Page 71 of Nugget

“I don’t understand,” Trevor said.

“My name is Leo Cunnings. Or that is my name now,” Agent Cunnings said. “And you are keeping me from my brother.”

Gavin whimpered.

Stryker’s heart was breaking. Gavin sounded so lost and scared.

“Gav,” Agent Cunnings murmured.

“It’s a trick,” Gavin said. “The hunters—”

“They’re gone,” Stryker said. “Remember?”

“But—” Gavin shook.

“I need you to calm down, Papi.” Stryker hugged him tight. “You have your family here. We’re with you.”

“I’m his family,” Agent Cunnings growled.

“How?” Gavin whispered.

“I can explain,” Agent Cunnings said. He stepped forward. “Just…please, let me touch him.”

“Papi?” Stryker asked.

A tear fell and trailed down Gavin’s cheek, but he nodded.

Trevor and Bo stepped to the side.

Aaron Johnson watched with them with wide eyes.

“Easy,” Axel ordered. The word coming out with all his alpha power. “I don’t care who you are. If you hurt him, I’ll tear your head from his body.”

Tears were falling from Agent Cunnings’ eyes as he slowly walked forward. “I would never hurt him.”

Gavin gasped. “Leo? How?”

“Gavin.” Agent Cunnings stopped when he was right in front of them. “It’s really you.”

“Yes,” Gavin sobbed.

“My little brother.” Agent Cunnings grabbed Gavin hard, yanking him from Stryker and Axel’s hold. “My brother.”

Gavin was clawing to get closer to his brother. As if that was even possible. The brothers cried together, and Stryker found his own emotions coming to the surface. He stepped back to lean against the railing as he watched Gavin, his mate, his future.

The fates.

Stryker had cursed them for so long.

He’d been hurt. Scared. Lost. Abandoned. Stryker had never understood why he hadn’t been enough for the people that he’d been placed with. If his parents couldn’t even love him, then why would anyone else? Anger and confusion had run his life until Stryker learned to take control. To be the one that decided what he deserved.

Everything he’d been through had led to this moment.

Not only had he found his forever home, his partner, his family, but Stryker was the reason that Gavin was being given a gift that he’d thought he’d lost so very long ago.

Axel shuffled over and placed his arm around Stryker’s shoulder.

Stryker leaned against the alpha. “How is this even happening?”

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