Secrets, Lies,and Love

Chapter 14

Alex's POV

"Thomas!" I shove my way through the crowd and tackle my Thomas back. My arms wrap around him tightly and we sway slowly. He inhales sharply and arms wrap around me protectively.

"Hey babes..." He hushs and press a kiss to my cheeks, he hums a soft song and studies me worryingly. I study his eyes and frown at the underlying emotion. He's grieving.

"What's the matter love?" I cock my head and hold his head in my hands, I brush my fingers over the high cheek bones and plump lips. His eyebrows screw up and he bites his lip .

"I need to go to Virginia. " I sigh and touch our foreheads .

" Why?" I give a soft smile,it's nervous but sweet.

"I... uh.." He looks down and away. "They killed a sibling. " His voice breaks and eyes fall to the ground. His shoulders slump slightly , yet no tears fall. He's never been big on those emotions.

"Oh Thomas, I'm sorry." I hug him tightly and pull him to my chest tightly. He sighs and tries to fight it after a moment, He gives up and hugs me back as tightly.

"We need to get out of here and make a plan. " He whispers in my ear and his body tenses, he's always tense when he's in work mode." We'll leave for a few days, collect ourselves, and catch us a lying bitch. "I smile tightly and nod.

" Does anyone have a report on what the hell just happened?"Lafayette yells as he crosses his arms, he's in charge while George's gone. We trust him, he's always had a very... loyal heart.

"I wish." Thomas scoffs and peels himself from the hug, we both straighten our backs and put on our big boy pants. We can talk about this at home,Thomas can grieve at home, I can comfort him at home. " All I know is that we've gotta murder on the loose." His jaw sets and he looks outside, his eyes glaze over with a cold look. His muscles tense up and he looks back at Laf

"I'll get someone else to write a report..." Laf sighs as he study's Thomas posture,anyone who knows him well enough knows he's shoving his feelings into a box and locking it. Laf glances at me and I shake my head. Don't push it.

"Alright, "Thomas nods, he counts the bullets in his gun and rubs his thumb over the markings on it.

"Well, no what?" I cock my head and glance around the room.

"We find the bad guy." John shrugs and lays his head on my shoulder, I look down at him and offer a soft smile. He has pretty eyes.... I study them for a few minutes before snapping out of it and looking at Thomas. His jaw is locked and he's staring intently at his phone, I can see the reflection in his eyes. He's switching between writing on a Google doc and texting his siblings I'm assuming.

"And kick some ass." I give my own crooked grin, Thomas looks up and cocks an eyebrow.

"You are not going anywhere near him. " Thomas puts his phone away and shakes his head. I groan and roll my eyes.

"You're not my dad, I don't have to listen to you."I shake my head. His eyebrows screw up and he takes his hands in mine.

"You are not going after that man." Thomas's grip tightens. "I already lost one partner to him, I'm not losing another ." I growl and yank my hands back .

"I can do what I want, it's a free country." I huff and we narrow our eyes at each other, the other too stubborn to give into the other.

"Alex, if he did anything too you I would feel terrible. "He begs, the steel in his eyes cracks and shows the fear in them.

"Thomas, it's my job to go after the bad guys." I huff and straighten my back.

"And it's my job to protect people." He puts his hands on my shoulders and I shrug off the touch. His frown deepened and eyes fall to the ground. "And I want to protect you."

"You know what," I scoff and start backing up, John puts an arm around my waist and glare at Thomas ."I don't need to be protected."

"I know you don't." Thomas' hands ball up into fists."But I just...."He sighs and he looks out the window. The expression flickers on his face ,sadness deepens the lines on his face and his shoulders sag." Can't we just get away for awhile?"

The room settles into a pin drop silence, Thomas' eyes fall on John and I, eyes studying the arm around my waist. I hesitantly push it off and cross my arms. James gives an urging look and nods slowly. I shake my head and he gives a dangerously sharp look.

"I... We can't just abandon everyone here..." I shake my head and motion around us." They need us." He sighs and swallows, his Adam apple bobs and eyes fall to the ground.

"I need some time away from here." He says softly, though it's barely above a whisper everyone could hear it. Everyone shifted uncomfortably, Thomas knew the most about our guy, Thomas took him down once already. "I can't deal with this again..."

"Thomas, please." I beg and take his hands in mine. "You can grieve later, everyone needs you here. " His eyes snap to mine and he looks hurt. I can watch the gears turn his head.

"Fine. " He sighs and smiles." I'll wait it out."

His smile doesn't meet his eyes