Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)

Chapter Twenty-One: Raphael Flores

I'm grateful that tonight is over, I am ready to collapse into bed and sleep into next week but apparently everyone is choosing tonight to piss me off. As we pull up outside of our house, Ollie and I in the truck and Mika on his bike, there is a Range Rover parked on the driveway in a way that stops me from being able to fit.

I can see Mika's anger as he kicks off his bike and starts towards Grey, who is sat on the doorstep to the house. I quickly help Ollie out before hurrying over to stop Mika from killing him. I normally wouldn't have a problem with it but this guy has pretty powerful friends and it would not be a good idea to do so.

From the glazed eyes and swaying posture, I can only assume that Grey is wasted. He told me that he didn't drink very often, though I suppose that was an excuse so he didn't need to go near the bar which is where all my friends were when he was at the club party. "Hello!" He greets loudly and Ollie grips onto Mika's belt as he watches a Grey approach us on unsteady feet.

"You're drunk, Grey, go home." I gently push him away as his hands reach out to grab my waist.

"No, I'm not going home. I should be here more than whatever that is." He gestures to Mika and my chest rumbles as I move to stand in front of both of them. I look over my shoulder to see the cocky smirk on Mika's face that is the definition of perfect and I find myself almost forgetting my anger at the sight of it. His head nod turns me back around and I focus on the idiot that is currently waving a slender finger in my face.

I'm tempted to grab it and break the fucking thing but I can't be bothered at this point. I just want to curl up in bed and get some rest before I'm forced back into an early meeting tomorrow so that we can find out what the next steps are and what punishment Bear ended up receiving from his wife. "Say another word about him and I'll knock your teeth down your throat." That seems to snap him out of it and I make sure that the other two go into the house while he is distracted.

"You're gonna pick him over me?" He brags, throwing his arms out and spinning around as if he's showing off his body. Like his could ever compare to Mika's.

"I will always pick him." Is all I say before heading up the steps and slamming the door behind me, locking it as soon as possible. He can stay out there all night if he wants to and I really couldn't give a shit, it's just gonna make him look like an idiot not me.

Before I can even recognise what is happening, I see a flash of a blue eyes and a scar as soft lips descend on mine. It starts as a gentle caress but quickly turns into a slow, languid kiss that has me melting, my knees weakening as his tongue flattens against mine and his teeth nip at my lip.

I give as good as I get, pulling him closer and turning my head to allow him more access. I'll let him lead this time, I decide, as his hard form presses me against the door to support me and to make me aware of how turned on he is. He is stronger than me and it's rare for me to enjoy feeling small and protected but with him it's like I crave it. I know I'm older but Mika is definitely more mature than me and I know I can rely on him. I relish in that sensation as his hands pull at my hair and clothes.

He pulls away when I'm good and breathless, leaving my chest heaving and my lips bruised. "I love you." His eyes are hooded and sincere, warming me up and sending me straight up to cloud nine.

How could I ever choose anyone else?

"I love you." I whisper back, my lips brushing against his playfully, "where's Ollie?"

"He's getting ready for bed, which you should be doing as well." He brushes my hair back and brushes his fingertips against he forming bruise on my face. "That's gonna be one hell of a bruise." His expression is full of worry and concern so I move to comfort him, bringing him into a tight hug and pushing his head into the crook of my neck. "I was terrified."

"I know, I'm sorry." I kiss the top of his head and squeeze him tighter.

"Dad... and dad, I'm ready for bed." We chuckle softly and I spin Mika around so that we can head up the stairs to Ollie who needs to be tucked in and read to or he won't sleep. There's a chance he'll end up in our bed as well after what happened today.

————

"Last night was a success!" Bear cheers as I mope over my morning coffee. We hardly slept last night because Ollie woke up screaming from a nightmare and it was hard to coax him back to sleep even though he was in our bed with his face pressed against my chest.

"Nice to know what your idea of a success is, Prez. You seen Runner's face?" Saviour is looking a little paler than usual and that scares me a little bit, we have had quite a few close calls recently with Miracle, faster heart rates and less movement that have us all in a frenzy.

Since Sav has such a high risk pregnancy, Doc has arranged for the surgery to get Miracle out - I don't know what it's called but it does begin with a C - safely as a natural birth is too dangerous. That surgery is due to happen about two months from now so last night's stunt was way too dangerous.

"He's fine, so are you and so is Miracle. The next step is gonna be more dangerous."

"Is it something to do with my daughter because she's already asked to borrow my gun and my truck?" Last night was the first time that I saw Gears so angry, he was ready to tear Bear's throat out for risking Saviour as he basically adopted her the day she arrived and now that his daughters are pissed, he is on a whole different level. Right now though, he looks amused as he stares Bear down with a look that says 'get out of the country before my daughter murders you and I help her hide the body'.

"Yeah, I can't really piss her off anymore than I already have so no. The next step is to launch a full scale assault onto the next one that surfaces. Matìas has already agreed to get involved, that's where the leaders are going, anyone else will either be told to stop fighting or to leave town. If they don't leave in a week, they die. Saviour, you and Gears will stay here to protect Lexie, Mari, Gemma, Ollie and Miracle. Romeo, you'll be our eyes. Everyone else will be fully armed and wearing Kevlar, Hunter you'll work with me to form a good strike since you're army and know what you're doing. Everyone okay with that?"

Everyone agrees and Church is dismissed, I head into the lounge while Romeo goes to his office. I drop down onto the couch and Sav curls up into my side with her head on my shoulder and her arms wrapped around my left arm. "Are you feeling okay? You're looking a little pale?" I ask, brushing her hair back as she tries to blow it out of her face.

"Yeah, Doc says it's because I'm tired and the morning sickness is normal. Miracle is okay, Reign made Doc come over before Church."

"He's very paranoid."

"Understandable, as bad as it sounds, Miracle wasn't supposed to live this long but she continues to surprise us. She's gonna be a strong one."

"If she's half as strong as you, Sav, she's gonna take over the fucking world."