The Chase

“There’s no time to talk. I need cash, a few things, my passport…” He handed the phone back to Seth, then ran for the stairs. “I don’t know when you’ll see me again. Take care of her.”

Seth had no idea what the fuck was going on, but this wasn’t happening. He was going to fix it.

“River, do what he says. Get out and go to your sister’s place. Warn them trouble might be coming. And make sure you’re not tailed. We’ll contact you.” Without waiting for the other man’s reply, he hung up, then pinned Heavenly with a stare. “Follow me. Don’t leave my side.”

Then he pulled the gun from his shoulder holster and trailed the surgeon up the stairs, hearing her soft footsteps blessedly behind him.

In the bedroom, he found Beck wildly shoving shit into his suitcase. He grabbed the doctor by the arm. “Stop. Tell me what’s going on.”

Beck pinned him with a stare so serious Seth’s blood ran cold. “It’s my biological family. They’re ruthless. They’ve killed before.” Then he glared at Heavenly. “Get her the fuck out of here now.”

Seth squeezed his shoulder, putting pressure in just the right spot to render Beck’s arm temporarily useless. “We can face them together. I’ve got years of experience, and you saw my arsenal. Tell me what you need—”

“To know that you two are all right.” Beck shrugged him off and slammed the lid shut on his suitcase with his good arm. “These people are way above your pay grade, Captain America. If you stay with me, you’re dead. And what they’d do to Heavenly would be far worse. Go!”

“No. Tell me why they’re coming for you…Gideon.”

* * *

How the fuck did they find me?

Beck didn’t know—just like he didn’t know if the message River had conveyed had been a threat or a warning—but some mysteries were suddenly not so baffling, like who the hell had beaten up Gloria a few months back and why.

They’d been looking for him.

He scrubbed a hand through his hair. He’d left twenty fucking years ago. He’d thought he was free. He’d barely given those cocksuckers a second thought in over a decade. He’d believed he was untouchable.

He’d been wrong. And God knew they had the power to hurt him.

He whirled on Seth. “Don’t ever call me that fucking name again.”

“Okay, calm down.”

“You don’t get it. People will die.”

“Not with me here. You need a safe house, right?”

“Yeah, one I can be in for a while.” Weeks, maybe even months.

“Fine. I’ve got one in mind. Heavenly and I will come with you and watch your—”

“No!” Beck clenched his fists. “You don’t understand. These people are a law unto themselves.”

Seth snorted. “I’ve been the law. I can take people down. I can sure as fuck keep us safe. You’ve got to trust me.”

“I do.” Beck shifted his gaze to Heavenly, who looked afraid but composed. She was smart enough not to interfere or panic. And despite everything, she still looked as innocent as her name implied. He ached to grab her, press her against him—in case it was the last time. But he couldn’t risk her because he couldn’t stand the thought of living in a world where his past robbed her of the future she deserved. “I trust you to take care of our girl, to love her enough for both of us, and to give her the happy life we planned on giving her together.”

“Like hell.” Seth sighed in exasperation. “You’re not equipped to protect yourself.”

“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

“Got a gun?”

He didn’t.

“That’s what I thought. Have you also thought about the fact that Heavenly is safer with two protectors than one?”

“Danger will follow me. I’m sure you’ve taken out tons of bad guys, but to fight my family we’ll need a goddamn army.”