Page 67 of Up in a Blaze

“Okay, Henri,” he whispered, leaning back into me.

In a way, it was probably best if we were headed to Mexico and away from Blaze because I knew from the sting to my cheek, I would be marked. If Blaze saw that, God help anyone who got in his way.

I wanted him safe like he wanted me. But I feared he would put himself in danger to retaliate against the man who marred my skin.

So yes, Mexico would be better.

Still, for now, we just had to keep still and quiet. I really didn’t trust the look in Greg’s eyes since it’d shifted from hate to hunger, which was now directed at Sawyer.

If Greg ignored the driver’s warning and tried anything, I would go full papa bear on that bastard to make sure Sawyer stayed protected.

“How long we got?” someone asked.

“Roughly three hours still.”

Three hours.

Three hours meant our destination would be the port in LA.

Where my beast was.

My pulse raced in worry and excitement.

Mon amour will know what to do.

Blaze would take care of everything. And I would take care of him.

Blowing out a quiet breath, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

Please let this end smoothly. Please watch over Sawyer and Blaze.

I needed my beast in my life and at our home, not locked up in jail.

Sawyer shifted against me. I wound my arms around him and held on tight. This poor boy. He already had enough done to him. My blood boiled that there were people who wished to capture him because of his looks. People wanted to use him, own him, and none of it was in a good way like my beast did me.

They wanted to ruin him.

He needed protection. He needed security in the form of people who cared for him and his well-being. He held the weight of the world on his eighteen-year-old shoulders, and it wasn’t fair.

No one at his age should be working the hours he did. Should be the sole carer for their brother. He shouldn’t have to be the adult and live a life where he wasn’t able to go out to have fun and enjoy his prime age.

“Henri,” he whispered.

“Oui, chéri?” I brushed over his hair with my hand.

“Our parents died when I turned eighteen. I have full custody of Arlo. They had debt up to their ears but also loan sharks wanting payments. I sold the house to pay off what I could and moved us into a terrible area, but we have a good neighbor. Miss Cora helps me with Arlo when I’m working. Still, there’s people always wanting money. It’s never-ending….” He swallowed thickly and sniffed. “I-If I don’t get back to Arlo, they’ll take him. They’ll hurt our neighbor. The only reason they’ve left us alone is because I give them most of my wages. But if I’m not there….”

“Shh, chéri, we will get you home to Arlo. By nightfall, you will be with him, I promise.”

I really did have that much faith in Blaze and the Diamond MC brothers.

Only what Sawyer didn’t know was that our help wouldn’t stop at this situation. Somehow Blaze and I were going to get him and Arlo out of this debt.

“How can you promise that?”

I ducked close to his ear and whispered, “Because I believe in my Blaze. He will save us, chéri.”

He gasped, lifted his head to look at me. “Really?”