bad had happened. Weapons were always good; smart.
Reaching the door, I strained—was that music?
Christmas music?
The hinges squeaked as I swung the door, hefting the candle high. What I saw inside made me drop it to the floor.
Snow. My old room was covered in snow.
Huck was lying on the bed, dressed in his usual jeans, but he'd thrown on a dark blue vest over a silver, button-up shirt beneath. It was classy. It wasn't him at all.
“Am I hallucinating?” I whispered.
Beaming, Huck motioned for me to enter. “What do you think?”
Stunned, I managed to ask, “How?”
Every tooth in his head was showing. Standing, he came to me, taking my hands. Without room for argument, he tugged me inside. My heels pushed over the snow, and I swear, it was cold.
Letting him go, I knelt down, touching the white fluff. It wasn't exactly wet, and it didn't hold a shape when I tried to make a ball. “This isn't real snow,” I said, but I was smiling.
Dropping beside me, he nudged me until I was sitting right on the stuff. Scooping some into his palm, he let it drift down. In the light of the candles and Christmas lights he'd decorated the room with, it glimmered like gems.
“Yeah, it's not real snow. But it'll do, I hope.”
I pushed my hands into it, unable to stop playing with the wondrous stuff. “How did you do this? Why did you do this?”
Leaning into me, Huxton lifted my palm. In the white, false snow, he drew a circle. It made my skin tingle. I expected to see my breath in the air, and when I didn't, I was shocked.
“It's essentially water soaked plastic,” he explained. “I bought a bunch of it. Eliza was in on my plan. I knew if I told you to come to my place, you'd suspect something. I wanted to surprise you.”
Staring into his emerald depths, I noticed the tiny, faded scar above his eye. He'd recovered from the final fight over a week ago, but the marks still haunted us both.
