Page 51 of Aussie
Of course, Derek knew who Christian was. He also knew plenty about Ava, the woman Aussie had been seeing. Thinking back, Derek felt a familiar pang of sympathy for Aussie and everything that had unraveled during the Snowball. He knewthat it had affected Aussie significantly, and he’d been patient, waiting for the right time to talk to her and explain why he was there.
As he stepped through Bayside’s door, his eyes immediately caught Arianna’s across the room. She gave him a subtle nod toward a table near the bar, where a young boy sat alone, sipping a soda. Derek followed her gaze, noting the boy’s tense posture and the way his eyes darted up to meet his. Christian looked wary, a little on edge. Derek knew he could sometimes come across as intimidating, and he made a mental note to soften his approach.
When he neared the table, he offered a warm smile and extended his hand.
“You must be Christian. I’m Commander Derek Connors. I heard you were looking for Aussie.”
Christian’s eyes widened a little as he processed that Derek wasn’t just any friend of Aussie’s but his CO. Derek fought a smile as Christian quickly stood, introducing himself with a firm handshake. The kid had some good manners, that was for sure.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sir,” Christian said as he sat back down.
Derek eased into the seat across from him, making small talk to settle Christian’s nerves. “Aussie’s caught up with a few things right now, so I came in his place. Arianna made it sound like it was urgent.”
Christian shifted uncomfortably, looking a little guilty. “I’m sorry for bothering you, sir. I wouldn’t have tried to find him if it wasn’t really important.”
Derek nodded, sensing the boy’s anxiety radiating off him in waves. “I get it, Christian. That’s what we’re here for. Do you want to tell me what happened? Maybe I can help.”
Christian glanced away, his hands gripping his soda. For a moment, Derek thought he might clam up, but then Christian blurted out, “It’s Ava. I think she’s in trouble.”
Derek’s brows drew together, his attention sharpening. “Ava? What kind of trouble?”
Christian took a shaky breath and launched into an explanation, telling Derek about two boys from his school. Their names were Barrett and Chase. He spoke quickly, explaining how they’d approached him a few weeks back, asking him to join their “club.” He didn’t need to say much more so that Derek could know what kind of “club” they were running.
“And today,” Christian continued, his voice shaking. “Today, they cornered me again. Pushed me out one of the side doors where no one could see us. They told me I needed to make a decision, said I’ve had enough time to think it over.”
Derek clenched his jaw as Christian recounted the threats, the warnings, and how they hit him. And then, with a shaky breath, Christian dropped the bombshell. “They threatened Ava, sir. They said if I don’t join, they’ll go after her. They told me their boss had his sights on her.” He paused for a minute and took a breath. “They said that she would be begging for mercy by the time he was done with her.”
Christian’s voice wavered, his whole body tense, and Derek could see the struggle the boy was going through just to keep himself together.
“Christian.” Derek’s voice was firm but calm, reaching out a steady hand to him. “Listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to Ava or you. I promise you that.”
Christian exhaled, looking at Derek with a blend of relief and uncertainty.
Derek leaned back, his mind running through the situation with laser focus. His thoughts went to the current investigation the FBI was conducting on the gang activity. It was possible,Derek realized with a surge of urgency, that Barrett and Chase weren’t just idle troublemakers. They could be linked to the very gang the FBI and police were looking into.
He shot off a quick text to Aussie.
Derek:Got a situation with Christian. Meet me at Bayside ASAP.
He got a reply back immediately.
Aussie:On my way. Be there in 15.
Derek tucked his phone back into his pocket, giving Christian a reassuring smile. “Aussie’s on his way,” he told him. “And, Christian, don’t worry. We’ll make sure everything’s okay.”
Christian nodded, the tension in his face easing just slightly as he clung to the hope that help was finally on the way.
???
Aussie climbed back into his truck, shutting the door with a sense of relief. After days of silence and miscommunication, he’d finally set things right with Ava. She had let him explain what really happened at the Snowball. That the woman he’d been with was an FBI agent. Ava had listened, asked her questions, and most importantly, she believed him. They’d shared a quiet moment, and she’d even kissed him, a gesture that said they were back on track.
Snow looked over from the passenger seat as they buckled in. “So, that kiss looked like a good sign,” he said with a smirk. “I’m guessing you’re back in the clear?”
Aussie grinned, feeling a weight lift. “Yeah, man. Finally. She knows the truth now, and I think we’re good.”
Snow gave him a nod, chuckling as they pulled out of the parking lot. “About time. I thought you were gonna combust.”
They were barely a few blocks from the parking lot when Aussie’s phone vibrated on the console. He glanced down andsaw a text from Derek that made his brow furrow. All it said was that there was a situation with Christian and to go to Bayside.
