After my conversation with Kayden, I head back home. I was determined to leave the house and not return until I set things right.

I couldn't risk putting Chloe and Harry in danger. I couldn't become my father. My father had failed to protect not only himself but also dragged the rest of us into his mess. My life took a 180 after his disappearance. He should have at least set things right before leaving. I was set on doing what he couldn't. End the Cagers or drag them to hell with me. But the latter was the easier one.

I barge into my room, startling a very relaxed Aaron. He throws a pillow in my direction when he regains his composure. "Dude! Are you trying to give me an attack? I almost thought you were my dad. I've been having nightmares of him coming to drag me away to somewhere far away- like Iceland."

I ignore him and head straight for the closets. I grab my box from the top shelf and start stuffing whatever clothes I could find into it.

"Woah, Woah! I just yelled a little. No need to send me packing, "Aaron raises his hands defensively, walking towards me.

I stride to the other side of the room to grab my phone charger.

"Something happened, " He discerns, a concerned look overtaking his playful expression. "Gray?"

"It's nothing serious. I'll just be away for a while."

"How bad is it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He was going to find out about Zyair soon, but not from me. I couldn't bring myself to tell him. He doesn't ask me any more questions and grabs his box which hasn't been unpacked. "I don't know what's going on with you, but wherever you go, I go."

I turn to face him for the first time since returning. "I need you to stay here with Kelch."

"Screw that. Who's going to protect you if you're busy protecting everyone else."

"I don't need protection!"

"And I don't need you to tell me what to do."

"Zyair's in a coma. He got hit by a car, " I blurt harshly.

Aaron was a very stubborn person. I knew he wouldn't budge, so I figured I'd have to tell him bad news to distract him while I escape. He stands stunned. Too stunned to talk. Which was my cue to leave.

I come face to face with Kelch's room and leave a small message for her. The last thing I wanted was to increase her burden with worries about my safety. Thankfully, either mom or Dave was home, so I didn't have to explain myself to anyone else. I just had to get to my car.

After getting into my car, just as I'm about to drive away, the passenger seat door opens. Aaron slings his box to the back of the car and sits next to me.

"Drive."

"Aaron, get out."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"Don't you get it? I don't need you. I never did. You're just increasing my dilemmas with your presence."

Aaron turns to me. His eyes were a deep red color, yet no tears came out of his eyes. He was still affected by the news of Zyair, and I felt bad for putting him through that. He already had enough issues to deal with his dad. He sucks in the air and lets out a shaky breath. "Does it make you feel better to talk like that?"

"I just need you to get out of my car."

"And I need you to understand that I'm not leaving you alone."

"I don't need your help. That's the absolute last thing I need."

"I don't need you to protect me! That's the last thing I need! I'm not letting you do this alone! Whatever it is!"

Why does he have to be such an annoying jerk?

"It's okay to need help, Gray. You taught me that. It's also okay to be scared. You taught me that too, " Aaron grabs my hands and pulls me into a hug.

I didn't realize when I let out a sigh of relief, but I did. His hug was comfortable. A comfort I didn't realize needed. "Bro, Zyair's....."

My voice trails off, drifting in the air. Unspoken.

"Zyair would be fine. He's the strongest fighter we know."

I hoped so. I really hoped so.

~~~~~~~~~~

A long, excruciating week passes, and there is still no sign of Luca. In Kayden's words, it was almost as if Luca had disappeared into thin air. A fucking coward, if you ask me.

I roll on the hotel bed, propping my upper body with my elbows, and continue typing into my computer. It's also been three days since I last spoke to Kayden. He offered to call if he had any leads but urged me not to keep my hopes up. His unsure words made me realize I couldn't rely on him, so I began my own search. Each time I think I had them, my investigation takes a 180 and lands me with a whole new view. Most things didn't add up. They must have a hidden camera somewhere because they always seem to know what we were thinking or planning.

The Cagers were also pros at disappearing. I knew that more than anyone else. You couldn't find them unless they wanted to be found. My room door snaps open, and Aaron walks in with only a towel wrapped around his waist and a tray of food balanced on his right palm.

"Dude, the Belgium waffles here are sick, " he comments, closing my room door with the back of his foot.

He settles the tray on my bed and stuffs his mouth with another waffle. That was Aaron's way of coping with stress. By eating way more than he needed. But it wasn't mine.

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he points to his mouth. "You should eat something too. One can't fight without strength."

"You should leave."

"Also, call Dove. She might not show it, but she's worried sick," he ignores me, pouring syrup all over his waffles. "Or we could visit Zyair in the hospital."

The hotel was located a few miles from home. Far enough from my family, but close enough for me to watch over them.

Thankfully, my mother had been preoccupied with the baby and Dave to notice the changes. Not that it was much of a change either, considering I never stayed home much.

"You should go to the hospital alone. No, you should go to London. You're much safer there."

Aaron drops his waffles with a thud. He runs his tongue over his upper teeth. "You've been saying this for the past few days now. Don't you get tired of repeating yourself?"

With a sigh, I run my fingers through my hair. He was right. I had said all sorts of things to Aaron to get him to leave, but he never did.

"The sooner you realize I'm not going to leave you until we get that son of a bitch, the easier it will be for both of us."

My phone rings, deterring me from responding to Aaron.

"Yes?" I sit straighter when I see it's Kayden calling. "What have we got?"

"Luca just checked into the country."

Aaron waves his hand hysterically, gesturing to the phone. "Put the speaker on, " he mouths. I ignore him.

"How could he check-in if he never left, " I frown, running my eyes over the information on my laptop screen.

"I don't know. He must have been smuggled out of the country. But he's here now, " Kayden replies hastily.

It didn't make any sense. Why would he smuggle out of the country, only to check back in publicly?

Aaron waves his hand again. I roll my eyes and place the phone on speaker so he'd quit making a scene.

"It doesn't make any sense," I shake my head, voicing my thoughts.

"I know what you're thinking. So I have two prospects as to why he's back, " Kayden replies.

"And?"

"His plans might have required his presence urgently, so he had no choice but to show up, " Kayden speaks. "Has there been any changes recently?"

"Changes as in how? You mean Zyair?" my brow arches.

I look to Aaron, who shakes his head in return. Aaron has been keeping in touch with Dove constantly, and so far, she hasn't said anything about Zyair.

"No. I don't think so."

Kayden is silent for a while before he speaks up again. "If that's not the case, then this might be part of his plans."

"How could this be a part of his plan. Pretty stupid if you ask me, " Aaron snorts.

Then it hit me.

"He's trying to lure me out."

He left the country secretly to perfect his plans and came back publicly to let me know he was back. Such a coward.

"That could be it. And at times like this, staying away wouldn't do much. He could go after the people you love to get to you."

That son of a bitch. He's always one step ahead of me.

"Drop his location."

"Do you have a plan?" Kayden asks.

"I don't need one."

"Then I'm not dropping anything."

I stare at my phone screen with an annoyed expression. "I don't like to repeat myself, Kayden."

"Sure, " Aaron snorts with a smirk.

"You're hot-headed, Gray. You're going to get yourself killed. That's what Jay always said. If you're going in, you're going to need a plan."

I could feel my anger rising with every breath that I take. The thought of Luca being alive and fine affected me a lot more than I let on.

"Kayden, " I warn.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let my brother's death be in vain."

"We don't know if he's dead yet, " I growl.

"This is for your good."

"Now, you listen to me. I'm not going to sit here and let Luca go after another person I love, under the pretense of making a plan, " I spit. "I'm doing this today, and I'm doing this now. With or without your help."

I end the call before Kayden could say anything else. Springing from bed, I grab my jacket, phone, and keys. I didn't realize my hands were furiously shaking until Aaron places his hands on mine.

He stares at me with a determined expression and collects my keys. "I'll drive." He nods.

I return his nod and head out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Destination?" Aaron asks when we get into the car.

I had only one place in mind. The place I almost lost someone I loved. The same place I let go of someone I cherished. I type the address into the car GPS while Aaron started the car. The ride to the location was a very silent one, with neither of us talking. The whirring of the AC and the grazing of the tires on the smooth asphalt of the road were the only sounds that could be heard.

In less than an hour, we arrive.

"Park the car behind that curb," I point to the same spot the car was a few weeks ago.

A few meters from the car was the door where I had left Jay alone. The gunshot sounds as I drove away replayed in my head. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Opening the compartment box, I grab my gloves, gun, and bullets.

"If I'm not back in thirty minutes, leave," I speak through my gritted teeth as I use them to zip my gloves up.

"Are you going to kill him?" Aaron asks. His eyes were filled with anxiety.

"If I have to."

"You don't have to."

"He went after you and Zyair. I'm not letting him go. I've had enough."

"You're not letting yourself go scot-free if you kill him either. There are other ways to make him pay."

I chuckled bitterly and shake my head. "You have no idea, do you?" I lick my lower lip. "Good doesn't win in this world. The one that stays alive does."

"We could take him to jail."

"We?" I raise a brow. "There is no 'we'! I'm in this alone! And did you say jail? I've killed enough people to know that Jail is bullshit. Only the weak ones get caught."

"So you're hell-bent on killing him?" Aaron smacks his lips, biting down on his lower lip.

I don't respond.

"I've got your back, " he swallows.

"Don't."

"Enough of you telling me what to do. I'd do what I want, " he yells in my face.

I stare him down harshly before making my way out of the car. "I'll be safe, " I mutter to him under my breath.

Aaron was just trying to help and be there for me. And a part of me knew I only spoke to him that way because I know he'll always be there no matter what. But I shouldn't take that for granted.

"You better be, " he snorts.

But I wasn't.

Nothing could have prepared me for the series of events that happened after.

If only I had listened to Kayden. If only.

••••••••••••••

A/n: Did you guys enjoy the chapter? I had a lot of fun writing this.

I think I fell in love with Aaron in this chapter.

🙈