FIRE & RUIN
Chapter 11
WILDFLOWER
No one slept.
Not really.
Lights stayed on across the Nest. Doors never fully closed.
Men moved in and out of rooms without knocking. Voices low. Bootsteps constant.
The courtyard never emptied.
Ashtrays filled. Coffee burned. Someone dragged a chair across concrete at some point and never put it back.
By nighttime it didn’t feel like it was already the next night.
It felt like they were in a loop.
Two bikes arrived from Hunstville earlier.
Trace and Koa.
They came rolling through the front like they already knew the place.
No hesitation. No questions. Just business.
Didn’t say a word when they cut their engines. Didn’t look around like he was taking anything in.
Both tall. Solid. Still in a way that didn’t read relaxed—just controlled. Lane had picked both. And it showed.
Inside, it didn’t slow down. It got tighter.
Loraine had taken over half the kitchen without asking. Coffee going nonstop. Food coming out in waves nobody was really eating.
Lists started showing up.
Supplies. Fuel. Cash. Names.
Halloween decorations still hung where they’d been put up days ago.
Three days out.
The Krait Halloween Party was still on.
War or not.
Phones rang. Landlines. Burners.
Short calls. No small talk.
Everyone already knew.
Something had shifted.
Lane hadn’t stopped moving.
Garage. Courtyard. Front office. Back again.
Checking. Rechecking. Watching.
Every bike. Every face. Every gap.
He missed a count once. Caught it. Went back. Counted again.
Jaw tight.
Didn’t stay in one place too long.
Hands on something at all times. Keys. Fuel caps. Handles.
Didn’t go near her.
But he knew exactly where she was.
At all times.
Don stayed in the office longer than usual.
Door closed.
THE DIRTY ALLEY
Kait didn’t slow down when she walked in.
Dirty Alley wasn’t open yet, but it wasn’t quiet either.
Black Velvet low.
Lights half on.
That in-between hour where everything felt like it was waiting to start.
Jojo was on the stage, stretching one leg up on the pole, headphones around her neck, rolling her shoulders loose.
Peaches was in the back, half-dressed, digging through a bag, cursing under her breath about something she couldn’t find.
Ernesto stood behind the DJ booth, checking something, head down, not paying attention.
Sunshine was already there.
Leaning against the bar.
Watching the door.
She saw Kait the second she walked in.
Didn’t say anything yet.
Just watched.
Ram came in right behind Kait, slower, scanning the room out of habit.
Gave Ernesto a nod.
Jojo glanced over from the stage.
“Damn,” she said, pulling her headphone down. “Look who survived.”
Peaches leaned out from the back. “About time.”
Kait didn’t bite.
Just kept walking.
Dropped her keys on the bar.
Sunshine straightened.
“Hey.”
Kait nodded once. “Hey.”
She made a face.
Really?” she said pointing up at the music.
“What?” said Sunshine.
“Can we get more cliché?”
“Actually yeah. Cherry Pie, Pour Some Sugar on Me?”
“Never mind.”
That was it.
Too normal.
Dulce came in through the side door, tying her hair up as she walked.
Stopped when she saw Kait.
Looked at Sunshine.
Then back at Kait.
“Oh, hell no,” she said.
Kait just reached for the coffee pot behind the bar.
Empty.
She set it back down.
Sunshine pushed off the bar.
“Don’t do that,” she said, calm.
Kait looked at her. “Do what.”
“Act like nothing happened.”
A beat.
Jojo got off the stage, already walking over. “Why don’t y’all just ask her?”
“What,” said Kait.
Jojo gave Kait a look.
“Why is Kount pulling off the stage like some jealous boyfriend? Y’all fuckin’ or what?”
Kait’s mouth opened as if she was going to say something, but nothing came out.
Sunshine handed her a shot of vodka and she downed it.
“No,” Kait said.
“Goddamn it, Ram!” Kait yelled.
Ram shrugged.
“It slipped.”
Kait rolled her eyes and Ram went back to Peaches.
Dulce stepped closer. “Wait, what?”
Kait leaned both hands on the bar.
She moved the Halloween cat to the other side.”
“I don’t know what that was all about, okay?,” Kait said.
Didn’t stop Dulce.
“So he was jealous?”
There it was.
Jojo let out a quiet “oh shit” under her breath.
Sunshine’s eyes stayed on Kait. She was trying to stop herself from smiling but she couldn’t.
Waiting.
Kait’s jaw tightened just a little.
“Don’t,” Kait said noticing Sunshine’s excitement.
Dulce crossed her arms and leaned on the counter.
“Don’t make it something it’s not,” Kait said.
Jojo leaned forward raising an eyebrow as if daring Kait to answer. “Then what is it.”
Kait pushed off the bar.
“Nothing,” she said.
Too fast.
Sunshine caught it.
“So he didn’t drag you off stage in front of everyone?”
Silence.
Kait didn’t answer.
“Didn’t take you to the back?”
Still nothing.
“Didn’t grab you?”
Kait’s eyes snapped to hers.
Not soft.
“Didn’t kiss you?”
Ram poked his head out of the hallway.
“Oh, he kissed her.”
Kai’s eyes popped open.
“Shut the fuck up, Ramirez.”
Dulce scoffed and rolled her eyes.
“Anyways, we only have ten minutes until we open—”
“Girl, you did not just say—” Jojo put her hand up and started walking away.
Offended.
“Just leave her alone, bitches. Mind your business,” Dulce said.
Jojo turned around and began walking back.
“Jojo…” Kait said and she stopped and went back.
“Go get ready, you’re first, you retard,” said Sunshine.
Dulce grunted and stomped away.
“Kait, holy fuck.”
“I really can’t talk about it.”
“He couldn’t help himself,” she said and covered her mouth with excitement.
“After the glitter incident… he couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Don’t tell me that.”
“Well… how was it?”
Kait glanced at her then away.
Sunshine waited.
Kait looked at her.
“It was whatever. A kiss,” she said shrugging.
“Yeah, right, you’re blushing right now just thinking about it.”
Kait took a deep breath. “I melted into a fucking puddle, okay? I had to hold on to him because my knees gave out.”
Sunshine squeaked and Ernesto looked up.
After that, it was just like any other night at the Alley.
THE NEST
By the time Kait and Ram got back, it was around 2:30 a.m.
The Nest was still up.
Bar lights on. Far Behind low. Bottles kept popping open.
Kriket was at the bar. Trace next to him. Koa off to the side, quiet, watching.
Lane was also there.
He was done drinking and was just standing near the edge of it all smoking.
Kait walked in and clocked him immediately.
Didn’t react.
Kept moving.
Ram grabbed a beer on his way in. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Yo,” Blaze said.
Then he saw Kait.
“How was the Alley?”
Kait shrugged. “Same as always.”
Kode gave a small nod. “Sup guys.”
Koa pushed off the wall and stepped forward.
No rush.
“How’s it going guys. Koa.”
“With a ‘k’,” Kode said. “Means ‘warrior’ in Aztec and his last name is what was it? Turtle?”
Koa scoffed.
“Actually it’s Teotl.”
Ram nodded in approval.
“Ay, que chingón.”
Kode nodded.
“Yeah and it means ‘god’. So his name means Warrior God in Aztec. Isn’t that badass?”
Lane shook his head.
“You’re such a nerd.”
Koa only smiled.
“It’s Nahuatl, though.”
Kode blinked.
“Huh.”
“Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, not Aztec.”
“Oh, yeah, yeah.”
Kait stepped in.
“Awesome name. Hi, welcome. I’m Kait.”
She said and shook his hand.
Trace lifted his bottle. “Trace. Just a farmer boy from Lockhart.”
Kait chuckled and raised her hand up from the other end of the bar. “Hi. Thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for having us. The Nest is awesome.”
Ram leaned back against the bar. “Isn’t it? That’s the mother charter for ya.”
Trace smirked. “Guess so.”
Koa grabbed another beer, held it out to Kait.
“Wanna join us?”
Lane hadn’t moved.
His eyes passed over Kait once.
Kept going.
Kait didn’t look back at him.
Not once.
She took a drink, leaned against the bar.
“No, I’m out. I’m exhausted.”
Ram nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure. You’ve been up for like two days straight.”
She nodded and backed away with a last lazy wave.
Once she reached her room, she threw herself on the bed and she was out.
Sunlight cut in from the side of the garage, stretching across the concrete and hitting the row of bikes lined up against the railing. The bay door fully open with a clear view of the entire Nest.
Lane had picked his spot on purpose.
Back against the workbench. Angle just right.
He could see Kait’s door without making it obvious.
Don and Mack were checking Trace’s bike.
Tools out. Tank lifted. Mack crouched low near the engine while Don leaned in, listening.
“Run it again,” Don said.
Trace thumbed the ignition.
The engine turned over, settled into a low rumble.
Don tilted his head, listening past the noise.
“There,” Trace said. “Hear that?”
Mack nodded. “Yeah. Little tick.”
Don held up a hand. “Again.”
Trace killed it, then fired it back up.
The sound came through cleaner this time. Faint. Off-beat.
“Timing’s a hair off. Nothing serious.”
Mack wiped his hands on a rag.
“I’ll tighten it up.”
Trace let out a breath. “Figured it wasn’t nothing.”
Koa stood a few feet back, watching the whole thing without saying much.
Taking it in.
Learning the rhythm.
Lane hadn’t moved.
Not since they started.
His eyes drifted to her walkway.
Then back.
Then again.
10:00 a.m.
She should’ve been up.
Or at least moving.
Nothing yet.
He shifted his jaw once.
Looked back at the bike like he was paying attention.
He wasn’t.
Two days.
And this would be the third night since the Alley.
Since the back room.
Since that moment.
No chance to talk.
No chance to know how she felt about it.
Or figure out what the hell that even was.
One minute he thought he should’ve apologized.
The next, he didn’t regret it at all.
Not even a little.
If anything, it made it worse.
Because he could still taste her.
The garage filled with the sound of tools again.
Mack adjusting. Don checking. Trace watching close.
Koa stayed where he was.
Quiet.
Present.
Don stepped back from the bike, rolling his shoulders once.
That’s when he noticed.
He looked at Trace.
Then at Koa.
Then at their chests.
No Texas flag.
His eyes shifted to Lane.
“Take ’em to Mag’s,” he said. “Get that fixed.”
Lane pushed off the bench.
Didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, shit.”
Don smirked slightly. “She’ll be happy to see you.”
Lane grabbed his gloves.
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
Mag’s door opened with the same bell it had always had.
Lane stepped in first.
The place hadn’t changed.
Same walls lined with leather. Same stacks of patches. Same machine near the back, heavy and worn, needle thick enough to punch through anything.
Mag looked up.
It took her half a second.
Then her face softened.
“Lane, my boy,” she said. “So good to see you.”
Lane nodded, stepping closer. “Good to see you too, Mag.”
She reached out, took his arm for a second, like she needed to make sure he was real, then let go.
“I was thinking about her,” she said. “Her birthday just passed.”
Lane nodded once. “Yeah, couple days ago.”
That was it.
Mag didn’t push it.
Just gave him a look, then turned back to the table.
“What do you need.”
Lane stepped aside slightly, motioning behind him. “Flag patches for our Huntsville boys.”
Trace came in first. “Ma’am.”
Mag gave him a quick once-over. “You’ll do.”
Koa stepped in after.
Just gave a small nod.
Mag looked at him a second longer.
Then nodded back.
“Let’s see it.”
They handed over their kuttes.
Mag took them like she’d done it a thousand times, already checking placement with her eyes before she even set them down.
“Texas goes here,” she said, tapping the chest. “You wear it, you answer for it.”
“Damn straight,” said Lane.
Trace nodded. “Understood.”
Koa didn’t say anything.
He didn’t need to.
Mag started setting up the machine.
Thread. Needle. Position.
Everything precise.
Lane stepped away while she worked.
Moved through the shop slowly.
Not looking for anything.
Just… remembering where things were.
The chair was still there.
Same spot near the wall.
He paused next to it.
Ran a hand along the back without thinking.
Could still see himself sitting there, legs swinging, waiting.
Didn’t sit now.
Just kept moving.
The old machine sat near the back, not the one Mag was using.
The other one.
The one with the heavier arm.
Bigger needle.
He stopped there a second.
Looked at it.
Flexed his fingers once.
Then moved on.
Mag’s machine started up.
Steady rhythm.
Mag worked without talking much.
Didn’t need to.
Koa watched her.
Trace leaned back against the wall.
Lane drifted back toward the front.
Eyes going to the door for a second.
Then back inside.
“Hold still,” Mag said, without looking up.
Trace straightened.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She adjusted the patch, ran the stitch clean through.
No hesitation.
No mistakes.
“Been busy?” she asked.
Lane leaned against the counter. “Always.”
She nodded like she already knew.
“How’s Kait?”
Lane froze.
“You know, the snake girl.”
“Alright, I guess.”
“Mm.”
Mag smiled.
“Now, there’s a special one.”
She said looking down again. Her needle punching through leather.
Lane looked at Mag.
The patch settled into place like it had always been there.
Mag clipped the thread and set the kutte aside.
Reached for the next one.
Outside, a bike passed.
Lane’s eyes flicked toward the sound.
Then back.
Mag didn’t miss it.
Didn’t say anything about it either.
Just kept working.
By the time she finished, both kuttes were laid out clean.
Texas flag stitched in.
Proper.
Earned.
She held one up, checking it.
Gave a small nod.
“There. So it holds when it counts.”
Then handed it over.
Trace took his first.
Koa took his after.
Both gave a nod.
“Appreciate it,” Trace said.
Mag waved it off. “Wear it right.”
Lane stepped back in.
“Thank you,” he said.
She looked at him again.
Same softness from before.
“You don’t come by enough,” she said.
Lane gave a small nod. “I know. I’m sorry.”
She didn’t push it.
Just reached out, patted his arm once.
“Don’t stay away so long.”
Lane nodded again.
“Won’t.”
“Say hi to Kait for me?”
“Sure.”
Mag smiled. She noticed something switch on his face.
“Take care of her, Lane. She’s a wildflower… She may grow wherever she wants, she may survive things that would kill her… but she’s still a flower. Don’t forget that.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Mag scoffed.
“Because of the way them baby blues sparkled as soon as I said her name.”
Lane cleared her throat.
“It only makes sense.”
“I don’t know what you—”
“Please. I’ve only known you your whole life… I bet she feels the same.”
Lane sighed.
“I… no. I don’t think so.”
“Then get to work. Alright. Go on then.”
They turned toward the door.
Lane pushed the door open and let it fall shut behind them, the bell giving a soft ring inside.
He took two steps forward and stopped.
Severino and Murrieta were just coming up to the curb.
Perfect timing.
Murrieta stayed half a step behind, eyes moving, posture loose but ready.
Severino walked like he had nowhere else to be.
Like this was just another stop.
Lane stepped forward.
Koa shifted with him, instinct.
Lane’s hand came up without looking.
Koa stopped.
Trace stayed where he was.
Watching.
Learning.
Severino’s eyes landed on Lane.
Slow smile.
“Buenos días, Sarge,” he said. “Getting a new dress?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Was gonna get a black one for your mom, but you probably don’t have one.”
Murrieta’s mouth twitched.
Severino smirked.
He stepped closer, just enough to close the distance without crossing it.
“Where’s the pretty little snake at?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you’re hiding her from me.”
Lane didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Severino tilted his head, studying him.
Then he smiled.
“Tell her something for me,” he said.
Lane’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.
“What’s that.”
Severino held his gaze.
“Tell her I figured it out.”
A beat.
Lane frowned slightly.
“Figured what out?”
Severino’s smile widened, just a touch.
“She’ll know.”
Silence stretched for half a second.
Then his eyes flicked past Lane, quick, measuring, before settling back on him.
“Ah, I see it now,” he said. “That’s why you’re always there.”
Another step.
“You always around. Steppin’ in for her. Protecting her… You watch her. You stay close.”
Lane took another stepped forward just enough to meet him.
Not aggressive.
Not giving ground.
“That’s what real MCs do, we look after each other,” Lane said.
Severino shook his head once.
“No,” he said quietly. “That’s not what that is.”
A pause.
“She’s been riding alone lately, though. Going to that little lake house by the bait shop. Maybe I should go wait for her one of these days.”
Lane shook his head slowly.
“That is not a good idea.”
Then he leaned in just enough to make it personal.
“Yeah, it is… I think I just might. But, hey… just so I know what to expect,” he said, voice lower now, “She give good head?”
Murrieta let out a short laugh behind him.
Lane didn’t react.
Didn’t even look at him.
“How about that little pussy, I bet she’s tight.”
Severino watched him for a second.
Waiting.
Nothing.
He nodded once.
Like that answered everything.
“Oh, shit,” he said. “You don’t know, do you?”
A small smile.
“Well, I guess I’m gonna beat you to it, then.”
Still nothing from Lane.
“Sucks for you, though…Because when I’m done with her…”
He let that sit.
“…there won’t be anything left you or anyone would want.”
That one lingered.
Lane’s voice came out low.
“Goddamn, Severino,” he said. “You need serious mental help.”
Severino held his gaze a second longer.
Then stepped back.
Smile still there.
“I’ll tell you all about it”
He turned and walked into Mag’s.
Murrieta gave Lane one last look, then followed him inside.
Lane glanced at the door.
Then got on his bike before the war’s first battle was fought on Mag’s sidewalk.
snake eyes
Kait stepped into the bail bonds right after lunch and saw Loraine right away.
Behind the desk.
Sitting, but not really present.
Her eyes were red.
Hands shaking just enough to notice.
Kait closed the door behind her. “Hey.”
Loraine looked up.
The second she saw her, it broke.
“Kait…”
Kait moved closer, slow, careful. “What’s going on.”
Loraine wiped her face with a tissue, but there were no tears. “. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Kait leaned against the desk, close enough but not crowding her. “About Kolton?”
Loraine nodded fast. “Yes, I mean, you saw him. He’s getting worse. Every day it’s something else. He doesn’t listen, he doesn’t sleep, he’s angry all the time. I don’t even recognize him.”
Her voice cracked.
“And Kyle…” she said, shaking her head. “Kyle needs a mother. I can’t do this, Kait. I’m too old for this. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
Kait stayed quiet.
Let her talk.
Loraine looked at her, desperate. “I pulled the cards last night.”
Kait didn’t react.
“They were bad,” Loraine said. “All of them. Tower, The World… something real bad is coming, and I know it has to do with Kolton, I can feel it.”
Kait exhaled slowly. “You can’t let that get in your head.”
Loraine shook her head. “It’s not just in my head.”
“It is,” Kait said, gentle but steady.
“You start thinking like that, everything’s gonna feel like it’s falling apart whether it is or not.”
Loraine stared at her.
Like she wanted to believe her.
But didn’t.
“The only time he was okay,” Loraine said, “was when you were with him.”
Kait didn’t move.
Loraine leaned forward, gripping the edge of the desk. “You kept him grounded. You know that.”
Kait’s voice stayed even. “That’s not how that works.”
“Yes, it is,” Loraine said, almost pleading now. “You know it is.”
Kait shook her head once. “No. That’s not something I can fix for him.”
Loraine’s eyes filled again. “He needs you.”
“He needs rehab,” Kait said.
“He’s never going to do that,” Loraine shot back. “He just needs you there, Kait. He needs to be loved, He feels so lost and alone right now.”
Silence stretched for a second.
Then Loraine said it.
“You should come back,” she said. “Move in to the house. Be with him again. Be a family with a Kyle.”
Kait didn’t answer right away.
Loraine pushed harder. “That’s what he needs. That’s what Kyle needs. Stability. You there. All of you together.”
Kait looked at her.
Calm.
Firm.
“Loraine, I’m not Kyle’s mom. I don’t know the first thing about—”
“I know but— I can’t lose him, Kait.”
“You’re not losing him.”
“It feels like I am.”
Kait softened just a fraction. “Where is he, anyway.”
“With Amy,” Loraine said. “His ex. He’s been there the last couple nights.”
“I don’t know why you don’t like that girl. She seems to genuinely care for Kolton and Kyle.”
Loraine searched her face. “She’s not like us. She’s not from our world.”
Kait held her gaze.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” she said quietly.
Loraine let out a shaky breath. “Kaitydoll. You’re the only one he listens to.”
Another silence.
Heavy.
Loraine wiped her face again. “I just… I thought maybe if you came back, everything would settle.”
Kait pushed off the desk.
“I can’t do that,” she said.
Not harsh.
“Just what happened? You guys were fine.”
“A lot of things… Trust me. It’s better this way.”
Loraine shook her head.
Church started after dinner.
Kolton was already there to everyone’s surprise.
Quiet.
Blaze stood up without being told.
“Hey, Toast. Don said he wants you next to Klaus to learn the books.”
Looked at Kait.
“Yeah.”
She got up, moved across, took the seat next to Klaus.
That put her almost directly across from Lane.
Close enough.
Not close enough.
Klaus gave her a small nod. “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”
Kait didn’t answer.
Her eyes meant to look forward for found Lane’s instead.
Don looked around the room once.
Counted.
Then started.
“Spoke to Mondragón earlier,” he said.
That got attention.
“He got a new truck. Business resumes as usual.”
They all looked at each other.
No pause.
“No slowdown. No reroutes. We push through. We take the firepower we have for now, but Mondragón will be flying stuff over. Soon.”
Don’s eyes shifted to him.
“You’re leading it.”
Lane nodded once.
“You’re taking Trace, Koa, Diablo, Blaze and Kode.”
One by one, heads nodded.
“That’s your crew. You’re also gonna have three prospects follow in the van. They need to prove themselves anyway.”
Kait stayed still.
She was worried.
“We don’t wait,” Don continued. “We don’t hide. They want the road, they come take it.”
Silence.
“Fuck ‘em up,” he said. “Don’t give a shit. They’re not gonna mess with our money.”
Lane’s voice came out even.
“They’re not gonna mess with anything that’s ours.”
“Damn right,” said Don.
Church didn’t drag.
Assignments done.
Expectations clear.
War wasn’t something coming.
It was already here.
The Alley was already moving when they walked in.
Lights low. Music steady. The room full but not packed yet.
Criminal played through the speakers, just loud enough to carry.
Peaches was on stage.
Or Poison Ivy, rather.
Ram was already posted near the stage, drink in hand, watching like he had nowhere else to be.
He glanced toward the door when it opened.
Saw them.
Grinned.
“There they are,” he muttered.
Kait stood behind the counter.
Arms resting on the edge, eyes moving between the floor and the door like she always did.
Watching. Working.
She saw them the second they stepped in.
Kode first.
Then Blaze.
Lane right behind them.
Diablo.
And then the two new ones.
Koa and Trace.
They didn’t stop right away.
Just stepped into the room and let it hit them.
Music.
Bodies.
Lights.
Trace took it in with a half-smile. “Well… this is something.”
Blaze smirked. “Told you.”
Koa didn’t say anything.
His eyes moved through the room once.
Then landed on the stage.
Stayed there.
Peaches spun, dropped low, came back up slow with the beat, one hand dragging along her leg as the vines shifted with her.
Ram lifted his bottle toward them. “Gonna get one in before you go into battle?”
Blaze nodded back. “You know it.”
Kait didn’t move from behind the counter.
Gave a brief nod as they all spotted her.
Lane didn’t react.
Not yet.
He moved with the group, slow, controlled, like he was just another guy walking into a bar.
Nothing different.
Nothing personal.
Kait reached for a shot glass and poured herself a shot of vodka.
Downed it.
She made eye contact with Dulce and jerked her chin over to them and she grabbed two more girls and they went over.
Lane stayed near the edge at first.
Watching.
Not drinking.
Same as always.
Kait went and hung out for a few minutes.
Then, she went back to check on the private rooms.
The back door, the dressing rooms. The back alley.
She stepped back into the hallway and Lane came out of the restroom.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Too close.
Too quiet.
Lane broke it.
“Hey.”
“Hey. You guys about to take off?”
“Yeah. We should’ve been on the road already.”
She nodded not knowing what to say.
“Oh, Mag says hi. We stopped by earlier for Koa and Trace.”
Kait smiled soflty. “Oh, yeah. I noticed the patches. I was going to say something. Thanks.”
He nodded.
“Hey, um. What did Severino say to you that day at Brews?”
Kait’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What. Why?”
“Just tell me,” Lane said.
Kait looked at him.
A shrug.
Kait exhaled.
“Just some stupid shit about wanting to hear me scream.”
Lane didn’t move.
“Did you say anything back?”
Kait held his gaze.
“I asked him if that meant scream something or for something.”
Another beat.
“He said he didn’t know yet.”
Silence.
Lane’s face didn’t change.
But something in him did.
He went quiet.
Still.
“Why you ask?”
“Do not let him near you.”
“Okay…”
Kait shook her head confused.
“Well, have a safe—”
“Are you moving out?”
Lane asked cutting Kait off.
“Kount.”
Kode’s voice.
From the end of the hallway.
“We’re heading out.”
“I’ll catch up.”
“Later Toast.”
“Bye, Kode.”
Lane didn’t look away from Kait.
Kode was already gone.
“I guess I can’t blame you, first Kolton and then… well, I guess I’m no better than him after the other night.”
Kait looked away. She didn’t know what to say or do.
“I’m sorry if what I did made you want to leave the Nest—”
Kait reached for his hand and he stopped.
Lane looked down, took her hand in his…
Then looked back at her.
Kait shook her head.
“No. That’s not why… Let’s talk about this when you come back.”
Then she let go.
Slow.
“Kait—”
“When you come back.”
Lane nodded and walked out.
The music kept playing.
The Alley kept moving.
Kait stayed where she was.
Her hand still feeling where his had been.
And somewhere between that moment and the road ahead
Lane had everything he needed to come back alive.
