Page 56 of On The Run

“He’s listed as a John Doe?”

Aspen nodded absently as he got right back to work. “Yes, sir. He came into the hospital unconscious and hasn’t woken up. Apparently, his injuries are . . . extensive.”

I swallowed down the bile threatening to rise. Oh god, please let him be ok. I wasn’t sure if Aiden would be able to take it if Manny didn’t survive.

Kai squeezed Aspen’s shoulder, and the younger man leaned into the touch. I didn’t even think he realized what he was doing; it was instinctive. They were just that in tune. “Nice work, sunshine. See if you can get a positive ID. I don’t want to go to Wyoming until we’re sure.”

“And Aiden?” I asked when I could no longer take it. Of course, I was concerned about Manny, but I needed to know about Aiden.

Aspen shook his head and looked up making eye contact with me. “Nothing. I’m sorry.”

I forced myself to smile at the young man. I knew he was doing the best he could. “It’s ok. I know you’re trying, and finding Manny is a step.”

“Hopefully finding Manny,” Aspen corrected.

Kai pulled out his phone. “In the meantime, I’m going to make some calls. I don’t have many contacts in that area, but my name should be enough to get some information.” He walked off to the other side of the room, phone already to his ear. I shook my head. These people’s reality was so far away from mine, it was hard to believe this was even happening.

Sage walked over to where Bronx and I were still standing behind Aspen, unsure of what to do next. “Well, I’d pack a bag if I were you. I know my brother well enough to know if he thinks he found Manny, he did.”

Bronx smirked. “So, we’re probably going to Wyoming?”

Before Sage could answer, Aspen called out again, “Yes, we’re going to Wyoming. I’ve confirmed it. This is Manny.”

Chapter24

Aiden

I pushedmy key into the lock of our house, humming a Ramones song under my breath. Last night still felt like a dream, and it was hard to believe it really happened. I had sex with Max. Well, sort of sex anyway. I was counting it since it was the furthest I’d ever been. And it was with Max.

I felt lighter than I had in months. Sure, my problems hadn’t gone anywhere, but for some reason, they felt less all-consuming now after my amazing night with Max. For the first time in forever, I felt hope.

I stifled a yawn. Even with how light I felt, I couldn’t sleep through the whole night. I don’t know what possessed me, but I jumped up from a deep sleep in the middle of the night, my mind racing. I picked up my phone with the plan to scroll through social media until I dosed off, but I pulled up my Spotify for some reason. The playlist I played for Max earlier was mine I always listened to, but I renamed it, laughing quietly to myself as Max slept peacefully next to me. I was about to close out of the app, but something kept me from doing so. I had no idea what possessed me, but I created another one. One that gave Max the hints he would need to get me help if I ever needed it. I couldn’t tell you why I felt the need to do that, and I felt kind of ridiculous, but once I entered the last song and hit save, I felt better. It was a last resort, and I hoped it would never come to it, but having some back up plan helped.

“Pops!” I called as I closed the door behind me, finally entering my house. “Are you in your room? I have something I need to tell you!” Normally, I would never burst into the house screaming like that, especially with the way Pops had been feeling lately. I wouldn’t want to wake him up if he was sleeping. But I was too hyped to be thinking clearly, and while I had no intention of giving details, I needed to share the PG parts with Pops. We always told each other everything, and I knew he’d be relieved I was doing something for myself for once.

Pops didn’t answer, but I didn’t think anything of it. If he had his music on in his room, he may not have heard me. I quickly kicked my Chucks off and slid them to the side since I’d be leaving again soon. I dropped my jacket over the chair and headed to the back of the house to see Pops.

“Hey, Pops? You awake?” I pushed open his bedroom door quietly, expecting him to be asleep.

Pops wasn’t asleep though. He was sitting up straight on his bed, but he was looking to the left near his closet.

“Pops?” I said quietly, suddenly concerned.

Pops’s head whipped toward me, and I knew instantly something was wrong. I’d seen that expression on him once before—two years earlier. Only one person could put that type of fear into Pops.

“Aiden, go now!” he snapped, somehow breaking through the fear enough to warn me. I didn’t so much as blink, though, before a shape emerged from the shadows. I didn’t even need to look in that direction to know who it was.

“Aiden, run!” I didn’t. I wasn’t leaving Pops.

I finally brought my focus to the man who had been the source of my nightmares for my entire life. Giovani Santino appeared from the corner of the room, his dead, dark-brown eyes focused entirely on me. He was smiling, and I had to fight the urge to look away as a chill ran down my body. I wouldn’t give the bastard the satisfaction. He was wearing all black, because of course he was, and my eyes immediately fell to the gun in his hand.

“Hello, Austin. You’ve been a very difficult person to find.”

I swallowed and took an involuntary step back. I needed to find a way to get Pops out of here. I could see him out of the corner of my eye. He was shaking, and it seemed like it was taking all of his effort to even sit up. I didn’t know if he’d be able to walk on his own, let alone run.

“Apparently not difficult enough.” My mouth was bone dry, and I really hoped the asshole didn’t hear the shakiness in my voice.

Giovani took another step toward me, and I stepped to the side. My goal was to get him farther away from Pops, even if it trapped me.

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