Page 34 of Felix (4 Seats #2)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Aurora Henry

T he flickering light from the television dances across the room, barely reaching us under the covers. I’m snuggled up on Felix’s chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek. It’s soothing, almost like a lullaby.

“Can’t believe we’re watching this shit,” I mutter, not really paying attention to the random movie playing on the screen. My mind is wandering, lost in daydreams and memories.

Felix’s fingers fly across his phone, texting away like some fucking madman. His other hand rests on my shoulder, but I can tell he isn’t really focused on the movie or me. What the hell is he doing? Who the fuck’s he talking to?

I lift my head from Felix’s chest, staring straight at him. His fingers pause on his phone screen, and he finally meets my gaze. He lets out a soft chuckle and sets his phone down.

“What’s up?” he asks, his voice low and smooth.

“Who the fuck you texting?” I demand, my jealousy boiling over. I don’t like being in the dark, especially when it comes to him.

Felix smirks, obviously amused by my bluntness. “Now, darling, there’s no need to get all worked up,” he drawls. “It isn’t anything to worry about.”

“Then why are you hiding it from me?” I ask, challenging him.

“Never said I was hiding anything,” he replies, leaning in close so that our noses are almost touching. His dark eyes bore into mine, daring me to keep pushing.

“Then tell me what you’re doing on your damn phone,” I say, not backing down. If he thinks he can intimidate me, he’s got another thing coming.

“Fine,” he says, his smirk growing wider. “You really wanna know?”

“Damn right, I do,” I shoot back, not breaking eye contact.

Felix’s laughter crackles like thunder, and I can feel its vibrations through his chest. “Jealous, darling?” His smile is wicked as sin, and I’m caught in that predatory gaze. “I got nothing to hide. Passcode’s 3423. Knock yourself out.”

He goes on, telling me he texted Angel about some inscription he found on the man’s wedding band. My curiosity ignites like a firework, and I prod him for more information.

“What did you find? Spill the beans, Felix.”

“Alright, alright,” he says, still grinning. “It’s just the initials LH with a tiny love heart. Seems sweet, right?”

My body locks up, stiff as an iron rod. I’m yanked back into a memory from when I was nine, holding my dad’s ring as he unclogged a rainwater pipe. The same damn initials were there, with the same shitty little heart. I’d asked my dad about it, and he told me it was for my mom, Laura Henry.

“Shit,” I mutter, my breath coming out shaky. Images of my parents flash before my eyes, and I can’t help but feel sick at the thought of them. I pushed them away after escaping hell, unable to even look at their faces without getting hit by a tidal wave of PTSD.

My body is still shaking as Felix sits up, snatching me from my thoughts. He grips my face with his rough hands, forcing me to look into his dark eyes. “What’s wrong, darling?” he asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Those fucking initials…” I spit out, my heart racing. “They were on my dad’s wedding band too. Laura-fucking-Henry.”

“Shit,” Felix mutters, his brows furrowed like he’s trying to piece together a puzzle. “When was the last time you talked to your parents?”

“Years,” I answer, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“After escaping that hellhole, I couldn’t fucking stand being near them.

Every touch, every whispered ‘I love you’ felt like acid on my skin.

So, I ran to Queensland, leaving them behind.

They tried calling and visiting, but I just pushed them away.

Just seeing their faces brought back the horrors… ”

“Fuck, Aurora,” Felix says, anger simmering beneath his words. “We need to check on them. See if they’re safe.”

“Safe?” I scoff. “No one in this fucked-up world is ever truly safe, Felix.”

“Maybe not,” he says, pulling out his phone. “But I’ll be damned if I don’t try to protect what’s important to you.” He quickly texts Angel and Spike, asking one of them to check out my parents’ home. I don’t even know if they still live there, but it’s the only address I have.

“Thanks,” I mumble, feeling a weird mix of grateful and pissed off.

I stare into Felix’s dark eyes, searching for any sign of doubt.

But all I see is that fierce determination I’ve learned to love and fear.

His grip on my face is firm but gentle as if he’s trying to hold me together when I’m falling apart.

“Listen to me, Aurora,” he says, his voice steady and commanding. “Whatever shit comes our way, we’ll handle it. Together.”

“Easy for you to say,” I snap back, pulling away from his touch. “You aren’t the one with a fucked-up past haunting every goddamn step you take.”

“Maybe not,” he admits, leaning back against the headboard. “But I got my own demons to wrestle with, and I’m not letting them win.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right. We’re both damaged goods in our own twisted ways. And maybe that’s why we cling to each other like two broken pieces of the same fucked-up puzzle.

“Fine,” I relent, curling up beside him, resting my head on his chest. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you when this whole thing goes to hell.”

“Never doubted it for a second, darling.” He chuckles, wrapping his tattooed arm around me. “But we’ll burn together if that’s what it takes.”

“Fucking poetic, aren’t you?” I mutter, smirking despite myself. “Just remember, when the time comes, no one will save us but ourselves.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Felix whispers, pressing a rough kiss to my forehead before turning his attention back to the television.

As the movie plays, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re teetering on the edge of a goddamn abyss. And as much as Felix swears he’s got my back, part of me knows there aren’t any guarantees in this life.