Dangerous Attention

Chapter 9: Breaking Cover

The night was colder than usual. Offroad lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his mind spinning with Daou’s last words: “Once you know, there’s no going back.”

He hadn’t slept since their heated exchange, the lingering burn of Daou’s touch and the frustration of being left in the dark twisting inside him. He craved answers—needed to understand the man who had torn his life apart and yet had become the only thing keeping him together. But as much as Offroad wanted to believe Daou was protecting him, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered doubts.

Morning light filtered in through the small window of the cabin, casting long shadows across the room. Offroad turned his head toward the door where he could hear faint sounds coming from the kitchen. Daou, ever the early riser, was preparing for another day on the run, his movements purposeful, precise.

Offroad couldn’t stay in the shadows any longer. He needed to confront him. Throwing back the covers, he dressed quickly and made his way to the kitchen. Daou was standing over the stove, cooking, his expression as unreadable as ever.

“Are we just going to pretend last night didn’t happen?” Offroad asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Daou didn’t respond immediately, flipping an egg in the pan with the same calm precision he approached everything. Offroad’s frustration boiled over as he walked closer, grabbing the edge of the counter.

“I’m serious, Daou. You promised to tell me the truth. So, talk.”

With a slow, deliberate motion, Daou set the pan aside and wiped his hands on a towel. He turned to face Offroad, his dark eyes locking onto his. “You want the truth, Offroad?” Daou’s voice was calm, but there was an edge of warning to it. “Fine. But you better be ready to handle it.”

Offroad’s heart pounded as he nodded. He had waited long enough.

Daou sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “The man who attacked you that night—he wasn’t just a random enemy. He was someone from my past. Someone who wanted to hurt me by getting to you.”

Offroad’s breath caught in his throat. He had suspected something like this, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill down his spine. “What do you mean? Who is he?”

Daou hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the window as if weighing his words. “His name is Kaveh. We used to work together, back when I was part of the organization.”

Offroad’s eyes widened. “The same organization you’re running from?”

Daou nodded, his expression hardening. “Kaveh and I were… close. But things changed. When I left, I became a target. Kaveh made it his mission to find me, to destroy everything I’ve tried to build since then.”

Offroad’s mind raced, pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. But there were still gaps, still things he didn’t understand. “Why me? Why would he come after me?”

Daou’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “Because he knows how much you mean to me.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and charged with meaning. Offroad’s breath hitched, his chest tightening as he stared at Daou, trying to process what he had just heard. Did Daou mean that? Or was it just another way of keeping him close, of protecting him like a pawn in a game Offroad didn’t understand?

Offroad stepped closer, his heart pounding in his ears. “And what do I mean to you, Daou?”

Daou’s gaze softened for a brief moment, his walls cracking just enough for Offroad to see the depth of emotion hiding beneath the surface. But just as quickly, the mask returned, and Daou stepped back, putting distance between them.

“It doesn’t matter,” Daou said quietly, turning away. “What matters is keeping you safe. Kaveh won’t stop until he finds you. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we can’t stay in one place for too long.”

Offroad clenched his fists, frustration bubbling inside him again. He was tired of running, tired of feeling like he was trapped in a maze with no way out. “And how long do you plan on keeping me locked up like this? What if I don’t want your protection anymore?”

Daou turned to face him, his eyes dark and intense. “You don’t have a choice, Offroad. This is bigger than you, bigger than us. If Kaveh gets to you—” Daou stopped, his voice faltering for the first time. “I can’t let that happen.”

Offroad’s heart ached at the raw fear in Daou’s voice. Despite everything, Daou truly believed he was doing the right thing, even if it meant keeping Offroad in the dark. But Offroad was done with secrets. He couldn’t stand it anymore.

“What if I’m tired of hiding?” Offroad challenged, stepping forward. “What if I want to fight back?”

Daou’s expression darkened. “You’re not a fighter, Offroad.”

“Maybe not,” Offroad shot back, “but I deserve to have a say in my own life.”

Daou opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, the front door of the cabin flew open, slamming against the wall.

Both men whipped around, their hearts racing as a group of armed men stormed into the room, their faces hidden behind masks.

“Daou, get down!” Offroad shouted, diving for cover behind the kitchen counter just as the first shot rang out.

The room exploded into chaos as bullets flew, the sound deafening in the small space. Daou moved with the precision of a trained fighter, his gun already in hand as he returned fire, taking down two of the intruders with swift, calculated shots.

Offroad’s heart pounded in his chest as he crouched behind the counter, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. He had never been in a situation like this before, never faced the kind of danger that seemed to follow Daou wherever he went. But he wasn’t going to cower anymore.

Peeking around the edge of the counter, Offroad saw one of the masked men advancing toward Daou, gun raised. Without thinking, Offroad grabbed the nearest object—a heavy frying pan—and hurled it at the attacker’s head.

The man crumpled to the ground with a grunt, his gun slipping from his grasp. Offroad didn’t hesitate, scrambling forward to grab the weapon just as another shot rang out, this one from Daou’s gun, taking down the last of the attackers.

Silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing.

Offroad stood frozen, the gun still in his hand, his heart racing as the reality of what had just happened began to sink in.

Daou lowered his weapon, his eyes locking onto Offroad’s. There was something different in his expression now—a mixture of relief, fear, and something else.

“You okay?” Daou asked, his voice rough.

Offroad nodded, though he wasn’t sure if he believed it himself. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

Daou stepped closer, his gaze never leaving Offroad’s. “You saved my life.”

Offroad swallowed hard, still gripping the gun in his hand. “I’m tired of hiding,” he repeated, his voice trembling with adrenaline. “If we’re going to survive this, I need to know everything.”

Daou stared at him for a long moment, the tension between them thick and heavy. Finally, he nodded.

“Okay,” Daou said quietly. “No more secrets.”