It took them roughly twenty minutes to travel the twelve miles from the hospital to the hotel that Josiah had reserved for them. It wasn't fancy, far from it in fact, but it was large and busy, which meant that they would be able to get lost in the crowd quite easily. Considering Rhonan was running at half speed at best with the pain in his ribs, getting lost in the crowd was a damn good plan. Wyatt stood off in the shadows as Rhonan checked in and grabbed the room key. It was under Sheila's name, but even if it wasn't with three hundred plus hotels in the city limits, it would take some time to find him. That was the hope at least. According to the voicemail that had come in while Wyatt and Rhonan were on the way to the hotel, Josiah had booked Rhonan a room under his name on Fremont Street, then Josiah and Sheila were also going to stay somewhere else for a few days, which allowed Rhonan to breath a little easier. Once he had the key card and room number, he made his way back to Wyatt's side and then they moved through the casino floor, alternating between the escalator and elevator, as they made their way to the twenty-eighth floor.

Wyatt made note of the ice machine location as they walked the long corridor to their room. When they finally found the correct room, Rhonan slid the key into the slot, waiting for the flashing green light before he pushed the door open. The room wasn't overly fancy, but it was clean. Gold and blue striped curtains blocked off the large window over the air conditioning unit, there was a single king sized bed in the middle of the room covered with the crisp hotel blankets, two beige armchairs, a small desk with a rolling office chair, and then an armoire with a flat screen tv sitting on top. The room was perfectly nondescript and something that would not draw attention from anyone. Once they were inside, Wyatt dropped both bags on the bed, then grabbed the small bucket from the bathroom counter and left to go get ice for Rhonan's injuries and a few drinks from the vending machine for them both. Later, he would run down to one of the many shops to find some ibuprofen, but for now, this would have to do.

While he was gone, Rhonan flopped on the bed and sent Josiah a quick text letting him know they made it to the hotel safely, then he dropped the phone to his side. Now that they were safe, Rhonan could breathe and not cause himself too much pain. He didn't move as he waited for Wyatt to return though. There was no sense trying to look into anything until they had a chance to talk. Rhonan needed answers only Wyatt could give him. After that, they could start trying to figure shit out. Just as he heard the keycard in the door, his phone alerted him to a new text. Josiah had information about the fire. Rhonan gasped loudly as Wyatt settled a bag of ice on his ribs and then Rhonan showed Wyatt the phone.

The fire was electrical, based on initial reports, the explosion was the sound of a refrigerator blowing up on the floor below. It wasn't looking like it was a deliberate act or sabotage, simply a mechanical breakdown, which was more common than people wanted to think. The timing of it sucked, but there was nothing more to it. Wyatt let out a sound of relief as he read the message again and his shoulders slumped as the weight of the information rolled off.  While four people were hospitalized, it was mainly for smoke inhalation and Wyatt was not even indirectly responsible.

Rhonan shot a 'thank you' text off to Josiah, then held the makeshift ice pack in place as he turned his full attention to Wyatt. He still hurt like hell, but being this close to Wyatt, he didn't care about the physical aches. He was still smarting over the things Wyatt had said before he left the hospital before the fire. Rhonan tried to hold onto the hope that once this was done, they could work out the rest. That was what his gut was telling him anyway. "Now that we know the fire was a result of shitty electronics, are you ready to tell me what the hell is going on? From start to finish, Wyatt."

Wyatt shrugged a shoulder as he grabbed one of the sodas and opened it for Rhonan. Holding it out for him, Wyatt kept his focus locked on the closed curtains. He took a slow breath that shook on the exhale. Rhonan took the bottle from Wyatt's unsteady fingers without a word as he waited for Wyatt to begin. Time ticked past slowly and the silence built between them. Wyatt opened his mouth several times to start and each time he snapped his jaws shut with a huff of annoyance. Finally he began to pace the room while running his hands through his hair. There were several more false starts before he opened his own soda and took a huge drink. Wyatt then went to the window, opening the curtains just enough to stare out into the night sky. He let out another slow breath and kept his gaze away from Rhonan when he finally did begin to speak.

"My dad, try as he might, he never had a head for business or finances or anything else, really. He would follow from one pipe dream to another, dragging the family along for the ride. Finally he got caught up with the wrong type of people. It started as easy money, but then he was doing things he had no business doing. Making deals with others, cutting out the people he was working for. He thought he deserved more for the risks he was taking so in addition to his backroom deals, he started skimming from the books. Mom knew what was going, but she wasn't much better when it came to responsibilities and shit like that. It wasn't long before he persuaded her to start moving the money around so it couldn't be traced. When I turned eighteen, because my dad was in so deep, I was wrangled into the business. They discovered dad had been stealing from 'em. He couldn't pay it back because it was tied up in stocks and bonds and wherever else they spent it. A lot of it got lost too, so in turn, I was forced to join the team so to speak. I was now responsible for what my family owed them. That should have been enough to stop my parents, but it didn't. Dad decided to take more. He was going to get us out. That was his big plan. They found out and in turn I was punished for it. I tried to get out. But then, I ended up hooking up with this guy in the business, he wanted out too. He was never a fan of violence. He gave me everything I could want. Or he tried at least. But then my parents went missing, along with a few others that were involved in my dad's schemes. It looked like the 'family' had taken them. I was lost and freaking out. The guy I was with couldn't help. He knew though, I could see it in his eyes. A cop reached out to me. They'd been watching shit going down, but could never get any evidence. When I tried putting out missing persons reports on my family, I caught his attention. With my help they hoped to get enough evidence to take them down. I was sent in to find any evidence I could. Laundering, drugs, kidnapping, trafficking, whatever. The cops were supposed to help me get my family back in return." Wyatt took a deep breath and shook his head as he fought for the courage to continue on. He'd never spoken about that night to anyone other than the cop who took his statement.

Rhonan stayed silent as he watched Wyatt by the window. He wanted to go over to him, but at the same time, he had a feeling that was the last thing Wyatt needed. At least based on Wyatt's body language. He was so wound up, so lost in the past, he might not even recognize Rhonan if he tried to reach out right now. Instead, Rhonan took a long drink from his soda and shifted the ice pack on his ribs. The silence built for so long Rhonan began to wonder if Wyatt was done talking when his quiet voice continued on.

"I snuck into one of the main warehouse buildings late one night trying to see if I could find anything when I heard voices. I hid like the fucking coward that I am as they dragged four people in, each one bound and gagged. They were so close, Rho. So fucking close. All I had to do was run down the stairs and I could reach them. Before I could move, hell before I could even blink, four shots rang out, nailing each person in the center of their damn heads. Flames started in the opposite corner of the warehouse. The restraints were cut then the bodies were taken into...well, I don't know where exactly. I'm guessing they were trying to make it look like they died in the fire though." Wyatt rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and took a breath, "I managed to get out before the flames engulfed the whole building. I'm pretty sure they knew I was there, I swear one of the shooters looked right up at me. But I got out. The cops showed up too late, as usual. But there was a reporter there, I recognized him from a few of the fluff pieces they ran on the 'company' so I'm pretty sure he was on the payroll. He caught me coming out of the building, snapped photos and was asking all sorts of questions as he tried leading me away from the building. The cop I was working with grabbed me though. The reporter slipped away in the chaos and the cops think he was the one who told the family I was there that night, that I saw shit I shouldn't have and they began to hunt me down with a vengeance while the Feds, DA and the cops were trying to build a case that would stick. Eventually, they got enough and quite a few members of the family were picked up. I was sent away, given a new identity and told to lay low while they got everything all ready for the trials. The first few years, I was moved around often as people started popping up here and there. I've been so damn careful. Stayed out of the papers, no matter how many times they tried to interview me. When the old owner of the restaurant was ready to sell, he helped me finance it, helped me do it so no one could even trace it to me. He said he felt a connection, I did too, but I couldn't tell him. I mean really, who would think to look for me at a place bearing my real name?" Wyatt slumped against the wall but refused to turn his attention from the window. "I'm so fucking tired, Rho. I just want to live my life without having to worry about being found. I thought I was safe. When the notes came and the calls started, I was almost ready to accept that I would have to leave again. Then they threatened you...I realized I couldn't run anymore."

Rhonan's heart skipped a beat or twenty at that final statement. Maybe he didn't mean it like it sounded, but damned if it didn't make Rhonan feel all warm and tingly just the same. Rhonan groaned and slid from the bed, dropping the nearly melted ice pack on the table before he crossed the room to where Wyatt stood. Rhonan reached out and grumbled at the damn needle still stuck in his arm. He stopped and peeled off the tape, then as carefully as he could pulled the needle free, grimacing the entire time. He dropped it on the table and grabbed a tissue to stem the flow of blood then walked back over to where Wyatt stood. He reached out with his good hand and slid his fingers down Wyatt's jaw before cupping his chin and turning his head to face Rhonan. "We will figure this out, Wyatt. No more running. Not alone at least."

Wyatt leaned into Rhonan's touch, but kept his eyes downcast, afraid of what he might see in Rhonan's eyes. He didn't want pity or apathy and after how he behaved, it was too much to hope for fondness. If anything Wyatt would be happy just to see understanding. The warmth from Rhonan's fingers radiated through Wyatt and he let out a soft hum as he slowly lifted the gaze from the floor. Rhonan's pale champagne eyes met his and Wyatt almost had to step back from the slap of emotions that hit him. Wyatt dragged his tongue over his lower lip and lifted his hand to cover Rhonan's. "You don't have to help. I'll make sure they leave you alone. I never wanted anyone caught up in this. Let's get your arm wrapped."

Rhonan flashed a small grin and tilted his head up to get closer to Wyatt's. His voice was just as soft as Wyatt's had been, almost as though he were afraid to break the spell that came over them. "My arm can wait. I'm in it now, Wyatt, and I'm not turning my back on you. Let me help you through this and we can figure out where we go from here."

Wyatt's nod was nearly imperceptible as he lowered his head, hovering his lips over Rhonan's, "If you get hurt again because of me..."