Chapter 2

Trying for some kind of dignity, Pike sat up straight, lifting his chin. This guy must be one of Lorcan’s men. He had no idea what the fucker wanted, but Karliene would have both Lorcan and this bastard’s balls for breakfast. “You expect me to be scared? Come on, I’m still breathing and if I did something that bad I—”

A gun. The guy actually pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head.

Karliene’s going to fucking bury him.

Throat working, Pike held very still. “What do you want?”

“You to stop the clueless act, for one. I’m hoping to get home in time for the dance.” The man’s lips slanted. “Do you know who I am?”

That would be a really odd question from one of Lorcan’s men. They didn’t really talk to him enough for him to know for sure, but those assholes were all business and definitely didn’t go to any kind of dances. Still, Pike really, really wanted this guy to be one of them.

At the man’s expectant look, Pike finally shook his head.

“Your whole operation was supposed to be taken out. I’m guessing someone took a look at that cute little face and decided to call off the hit on you. Which I wouldn’t have a problem with, except you decided to rebuild.” The man pressed the gun to Pike’s forehead, forcing him back onto the sofa, dark gray eyes hardening. “And get close to my nephew. My family.”

“Your…” Oh shit. Pike quickly shook his head again, knowing damn well this wasn’t a situation he wanted to play with. One wrong move and the man would kill him. And he wouldn’t blame him.

Ez deserved this kind of protection.

Was just fucked up Pike never knew he needed it. “Look, dude, I answered a fucking ad in the paper for some random guy looking for a roommate. I didn’t know anything about Ez, and he knows nothing about me. He’s my best friend. Even if I was still involved in...in anything, I’d never—”

“If you’re not running things, who is?”

Pike blinked as the man slid the gun into the holster at his side. “What?”

“It’s your lucky day. I believe you.” The man gave Pike’s cheek a hard pat. “Tell me who’s running the cartel for the O’Rourkes and I might let you live.”

What the fuck kind of deal is that?

He wouldn’t rat Karliene out for a good one, but still…

“What’s with this ‘might’ crap?” Pike rubbed his hand over his cheek, the reawakened ache making it hard to think. “And who are you, exactly? Why the fuck should I tell you anything?”

The man’s lips thinned. “The name’s Rhodey Leonov, but I’m guessing that doesn’t mean much to you if you’re not involved in the family business. Now answer my question.”

That name was familiar. The last name obviously, it was the same as Ez’s. He’d heard his dad mention ‘Rhodey’ before. Just one name, as though nothing more was needed to get the point across.

Kinda like Batman.

Nervous laughter escaped Pike’s lips. This was it. He was gonna join the rest of the O’Rourkes. He wished he was the coward most of his dad’s men thought he was—giving this man what he wanted would be so much easier—but this moment was just like when he’d grabbed the gun. His one chance to protect someone he loved.

Even if the effort was useless, he had to try.

“Stubborn. Should’ve figured you’d be stubborn.” Rhodey let out an irritated sound, grabbing Pike’s arm and shoving him toward the bedroom. “Pack some shit. We’re leaving.”

Pike blinked. “I’m not going anywhere with you, pal.”

The man gave him a level look, as if waiting for him to figure out what they both already knew. His lips slanted with amusement when Pike folded his arms over his chest. Then he shrugged. “Have it your way. I’ll just lock you up naked so I can hose you down when you start to stink.”

Head cocked, Pike studied the man. Maybe he was missing an opportunity here. He gave the man a slanted smile, his pulse steadying as he slipped into the mindset he was more familiar with, where fear couldn’t touch him. “If you wanted me naked, you just had to say so.”

“That doesn’t surprise me at all.” Fingers catching Pike’s ear with a rough tug, Rhodey leaned close, voice low. “Pack. And keep your mouth shut unless you’re willing to start naming names.”

Yanking free, Pike hissed through his teeth. “Fuck you.”

That big hand caught him in the mouth, Rhodey’s expression turning cold. “I’m not thinking of many reasons to let you live. You might want to stop while you’re already behind. Be a shame for Ez to come back and find me cleaning your blood out of his carpet. A job I’d usually hire out, but he’s family.”

The dude was serious. Pike recognized some of Ez’s dry humor, along with that edge of warning that said his limit had been reached. He’d go with the guy, if only to buy himself some time. Rubbing his hand over his mouth, Pike went into his room. Got his big suitcase out.

Which drew a laugh from Rhodey. “Damn it, boy, you’re not going on vacation.” He stepped up behind Pike, plucking his rugged leather messenger bag off a hook, then dumping his drawing pads onto his bed before shoving it at him. “Use this.”

Well, that wasn’t going to give him much space to pack anything. Maybe Rhodey wasn’t planning to keep him for long…

How is that a good thing?

If Rhodey didn’t get the information he wanted, he wasn’t just gonna let Pike head back to school after a nice weekend wherever they were going. There were two ways out at this point. Either he escaped, or Rhodey would kill him.

The former was a better option but wouldn’t happen with the man this close. Hopefully, some of the training he’d had would pay off. He’d just have to wait for the right opportunity.

After packing the practical stuff, grabbing one of his drawing pads to shove back into his bag on top of his jeans, shirts, and boxers, Pike faced Rhodey. Chewed on his bottom lip as he was motioned to the front door.

“I take it you don’t have a winter coat?”

Pike glanced at Rhodey. “It’s California. Am I gonna need one?”

Rhodey didn’t answer. Just opened the door. Let him lock it. Then led the way to the elevator. Out to the parking garage. His bag was thrown into the back of a black SUV. Rhodey unlocking the door was the perfect chance to make a run for it, but...Pike couldn’t. He never went anywhere without that drawing pad. It contained years of work, everything he’d chosen for himself when going with what had been chosen for him would’ve been so much easier.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

He closed his eyes, inhaling past the lump in his throat. Was he seriously going to die for a few fucking drawings?

The passenger side door was opened for him. He got in without looking at Rhodey. The car started. As they backed out the sound of heavy soles hitting pavement approached. Something slammed against the side of the car.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Rhodey?” Ez’s face appeared at the open driver’s side window. “Pike, are you okay? Damn you, let him go!”

Rhodey shook his head, gently pressing Ez back, away from the SUV. “He’s not your problem anymore. Forget you ever met him.”

Another slam as Rhodey pulled out, leaving Ez behind, his curses echoing off the cement walls of the parking garage. His reaction brought a little smirk to Pike’s lips when Rhodey muttered under his breath.

Okay, maybe there was a third option for survival.

The big man at his side had obviously hoped to get him out of here without Ezran knowing. Probably even planned to grab him one of the times Ez was gone—hell, a day earlier and he’d have pulled it off.

“Shame he’s so unpredictable, huh.” Pike turned his smirk on Rhodey, pretty sure the guy was less likely to randomly off him and dump him in a ditch somewhere, now that Ez knew who had him. “Did he spoil all your plans?”

Rhodey reached out, cuffing him upside the head. “You need to shut up now.”

Getting cocky was a bad idea. Pike nodded. And shut up.

All the way to the private plane.

Then on it. For hours and hours. He didn’t even comment when he was woken up as they were landing near what looked like New York City.

Another drive on dark roads. They pulled up to some gates which opened after Rhodey tapped in a code. Once they parked, Rhodey got out, grabbed Pike’s bag, then tugged his arm to get him moving. Up some fire escape stairs, into a loft. He wasn’t given a chance to look around. Just shoved into a small, unfurnished room. With his bag.

Before he got a chance to open his mouth, the door was closed. Locked.

For so long, Pike had been desperate to make his own path. Prove he didn’t have to live the life so many had planned for him. He’d almost pulled it off. Except, he couldn’t walk away from who he was.

Which meant the only path he could ever follow…

Led to a dead end.