CHAPTER 20 : FLAMES OF FEAR

As I dashed through the dimly lit corridors of the motel, my eyes briefly met Gage's as he hastily packed essentials into a bag while running. Adrenaline pumping, we sprinted to the car, leaped inside, and sped away. Quinn's panicked voice echoed through the phone, indicating that someone was pursuing her. Why had she fled? What was happening? Upon reaching Quinn's last known whereabouts, I carefully examined the modest apartment nestled among the bustling city streets.I looked at Gage. What happened between us had changed him in some way. He looked at me differently. Wanted me differently. I hope it changed us for the better, not for the worse. Running up the flat stairs, I banged on the door angrily.

"QUINN!" I screamed in sheer panic, my voice echoing through the apartment door. There was no response, just an eerie silence that filled the air. Suddenly, Gage burst through the door with such force that it flew off its weak hinges, adding to the chaos. As I frantically scanned the apartment, a wave of panic washed over me. Quinn was nowhere to be found, and my mind was racing with fear and confusion. Her phone lay shattered on the cold kitchen floor, a cruel reminder of her sudden disappearance.

“What the fuck” hissed a voice furiously. Spinning around, ready to kill anyone who entered, Gage put his arm out.

“ Shit gets tough. Quinn gets running. This is my cousin Dante,” managed Gage quietly. His dark eyes were blue and shining. He looked a lot like Quinn, and his black hair flicked back.

“Hey, cousin”, he murmured, watching me cautiously. “You must be Story. I’ve heard a lot about you”, he said, his warm eyes meeting mine as he handed me a coffee.

“Cut the crap, Don. Where is Quinn?” snapped Gage angrily, making me jump. He settled a warm hand on my thigh, and I smiled. Dante watched his hand but said nothing.

“She was here this morning when I left. Then she must have gone out”, he mumbled, flicking his hair back.

“Someone’s got her. She was screaming down the phone for someone to help her. Why was she here, Don?” Gage asked, watching him annoyed. Dante shot up and began pacing nervously.

“ Why aren’t you looking for her” he muttered, staring at the floor.

“I’ve already got scouts out looking for her. I won’t put Story in danger,” murmured Gage, sipping his drink.

“Oh, I forgot about the princess. Your job was supposed to protect Quinn. You know I couldn’t,” he hissed, stopping to stare at me dangerously.

“Why couldn’t you protect her ?” I quizzed. He tilted his head, his gaze dark and ready to kill.

“I escaped from Ryder and his men. I joined Fight Club and ran when shit got tough. I’m the only person to ever get out. Ryder has no idea where I am or what position I’m in. He can’t,” murmured Dante, taking a seat and jigging his knee. He was scared. I understood that. Ryder was a cold-blooded killer.

“What position ?” Scoffed Gage with a look at me.

“I have a wife and a little boy, Gage,” he said quietly. Gage looked shocked. That, for Gage, was unheard of. Nothing surprised him.

“Quinn was here to meet her nephew. She didn’t think Ry would notice because he’s too preoccupied with the Club stalker”, he continued, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it. I watched him.

“Where is your wife and son now” managed Gage taking a cigarette off him. He was stressed.

“In Paris seeing her parents”, he whispered, glancing at the door that was now off its hinges.

“I’ll get repairs on that. If you hear from Quinn, let me know,” stated Gage, rising to his feet steadily. I followed suit.

“Be careful, princess. From what I heard, you need a lot of luck”, he said, shaking Gage’s hand quickly. Leaving the flat, I looked at him.

“Who is after Quinn?” I murmured while walking to the car.

“All of us, baby”, called a voice. Izack and all the boys stood up at the car door. I raced forward, and Izack wrapped me in his arms.

“I missed you”, I whispered, smelling the vanilla scent that absorbed my skin.

“I missed you more, princess”, he smiled sweetly, Pulling away.

“What about Ella? I asked curiously.

“In the car strapped up.” He said, wrapping an arm around my arm around my neck gently. Sitting in the car anxiously, I sat next to Ella and Izack. He kept flirting with me profusely, and I laughed at his desperate attempt.

“Baby, are you okay ?” Asked Gage from the front seat. Haze beside him. “ I’m okay” I muttered. Izack burst out laughing.

“What’s up with you ?” questioned Haze, a soft smirk flipping onto his own lips.

“Gage and Story are going through that post-sex, let’s not speak situation.

“How was it ?” He asked, nudging me playfully.

“Fuck off”, I moaned, nudging him back.

He burst out laughing again. “Oh, it was good”, he grinned, crying hysterically. He was such an asshole. Suddenly, Haze’s phone rang. He spoke low and quickly. I assumed he was talking to Tyler.

“ We have a lead on Quinn, the old bakery at the back of Walworth Avenue”, he murmured, ending the call. Gage sped in that direction, eyeing me nervously. I knew the words he wanted to say because I was finally ready, too. Pulling up at the old shackled bakery, I sat in the car. “Izack is staying in here with you and Ella. No matter what Story, you stay in this fucking car,” he murmured, deadly serious. I nodded. The boys left the car, locking the doors, and I smirked at Izack. He pressed his head to mine.

“I love you; when we are home, can we hang out ?” He asked lovingly. I nodded, pressing my lips to his. Suddenly, screaming lit up the car, and I looked at Ella. Taking her out of her car seat, I rocked her gently in my arms. I felt Izacks baby blues staring at me. I looked up to meet them, and he watched me with so much heat and desire. That’s when a loud noise made me flick my eyes ahead. Thick flames were engulfing the front of the jeep. My heart sank.