Page 26 of Breathe
And even though he knew that Solomon was dead, he kept shoving and twisting for seconds longer before he let go.
Leaping from Solomon’s lap, Azrael stumbled when his legs gave out.
Real had snatched him up, but Azrael didn’t realize it. He screamed and clawed at the arms holding him until Real spoke against his ear. The warrior’s deep voice vibrated through his soul.
“He’s dead,” the big soldier soothed. The slight scent of cloves and musk poured over Azrael.
That was when he finally broke down in tears.
That was the day he had fallen head over heels for Real.
A hard hand clamped on his shoulder and ripped him from the past.
Azrael dropped low. With his hands on the concrete sidewalk, he did a leg sweep behind him to take out whoever had grabbed him.
A quick glance over one shoulder showed it was Real.
Real was wickedly fast and dodged his leg sweep. Azrael knew he would get nowhere if he swung because Real was a master at blocking. Azrael had hung around the Genesis training facility long enough to know Real’s fighting style.
Azrael lunged up and jabbed, his fingers hit Real in the clavicle instead of his intended target of the throat. Pain shot through his fingertips when he hit bone instead of the neck—hurting like a bitch.
Azrael danced away. His only chance now was to run.
Real was too close, though, and he didn’t get more than a step before those big beefy arms closed around him, locking his arms at his sides.
Azrael had no hope in hell of escaping.
The whole altercation had happened in complete silence.
They both knew the importance of keeping their presence hidden.
Real was going to take advantage of it right the hell now.
He lifted Azrael off his feet like a toy and tossed him over one shoulder before stalking back toward his jeep.
Fully expecting a knife in the back, he was surprised when Azrael hung limp. Real remotely started his jeep on his way out of the apartment building.
He stalked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened the door, tossing Azrael on the seat. He then crowded in so the boy had no choice but to scoot over or be sat on.
Real hit the lock to keep the doors locked and closed the driver’s door with a thud. Azrael unlocked it, Real hit the lock button again. Azrael made an annoyed sound, unlocked it, and jerked at the door handle. Real was quicker and locked it again.
With a huff, Azrael crossed his arms, staring out the windshield.
The young assassin was closed off, ignoring him.
Real was at a loss over how to get through to Azrael and return them to normal. Only they hadn’t been normal in a long time.
Not since the phone call when Azrael had caught him leaving Patrick Young’s apartment building after they hooked up.
Real turned his gaze on said building and scoped out the street.
All was quiet and he would take a few minutes to talk some sense into the young man at his side.
“Why are you following me?” he asked, squeezing the steering wheel to keep his hands occupied.
“I just wanted to confirm something.”
“What is that?”
