Page 54 of The Ruckup
It makes me fucking sick.
The drive to my sister’s apartment feels like it takes forever, and I’m grateful Gavin doesn’t drag his ass. When we finally pull into her complex, he cuts through the lot, aiming straight for our destination.
As we round the final corner, my eyes go right to the entrance and I lean forward, gripping the dash hard as I try to make sense of what I’m seeing. “What the fuck?”
Gavin follows my line of sight, his giant body going tight when his eyes land on the same spot mine are fixed. “The fuck?” He throws his Hummer into park and jumps out, taking off faster than I’ve ever seen him move.
And I’ve seen Gavin run pretty fucking fast.
I manage to catch up to him, reaching his side right as we close in on where my sister is facing down the man who’s now managed to hurt two important women in my life.
Last time my path crossed Drake’s, I was relatively careful. Somehow kept myself in check. Did a minimal amount of damage even though I wanted to rip him limb from limb.
I don’t think that’s happening today.
The second I’m close enough, I jump, tackling Drake to the ground. I hear Alexis yelp as he grips her arm tighter in an attempt to hang on, so I slam my fist into his gut, ensuring he lets her go.
For the millionth time, I’m glad Gavin is here with me. I don’t have to worry about Alexis because I know he’ll take care of her. That he’ll make sure she’s okay.
Which leaves me free to give Drake what he’s got coming.
I wish I could process what’s happening so I can remember it later. Revel in the pain I’m causing. But from the first swing, all I see is red. I lose control and probably my grip on my sanity. The only thing that stops me from killing Drake right here on the lawn of Alexis’s apartment complex, is the sound of Maddie screaming my name.
“Leo.” Her voice cuts through the haze. “Stop.”
A second later, Gavin is hauling me away from where Drake is sprawled across the grass, bruised and bleeding. I fight my friend’s hold, but he only squeezes me tighter.
“Let me the fuck go.” I don’t even recognize my own voice. I sound unhinged. Animalistic.
“I can’t do that, man. You know it.” Gavin keeps dragging me away from Drake. “I need you to think about this. About what will happen if you don’t stop now.”
My words are a low growl when I say, “He deserves what he gets.”
“He does. But you don’t deserve what will happen if you’re the one who gives it to him.” Gavin grunts as he plants his feet, turning me away from Drake and putting me directly in front of where Alexis is holding a sobbing Maddie tight. “And she doesn’t deserve for you to be locked up either.”
All the fight bleeds out of me at the sight of her. I try to shake Gavin off again, and when he doesn’t let me go, I glare at himover one shoulder. “I’m not going to touch him.” My attention returns to Maddie. “I need to make sure she’s okay.”
The instant he lets me go, I head straight for her, pulling Maddie against my chest and wrapping my arms around her. My throat tightens when my eyes find Alexis. Reaching out, I pull my sister into the embrace.
I knew Alexis was strong enough and brave enough to be unbothered by any threat that came with Maddie’s presence, but I genuinely never thought she would get hurt. I look her over, keeping Maddie tight to me as I ask my sister, “Are you okay?”
Alexis nods, her narrowed gaze shifting to where Drake groans in pain. “I’m sorry I didn’t kick him in the balls.”
“You don’t have to be sorry for that.” I feel fucking bad enough about this as it is. I don’t want my sister to carry any sort of burden or regret over what she thinks she should have done.
Alexis scowls at me. “I wasn’t apologizing toyou.” She leans close to Maddie’s ear, whispering, “There’s still time. Do you want me to go kick him in the nuts now?”
One of Maddie’s sobs comes out with a weirdly tight laugh. Her head shakes, rocking against my chest as she hooks an arm around Alexis, giving my sister a squeeze. “No, but thank you.”
Alexis smiles warmly at Maddie. “The offer will always stand.”
I’ve had problems with my parents for a while now, but never Alexis. My sister and I might be very different, but she’s always been one of my favorite people in the world. She’s always had my back. A point she drove home tonight.
I watch as she gives Maddie a final pat then turns away.
And walks right into my best friend’s waiting arms.
Huh. Probably would have seen that coming if I didn’t have my head so wrapped up in my own shit. Makes a whole hell of a lot more sense now why it was so easy to convince Gavin to come back early with me.
