Page 17 of Carver
Carver took a moment to assess how he felt. His phone was likely broken and the men in the gym probably thought he'd lost his mind. He had no doubt Silver was reaching out to Slash or Hex to get an answer. He'd have to explain himself later. Or he’d get the others to. He wasn’t sure he could remain calm when discussing it all.
The news would be enough for them to understand. Even the ones who didn't know Carver's past would know his compassion and desire to help others could be triggered through this news.
After Doc reassured him again that he was doing everything in his power, Carver left him with access to club funds to be able to get whatever other equipment Doc said was needed.
"It's all approved," Carver said. "Or if you need to outsource to a clinic, we'll coordinate and escort there and back. But he is to remain in our care. Understood?”
Doc had agreed. With that handled, Carver went to his room. He had work to do. There were other projects he could check on. Trix likely had an update, and even the rest of the men on the compound were sure to have business he should manage.
Carver wanted nothing to do with any of it. In his room, he threw down his leathers and shirt before he stripped the rest of the way. He went straight into the shower, turning the water to a scalding level. He stood underneath the stream hoping it would relax him.
He needed some type of relief. Fighting didn't work and fucking was off the table. His libido was south of hell at the news that the boy had been held for so long.
Thoughboyreally wasn't a fitting word anymore. He was a grown man. A grown man who might have been stuck with the mind of a boy. Had he ever learned what was going on around him? Had anyone ever explained that life shouldn't be that way?
Carver doubted it. More than likely, he was left in the dark so they could keep him complacent. Carver scrubbed his skin as if the soap and water could wash away what he had witnessed. As if the suds moving down the drain could take away the years of torment the boy had lived through. As if it could take away the memories that Carver struggled to push down again.
It had been years since he'd been reminded of the past. Years since he couldn't get himself in order quickly. He would need to schedule a session with Fury if this kept up. He needed to be in his best form to lead his men. Anything less could hurt them.
He stayed in the shower far too long. Eventually he climbed out and dried off. Throwing on some comfortable sweats since he didn't intend on going anywhere else, he left his room in search of food. He wasn't all that hungry, but something was better than nothing. Especially after how long he'd been awake.
In the kitchen, he found several of the men hanging around eating snacks. He gave each of them a nod as he went to the cabinet. Some bread, meat, cheese, and veggies later he had a massive sub sandwich. He ate it while leaning against the counter.
His eyes were unseeing despite the activity in the room. It was as if he had blinders on. The only thing he could think of was the food he needed at the moment. Next he would go over how to get a new phone since he couldn't go without one for long. After that, he would check in with his team.
Everything was an item on a list to be checked off. He had to take the emotions out of it, or he would never get anything done.
“Boss,” a voice said. He looked up to see Hex standing there with a scowl. “You good?”
Carver swallowed the bite he was chewing and nodded. “Yeah.”
“You sure? Because word in the compound is you got a little riled up earlier.”
Carver bit into the sandwich a bit more forcefully than necessary.
Hex's lip curled at the edge. “I mean, I get it if you were. It's been a shit day. Might have something to cheer you up though.”
He pressed some buttons on his phone, then turned the screen towards Carver. As he watched, Hex stood in front of the camera bouncing around excitedly. “Time for the final show,” screen Hex said, then raised his hands and wiggled his fingers. Flames erupted behind him as the house went ablaze.
Even if the fire department could get to them, there was no chance of putting it out. Hex was a master with the flame. Carver knew the house would burn until there was nothing left.
The truth of it brought him a bit of peace, made him a little less murderous. Hex sped the video up until the house collapsed. Then he fast forwarded to the end where there was nothing but ash and metal just as Carver had instructed.
“I told you I'd take care of it. Now it's all gone. Not a single piece left. Mouse is still there to coordinate scrap metal pickup. You know, he's just going to play Tetris until someone shows up.”
“I know,” Carver said after polishing the last bite of his meal. He dusted his hands off, then motioned for Hex to follow him down the hall. What he had to say next wasn't meant for everyone to hear.
Once they were in his office, he closed the door. Hex dropped into the chair and propped his feet up on the edge of the desk. While Carver would normally tell him to chill out, he ignored his agitation as he dropped into his seat too.
“Based on what I was told and what Doc thinks, there's a lot that's going to be headed our way. The boy,” Carver stopped and cleared his throat. “The young man in our care is older than we thought. He’s going to need a lot of help.”
Hex's easy smile dropped. He dropped his feet, leaning his body forward. Gone was the playful pyromaniac. He was all serious and focused.
Carver could appreciate how he flipped the switch on his emotions.
“What do you need from me, Boss? Should we set him up a room? Is there a space that you think would work best?”
This was where things got tricky. Carver knew what he wanted to do, but it wasn't what he should do. He wanted the boy close to him. Wanted to know that he would be okay. Wanted to protect him should any nightmares or trouble arise.