Page 73 of On The Run

I helped Aiden sit up, trying to ignore how he hissed in pain with every movement, and assisted him in drinking small sips of water. He handed me back the cup. “How?”

Kai tilted his head. “How did Santino die?”

Aiden nodded.

“A bullet to his head. I wished it weren’t so quick, but he was shooting at my men. I had to act. We think he may have had a hacker working with him, helping with all the extra stuff, but if he was ever at the bunker, he was long gone before we got there.”

Aiden began to shake. I didn’t think about anything else and immediately slid into the open space on the bed. I knew I should be worried about the wires and his injuries, but I refused to just sit here and watch him suffer. As carefully as I could possibly manage, I wrapped my arms around Aiden. He wasted no time and buried his head into my chest. I hated to see him in pain. I would gladly change places with him in an instant if I could. Still, Aiden in my arms with his head buried in my chest was my happy place. My soul settled and everything was right with the world.

“Well, we’ll give you two some time alone. I’ll make the arrangements necessary, Aiden. I was able to keep things under wraps, so you won’t be bombarded by police or media, but there are still a few people who have questions that you will need to answer. I’ll hold them off for as long as I can.”

Aiden didn’t respond, just shook harder in my arms. I mouthed, “Thank you,” to Kai over Aiden’s head. He and Martinez turned away without another word.

As soon as the two men left, Dad stood up with an exaggerated sigh and stretched his arms above his head. “I’m going to get going too. I’m meeting your mom, sister, and Gray at the diner across the street. We’ll probably get ice cream afterwards, and then we’ll bring Gray by to say hi if you’re up for it, Aiden.”

Aiden nodded into my chest. Good enough. I petted his hair and murmured soothing sounds into his ear. I didn’t know what else to do. He needed to talk to a professional, but in the meantime, I’d do whatever I needed to in order to give him any sort of peace.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Dad just smiled. “I love you, son. I’m so proud of you. Both of you.” He squeezed my shoulder affectionately and then left, and for the first time since we found Aiden, the two of us were alone.

“I’m here,tokki. I’m not going anywhere.” My voice was hoarse with emotion.

Aiden sobbed into my chest before pushing away enough to look at me. His eyes were bloodshot from crying and his cheeks were red and blotchy, but I was relieved there was color in them at all. When he was first found, his skin was blue. I was terrified we were too late, but you could barely tell how close to death he was just a few days ago.

“Am I ever going to not be crying into your chest?”

Laughing, I pulled him closer. “I don’t mind.”

“Sometimes it feels like it’s all I do.”

“That’s not even remotely true, Aiden. You are so fucking strong, but it’s ok to cry. It’s ok to break down occasionally. You’ve been through so fucking much,tokki. I’m absolutely honored to be a safe space for you, where you know you can let go when you need it.”

Aiden started sobbing again, and I just held him as tight as I could. At some point, a nurse came in, but I waved her away. I could tell she wasn’t thrilled, but she did leave. Once the sobs started to subside, Aiden settled into my shoulder. His fingers, which he still had, were tracing a random pattern along my stomach.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed before he finally spoke. “How’s Gray?”

The question was so unexpected, it took me a while to answer it. “He’s doing well. He’s scared for you and very curious. We’ve been as honest as possible without giving him any details. He knows you were hurt by your biological father and that you needed a lot of rest to get better. He wants to see you as soon as you’re ready.”

“And you don’t mind?”

Aiden wouldn’t look at me. I lightly tapped his chin, willing him to look up. I needed to see his eyes and know what he was thinking. “What is that supposed to mean, Aiden?”

“Nothing,” he mumbled under his breath, still refusing to look at me.

“Aiden, look at me please.”

At first, I thought he might refuse, but eventually, he looked up, though his eyes rested right around my nose.

“Tokki, talk to me. Why would I mind if you saw Gray? He loves you and you are so good with him. He’s been so worried about you.”

Aiden shrugged. “Look at me, Max. Do you really think I’m the best person to be around Gray?”

My heart sank. He wasn’t talking about a small visit to the hospital to see him. Or at least, not just that. After our moment earlier, I thought Aiden and I were good. But now, I wasn’t so sure.

“Aiden. There is no one who I’d trust more to be around Gray. It’s probably way too soon to say this, since we’re not even in a relationship, but I’m going to anyway. Aiden, when I think of the future, I think of you by my side. I see the two of us and Gray together. I see you next to me raising him, watching as he grows up. You, Aiden. Only you. I’ve never even considered being with anyone else since I found him. I figured I wouldn’t find love or a partner, at least until he’s grown. But all that changed when I met you. Everything that has happened only solidified my thoughts. I know we have so much to overcome before we get to that point, but I think you need to know I see a future with you, Aiden. With you. Not some arbitrary shadowy figure that might be worthy of being a parent to Gray, but you. I love you,tokki. I don’t expect you to say it back yet, but you need to know. I love you. I want you. I need you.”

“Max. You say that, but you don’t know everything. And not just about what happened now, but my whole life. Everything I’ve had to do to survive. I won’t ever be a normal partner. I’m a mess.”

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