Page 121 of Retaliation

“Only if you promise not to laugh,” he replied, his voice half-serious, half-teasing.

“No promises,” she said, taking his hand anyway.

His grip was firm, his palm warm against hers. There was a connection that went beyond the playful banter.

When the credits finally rolled and the lights came on, Gavin let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for the entire duration of the movie.

“That was… intense.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re adorable when you’re scared.”

“I wasn’t scared,” he protested, though his voice lacked conviction. “Just… startled. Repeatedly.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, standing up and stretched. “Well, you survived. Barely, but you did.”

They walked out of the theater, the almost deserted lobby echoing with their footsteps. She still clutched the half-full popcorn bucket, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the night as they walked to where her bike was parked.

“That wasn’t even scary,” he said, trying to sound casual as he put his arm around her shoulders.

“Oh, so you jumped every time something happened for the fun of it?” she teased, leaning into his touch.

“Hey! I was supporting you!” he said, innocently.

“Yeah, because I wassoscared,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But thanks. I had fun,” she continued when they reached her bike.

“Me too.” He smiled, taking the popcorn from her hands. “We should do this again.”

“Definitely,” she said, feeling a lightness in her heart she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Before she got onto her bike, she turned to say goodbye, but the expression on Gavin’s face caught her off guard. He stared at her with a look that could only be described as awe. He leaned forward, his eyes focused on her lips, and panic surged through her as she realized he was leaning in for a kiss.

Reacting quickly, she grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Good night, Gav,” she said, her cheeks flushing.

Gavin, chewing the popcorn, gave her a big wolfish grin.

“Night, Poison,” he mumbled with a mouth full, seeming unfazed by her subtle rejection, his eyes still warm.

She climbed onto her bike, glancing back to see him standing on the curb. As she took off and drove away, she couldn’t help but smile at his big grin as he stuffed more popcorn into his mouth.

FORTY TWO

Phillip and Gunnar walked down a barren street, the sun glaring off the windows of abandoned buildings. The only sign of life was a homeless man constructing a makeshift shelter in the alley across the street. The desolate surroundings mirrored Phillip’s inner turmoil, each step heavy with regret.

“I screwed up, man,” he sighed, breaking the oppressive silence. He kept his gaze on the cracked pavement, his thoughts a scrambled mess. “I pushed her too hard. I should have listened when she wanted to stop,” he said, frustration lacing his voice.

“So why didn’t you?” Gunnar asked.

“I don’t know.” Phillip shook his head, exasperated. “I guess I was just afraid she might get hurt, or worse, killed in the fight against Reaper.” The thought of her lying broken and bloodied haunted him, a nightmare he couldn’t shake.

“I get that,” Gunnar said, a rare trace of sympathy in his voice. “I mean; I’d avoid fighting him.”

He glanced at Gunnar, surprised by the admission of weakness. Gunnar, always the unshakable one, admitting fear? It was almost comforting to know he wasn’t alone in this.

“But I guess she’s right about him,” Phillip continued, the realization settling heavily in his mind.

“What do you mean?”

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