"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he says before sitting up and making his way over to the bathroom. I stay in the warmth of the covers considering what is ahead of us. The thought of a baby seems so far off and fantastical compared to what we’re dealing with today.
"Speaking of ahead, what the fuck are we going to do?" I ask, flopping onto my stomach when he comes back into the room.
Ax frowns, coming to sit on the bed beside me.
"As much as I'd love to gut those fuckers, I don't think we can pull it off. We don't have nearly enough people, especially with Ethan injured. And there's no way I'm risking you out there."
I nod slowly as I consider his words. We started talking about it last night before Sammi took off with her “idea”, but really, I know he's right. When we had the backing and help of the local guards to count on that was one thing, but now?
I know if I asked, if I pushed, Ax would do it for me. However much he teases me, I know he has a strong sense of justice just like I do and really, would do anything for me. I may love the idea of standing up for Tekir, the proverbial little guy, but I won't risk Axle to do it. Especially now.
"We should get out of town as soon as we can," I reply, and he looks at me surprised. Apparently, when I don't argue a bunch it throws him off and I actually smile at the thought. There was a time, really not that long ago, that I probably would have been stubborn about something like this. The whole "cut off your nose to spite your face" thing is way too accurate for me and has gotten me into trouble more times than I can count. Without meaning to, I know Ax has changed me for the better.
Ax gets off the bed, coming around in front of me and sitting on his knees so we're almost eye level. His hands come out and grip my face, pulling it to his in a rough but passionate kiss.
"I love you," he says gruffly. "I'll get you and the babe out of here. We'll find a safe place, I promise."
I smile and nod at him though I still feel sadness and regret we can't do more.
"I know, baby. I know."
We dress relatively quickly, ready to go confirm everyone else is taking off and figure out the best way to slip past unnoticed. Some of the sounds from the streets have been ominous and I cringe when I think about how Tekir is likely getting torn apart right now in The Watch's search. It's only a matter of time before Tahar comes back here too.
Money or no, we aren't safe.
Chapter Thirty-One
Axle
As I’m pulling on my boots, I hear the front door open from below and freeze, immediately thinking The Watch has come back for us. When Sammi’s voice comes carrying up the stairs my shoulders drop and I look to Ana, giving her a nod as we head downstairs.
We get down and Ethan is leaning on a stick, talking in angry hushed voices with Sammi in the corner. She seems to be arguing with him and I smirk to myself wondering if Ana is rubbing off on the woman. Poor Ethan.
“Ah, we’re all here,” Emilio says as he walks in. “We are packing up and leaving by tonight. The Watch is tearing this place apart and I don’t think even I’ll be welcome much longer.”
I nod. “Agreed, we were—”
“You can’t leave!” Sammi exclaims, surprising us all as we turn to her.
“We,” Ethan says with a frown, looking at her. I raise an eyebrow but turn my attention to Sammi. I’m surprised she isn’t glad to be away from this fucking place. And the implication that we would leave, and she wouldn’t, wasn’t lost on anyone.
“It’s not our job to take down The Watch and besides, another will just pop up eventually anyways,” I tell her.
“I want to help too,” Ana says. “But we just don’t have enough of us to do it. Sammi, there’s no way.”
I watch Sammi’s face as she smirks, crossing her arms.
“Good thing it isn’t just us,” she says vaguely. I narrow my eyes, impatient and ready for her to get to the damn point. We need to get the fuck out of Tekir and every minute she stalls is a minute wasted.
“Get to the point and tell them,” Ethan says gruffly and Sammi narrows her eyes at him before turning to me.
“The guards you spoke to,” she says. “They are in jail now too. Suspected of helping the escaped prisoner.”
I raise my eyebrow at this but shrug.
“And? Not my fault, not my problem.”
Sammi rolls her eyes. “And the jail is overflowing right now with all the arrests. A few have been killed for resisting the searches, the brothels are closed down for fear of what’s coming.”