Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)

Chapter Twenty: Mika Sage

Watching those two fight almost in sync was unreal. You can tell that both of them are incredible fighters and that they have trained together considering their styles are almost identical. It was also funny to listen to those two banter with each other and I know they did that to reassure us that they were okay. Reign has punched and smashed through walls and a few ornaments that decorate the lounge.

I haven't been able to relax that way considering I have a little boy in my lap, who was crying out for his father every time a hit was landed on him. I did think that Reign was going to start a coup because Bear is the guy that sent his pregnant wife into enemy territory where she was forced to fight for her life against someone bigger than Breaker.

He basically collapsed in relief when they made it into the car safely and I found myself doing the same. Ollie has stopped crying and is hiccuping softly against my chest as we all wait impatiently for our people to return. I know that Lexie is pissed, red-faced-screaming-throwing-things-kinda pissed but she has a good hold on it. Her skin turning pale as she tightens her lips and fists, glaring a hole in the ground in front of her and pushing off Bear's attempts to touch her.

It's another ten minutes before the revs of Sav's Impala sounds outside. We all rush out to greet them and they get out laughing, "Hey guys!" Sav cheers and gets squeezed into Reign's arms, hiding her from sight. Ollie runs flat out into Runner who swings him into his arms, he groans in pain as he does it and I quickly take Ollie from him before he makes his injuries worse.

"Doc is here to check over you both." I state, bringing Raphe into a gentle hug only fully relaxing when his skin touches mine with our son pressed between us.

"Good idea, get him to check on Miracle first, I'll be fine." Despite Sav's protests, Doc does check her and Miracle first and everyone sighs in relief as he says that nothing has gone wrong. For Raphe, however, it's a different story. Bruising to his torso and cheek, a mild concussion and three fractured ribs. He can't lift heavy things which includes Ollie and Kota so he's pissed off and grumbling to Doc about it.

"Stop complaining, Raph, you're lucky to be alive. If you weren't concussed, I would smack you." I point at him with Ollie rested on my hip who then does the same, "see even Ollie agrees." We high five and he rolls his eyes in reply.

"Of course, you two would team up on me."

"Think of it as karma for putting yourself in danger in the first place."

————

We hang around the club for a few more hours just to do the debrief and try and figure out what the next steps are considering they know that Runner is gonna be harder to take, especially if he has Saviour on his side. To be honest, I think he'll end up getting more violent and may even resort to murder if he doesn't get what he wants.

Nowadays everyone seems to be out to get us and even during peace time, we find more problems to get caught up in. This time it had to be the extremely dangerous fighting rings that spread out across the entirety of our territory that we expanded into Slasher's old territory. We've been trying to focus on taking over their businesses and properties but we had to close them for now for things like remodelling and for Gears and I to figure out whether or not it's actually worth doing anything with.

It means pouring over dozens of ledgers and other papers, it becomes incredibly tedious but I would prefer that over being shot at and attacked. I suppose I should've predicted this when I got involved with a one-percenter but I never thought I'd fall in love, or have a son, especially at this age. I don't regret it, obviously, I just have more to worry about and all I'm allowed to do is sit behind a computer despite the fact I am combat trained so it gets all the more frustrating.

Ollie has fallen asleep with his head in Runner's lap and his legs in mine with his mouth open and soft snores taking over him. I hope he'll be able to sleep better tonight as he's been struggling a little with nightmares and actually getting to sleep I'm the first place. We have to leave both doors open, have a nightlight on and Kota has to sleep on the bed with him. At least it's a double bed so the dog doesn't get in the way nor does he complain, he quite enjoys sleeping on memory foam with a down duvet over him.

Ollie has us tuck the dog in too which is as amusing as it is adorable and he gives us a look that says he'll kick off if we don't so we kiss both of their heads before he even closes his eyes. Fussy little bugger, we love him anyway.

I look over my shoulder and see into the pink room where all three women have gathered with little Gem playing with dolls at their feet. I laugh softly and in the silence it carries to everyone. The nosey bastards obviously ask me what I find funny which makes me laugh a little louder. "Bear is fucked, I'm almost sure they're planning his death." I gesture vaguely in the direction of the women and everyone laughs while Bear groans and sinks further into the couch.

"I swear I didn't send her in for any other reason besides the one where she is the only one who could've gone. She was the only one capable, I never would've sent her in if I thought she was gonna get hurt. Pregnant or not, that woman knows how to handle herself." He looks directly at Reign when he says this, trying to enforce his point while Reign just rolls his eyes.

"I'm not pissed anymore, Prez. As long as Peyton and Miracle are okay, then I'm chill." He is still wound tight and I try and recall a time I've ever seen him relax. I think he's always in 'go' mode and has never taken a minute to just forget everything but then again I've never seen him and Saviour on their own.

"You don't look chill." Bear states, his eyebrow raised and his guard up, he's still waiting for Reign to attack him as promised but I think Reign might have been told not to do that. Sav has him wrapped around her finger and he doesn't care.

"Do I ever?"

"Are you two fighting?" Sav holds her husband's shoulders as she leans over the back of the couch.

"I think he's trying to get out of whatever punishment Lex has in mind for him." Marielle grins maliciously as she slips into Hunter's lap. It's weird to still see him around, he never really hung around us, occasionally we got absolutely hammered but he often stayed alone in his room or on long rides. Marielle gave him something else to live for and I've never seen him happier.

"I tried to talk her out of it, Bear. Turns out even I can't persuade my sister to back off, even Gears tried." I think she's amused by this, if I'm honest. She never had a family before us and the fact that we are willing to go to the bat for her, reminds her that she's not alone anymore.

"He is my husband, I can do as I please." Lexie is terrifying in her own way. She can be a little immature sometimes but she babies me since I'm her 'little brother' and she has an amazing tactic of making you doubt everything around you and then she goes for the throat. You'd think he would've learned by now, I mean it's been ten years.