Chapter 28

I stared at the drunk man who, only a few moments ago, fell asleep after a thorough questioning. His head was tilted back against the chair, body completely relaxed. His mouth was slack too, allowing for his loud snoring to fill the room. He didn't wake or even budge when Jackson wrapped the cables back around him for the night. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought of him waking in the morning. He won't look this relaxed when he learns that he betrayed his boss.  I honestly hope I somehow get to see that reaction when he wakes up.

Besides the satisfaction I got out of that, my head was still trying to process everything. Not just everything he told us, but how we managed to get him talking to begin with. That was almost more mind blowing! He didn't cave or talk when we threatened to get his family involved, but he didn't think twice about drinking.  If that didn't say a lot about a person, I didn't know what did.

Glancing to Luke from where I was still sitting next to him on the edge of the bed, I could see how tired he was with his droopy eyes. Taking a deep breath, he looked up to me and pursed his lips. "Well... that was something different."

I scoffed. "Did you know they had that planned?" 

He chuckled under his breath, setting his beer can on the sidetable along with mine when he offered to take it. "This morning when I came in here, Jackson took me in the hall to show me 'where the ice machine was.' He told me their idea of getting him drunk. I thought it was stupid."

Wow.  He did know they were going to pull this out of their ass tonight. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He smiled and shrugged. "I wanted your honest reaction. It made it more believable since you did question what we were doing when we started drinking."

Jackson returned from the bathroom where he was dumping out the opened bottles of liquor. Looking up to him with low eyebrows, he set the empty bottles next to the unopened ones. "How did you know this drinking thing would work?" I asked, my words aimed to him.

Turning towards where we were sitting on the bed, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Then, he nodded towards the other bed.  It was occupied by Carter, who was sprawled out sleeping. "He knew more about Vic than we thought. He told me about his love and obsession of whisky. That he always drank it, especially when stressed. I didn't think it would work but it did."

From beside me, Luke's voice filled with skepticism. Glancing back to him, I saw the suspicion and caution in his eyes as he stared up at Jackson. "Someone thought it might also work if we brought up his family first and where they lived. I didn't know about that. How did you or Carter?"  I was more than a little curious too about that.

Jackson didn't like the look Luke was giving him and stared hard back at him. "Carter knew his last name, knew he had a family, and the general area they lived in.  Carter used my phone, looked up that last name, and found two people with the same last name who lived in that area. They were in their 60s and could have been his parents, making it more likely. We didn't know for sure but tried."

His hard gaze stayed on Luke, almost daring him to question what he said. He understood Luke had suspicions about him. Jackson though didn't know the full extent.  Luke wanted me to start talking to Jackson more, try to get more information about him. Though I planned to and agreed that Jackson was hiding some things, what he just said now sounded believable to me.

Luke understood that Jackson's explanation made sense too and didn't say anything else. He nodded and glanced down, taking a deep breath. "What matters is that we got everything we needed," Luke said, glancing behind us to where the stationery was on the bed. Luke discreetly wrote down everything Vic was saying while he was saying it.  I was proud to say there was a lot on there. 

Not only did we get all the answers we needed, but there was also no reason to doubt it. He gave us specifics that nobody would have been able to make up while drunk. Specifics about the people that made up Reid's stupid palace, what it looked like, the different sections of the place, and how it all worked. The most important information to us at the moment was the location.

"We will head out tomorrow morning. Early," Jackson said.

Knowing that, knowing where our next destination was, it made my chest jump. I only now realized how close we would be getting to Reid.  Looking between the two of them, I couldn't help myself. "So... once we get to Washington, what do we do? What, we find his institution then storm in?" 

Blank and serious, Jackson clearly held no worries. "It's not that easy and it will take a while to figure out what we should do. We don't know where Reid's main headquarters is. We just know the city, what it looks like, and that its out in the middle of the woods on the side of a massive hill. Once we find it, we need to watch the place. Study it and the people around it."

I'm glad he was thinking on the same page as me.  We needed to be careful. There was no way in hell we could just come up with a plan like we did to get to Vic. This would take more than we could imagine. 

Luke brought up another good point.  There was something more immediate we needed to deal with.  "First, we need to figure out what we are going to do with him." Luke gestured over to a snoring Vic.

"He can't live. He is dangerous and knows our plans.  Not to mention, he deserves to die," Jackson said instantly, leaning up against the dresser, crossing his arms.  The silence that followed for a long moment made it clear that nobody disagreed.

"When?" Luke spoke up.  From his voice, you could tell he didn't like to think about this. When he killed in the past, it's always been when in action. This was different, planning towards the death of a man. But I knew Luke wouldn't disagree with the idea of killing him. It wouldn't be safe if Vic lives.

"We take him with us and do it on our way," Jackson answered.

I glanced back to the bound man in question. Seeing his swollen face tilted against the chair, sleeping... I was okay with what Jackson was saying. Earlier tonight, I told Luke how I would be more than fine killing Vic. Was the idea of killing a man and dumping him along our route appealing? No. It made my stomach turn like I knew it made Luke's stomach turn. Looking at Vic though, knowing all the violence, death, and trouble he's caused in the past, knowing his job revolved around me... it didn't bother me a damn bit.

***

Though the break we took here in this town was nice, I was quite relieved when we left the next morning. I even happily volunteered to drive (and got to thanks to our new vehicle not being Jackson's precious truck). Did it scare me to know we were nearing our objective with driving towards Washington? You bitches better believe it! But even though Jackson reassured me it would be a while until we actually take on Reid, it was still a large step we were taking. In all honestly though, it would be worth it to get out of here. The longer this 'break' lasts, the more paranoid I was getting that they would catch up to us.

Vic bound in the backseat didn't help either. I missed what his response was this morning when he woke up to realize what he did last night. According to Carter though, there wasn't much of a reaction. I could believe it too once we started driving. Glancing to him in the rearview mirror as I drove down the busy highway, he proved himself to - hopefully - be as good of an actor as us. He had a stone face when he wasn't speaking. When he did talk, he showed nothing but slight humor.

"Washington, eh?" he asked with a prideful tone towards Luke.  He was sitting next to him in the back and behind the passenger seat.

My eyes were focused ahead of me on the road. Early sunshine glared in from the windows, lighting up Jackson who sat in the passenger seat.  Brown hair outlined in light, he was wearing a predictable black tee-shirt and jeans. Catching him from my side vison, his face wasn't all blank with boredom like usual. He looked slightly amused towards Vic.  He clearly believed that he was just trying to cover up his distress.  Unfortunately and unlike Jackson, I wasn't as at ease.  Vic was making me nervous the more he spoke.

Nobody responded to the suddenly talkative Vic, making him chuckle under his breath. "My men are going to catch up and slaughter you before you even get to Washington."

After checking to see nobody was riding our ass down the highway, my gaze in the mirror shifted to Vic. There was a smile on his face, just barely noticeable when he looked down to his lap. He wasn't denying that the information he gave us was incorrect. But it didn't seem to bother him as much as it should have.  It worried me to think that it was because he truly believed that his men would catch us before we even make it to Washington.     

"Forbes, you know better than these clowns that they are going to be caught and killed in no time now," Vic said in a quieter voice from where he was staring mindlessly down. Addressing Carter by his last name, I then noticed that Vic peaked up towards Carter, who was sitting next to him and behind me in the driver's seat. 

Glancing from the road back to the mirror, I sat up straighter to see more in the reflection, watching carefully to see what Carter's reaction was to Vic's disturbing words.  And what I saw in that next second made my heart drop.  Carter didn't react like I figured he would.  The way he did respond to Vic's horrible prediction was unsettling. 

Carter tightened his jaw immediately, looking down at hearing those words. Glancing between them in the mirror and the road ahead, I noticed Carter was still and didn't move. Finally, he looked away and out the window to his side.  And the expression on his face was anything other than what I would expect of Carter.  There was worry there and it was clear there was a lot going through his mind at that moment.  When I finally glanced back to the road for good, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest.  

I understand that it wasn't much of a response, guys.  But don't call me out on overreacting!  It was one of the few times I actually saw Carter contemplating something that made his eyebrows lower and jaw tighten. Distress was written all over his face.  Carter's face.  The dude that found humor in everything and hardly showed he was stressed, even in the situations we faced.  Yet at that moment he did.  He showed worry when Vic mentioned that we would be caught and slaughtered before we even get to Washington!  Carter did!  The guy that never showed fear.  But also the guy that validated that Vic was correct in how worried he looked.  Because Carter did know better than us clowns about the men after us considering he used to be one of them!

It put me on edge for the rest of the day driving. I relied completely on Luke when it came to where I was going. He kept me on track if there was a change in the direction I was driving. It allowed me to get so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't even realize we were in southern Illinois until we were almost in Missouri.

You can't blame me folks! I'm talking hours and hours of driving. If my thoughts weren't on my overwhelming fear of what Vic said, they were on something else random before returning to my fear. It held onto me all day, making me instinctually speed up beyond reason at times. Luke and Jackson offered to take over every few hours, noticing how tense I was and that I was more quiet than usual. But I said I was fine each time. Driving at least kept me busier than I would have been just sitting there.

By the time the SUV's digital clock read 7:30, Luke said something that made me want to call him crazy. "I think we should stop for the night." Whether he said that because he thought I was tired or noticed how withdrawn I seemed, it didn't matter. I couldn't hold back my instant reaction.

It was the most energy I showed all day when I shot my head to the right and behind me. "Are you joking?" I asked in a loud tone. Turning my focus back to the road, my fists clenched the wheel hard, killing any progress there was of calming down. 

Jackson glanced to me blankly.  Luke froze for a moment. He caught my eyes in the rearview mirror when I glanced into it before speaking. "I think you could use a break. It's been a while since we stopped and ate. Most importantly, we are going to want to get an early start again so it would be smart to go to sleep early."

All I could see out the windshield was the light that kept the highway before us visible. It wasn't close to dark yet at all! It hurt to think about stopping this early. His reasoning made sense but I couldn't stand the thought of stopping. Though Vic was quiet the past few hours, his words stayed with me. We stop early, that could give his men more time to catch up! "What if I keep driving while you guys sleep? I know it's crowded but I think that would be the best option."

"Then when do you want to stop for the night?" he asked despite knowing that I meant I would drive through the night.  I knew Luke would not have that.

"I really think this is the best way to go about this," I said, stressing my words and trying to not sound annoyed.

I didn't need to see him to properly assume that he understood what was going on with me. Luke was smart and always managed to read me well. That's why his response didn't shock me but rather made me smile slightly. "Well why don't we stop for a break at least? Fill up too. Take the next exit. There is a gas station there."

"Okay." I knew during our bathroom and stretching 'break' I would be approached by him. I could tell he wanted to talk to me about this and that's what made me smile. I knew him so well...

Sure enough, he did. When I stopped at a pump, Jackson took care of getting gas while Carter watched Vic in the car. After taking advantage of the public shitters and buying some snacks to fill the next shitters we come across, Luke stopped me once we walked out the doors.  "Albany," he said in a soft voice, hooking my arm with his and pulling me to a stop. Hiding a smirk at knowing this was coming, I turned and looked up at him. 

"Oh Luke. I wasn't expecting this," I teased him. I couldn't help myself. Today was filled with inevitable fear and worst case scenarios in my head. So seeing him full on for the first time in hours was more than nice.

He scoffed, shaking his head at my sarcasm.  "It's not my fault I'm so predictable."

"Or maybe I just know you better than anyone," I said, shrugging nonchalantly and making him smile.

"Yeah?  Then what is it I want to tell you?"

Staying seated all day made me antsy and greedy for a release of energy.  Everything on my mind didn't help.  It made me want to take advantage of creating a lighter air around us.  "Well first, you planned on complimenting me on my stellar driving skills.  Then, you were going to praise me because of how much you liked my idea of driving into the night.  And finally, you were going to say that I look mighty sexy with the massive bruise on my face."

He laughed out into the chilling air, the sound making my heart flutter.  He nodded down to me, obviously loving this as much as me.  "You stole the words directly from my mouth," he joked.  Unfortunately, Luke knew we couldn't avoid what he was really going to tell me.  "I would like to elaborate on your second point though. Because it's wrong."

"I didn't see that coming," I said sarcastically again, but this time sighing.  "You don't understand.  Would it really hurt to keep driving?  At least for a couple more hours?"

He licked his lips, searching my eyes.  "Why do you want to keep driving?  I want to know that first."

The immense fear, paranoia, and worry entered me all over again.  I wasn't aware it was plain on my face though.  Luke could even see it and his expression showed surprise.  He probably knew what my reason was but he didn't expect what he saw on my face. 

"Come on," he whispered.  He turned and rested his hand on my back, leading me with him around the small building and out of sight.  Standing before him now behind the gas station, I couldn't help but try to calm my worries since they were apparent on my face.  It didn't help that I was about to openly acknowledge my fear, which would make things much more real. 

"Albany listen, it's... it's really going to be okay.  Everything that Vic said earlier, he was just trying to get under our skin.  We are going to be fine and even that asshole we have tied up knows that.  He gave us everything we needed."

"Did you see Carter's face when Vic called him out on knowing that we were screwed and going to be caught?"  When Luke shook his head that he didn't see Carter, I let my fears spill out.  "It was bad.  I never saw a look like that on his face.  You heard what he said about his beliefs before.  He is fine with risk and chaos!  But when Vic said his men will for sure catch us even before we get to Washington, there was no indication of disagreement. Carter knows Vic is right!  He knows better than us about the men that are after us.  And he sure didn't look confident."

Eyes wide and searching Luke's, all I could see was his worry growing over me.  Realizing he couldn't soothe my fears, he spoke in a soft voice.  "I'll go get Carter.  Jackson is done with the gas so he can watch Vic.  I'll be right back."

I nodded, watching Luke disappear back around the white brick gas station.  I wasn't alone for more than two minutes.  Hearing footsteps approaching from around the building, I looked up from where I was playing with a loose piece of cement with my shoe.  Luke came back into view, Carter now with him. 

Unlike earlier, Carter's facial expression represented his usual self.  A smirk crawled to his face as he tucked his hands into his jean pockets, hooking his thumbs around the edges.  Luke's green gaze on him showed the worry that I helped bring to the surface.  Then, they found me when he spoke.  "I'll let you inform Carter of your worries." 

I could tell that Luke hoped I was wrong about my assumption.  I really hoped I was wrong too.  "I want to know if Vic is right.  This morning, he pointed out that you knew better than we did about the men coming after us and how we were basically done for.  I saw you in the rearview mirror when he said that...."

Carter's lips flattened from the smirk he had.  His eyes also clouded with a seriousness I rarely saw.  Laughing humorlessly under his breath, his blue eyes dropped from my eyes to the cracked cement.  "I don't know what you want me to say.  I try not to think about it and I do a good job.  He's right though and he knew that I understood that too.  Because yeah, I'm almost positive they will find us before we even reach Washington and likely kill us."

A new flood of worries and questions came over me.  But Luke got one of his out first with a tinge of anger.  "If you thought they were going to catch up to us, why didn't you say that before we took that break?"

"Have you learned nothing about me?  I don't think ahead like that.  I recognized that we wouldn't be caught while we lounged around for more than a day.  I know how these guys work and we did have a lead.  Why the hell would I object to a break if I knew we would be fine for then?"

Carter's head turned back to me when I asked him something I never fully understood.  It was something that was starting to annoy the fuck out of me and scare me too.  "You used to be part of them.  How do they catch up like that?  How do they track us?  And if you know them, you should be able to know how we can avoid them!"  Hearing validation that I was right, that Carter did think we would be easily caught, it made me sick to my stomach.  Sick to the point where I contemplated if going back to the public shitter would be better than throwing up here behind the building.

Carter nodded, crossing his arms and rocking on the heels on his feet.  A small smile slightly returned.  "They manage access to anywhere that has a camera.  Gas stations like this included.  They can monitor them quickly too.  And from that, a few things can be learned.  Like the vehicle a target is in, the payments made and for what, and cameras tell us the general direction someone is likely heading.  So right now, everything we've done is good and checks out.  It slowed them down.  Until now though."

"What do you mean until now?" I asked.

Carter snorted, his eyes lighting up more as he spoke to me.  It was as if he was delighted to share what we didn't know.  Or what he assumed we knew and didn't apparently!  "Well I guess you guys really didn't think it through when you kidnapped my old boss.  That was a game changer.  The cops probably only arrested a handful of the workers.  The rest probably already managed to figure out what happened.  They know Vic is gone and they probably were able to learn how.  So if I was still working for them and learned my boss was kidnapped by the people we are after, what would I assume?  Probably that the charming Albany Higgins and her group is going after mister big shot in Washington.  It will be confirmed when we dump Vic and they find his body west of Ohio."

When he finished speaking, I was beyond stunned.  I realized he was completely right.  However, Luke's thoughts revolved well beyond that.  There was a moment of silence between us before Luke turned and gripped Carter's collar.  Gripping him and pulling him close, he stared hard into his eyes and hissed.  "Why didn't you tell us?  What happened to wanting to help us take these people down?!"

Watching between them, I could only wonder if Carter intentionally held that information from us.  A nervous laugh escaped him, his eyes flashing between Luke's gaze and mine from where I stood next to them. "Okay come on, calm down.  I am helping and trying to.  But that was just common sense!  I can't believe you guys didn't even think about that.  It doesn't even matter.  Kidnapping him was worth it because without going in there, you wouldn't know where to look!"

Luke let go of his collar and pushed him back. Stumbling back, he managed to catch his balance.  Taking a long deep breath, Luke started to slowly pace back and forth in the space between me and Carter.  Stopping, he let his head tilt back towards Carter.  "Next time, I expect your opinion and knowledge on everything we need and anything that could help," he growled.

There was hardly any humor left in Carter's face.  "I figured you guys would have understood what kidnapping a leader of this massive sect would mean.  Even if you didn't, there was no point in me saying!  Because it was still worth kidnapping him!  That shit is on you," he scoffed, turning to head back around towards the truck.  However, I was more worried than I was upset that we didn't realize Vic's men would probably know what our course was.  

Valuing the strange pervert more than before, I jogged past Luke to where Carter started moving.  "Wait," I said, grabbing his arm and turning him back towards me.  "Forget about this.  I need to know what you think we should do then!  How can we trick them?  How can we slow down their progress?  I-I don't know what... to do.  Should we drive through the night?"

Eyeing where I was gripping his arm, Carter's smirk returned.  It stayed there and so did the light that returned to his eyes when he answered.  Ignoring it as best as I could, I listened carefully.  "We need to get another car.  The best time to do it would be when we kill Vic probably.  And when we do, we should leave him somewhere off course.  Though they most likely know where we are going, they might not know the exact route yet.  As for right now, we are okay.  You can stop for the night.  Based on my experience and knowing they might still be regrouping, I'd say we are safe for now," he nodded.

Hearing all that... it made me want to cringe.  I couldn't help myself even though I was scared out of my mind for the answer.  "Do you think we're going to make it?" I asked in a lower voice.

He was silent for longer than I was comfortable with until he answered.  "There's always a chance."

There's always a chance?!   What!?  Always a chance! Are you fucking kidding me?  All he was saying was that it was possible!  Christ, if I wasn't going to get sick before, I might now!  And that's without the realization that I was still gripping his arm.  Letting my hand fall to my side in a daze, I just stared up at him.  How could things have gotten this bad?  To the point where Carter believes there is a strong possibility of us failing!  And us 'failing' is more than the word implies. 

Seeing that I was done with questions, Carter turned and walked back towards the truck.  As for me... my ass couldn't move.  All he did was justify that fear I felt all day.  Resting my hand against my stomach, I started to really think I might get sick.  My head wasn't slowing now either.  He basically gave us a guarantee that we would be caught.  That they would find us again and now, they probably fucking know where we are going!  My heart was racing and I couldn't help but wonder if any of this was worth it!  Where would we be at the end of the week?  Was there any reason to have any faith towards a victory?  I can't let this go on.  I would rather die than see them outnumber us, kill Jackson and Luke, and take me.  I would rather die!  I would trade my life right now if it ensured their safety.

I must have been standing there for a long time.  Long enough for Luke's anger to diffuse only to be replaced by sympathy.  I felt a hand gently brush along my back, but I didn't move.  I felt terrible in every sense and wasn't sure what to do or how to handle it!  Moving to stand before me, his hand now found my chin.  He guided it up so I would have to look up at him.  His face was full of sorrow and care, his sweet eyes caressing my face.  He didn't say a word for a long moment.  Probably wasn't sure what to say at first.  "Look... we'll be fine.  We lived through so much and have the upper hand in many ways.  I'm sure we can get out this and I really believe that." 

I opened my mouth about to say something.  "Luke...."  Then I couldn't say anything after my voice broke.  Eyes slipping to the side and staring at the ground, not handling his eyes in mine well at all, I tried slowing my mind.  But in my head, all the possible outcomes started to become more vivid, like a future reality.  I couldn't let what I was imagining happen.  It made me talk through the shakiness in my breaking voice.  "If there is a chance to give myself over without anyone getting hurt, I will.  I-I will take that opportunity so fast," I said, pausing and trying to take a deep breath.  Jesus, I felt like a fucking baby.  But I couldn't help it!  "If they showed up right now, I would attempt to give up and go to them if it meant you not--"

"Hey, hey," Luke said in a fast voice, interrupting me with sad eyes.  Inching closer to me, he shook his head and cupped my cheeks.  "Don't talk that way.  I'm here to stop that from happening.  I'm here to make you safe and happy.  That's my goal.  If I fail, I fail going down and fighting for you."

"But there is a greater chance now that it might happen!" I could feel my stupid eyes water with tears at the thought and greater possibility of losing him.  Fuck, I already constantly worried about that and now, this made things much worse.  It made me shake my head, voice cracking more. "I can't... can't lose you.  It would kill me worse than being taken by them.  I can't lose you.  So please go home!  Leave me and Jackson to this.  Because I can't lose you!  I can't lose you, Luke.  And I probably will if you continue with me!" I closed my watery eyes, taking deep breaths and willing my overwhelming freak-out away.  I tried reassuring myself that Luke was right.  That we will get out of this and that not much has changed.  I knew from Carter's words and the sense behind it just how likely it was that we wouldn't win in this though. 

Eyes closed, it enhanced my other senses.  With his hands on my cheeks, I could feel him inch closer until his chest was nearly against mine.  Then, I felt something that was the equivalent of a miracle.  His warm soft lips made contact with my forehead slowly.  Not only did it tempt to bring my feelings for him into play, but it actually helped calm me down.  "You can't lose me," he whispered just barely, lips and breath brushing the skin of my forehead.  Whether he said that to come to terms with it or as a question, I wasn't sure.

He moved his face a few inches back, but I could still feel all of him.  Despite what I just learned, it made me feel completely safe.  Opening my eyes, I felt my heart jump.  His face was so close, full of care and sadness.  Searching his unguarded and full eyes, I took in a shaky breath.  "No, I can't lose you.  I can't."

"If that was the only emotion, only desire, then I would go home so you wouldn't suffer in the chance that I die," he said softly.  His breath was close, brushing against my face fast.  He swallowed hard and his eyebrows lowered, eyes never leaving mine.  "I can't go home though and I won't.  I'm very sorry for that," he said in a sincere voice.  He really was sorry because he knew how scared I was for his sake.  He always knew I had an issue with him protecting me.  The only difference now was that it just became a lot more dangerous.  "I can't go home.  It's because I can't lose you either.  I refuse to.  It would kill me if something happened to you and I wasn't there to try to stop it.  Just like it would kill you if I died."  His thumbs started stroking my cheeks, which I managed to thankfully keep dry.  Gazing deeply into his eyes, it was clear that it was starting to hit him too, the greater chance of this not going well.  His eyes dug deep back into mine, face so close and breath increasing.  "You're too perfect to abandon.  I'm sorry that I can't bare to leave you to deal with this without me."

The words he said, and said so sweetly, made the lump in my throat harder to contain.  It made me feel wonderful despite wanting to break down from my fear.  I felt so special yet so scared about what was ahead of us.  It made my stomach flop in all directions.  At the same time, his words also made me scoff slightly.  "If I was perfect, none of this would be happening."

"I completely disagree," he said instantly with a gentle voice, making my heart skip.  He stared at me for a long moment in silence before returning to the subject.  "I would hurt if you, the most perfect woman that I've ever met, was taken away.  You would hurt if I get killed trying to protect you.  So... there is only one way I see this going where neither of us have to hurt."

"How that?" I asked softly.  Everything in me seemed hard to contain at this point.  The lump in my throat, the fear in my gut, and now the love that I had for this man.  I tried not letting it interfere with me but I couldn't stop it.  Especially since his life is at a greater risk.  Along with the words leaving his mouth, he was making the love I have for him flow through me more and more. 

"We fight on, we live through it all, and we succeed."  His thumbs continued soothingly brushing my cheeks, making me relax more.  A small supportive smile appeared across his mouth too.  "And we do it together, okay?"

I nodded, letting his beautiful smile and eyes coax me to relax more.  He was right that that was the only way to make sure neither of us suffer.  And if we do fail, we fail knowing we tried and cared for each other. 

Swallowing thickly, I leaned my head forward and rested it against his chest.  Taking deep breaths against the cotton of his grey shirt, trying to calm down and not let this get to me anymore, I felt his arms wrap around me to help.  His own head tilting down by mine, I took comfort in his nice breath in my ear.  It helped my mind get back on track too.  I knew I couldn't let this affect me, the huge possibility of Vic's men catching us.  I couldn't let these things get to me.  Because if they do, it only makes things change more.  It makes me want to give up.  Seeing how dedicated Luke was and knowing all I fought for too, I couldn't do that for the both of us.

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Hey guys I am sorry this is a bit late.  I was forced to finish up school and as hopefully some of you saw, it had to do with needing to do that screenplay for my class.  It took a few more days too because I needed to make changes to the chapter before posting.  I hope it was worth the wait though and that you guys like it!  Let me know!