Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)

Chapter Eleven: Raphael Flores

If I knew that getting stabbed by some asshole from an underground circuit would get Mika to finally accept how he feels I would've fucking done it years ago but I suppose he needed to do some growing up first.

It's sweet that he is trying to earn my trust and love like he hasn't already got it. Before I left his office he said that we couldn't be together until he became the man that I deserve and I could've started crying right there.

How can he not see that he is fucking perfect?

I shake my head and make my way over to the pink room with a massive smile on my face. I know all three women are in there so I knock hard enough to be heard over all of their gossiping. It's a good minute or two before the door is thrown open by Mari who grins at my face. "Quickly! Tell us everything!"

I still haven't told them about Mika, they know everything but his name and his job but I'm pretty sure Saviour knew about it before I even mentioned that I was gay. I lay down on the couch with my head in Sav's lap like I normally do, at least this time I'm not whining, or crying or having an existential meltdown.

"He loves me." I breathe out, my eyes close in relief as they squeal. "He didn't say that but he said that he's going to become the man that I deserve."

"Oh what a romantic! It looks like your man is doing the work." Lexie claims as she retouches her lipstick.

"He's growing up and taking responsibility for what he did and what he can do better, what else can you ask for?" Mari leans back in her seat with a grin on her face while twirling the engagement ring on her finger. Her and Hunter have been engaged for about three months now and they haven't started planning anything except that Saviour is maid of honour and Romeo is best man - he doesn't actually know that though.

"I just want him now but he says to wait until he's finished, he said he never wanted to hurt me again and the only way to do that is for him to do this part on his own."

"Are you going to wait for him?" Saviour asks, passing a hand through my curls in comfort.

"I didn't even think of that, I don't think I could ever pass up an opportunity to be with him even if it is a year from now."

"Does that mean no dating in the meantime? What about Grey?" I wince at Lexie's mention of Grey. I mean just this morning I was thinking about fucking Mika while texting Grey so that goes to show just how much I've invested in this new relationship.

"Yeah, about that..."

"You've been having sexy fantasies about the wrong guy, right?" Mari laughs as my face obviously contorts to confirm that statement. "Looks like you're gonna have to break it off with the pretty businessman if you want the sexy twenty one year old."

"I doubt that'll be a problem." Saviour laughs and I agree, I've literally only been on one date with Grey and even then we didn't exactly click on the level that Mika and I do.

I guess I'm not a slut anymore.

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"I need you to describe the guy that tried to recruit you." Mika demands as I take a seat on the couch in his office. He looks so cute typing away on his computer with a lollipop in his mouth that gives me all sorts of dirty ideas about what we could be doing instead of talking about some asshole that wants me to be a part of his team.

"Tall, greying hair, dark eyes, sharp bone structure, really expensive suit and shoes, watch had to be a Rolex and he had to beefcakes for security." I blink slowly at the jealous glare I receive for that statement and smirk playfully, oh you are so mine.

"Anything else? I'm pretty sure you just described half of the country."

"Lo siento, osito." (I'm sorry, little bear) He blushes perfectly at the comment, he may not know Spanish but he knows it's a sweet nickname that I've been calling him for awhile amongst many others. I have missed them to be honest so I'm going to use them whenever I can.

I gently kiss his cheek as I head back into the main part of the clubhouse, watching as the blush spreads to the tips of his ears and down the back of his neck. Adorable. "Runner!" I spin around to find one of the new prospects looking for me, I head over slowly and raise my eyebrow in question.

"You're Ellis, right?" I ask, not actually having a clue if that's his name.

"Emmett." Close enough.

"Ah gotcha. What is up?"

"There's a kid on the street outside the compound, he's hiding in a cardboard box and keeps digging around in the bins. We don't wanna scare him away but we don't know what to do." I immediately turn towards the kitchen and grab some pre-made food and a few bottles of water along with some blankets.

"It's not pocket science." I mumble as I pass the lounge.

"Rocket science, Runner!" Rubble shouts and I roll my eyes. Close enough.

I walk for a little bit before I find a little kid, probably around seven or eight, hiding in an alley. His head is peeking around as he focuses on me, little tufts of blond hair and curious green eyes along with a gaunt looking face and almost emaciated body. His clothes are rags and his skin is filthy and he is absolutely terrified.

I rest the stuff on the ground quite close to him before backing up and sitting on the ground, trying to make my presence seem as small and non-threatening as possible. The little guy creeps forward and starts collecting the things in front of him, marvelling at each item of food before guzzling the bottles of water and instantly breaking my heart.

"Hey, little man, you got a name?" My voice stays low so that I don't startle him and his eyes peruse me in a cat like fashion. He's weighing me up, deciding whether or not I'm a threat, I guess he decides that I'm not because he places a blanket down a few feet from me and settles on it.

His legs are crossed and his hands rip into the packets of food, "Oliver." He mutters after another ten minutes of sitting in silence.

"I'm Runner." I reply, fiddling with my phone in boredom. He's very shy but also bold, like no normal kid would just set up a picnic a few steps away from a biker, surely? "Where are your parents?"

"Dead or gone, dunno."