Page 22 of Music City Diaries

“How bad?” he grunted, some papers moving around in the background.

“Possible assault and theft.”

“What do you need?”

“I don’t know. I’m grappling with what to do. She’s struggling. I can’t keep running from town to town. I don’t think she’ll survive it. But leaving her… it makes me want to rage out. I can’t possibly do that.”

“Hmm,” the voice said, offering nothing else.

“What do you think I should do?” I instantly regretted the temporary show of weakness. Being away for so long had made me forget.

“Are you calling me for help or advice?” I heard what constituted as a chuckle from him. It was dark and low, rumbling through his entire body. But it wasn’t out of delight for you, but for him. He was enjoying this.

“Both. I don’t know where to go from here. I don’t know if I can complete my mission. Things have been… compromised,” Igritted out. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t talking about the same mission to him, but it was the truth. Everything had gone off the rails, and I wasn’t sure how to get them back, or if I even wanted to anymore. Problem was, he wasn’t going to forget his mission.

“Do you love her?” he asked, surprising me.

I rolled my eyes, not sure where he was going with this. I wouldn’t sacrifice Darcie to him. “You know I do. That’s not even up for debate.”

“Then you need to do what’s best for her, no matter what cost it is for you.”

I stood there, silence engulfing me. It was surprisingly thoughtful coming from him. Destroyer wasn’t known for his thoughtfulness. With a shaky breath, I continued, trying to figure out where he was going with this. “Even if that means she’s alone?”

“Yes.” I could hear the smile in his voice and knew this was what he wanted. Darcie made me useless to him. I hung my head. I’d known this would be the answer, but I’d hoped for something else. I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering who I’d called. The Mavericks had made me believe in people again, but I wasn’t dealing with the Mavericks any more.

“What do I do next, then?” I sighed, accepting my fate. I’d failed my mission, and it was time for a revamp.

“Get her settled, and then come home.”

I sucked in a breath. Hearing him say the words made it more real. I hadn’t been home in years, not since I’d passed the MCD program—it had been meant to be my ticket out. “I… But I haven’t completed my mission,” I stalled, hoping for a different response.

“It’s time, Son. We’ll figure something else out. You obviously weren’t cut out for the job.” I swallowed down the curse I wanted to make. Now wasn’t the time. Perhaps this wasfor the best. I could take care of our problem, keep Darcie safe, and finish what I’d come here to do in the first place.

“What about the guy?” I asked, knowing if he didn’t help here, we’d be screwed.

“Text me his name, and I’ll take care of it.”

“If you can do that, then why can’t I stay with her?” I asked, not wanting to give in too quickly.

“You know the answer to that, Son.”

Gritting my teeth, my hand tightened against the rail below me. Sometimes I really hated being the son of the leader of the notorious Chaos Gargoyles.

“Two days, Son. I expect you here in two days.”

Opening the door,I was surprised to find Darcie sitting up in bed, the covers wrapped around her.

“Hey, Princess. I got breakfast.” Sitting the bag down, I pulled out a bottle of chocolate milk and handed it to her. She smiled, but it wasn’t her usual bright one. “What kind of donut do you want?” I opened the box, showing her what lay inside. I’d gotten all of her favorites, her eyes lighting up when she noticed. She selected a chocolate long john, taking a big bite before looking at me.

“Thanks, Maddox.” She smiled at me around the bite, making my heart flutter.

“No problem. I have something to tell you, though,” I sighed, rubbing my hands on my jeans.

She swallowed, taking a drink of her milk. I handed her a napkin, and she wiped her mouth, peering up at me. I hated how she looked like I was about to ruin her world.

“I have to return home.”

“Okay. When do we leave?” I wanted to kiss her for saying that.

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