Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Durango

"You were just released from the hospital! After being drugged!" CT yells at me.

"I don't care!" I yell back. "I need to check on my house and see what the asshole has done."

CT stares at me.

"Look, after we check out my house, I'll go to Axel's and rest. Okay?"

CT sighs. "Fine, but I'll go in the house first."

"Fine."

I can't believe it took this much convincing. Once I showed CT the video footage of that asshole, Tyler, breaking in the back door of my place, he should have immediately agreed to go.

And it doesn't escape me that Piper's ex, John, also broke in through the back door. Unfortunately, there is a thoroughfare behind my back area. A person can easily get into the back courtyard area and up to the door where they can work on breaking in, unmonitored as far as they know, until they get in.

I need to find out who owns that area behind me. Maybe I can buy it and put up concrete walls.

"I'll go with you to your house but not Axel's. I have a flight to Seattle that leaves in a couple of hours. I need to go to Ozzie's and grab my bags," CT says.

I'd almost forgotten that he was only in town for the night. "Oh yeah. Sorry to ruin your plans."

"Stop. You didn't ruin anything. I'm here for you, and you know it. There's our car." He points to one approaching.

During the ride, I continue to check the cameras but don't see anything new. After Tyler ran out the back door, he didn't return.

We get dropped off a block from my house. As promised, CT goes in front of me. The front door of my house is ajar. Just outside, CT pulls a gun from the back of his waistband. I'm thankful he has it on him and not in its case with his luggage.

He goes in first, and I follow. Fortunately, CT has been to my place before, so he's familiar with the layout. Once he's convinced no one is there, I check each room to see if that asshole left anything behind that would help us locate him. I find nothing.

"Let's go to Axel's place," I say. I want to check on Willow and see for myself that she's okay.

"Okay, it looks like this is where we part ways," CT says.

"Oh shit, sorry. You told me that already." I'm losing focus, and focus is what I need the most right now.

He slaps me on the shoulder. "I'm sorry I can't stay. I need to get back."

I nod. "Are you and Amber a thing yet?"

His eyes widen. "What? No, we're not. And be careful who you say that around."

I shake my head. "There's no way Rover doesn't see the way you two look at each other." I certainly didn't miss the way Ozzie and my cousin, Piper, shared those long glances or the way they flirted. I tried not to see it and still did.

And CT and Rover have been best friends for years. There is no way Rover wouldn't see the looks his little sister, Amber, and CT share.

"Trust me, Rover has a blind spot, which is probably best for my health. Besides, Amber's dating some asshole."

"Is he really an asshole?"

CT sighs. "No, he seems nice. But I can't stand it."

"I can talk to Rover. I've been in his shoes."

CT's hand goes up. "No, please don't. It will only make things worse."

"Not sure how much worse it can get. Unless you can get over her."

"I wish it were that easy."

We part ways, and I take a cab to Axel's. When I arrive, it's just about dinner time. They started early, and there are three pizzas on the counter.

I spot Willow with her back to me and rush over to her. She turns just as I reach her and jumps into my arms.

"Durango, I was so scared for you."

"I'm fine. I was worried about you. That asshole got into my house."

"I'm so sorry. I'll pay for the damage to the door. I didn't mean to bring him to your place."

"Willow, don't worry about it. I'm just happy you are all right."

Axel bumps my good arm. "Here, eat." He hands me a plate with a slice of pepperoni pizza on it.

I take it as I release Willow. "Thanks."

"How are you feeling?" he asks me.

"Better. Your text said Tyler got into a car."

"Yeah, he got into the back seat, and it drove off," Axel says.

I'm surprised. "He's working with someone?"

"Not sure. Reed got a photo of the license plate, and we are waiting to hear back from Trip."

Willow stiffens beside me at the mention of Tyler.

I lean down. "Hey, we'll stop this guy," I tell her. I'm not sure how yet, but I won't rest until he's behind bars or dead. He's tormented Willow for too long.

After we eat, I want some time alone with Willow. "Hey, Axel. Is there anywhere I can talk to Willow privately?"

I've been to his house before. It has three bedrooms, but the last time I was here, he was using them for storage.

"Yeah. Upstairs, the second door on the left. It's a guest bedroom."

Oh, maybe it isn't storage anymore. "Great. Thanks."

I take her hand and lead her up the steps. We pass one room that has boxes and a blow-up mattress on the floor. Is this where Axel sleeps? We continue to the second door, and there is a queen bed and a nightstand. It appears to be a fully functional guest room. Or is this his room?

"Just a second," I say.

I walk down the hall, past the bathroom, to the final door, and peek in. It's the largest room with a king-size bed and matching furniture set. Okay, that must be his room.

I return to the guest room, and Willow is sitting on the mattress. I close the door and join her.

"He's redecorated since I was last here." I barely get the words out before she throws her arms around my neck and presses her lips to mine. I pull away before we go too far. "I've been worried about you," I say.

"I've been worried about you, too," she says back. "You've been through a lot, both dealing with me and with you being kidnapped. And your assignment." She gently touches my temple. "Did Tyler do this to you?"

"No. I scratched myself when I jumped through the wall to the street. I mean, I didn't jump through a wall." I take a deep breath. "As for dealing with a lot, it's kind of how it is for me with the work I do. And this had nothing to do with Tyler."

She frowns and drops her arms to her lap. "You're in that much danger all the time?"

"Not all the time but often."

She stares at me. "Do you ever talk to anyone about it?"

I clasp my hands together to keep from touching her. All I want to do right now is touch her, but we need to talk. "Well, Reed makes us write up reports after every assignment, so he gets the full details. And while on assignment, whoever I'm working with, we communicate all the time to make sure we can do things as safely as we can."

She shakes her head. "No, I don't mean that." She takes my hand in hers. "I've been going to therapy to help with everything I've been through."

"Yes, you mentioned it."

"It's really helped me put everything into perspective. Before, I blamed myself for everything that happened with Tyler."

I frown. "But it's not your fault."

"I can see that now. But before, I couldn't."

Is she trying to explain herself? She has to know that isn't necessary with me. "Willow, you've been through a lot. And I don't blame you for any of it."

She nods. "I know. I was thinking you would benefit from therapy, too."

Ah, there it is. "I don't need therapy."

"Are you sure? Since we've been talking again, I've noticed you're different. You are more bottled up."

I stand up and take a step away from the bed. "Bottled up?" We've talked about everything that has happened in our lives since we used to hang out ten years ago. I told her what happened with Piper and John. "I've been open with you about everything in my life."

She bites her lip as she stares at me. It's something she does when she's trying to control her emotions. "Yes, you have. You've told me facts and details. But you haven't been open with your feelings."

"Are you kidding? I've made it very clear I want to date you. You're the one who wasn't ready."

Her eyes close, and I think she's mumbling something to herself. "I'm getting this out wrong. What I mean is you seem closed off. You weren't before. I know you deal with a lot in your job. And?—"

"You know?" I say harsher than I mean to. "You know what I deal with? No, I don't think you do, and I don't think you want to know."

Memories of the day Piper realized what Ozzie and I and the other guys do flood my mind. I assumed Piper understood, but it was at that moment that I realized those outside of our assignments really don't get what we have to do sometimes. Even Piper, who works with us each day. And frankly, most people don't want to know the details. It's too much for most to handle.

"Durango, please. I don't want to argue."

"Then don't make assumptions about me." I'm not sure why this is making me so angry, but it is. Maybe it's because she hit a nerve. Yes, I was different ten years ago. That was before my dad died and my mom found out they hadn't really prepared for that scenario.

Thankfully, I was able to get work with Stormy and make enough money to help her out. But I had to give up a military career I loved. Something I'd thought I'd come to terms with but maybe not. She's right; I am different than I was ten years ago. Maybe I'm not the man she thought I was.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to do that. I just thought talking to someone might help you process some of the things you've dealt with."

"I'm not a talker. Never have been. If you don't like that, then we should just remain friends." I storm out of the room and back downstairs.

Once downstairs, Axel picks up on my pissed-off mood. He arches a brow. I ignore it.

"I'm going for a walk," I say as I go to the door.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Axel says.

I spin around, ready to argue.

His hands go up. "You just spent the afternoon in the emergency room."

"I'll walk slow." I leave before he can stop me.

I need to get out of there and clear my head. I'm too angry to stay, and I might say something I don't mean.

I get therapy is great for her, but she went through a horrible ordeal with Tyler. I don't need fixing. I thought everything between us was going well. But if she thinks I need to change and we haven't started dating yet, hell, it won't go well.

Footsteps grow louder behind me as someone is running toward me. I turn to face whoever it is.

Axel.

"Hey, what happened upstairs?"

Great. This isn't something I want to talk about.

"I hate to butt into your business, but since we are trying to keep them safe, I need to know what's going on."

If anyone would understand, I guess it's Axel. "Willow has been seeing a therapist because of everything she went through. She suggested I see one, too. I said no. It didn't go well."

A weird sound comes out of Axel, and I glance up. He's trying hard but failing to suppress a grin.

"What the fuck?" I ask.

"I'm sorry. I'm just picturing your face when she suggested therapy for you."

"This isn't funny."

"Oh, it kind of is. You're a rock, the last person I'd ever see open up and talk to a stranger. I'm guessing you probably said hell no a little harshly?"

"Since when did being a rock become a bad thing?" I ask, ignoring his question.

"Look, I'm no expert at relationships, but I do know if you want real intimacy with someone, you have to be willing to be vulnerable."

I glare at him. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

He shrugs. "Share your innermost fears and secrets."

I run my hands through my hair. "I don't have fears. I jump out of planes for my job."

"No fears? You didn't fear losing Piper when her ex went after her? Or losing Ozzie if he dated her? Or losing anyone else after your father died?"

I sigh. "Yeah, but I had reason to fear those things. Anyone else would have, too. Plus, I told Willow about what happened to Piper."

He nods. "Did you tell her how it made you feel?"

Hell no. She wouldn't want to know how badly I wanted to murder John. That would only scare her.

"I've known you a long time. Losing your dad hit you hard. Since then, you've become much more protective of those you care about. I get it. You're scared to lose anyone else. I think that's why Hawthorne's death was so hard on you."

It did hurt like hell. It brought up all the memories of losing my dad all over again.

"I'm guessing Willow hasn't seen your vulnerable side. Let her in if you want a future with her."

"Thanks. I'll think about it."

"And can you think about it back at my place? CT texted me that you are supposed to be resting."

He's right. I need to stop pushing myself. Maybe some quiet time with Willow is what we need. Well, until Tyler shows his face again.