Page 80 of Up in a Blaze

“No, please. Let me come.”

“Okay, chéri.” We all exited the car and the noise from the building amped up; music, loud voices, and to go with it all was a strong scent of weed.

Blaze’s gaze shot to a vehicle pulling to a stop behind ours.

When the lights turned off, I saw who was behind the wheel. The door opened, and Loyal climbed out with a thinned-lip frown as he looked around.

“What’s he doing here?” Sawyer whispered harshly. He took a step away, shaking his head. “No. He can’t be here. Not him. No.”

Loyal paused upon seeing Sawyer’s reaction.

Blaze stepped forward and in front of Sawyer as the boy tried to catch his breath. I moved beside Sawyer, rubbing his back.

“Did Loyal do something to upset you, chéri?”

“What? No!”

“Then why do you not want him here? He could help Blaze if there is trouble. You and I both know we aren’t the strongest tools in the shed. The smartest, oui, but not the strongest. I can throat punch a bully, but I would also hurt my hand in the process. I do not want that. You do not want that, and Blaze especially does not want that because I am the worst patient. However, if you wish Loyal to leave….”

He shook his head quickly, heat hitting his cheeks. He shifted closer and whispered, “I didn’t want him to see where I lived.” He gave me eyes that wished I understood more than he was saying, and I believed I read him right. Sawyer had a big fat crush on Loyal and wanted to hide the life he had been dealing with.

Unfortunately, he didn’t understand that Loyal was also smitten and was ready to take care of what was his. However, sweet Sawyer was not ready to deal with Loyal’s emotions just yet.

I smiled and nodded. “He will not care, chéri. This I promise. Loyal wishes you and Arlo safe like Blaze and I do.”

He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Okay.”

“Loyal,” Blaze called, tipping his chin up the brother’s way.

“Yo,” he called as he approached. “What’s happenin’?”

“How come you were tailing us?” Blaze asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Saw you guys leavin’ the compound. Just wanted to make sure you got home all right.”

That was very sweet.

“We’re just getting Sawyer home. Check the place and see how his brother, Arlo, is,” Blaze explained.

“Cool.” He tried to look at Sawyer, but the kid stayed behind Blaze with his head down. “You think I can meet Arlo, Sawyer?”

The boy’s eyes shot to mine, wide and worried. I shrugged.

He opened his mouth and closed it, then took a breath. “I… all right.”

“Let’s go,” Blaze said.

At the entrance, Blaze shifted to the side and looked to Sawyer.

Sawyer stared back. Then he looked at me, Loyal, and Blaze again. “What?”

“The code for the door, chéri.”

His cheeks flushed as he stepped forward and pushed the door open.

Blaze wasn’t the only one whose expression had darkened, but it was he who asked, “Who’s the fuckin’ landlord of this place?”

To my surprise, Sawyer jutted his chin out and up. “He’s an old man who can’t afford to fix everything, but it’s a roof over our heads at a cheaper rate because of those repairs needed. You leave him alone.”