Chapter 25

By the time we were several minutes south from the scene we created, Luke slowed slightly and managed to calm down. Glancing to him from where I sat in the passenger seat, I saw his grip loosen on the wheel. He stopped continuously looking in his mirror behind him too. It was clear by now we weren't being pursued by the cops or Vic's men, which I think we were all worried about. However, though he calmed down and saw nobody followed us, he was tense again not a minute later. His eyes moved over to me, and thanks to the streetlights illuminating in, his eyes widened and lips parted.

"Shit, Albany!" His eyes became trained on me, the green in them full of absolute fear at seeing my bloody state. He forced his eyes away from me and back to the road as the truck began to drift towards the shoulder. But his attention continued snapping back to me. "Are you okay? Do you need a hospital? Jesus!"

His words made my heart swell at realizing the extent of which he was freaking out. Putting aside his reminder of all the blood, which made me cringe, I couldn't help but smile. It was cute and amusing to hear him say those things. "A hospital? Do I look dead?"

"You look hurt!" I realized it was the first time he was really able to take me in. In the alley and when we jumped in the truck, it was pitch black. Now driving with streetlights lining our drive, he saw my rough state.

"I'm okay, really."

He was having a hard time focusing on the road. "I'm pulling over."

"Luke, I'm okay," I said, leaning more towards him and resting a hand on his tense one on the wheel. "Trust me, it's not as bad as it looks. Some of this blood is not even mine. Please, don't worry," I said, wishing he wouldn't stress over this.

His eyes found mine again, for a few seconds. I only caught flashes from the passing lights moving into the truck, but it was a beautiful sight. They were... so warm. And worried. "There are other things to worry about," I whispered before moving back in my seat.

He calmed down after that, but it still took a little more convincing for him to accept I didn't need any immediate attention. Offer credit to my lightheartedness for making that happen, folks. "It's not like this was the first time I've been hurt before. The only kind of healing I require is for my stomach. I am starving."

"Alright," he sighed, nodding. His focus went back to the road. "We'll get something to eat after we are settled for the night."

Despite my need to bitch that my needy stomach couldn't wait, my thoughts soon drifted to darker territory. After Luke saw I wasn't as hurt as it appeared, silence flowed through the truck. That silence gave my mind time to race and worry.

All the possible outcomes of tonight started to enter my head and I wasn't enjoying what I was coming up with. One outcome: Vic's men were going to be more determined to hunt us down more than ever. The cops probably only caught a small fraction of his men and the majority still free were going to figure out what really happened. That's why through the silence, I announced what needed to be done once we were far enough away.

"We need a new vehicle," I said. Changing license plates might not be enough. This group of people are going to be shook up when they learn one of their leaders has gone missing. When they learn we took him, they are going to come after us with no mercy. We needed to be ready to stay off their radar. That meant getting rid of this truck.

As I predicted, Jackson didn't not agree. "There is nothing wrong with this truck."

I rolled my eyes and turned around to where he was sitting in the back with Carter, Vic between them both. Jackson was gripping Vic's hair to hold him steady since he wasn't fully conscious. I will proudly take credit for that. "Just because this is your new truck doesn't change the danger this could put us in. Those freaks will be more determined than ever to find us now. We need a new vehicle to stay hidden."

Even through his heavy disguise, I could see how unhappy he was by my idea. Jackson saying nothing though told me he understood. So, getting no response was all it took. Within another hour of driving and talking about what to do, we agreed the best option would be to steal one.

I know what you guys are thinking. It's not right but this was our lives we were talking about. It would have been easier to take Mike or Jan's car because they would have been okay with it. But we didn't want them dragged into all this. We needed this well planned out where nobody would know what car we are in. To do that, we drove over an hour or more away to a more urban town. Our strategy was perfect by the time we found the best place to do it: a party store that was open 24 hours.

There were a few reasons why this place was the best location to steal a car. One was the fact that since most people are in and out within a few minutes, they are more tempted to just leave their keys in the car. Another was the fact that the area was poorly lit and the folks inside wouldn't be able to see us well. Neither would the cameras here. Despite this being the most ideal location, most of us weren't excited to volunteer to be the one to do it.

Once Luke parked the truck in a space closest to the exit, with the party store behind us, Carter happily stated the question on all our minds. "So. Who's going to do the grand deed of the night?" Turning and looking out the back window, I noticed several cars here. Several possibilities of one being unlocked with the keys inside. My searching eyes glanced to an excited Carter. He was enjoying being a part of this adventure too much. When nobody spoke up, Carter continued. "I vote for Albany."

Did I need to explain why I shouldn't have to? "Guess what, I vote for you," I said to him.

"You are good at this stuff. When you were homeless, you knew how to break into houses. You know how to violate the law."

I sighed and faced forward again, looking out at the road that was in front of the curb we were parked at. "Houses. I never needed to break into a car. And if you haven't noticed, I think I've had my fair share of fun for the night." I smirked and glanced over to Luke, knowing all too well what he, the cop, would say. "Luke, you want to give it a go?"

He glanced over to me with an expression telling me that I had to be kidding. I knew he agreed that this needed to be done but it didn't mean he was comfortable with it. He might have changed a lot in the past three years but he still had a very strong sense of right and wrong. I always admired that about him. "No thanks," he said as simply as he could, making me want to smile. Though I felt bad about what we were about to do, I didn't feel as bad as he did.

Luke did have a vote though. He glanced behind us to the backseat. "You should do it," he said, looking into Carter's eyes. "Albany and Jackson did enough."

"Maybe you should do it," Carter said back, having too much fun with this. Carter was the type of guy who had no issue stealing but was enjoying this too much. "What, would the copper feel bad?"

"Uh yeah," Luke muttered turning back around in his seat.

The only response was from Jackson, snorting in humor. He did have a suggestion though. "Carter should go and Albany. I still can't fully trust you yet," he said, his hard voice aimed over to Carter, who chuckled. Jackson then turned ahead and found my gaze. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah," I nodded. Though I really didn't like the idea of being alone with Carter and I really had enough for the night, it felt good knowing Jackson could trust me to help out.

"She's done enough!" Luke jumped in, eyebrows lowered and eyes full of opposition. "Look at her. She's got blood--"

"Then get your proud copper ass out of the truck and do it!" Jackson snapped.

I jumped in, scoffing and shaking my head. "Hey, I want to do it! Jeez, everyone calm the fuck down. Carter can steal it and I'll just jump in as we are ready to take off. No big deal!"

Did Luke have a point? Sure. My head was still hurting and I had blood all over my slutty self. But I wanted to help and show that I could pull my own weight. I wasn't used to not being the helpless little girl and I enjoyed being equal. I was going to show I was equal too and it meant stepping up. Not to mention, it was becoming harder to block out what I was wearing and the role I played earlier tonight. It was beginning to get to me. So doing something rather than sit in the truck would be a nice distractor too.

After a little more humorous voting, we settled on Jackson's idea of Carter doing it then me going with him. Luke didn't put up much of a fight after that. I think he understood why I wanted to at least help. I talked to Luke earlier about how I was happy to be equal and wanted to take more responsibility. I liked the fact that he was trying to get used to it too. It was hard for him to let me step up to some dangerous tasks but he was proving right now how he was trying.

Carter happily opened the door and marched out of the truck. Us coherent ones in the truck watched intently. Me and Jackson turned around in our seats and took in the black figure walking low to the ground while Luke watched through the mirrors. This would be interesting for sure.

Luke thought it to be a little more than interesting. I could tell from where he was sitting next to me up front that he was nervous. "Besides the FBI 'cleaning up after us,' will they take care of this too? Even though its dark, we don't need the cops getting access to the camera footage of this place," he said, his worries clearly aimed at Jackson.

Jackson didn't turn around from where we were watching out the back window when he answered. "The FBI is willing to cover us for anything. I'll just have to notify them that this needed to happen. I have a... special agreement with them. Though stealing a car doesn't fall under cleaning up after us, they will understand why this was necessary." Pausing for a moment, he sighed and continued. "Though I doubt I will ever see this truck again after we have to ditch it."

I wanted to give him a pat on the back. I knew Jackson loved his new truck. Then again, it was his fault for buying it with the chance of us going through hell like this.

I focused back on Carter, his black figure hunched over and swiftly walking to the first in the row of cars. My eyes flickered back and forth from him to the big window of the small store. I could see a few people inside but none were coming out. Regardless, Carter knew he had to rush.

"Hey," I heard from beside me. Giving my craned neck a break, my gaze caught Luke's emerald eyes and he gave me a small smile. His stare never leaving mine, he reached down and under his seat. Unsure of what he was doing, I saw a second later what he retrieved when he sat back up. There was a gun in his hand. He extended it and gestured for me to take the heavy tool, which I did with confusion. "Just to be safe. We can't fully trust Carter yet so be prepared in case."

That was a fair point. Tonight, Carter proved he was willing to help us succeed but there was no harm in being safe. We were used to keeping an eye on him and having him bound in cables. Full freedom for him was hard to adjust to, which made sense for me to go with him.

We watched as he tried opening each driver's door of each car. One opened and got our hopes up. He quickly abandoned that car though once he must have seen there were no keys. However, he got lucky with the second to last car. It was a grey SUV and that's all I was able to tell from how dark it was. At least it didn't look gay or too small for this gang of best friends.

It opened and when he slowly moved into the driver's seat, we saw him slam the door shut behind him. Seeing it startup was all we needed. It was only a matter of time until the owner would return and find a man in it. That's why when Carter backed up the car, I was moving.

"Follow us," Jackson called to me as I jumped out of the truck. The second I was out and moving towards where Carter stopped the car, I raced around it and hopped in after swinging open the passenger side door.

Carter's excited and eager eyes saw me swing it shut then focused his attention to putting it into drive. Looking ahead and out the windshield as Carter began moving towards the road, Luke was already booking it out and speeding down the road. Thankfully, Carter was a skilled and speedy driver. Within a minute, he was driving behind them. And both vehicles were moving fast. We knew the urgency and need to get out of this city before the cops are notified.

Every few minutes, I would look behind us to see if we had any followers. I knew I was just being paranoid but could you blame me? I mean I think I deserved to feel as cautious, paranoid, and hyped as possible. We kidnapped a midget, were in a place dedicated to me, and now we just stole a car. I tried taking some form of comfort in the fact that Carter wasn't bothered one bit. Looking over at him driving with a little smile on his face, there was no sign of worry there. Maybe that should have made me more cautious though. He was a little nuts.

He could for sure sense my anxiousness though. "Relax. We got away and are going to be fine."

I nodded but realized I shouldn't trust his relaxed presence despite it being somewhat creepy too. "Says the dude who has killed for a living and is having fun because he isn't tied up anymore."

He nodded, his crazy eyes pinned on the road. At least I had a gun to wave at him if he decided to try something stupid. The only thing I didn't like was when he glanced over to me. He looked me over and his smile turned into a full out grin. He had no shame and continued looking at me, all of me. It truly did not make me feel good to be reminded of what I was wearing.

Scowling, I smacked his shoulder hard a few times, making him wince. His smile wasn't as big but he did laugh. "Watch the fucking road!"

He did stop staring, but it was somewhat late for my spastic mind. His eyes that were on me allowed for my head to backtrack to the bar and Vic's headquarters. Squirming and grimacing, not handling my thoughts well, I needed something! I needed something so I wouldn't return to that place in my mind.

I looked behind us in the backseat for something I could maybe use to cover up with. I think my good man Jesus heard my mental distress call and provided me some luck. There was a sweatshirt laying on the backseat. "Oh thank the fucking lord," I said, leaning between the two seats and reaching behind me. I snagged the clothing quickly and moved back from where I was leaning too close to Carter. Slipping it on and over me, I pulled it as far down on me as I could. Tucking the gun into the huge pocket, I rested my sleeved arms over my blood spattered thighs and legs. Jesus Christ, I was going to lose it later if I keep thinking about the blood.

"I can't even look at you a little?" he asked me. He was enjoying this too much. I knew part of it was his weird personality and just wanting to get to me. But I couldn't forget what he said before. When he was involved in finding me for Vic, he was basically obsessed with me. It made shudder hard and look out the window, gritting my teeth.

"No you can't," I hissed. "I will bound you in cables again."

"I'm a guy. At least I'm open about it. You don't think Little Lukey Loo didn't want to look?"

"He sure didn't look at me like you are. Shut up and drive."

Carter laughed and looked over at me. This time though, surprisingly, it wasn't with lust but rather admiration. He didn't say much more for the rest of the drive. Which seemed to have taken forever, but I knew that was kind of the point. We wanted to be far away from where we stole the car when we ditch Jackson's truck. That way, if Vic's guys find the abandoned truck, they will think we stole the car from around that area. They won't have a clue what vehicle we are in.

Luke finally managed to pull off the busy roads and down a secluded one in whichever city we were in now. All I saw were rundown businesses and houses through the darkness. The place he pulled into though was an empty parking lot of a restaurant. He parked the truck in a spot next to the building. Carter pulled up alongside the truck on the right, leaving a few yards between the two vehicles. It was a good spot. It would be hard for Vic's dudes to find the truck in some place out in the middle of nowhere. Plus, when I got out of the truck, there was nobody around to see us. It was dark and quiet.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned up against the front of the car, as everyone else was getting out. Closing my eyes, taking in the soft night breeze, I could feel my body relax just slightly. It was nice. Too bad I heard Jackson when he opened the truck's back door.

"Alright short shit, get out," he hissed. Eyes still closed, the next thing I heard was a loud thump then groan from what I assumed was Vic.

Opening my eyes and looking over to my left, I saw Jackson step out of the truck and next to where he pushed a weak Vic out and onto the cement. Thanks to the moonlight shining down, I could make out the distress and hurt on Vic's bloody face. That's when I looked up to see Luke get out of the driver's side. He charged around the truck and helped Vic to his feet. He supported the man by wrapping an arm under him. Keeping him up and balanced, Luke turned and faced Jackson, scowling and pointing a finger in his face. "He's weak enough! We need him to talk later, not be unconscious! Let him rest!"

"It's an honor to meet you, Lucas Prenta," Vic slurred out from his bloody lip. His puffy eyes were half closed but I could hear how lighthearted his tone was, even in his situation. It reminded me a lot of Carter. "Watching you through the years honestly made me want to get to know you on a personal level. I guess it's going to... to happen now," he sighed, tilting his head down towards the ground. He spit what I could guess was blood. Clearly, from the time I last saw him, Vic became more conscious.

Luke fully ignored him, attention still on Jackson. "Unload the truck. I'll be the one strapping him in."

Vic's limited gaze found me, making my heart jump. "Oh I need to know you more too," he said, turning and facing where I was now tensely leaning against the car. Standing straight and crossing my arms, I could feel my stomach turn. "You're a dream."

"Don't make me beat your little ass up again," was all I said.

He laughed, making Luke grip his side tightly from where he was supporting him. He winced and cut off his own laugh, looking down. It was nice seeing how weak he was at the moment. I was honestly worried that I beat him too bad but he was conscious and I couldn't regret my uncontrollable actions. He deserved what he got and Luke knew that too.

Luke looked over to me and gave me a worried and caring gaze. Only for a moment though. His eyes then found Carter's, who I noticed for the first time, was deliberately avoiding Vic. He stood off to the side and more in the shadows. I only now realized why.

Luke however did not when he turned with Vic towards him. "Carter, can you find the cables?"

Oh man... this was going to be interesting. Carter and Vic knew each other, very well too. By the time Carter stole the car, Vic wasn't fully conscious to realize who he had been sitting next to the whole time. Now hearing Luke say his name and being able to slightly see... Vic recognized his former employee.

"Carter? Fucking Forbes?" he asked, sounding incredulous and not sure if he could even trust his half shut eyes. For the first time since our fight up in his office, it looked like Vic was ready to resist. As if on instinct, he tried moving towards Carter with his shaky legs. Luke's hard arm not budging and keeping him there, he could do nothing but throw threats. With his tone, it made my skin crawl. "I'm going to personally kill you. I promise. You weak..." he began to slur. "You weak fucking traitor."

Carter said noting and had no reaction; just a blank face. He stared at Vic with nothing but blankness. Then, he moved closer, stepped around them, and began looking through the truck for the cables he came to know too well. My hope in relaxing even slightly was lost.

Luke noticed too as his own tense body moved towards me, dragging Vic. "We won't be long. Take a breather for a minute if you can," he whispered towards me, nodding. Luke passed me a sorry look before he walked around me and the car, opening the back door. Turning and watching, he helped Vic into the backseat. Once Carter found the cables, Luke strapped Vic in as tightly as was necessary for his weak body. Jackson was busy unloading all our belongings into our new method of transportation. And I took Luke's advice and did nothing.

I stood there, leaning against the SUV and looking up into the sky. It was a clear night with no clouds. Just the soothing stars and moon. Closing my eyes again, I took in a slow and deep breath. The night could always calm me down. The stillness and the quiet.... Unfortunately, as I feared, not even the calming night air could keep out my troubling thoughts.

My mind kept returning to the men that stared me down earlier. Like I was the most desirable object in the world and I hated it. Then the act I needed to play out, the way Vic looked at me... ugh fuck! It made me hold the sweatshirt tighter around my mostly naked thighs. My bloody thighs at that! God, I just wanted a hot shower! Thankfully, Jackson and Luke were quick to get things in order.

"We're going," Carter called out to me, making me stand straight and turn around. Carter's eyes met mine as he climbed in the back seat with the now bound Vic. Jackson got in on the other side while Luke moved into the driver's seat. Slamming their doors closed, I sighed and got up front with Luke, shutting my door and putting my seatbelt on.

Not much was said as Luke started the car and began pulling out of the parking lot. That might be because we were all tired. For Jackson, I think he was just too sad about us departing from his truck that he would have started to cry if he said anything.

***

We all wanted to be safe and our actions tonight proved that. We stole a vehicle, went out of the way to ditch the truck far away from where we did it, but that's not all. We wanted to not feel as if those freaks weren't on our tails for once. So we even stole another license plate and put it on the SUV.

When I thought we couldn't do anymore to stay under the radar, Luke didn't stop driving. We went all out, driving south on the interstate for another two hours. By the time it read 3:00 in the morning above the radio in the SUV, we took an exit to find a hotel. Good luck finding us fellas!

The road we drove down when we got off the exit had a lot to offer. There were several businesses lined on each side of the empty road, all crowded together and some behind others. There were several signs for fast food. Some for banks, car dealerships, and private offices. One was for a hotel, which we turned into.

Despite it being so late, there were lights from several sources including streetlights and the lights illuminating the hotel. It at least allowed for me to see that the place didn't look like a dump. The hotel was three stories high and looked nicer than what we stayed in before. It actually had a decent landscape around its property. The place itself didn't have paint chipping away either. It would be nice and seemed to prove so for how many travelers stopped here for the night. There were a lot of cars and when we parked among them, we all took in a sigh. We were finally done covering our tracks for the night.

Because of that, for the first time in a while, I felt safe. We should be safe and ahead of them by a few days at least. We could relax for once and that's what I wanted. I could only hope I would be able to. My priority was working through my personal issues first. It made me turn around in my seat and speak up in urgency when Jackson was about to get out of the car to check us in.

"We need two rooms. Who sleeps where, I don't care yet. I just want to be alone, shower, and clean up. Alone," I nodded, stressing that alone part to him. I didn't need all these men to see me when I try to process what I went through tonight. Not to mention, having men around didn't sound appealing when I had a rough night putting up with men violating me with their eyes. I just wanted to clean up and unwind, let out my shakiness too.

From where I was turned around in my seat, he stared at me with an interesting expression. One of annoyance but holding sympathy. He sighed and pursed his lips. I think he understood, especially holding the same need to clean up too. Staring at me with blue contacts and plaster on his face, he nodded. "Yeah. You can take one room, clean up. We can be in the other and I'll clean myself up in that one. Are you going to be okay?"

When I nodded, he proceeded to get out and head inside. By the time he booked the rooms for us, the seconds couldn't have gone slower.

When he came out with both rooms booked, telling us the room numbers, we unloaded some of our things from the trunk. Jackson and Carter hauled our things through the front entrance and up to our rooms. However, Vic and I had a harder time getting in. He was beat up and in bad shape while I was covered in blood like him. That's why Luke went with us through a back entrance and to the stairs, happy nobody was around to see us.

When we reached one of the doors on the second floor and Luke knocked, Carter answered. Under the light, I could see how tired his blue eyes were as they flicked between us. "Jackson is already in the bathroom," he said as I walked in along with Luke, who roughly guided Vic by the elbow. There was a door to the right directly when we stepped in. From the sound of water running, we knew it was the bathroom Jackson was occupying.

Looking around, I noticed the few bags that were sitting on the floor. None were mine. "Did you guys already put my things in the other room for now?"

Carter nodded as the door clicked shut behind us. He then walked past us and flopped down on the bed, groaning. Looking up to us from where he was resting on his stomach, he nodded over to where we stood a few feet before the dresser and TV. "Yeah. The other room key is on the dresser by the TV."

"Thanks," I mumbled, stepping closer to the dresser and taking it. Picking it up under the lights of the room, I noticed the blood on my hands for the first time. It made me cringe and look down. Only for a moment though until I noticed Luke move into the room more. He pulled Vic over towards a table with two chairs on the other side of the dresser. Gripping Vic with one hand, his other pulled out a chair and faced it towards the beds. He guided the cringing man to sit down.

Vic didn't get up or put up a fight when Luke took a step back and rested his hands on his hips. He took a deep breath and looked around. "Where are the cables?"

"It's on the floor, by the bloody and sexy beauty I can't help but stare at," Carter said. My eyes snapped over to him again. His cheek rested on the bed, his arms at his side, and his tired but teasing eyes on my body. It made me instantly cringe. Before I could even see the cables that were apparently by me, Luke snapped.

His eyes laid in on Carter, not at all amused. Carter could feel it too, making his smile grow when he craned his neck up to catch his hard gaze. Luke took five steps over to where he was laying on the bed. Blank faced, Luke gripped his blond hair and pulled him to stand up and face him.

"Ow, ow! Fuck, was that necessary?" he asked, breaking away from where he gripped his hair.

Luke glanced over to me for a moment before finding his eyes again. "She's not a piece of fucking meat! She's a respectable woman. One who did everyone a service tonight."

It seems that everything Carter says is only meant to get Luke worked up. "Sorry. You can't blame me. I kind of got hyped when we had our alone time in the car. Don't worry though, I was a gentleman. Promise."

"Shut the hell up," I added, drawing Carter and Luke's gaze. Glancing to Luke, I shook my head. "It's okay. He's just trying to get under your skin."

Luke took a deep breath, eyes returning to throw anger in Carters. "I don't care. You say anything like that again to her, I'll make it so your eyes won't be able to find her."

Carter's smile dimmed and his only response was to give him a half eye roll. At least he wasn't as smug as he was a second ago. Regardless, Luke wasn't going to let him waste his time. "Watch him," Luke order, glancing back to where Vic was sitting, who appeared half asleep and half interested. "I'll be back in a second."

Carter gave him a curt nod. With that, Luke nearly ushered me out of the hotel room and away from Carter and Vic. The door closing, I looked up to him as we walked the few feet over to the next room. He was still tense, clearly holding anger over Carter's words. I could always count on him to care.

Standing before the door, I slid the key into the slot to open it. When a small green light blinked above the handle, indicating it was unlocked, I opened the door and we moved inside. It was exactly the same as the other room I noticed upon flicking on the light. Bathroom directly next to the entrance, then the dresser holding the TV, and two beds. The first noticeable difference was my luggage sitting on one of the beds. I could almost feel the relief! So close until I will be able to shower!

Moving a few feet into the room and setting the room key on the bed, I turned and sighed, only to catch my breath as Luke came to stand before me. His eyes were powerful, more powerful than he was willing to show in front of the others. They were full of worry again. I knew it was from how much he was able to see of me now. Unlike Carter, as he took me in, all he could see was the blood. "Do you need help with anything? God. I didn't realize it until we entered the hotel how beat up and bloody you are!" he said, his hand gliding up and running through his hair, gripping his strands in distress. Thank you, well-lit hotel for stressing this dude out more!

"Yes, my face is very sore and my lip hurts. My neck stings but I'll be okay. I just need a shower. Trust me," I nodded.

"If you're sure..." he said, eyeing my neck and searching my face.

I chuckled. "Stop worrying! We already went over this. You already mastered worrying as a skill; try calming down. I heard it's a relaxing sport."

He scoffed, licking his lips and letting his hand fall to his side. I could see he was attempting to go along with my attitude and playfulness, which honestly I didn't expect. "Calming down is a relaxing sport?" he asked in an amused voice.

I smirked, nodding. "Give it a try. It might do you some good."

The emerald shade that lit his eyes turned sweeter. They were deep yet almost playful at the same time when he spoke. "That's a hard sport to practice though. Especially when I don't like seeing the person I want to protect most bloody and hurt."

"You're strong enough to at least give calming down a try. Especially when you do protect me, we have a big lead ahead of those freaks, and we are safe. Maybe except Carter though," I scoffed. "Man, you really wanted to tear him a new asshole."

He scoffed, clearly loving our exchange as much as I was. "I really did. You can't blame me though for wanting to hurt him."

"Why? Because someone's jealous?" I dared to tease.

How wonderful it was.... Luke let his guard down and gave a full laugh, bright smile and all. His eyebrows raised too, clearly surprised by my words. And the best part... his sweet eyes became almost lost in mine. I could imagine mine were consumed in his warmth. "Someone thinks a little too highly of themselves. What, I can't just care about you and hate the fact that someone is disrespectful?"

"Maybe. But that's not what I meant."

"Oh, well what did you mean?" he smirked.

"That you were jealous of Carter looking at me when you wanted him to eye you up," I said, holding in my laugh. Man, it's been so long it seems since I've been able to joke around with him.

He laughed, nodding down to me. "I'm sorry for Carter's sake, but I don't exactly swing that way."

I smiled, surprised that such a night and even these past few minutes could change into this. A friendly and maybe flirty conversation when both of us were exhausted. Both of us frustrated and on edge. Yet... this conversation happened. I didn't feel too tired anymore as I stared up at him. I felt awake and completely forgot about what happened earlier. It might be because I wasn't alone with Luke a lot and when we were, he wasn't often this open. From what he was showing me now, I felt like I was talking to the Luke I knew three years ago.

I think Luke thought the same thing regarding how we didn't expect such a nice conversation to happen despite tonight's stresses. "Well. I think I might be able to play a game of calming down. It seems to be working. For now though, go get cleaned up. I know you're anxious for it," he smiled, stepping back towards the door.

"I will. Trust me, that's all I want," I said, glancing behind me to my bags. I can make a promise now people: when I get out of the shower, I am over dressing myself in whatever I have.

"I'm going to clean up myself and make sure everything is in order," he said, turning to the door before opening it, stepping out.

"Good luck," I called before it closed behind him. Leaving me alone. Alone. And able to fully process everything after that nice conversation we had faded. In its place, all those thoughts and reminders crept back in. I couldn't have jumped in the shower any faster at that point.

_____________________________________
________________________

Hey guys!  As you know, I am getting back to updating on a schedule.  Unfortunately, I'm not off to the best start.  Ideally, I would like to upload maybe once a week and this took longer.   However, a lot has been happening.  That also includes a project I have to work on for my writing class that I plan to share with you all by the end of April!  So besides publishing Island Rush, there are other things going on!  Of course, believe me, I am trying hard to update a lot again.  Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter!  I worked hard on it and debated a lot with myself on what to do with that last part :P  Anyway, hope you all liked it! 

Also, Happy Easter!  :D  Don't let Albany snag all your delicious chocolate bunnies!