Chapter 6

After the Dom left, Danny helped Wren clean up the clinic, then went with him up to the fourth floor to take a shower and borrow some clothes to change into so the blood could be cleaned off his. Not having Shea’s hoodie was like losing his only safety net, and Wren’s clothes, even though they fit pretty well, felt awkward. Like Danny was playing dress-up.

And not the fun kind he played with Jacks.

They went back down to the bar, Danny stumbling to a halt as Reed tossed him a massive bundle of material from where he was sitting on the bartop. Blinking, Danny lifted it in front of him.

A big black hoodie, bigger than even Shea’s.

He shot Reed a questioning look.

“It’s Rhodey’s.” Reed spoke around the lollipop stuck in the side of his mouth, looking up from the comic book his hand open on his bright pink flannel pajama clad legs. “He said you might need it.”

“Thank you.” Danny tugged on the hoodie, which absolutely buried him, but he was okay with that. It was like carrying around something he could disappear into at a moment’s notice. He slid onto a stool, tugging the sleeves over his hands as Wren went behind the bar to put on some tea.

All the glass had been cleaned up. Wren gave the area an assessing once over as the water boiled, then nodded with a smile of satisfaction before lifting his gaze to Reed. “You did a good job.”

“I have plenty of experience.” Reed winked, then lifted his hands so Wren could see them, wiggling his fingers. “And no damage. Are you proud of me?”

Wren moved closer, taking hold of Reed’s wrist and inspecting his palms. He let him go almost immediately. “Why are you sticky?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Reed burst out laughing as Wren’s brow creased and he picked up some hand sanitizer from behind the bar. “Relax. I had some of Keiran’s cinnamon rolls and got icing everywhere. Rhodey smacked my ass for asking if he wanted to lick it off when he said I was making a mess.”

Lips parted, Danny stared at Reed. “You asked Rhodey that?”

“No. Keiran.” Reed snorted. “I value my life.”

Lifting his brow, Wren shook his head before going back to making the tea. “You made that comment to Keiran in front of Rhodey. Your self-preservation needs work.”

The tea Wren served Danny had a subtle spiciness that warmed him all the way through. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the music playing quietly in the bar, along with the voices of the other subs as they discussed the schedule and changes around The Asylum.

In moments like this, the idea of moving here wasn’t so overwhelming. He could imagine it feeling like home.

Eventually.

With Jacks and Shea here. And all their things.

But...he’d miss the condo.

“Reed, could you come help me with these loaves? You did a great job with the last batch and we’re expecting a lot of orders tonight with your fight against Sin.” Keiran hesitated, his tone going from strained to worried. “Speaking off—”

“Nope. We’re not discussing it.” Reed’s jaw clenched. “This time isn’t for some rough play. I ain’t even betting the usual. We just got a score to settle.”

Keiran sighed, holding the galley door open as Reed approached. “That’s what I’m worried about, Dulzura. You need to let Ezran and Garet—”

Holding one hand up, Reed frowned, cocking his head like he was listening to something.

“Reed, don’t—”

Reed frowned at Keiran as he went over to the front door, opening it a crack.

What had been a barely audible low hum of voices became a roar. The flashes, the shouted questions, made Danny’s stomach drop.

Reporters. Were they here because of the album? Why wouldn’t they go to the Center like they usually did? Jamie had done a good job at making sure they understood they wouldn’t get a word out of either him or Danny if they didn’t respect their boundaries.

The questions being shouted weren’t about him and Jamie, though.

“How could you do that to your little sister?”

“Will you address the alligations, Reed? Reed! This is your chance to set the story straight!”

“What kind of monster would let a little girl die?”

The door clicked firmly into place as Keiran pushed it, while Wren drew Reed away. Back against the door, regret shadowed Keiran’s face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you finding out like that.”

Looking stunned, Reed let Wren guide him to a stool. That he sat there, rather than climbing up on the bar, made it feel like they’d entered some kind of Twilight Zone. Reed rubbed his hands over his face, speaking from behind them. “Finding out what, Keiran? What’s going on with my sister?”

Reed has a sister?

“Rhodey got wind that something was up and he’s been looking into it. He didn’t want to tell you anything until he knew for sure your father wasn’t pulling some kind of stunt for an easy paycheck from the media, like he did last time.” Keiran rubbed Reed’s arms as he spoke, his voice quiet. “She just went on the waiting list for a liver transplant. A reporter decided to make a story of it because your name’s connected to Jamie’s often enough to catch people’s interest. When your father was asked if you’d volunteered to help your sister...he claimed you refused.”

Reed lowered his hands, tears glistening on his cheeks. “He never asked me. He never even tried to get in contact with me.”

“I know.” Keiran closed the distance between them, pulling Reed into his arms. “He’s a cruel man and this is his way to get some attention—probably some money, too. It’s sick and I wish…” Shaking his head, Keiran inhaled slowly. “We’ll get rid of them. Find out what your sister needs without you ever having to see that man. Unless you want to.”

“I’ll do it.” Reed nodded, as though to himself, then eased gently out of Keiran’s embrace. “If I’m a match, I’ll be a donor. Just because I didn’t get to know my brothers before they died, and I might never get to know her...she’s still my little sister. If I can save her, I will. And I’ll make sure those fuckers don’t have her believing otherwise.”

Before Reed could stand, Danny slid off his own stool and grabbed the other man’s wrist. “Let me do it. You wouldn’t even be in this position if the media wasn’t trying to get some kind of story from me and Jamie. If I go out there, I can kill the rumors and...and give them something else.”

Reed’s eyes went wide. “Danny, you hate this shit. I can handle it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to.” Danny blew out a breath, then squared his shoulders. “I was trained for this most of my life. Even if I’m not as good as Jamie and Trevor, I can hold my own when I have to.” The idea of facing a horde of rabid tabloid journalists made his stomach turn, but picturing Reed in front of them, so soon after learning what he had about his father and his sister? No. Hell no.

He started for the door. A heavy hand settled on his shoulder. Glancing up, he blinked as Rhodey moved to his side.

“I’ll be right there with you. When you’re ready to end it, just give me a signal.” Rhodey reached over to lift Danny’s hood. “This is your show, my boy. Don’t let them forget it.”

It’s never been mine. I’ve always played the supporting role. I never took the lead.

But he had to this time. To protect Reed, Danny had to control the narrative.

How, though? What can I give them to steer the focus away from him?

Scandals always sold well. They’d eat that right up.

Except...Danny had no idea how to create one.

You can always walk out there naked.

That wouldn’t cut it. Only some of the tabloids could print nudes and people would get bored of censored pics way too fast. He needed to buy Reed some time and space from this whole mess. If Jacks and Shea were here, he could just make out with both of them and give a few juicy details that the press would have a field day with and be demanding exclusive interviews about their relationship for weeks.

If Jacks was here, he’d probably come up with an even better idea.

Shea would probably go out there and punch someone.

Neither of them are here. This is all on you.

Blood running cold, Danny stepped past the front door. The shouted questions started all over, none of them clear. He stared into the sea of faces. Tension froze him in place and he reached back blindly to grab Rhodey’s hand, needing some of his strength to keep moving forward.

The frenzy of flashing lights gave him an idea.

A terrible one.

But it’s all I’ve got.