Brandon’s POV)The air was cold enough to bite. I could see my breath fog up the car window as Cameron killed the engine, his jaw locked tight like he was about to walk into a war. The streetlights buzzed above us, throwing pale light over puddles and cracked pavement. Somewhere in the distance, thunder grumbled like a warning.I didn’t say anything at first. My fingers were gripping the seatbelt too tight, like if I let go, I might lose it. The message Drake had sent earlier still burned in my head — ONE HOUR. OR I COME TO YOU. It didn’t sound like a bluff.“So this is it?” I finally said, my voice coming out rougher than I meant. “We’re just… going in?”Cameron didn’t look at me. His eyes were glued to the rearview mirror, scanning the shadows. “We’re not running anymore.”I swallowed. “Cam, this isn’t like before. You said he was dangerous—”“I know,” he snapped, too fast. Then softer, “I know. But he’s not going to stop. If we wait, he’ll find us anyway.”I studied him. His knuckl
Cameron’s POVThe clock hit midnight, and the call still hadn’t come.I kept staring at my phone like I could make it ring by sheer will. The glow of the screen painted the room cold blue. Brandon sat next to me, legs pulled to his chest, chewing at the edge of his hoodie sleeve.“Cam,” he whispered, voice small. “It’s been over an hour.”“I know.”My hand wouldn’t stop tapping against my knee. The silence was loud—so loud it made my head ache. Every creak of the house felt like footsteps. Every car passing outside sounded like a threat.Then the phone buzzed. Both of us jumped.I snatched it up so fast it almost slipped from my hand. A text. Not from the police.DRAKE: TOO SLOW.My heart dropped. “No,” I muttered, dialing Reyes’s number instantly. It rang once. Twice. Then straight to voicemail.“Pick up, damn it!” I shouted, standing so suddenly the coffee table rattled. Brandon flinched but didn’t say anything. I grabbed my keys off the counter, already moving.“Cam, wait—”“He’s m
DrakePatience. That was the key. Always had been.The cops thought they were circling me, like vultures waiting for me to stumble. Cute. They didn’t get it—I wanted them close. I wanted them watching. Because when it all went down, when Cameron finally snapped, they’d see what I’d seen all along.He wasn’t built for Brandon. Not really. And the fact that Brandon still clung to him after everything? That was the real comedy.I stood by the cracked window of the warehouse, cigarette burning slow between my fingers. My phone buzzed once. A man’s voice came over the line, low and uncertain.“Boss, surveillance says the cops are moving more units near the river. You sure we shouldn’t clear out?”I smirked. “Let them come. They think they’re hunting me? No. I’m dragging them into the open. You got the truck ready?”“Yes, but—”“No buts.” I flicked ash onto the floor. “When I say move, you move. Brandon’s the prize. Cameron’s the leash. They’ll both dance when I pull.”The guy muttered a ne
DrakePatience. That was the key. Always had been.The cops thought they were circling me, like vultures waiting for me to stumble. Cute. They didn’t get it—I wanted them close. I wanted them watching. Because when it all went down, when Cameron finally snapped, they’d see what I’d seen all along.He wasn’t built for Brandon. Not really. And the fact that Brandon still clung to him after everything? That was the real comedy.I stood by the cracked window of the warehouse, cigarette burning slow between my fingers. My phone buzzed once. A man’s voice came over the line, low and uncertain.“Boss, surveillance says the cops are moving more units near the river. You sure we shouldn’t clear out?”I smirked. “Let them come. They think they’re hunting me? No. I’m dragging them into the open. You got the truck ready?”“Yes, but—”“No buts.” I flicked ash onto the floor. “When I say move, you move. Brandon’s the prize. Cameron’s the leash. They’ll both dance when I pull.”The guy muttered a ne
DrakePatience. That was the key. Always had been.The cops thought they were circling me, like vultures waiting for me to stumble. Cute. They didn’t get it—I wanted them close. I wanted them watching. Because when it all went down, when Cameron finally snapped, they’d see what I’d seen all along.He wasn’t built for Brandon. Not really. And the fact that Brandon still clung to him after everything? That was the real comedy.I stood by the cracked window of the warehouse, cigarette burning slow between my fingers. My phone buzzed once. A man’s voice came over the line, low and uncertain.“Boss, surveillance says the cops are moving more units near the river. You sure we shouldn’t clear out?”I smirked. “Let them come. They think they’re hunting me? No. I’m dragging them into the open. You got the truck ready?”“Yes, but—”“No buts.” I flicked ash onto the floor. “When I say move, you move. Brandon’s the prize. Cameron’s the leash. They’ll both dance when I pull.”The guy muttered a ne
DrakePatience. That was the key. Always had been.The cops thought they were circling me, like vultures waiting for me to stumble. Cute. They didn’t get it—I wanted them close. I wanted them watching. Because when it all went down, when Cameron finally snapped, they’d see what I’d seen all along.He wasn’t built for Brandon. Not really. And the fact that Brandon still clung to him after everything? That was the real comedy.I stood by the cracked window of the warehouse, cigarette burning slow between my fingers. My phone buzzed once. A man’s voice came over the line, low and uncertain.“Boss, surveillance says the cops are moving more units near the river. You sure we shouldn’t clear out?”I smirked. “Let them come. They think they’re hunting me? No. I’m dragging them into the open. You got the truck ready?”“Yes, but—”“No buts.” I flicked ash onto the floor. “When I say move, you move. Brandon’s the prize. Cameron’s the leash. They’ll both dance when I pull.”The guy muttered a ne